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FDIC Enforcement Decisions and Orders

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   [10,245] In the Matter of Eastland Bank, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Docket No. FDIC-91-148b (6-4-91).

   Bank to cease and desist from such unsafe or unsound practices as operating with excessive volumes of adversely classified assets; engaging in unsafe and unsound lending and collection practices; operating with inadequate capital; operating in such a manner as to produce operating losses; operating with management whose policies are detrimental to the Bank; failing to provide adequate supervision over the Bank's affairs; and operating with inadequate allowance for loan and lease losses. (This order was terminated by order of the FDIC dated 12-18-92; see ¶15,572.)

   [.1] Management—Qualifications—Review
   [.2] Management—Management Plan—Minimum Requirements
   [.3] Board of Directors—Election—Outside Directors Added
   [.4] Board of Directors—Meetings—Frequency
   [.5] Loan Loss Reserve—Establish/Maintain
   [.6] Capital—Tier 1 Capital—Increase/Maintain—Methods
   [.7] Loans—Risk Position—Reduction Required
   [.8] Loans—Extensions of Credit—Existing Borrowers—Curtail
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   [.9] Loans—Overdue—Accrual of Interest
   [.10] Profit Plan—Minimum Requirements
   [.11] Dividends—Restricted
   [.12] Shareholders—Disclosure—Cease and Desist Order
   [.13] Loans—Concentration of Credit—Reduction Plan
   [.14] Loans—Special Mention—Correct Deficiencies
   [.15] Affiliated Organizations—Transactions With—Restricted
   [.16] Compliance Reports—Frequency

In the Matter of

EASTLAND BANK
WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND
(Insured State Nonmember Bank)
ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST

   Eastland Bank, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, ("Bank"), having been advised of its right to a Notice of Charges and of Hearing detailing the unsafe or unsound banking practices alleged to have been committed by the Bank and of its right to a hearing on such alleged charges under section 8(b)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("Act"), 12 U.S.C. § 1818(b)(1), and having waived those rights, entered into a STIPULATION AND CONSENT TO THE ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST ("CONSENT AGREEMENT") with counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), dated May 31, 1991, whereby solely for the purpose of this proceeding and without admitting or denying any unsafe or unsound banking practices, the Bank consented to the issuance of an ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST ("ORDER") by the FDIC.
   The FDIC considered the matter and determined that it had reason to believe that the Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices. The FDIC, therefore, accepted the CONSENT AGREEMENT and issued the following:

ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST

   IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that the Bank and its institution-affiliated parties, as that term is defined in section 3(u) of the Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), cease and desist from the following unsafe or unsound banking practices:

       (a) operating with excessive volumes of adversely classified assets and assets listed for Special Mention;
       (b) engaging in unsafe and unsound lending and collection practices, including maintaining an excessive volume of adversely classified loans and an excessive volume of overdue loans;
       (c) operating with inadequate capital for the kind and quality of assets held;
       (d) engaging in practices which produce operating losses and excessive loan losses;
       (e) engaging in management policies and practices which are detrimental to the Bank;
       (f) failing to provide adequate supervision and direction over the affairs of the Bank to prevent unsafe or unsound practices; and
       (g) operating with an inadequate allowance for loan and lease losses ("Reserve") for the volume, kind and quality of loans held.
   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that the Bank and its institution-affiliated parties take affirmative action as set forth below. Solely for purposes of enforcement of this ORDER by the FDIC pursuant to section 8(i) of the Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1818(i), the Bank and its institution-affiliated parties will not be deemed to be in violation of provisions (a) through (g) above, except to the extent that the Bank is not in compliance with the following provisions:

   [.1] 1. (a) Within one hundred and eighty (180) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall have and, if necessary, obtain qualified management. Each member of management shall have qualifications and experience commensurate with his or her duties and responsibilities at the Bank. The qualifications of management shall be assessed on its ability to:

       (i) comply with the requirements of this ORDER,
       (ii) operate the Bank in a safe and sound manner,
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       (iii) comply with applicable laws and regulations, and
       (iv) restore all aspects of the Bank to a safe and sound condition, including asset quality, capital adequacy, earnings and management effectiveness.
   During the life of this ORDER, the Bank shall notify the Regional Director of the FDIC's Boston Regional Office ("Regional Director") and the Superintendent of Banking and Securities of the State of Rhode Island ("Superintendent") in writing of any changes in senior executive officer(s) as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 303.14. The notification must include the names and background of any replacement personnel subject to this requirement and must be provided prior to the individual's assuming the new position.

   [.2] (b) In order to have acceptable management, within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Board of Directors shall cause to be developed a written analysis and assessment of the Bank's management and staffing needs ("management plan"), which shall include, at a minimum:

       (i) identification of both the type and number of officer positions needed to manage and supervise properly the affairs of the Bank;
       (ii) identification and establishment of such Bank committees as are needed to provide guidance and oversight to active management;
       (iii) evaluation of each Bank officer (at the level of vice president and above) to determine whether these individuals possess the ability, experience and other qualifications required to perform present and anticipated duties, including adherence to the Bank's established policies and practices, and maintenance of the Bank in a safe and sound condition; and
       (iv) a plan of action to recruit and hire any additional or replacement personnel with the requisite ability, experience and other qualifications, which the Board of Directors determines are necessary to fill Bank officer positions consistent with the Board's analysis, evaluation and assessment as provided in paragraphs 1(b)(i) and 1(b)(iii) of this ORDER.
   (c) The written management plan shall be submitted to the Regional Director and the Superintendent for review and comment. No sooner than thirty (30) days, but under no circumstances more than sixty (60) days after such submission, the Board of Directors shall approve the written management plan, taking into consideration any regulatory comments, and such approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors. Subsequent modifications to the written management plan may be made only after giving the Regional Director and the Superintendent written notice of the proposed modification, and after consideration of any responsive comments submitted by the Regional Director and/or the Superintendent within thirty (30) days from their receipt of the notice of proposed modification. No such modification shall become effective until approved by the Board of Directors, and such approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors. The Bank, its directors, officers and employees shall implement and follow the written management plan and/or any subsequent modification thereto.
   [.3] (d) (i) The written management plan shall also include the requirement that the Board of Directors of the Bank, or a committee thereof consisting of not less than a majority of Board members who are independent with respect to the Bank, provide supervision over lending, investment and operating policies of the Bank sufficient to ensure that the Bank complies with the provisions of this ORDER.
   (ii) At the next meeting of the shareholders of the Bank, and at each succeeding meeting of the shareholders at which Bank directors who are also shareholders shall nominate and support the election of candidates to the Board of Directors who are independent with respect to the Bank, in such number as is necessary to cause a majority of the Board of Directors to be and to remain independent with respect to the Bank.
   (iii) For purposes of this ORDER, an individual who is "independent with respect to the Bank" shall be any individual (1) who is not an officer of the Bank or any of its affiliated organiza- {{8-31-91 p.C-1058}}tions and who does not own more than five (5.0) percent of the outstanding shares of the Bank or any of its affiliated organizations, (2) who is not related by blood, marriage or common financial interest to an officer of the Bank or to any stockholder owning more than five (5.0) percent of the Bank's outstanding shares or more than five (5.0) percent of the outstanding shares of any of the Bank's affiliated organizations, and (3) who is not indebted to the Bank or any of its affiliated organizations, directly and indirectly (including the indebtedness of any entity in which the individual has a substantial financial interest), in an amount exceeding five (5.0) percent of the Bank's total equity capital and Reserve.

   [.4] (e) The Bank's Board of Directors shall continue to meet at least monthly. The Board shall cause to be prepared in advance and shall continue to follow a detailed written agenda at each meeting, which shall include consideration of actions of any committees. A chronological file of all written agendas shall be maintained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall not be precluded from considering matters other than those contained in the agenda. Detailed written minutes of all Board meetings shall be maintained and recorded on a timely basis.

   [.5] 2. (a) Within ten (10) days from the effective date of this ORDER, and if not previously accomplished, the Bank shall increase its Reserve existing as of October 22, 1990 by $6,463,000 at a minimum.
   (b) Immediately after complying with paragraph 2(a), and if not previously accomplished, the Bank: (1) shall eliminate from its books, by charge-off or collection, all assets or portions of assets classified "Loss" in the October 22, 1990 Report of Examination of the Bank by FDIC ("Examination"); and (2) shall either (A) eliminate from its books by charge-off or collection, or (B) if the asset is an extension of credit or lease, increase its Reserve by an amount equal to fifty (50.0) percent of, those assets or portions of assets classified "Doubtful" in the Examination, which have not been previously collected or charged off. Reduction of these assets through use of proceeds or loans made by the Bank does not constitute "collection" or "elimination" for the purpose of this paragraph.
   (c) Thereafter, the Bank shall maintain its Reserve in accordance with the prevailing requirements of the Instructions for the Reports of Condition and Income ("Instructions"). Toward this end, within sixty (60) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank's Board of Directors shall establish a comprehensive policy for determining the adequacy of the Bank's Reserve. The policy shall provide for a review of the Reserve at least once each calendar quarter. The review should focus on the results of the Bank's internal loan review, loan loss experience, trends of delinquent and non-accrual loans, an estimate of potential loss exposure on significant credits, concentrations of credit, and present and prospective economic conditions. Review of other real estate and exposure therein shall be undertaken along the same lines as the aforementioned loan portfolio review. The adequacy of the Reserve in relation to the loss potential in the loan portfolio will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and adjustments to the Reserve will be made accordingly. Details of these reviews will be incorporated into the minutes of the Board of Directors, including the methodology used to determine the adjustments made.
   (d) Reports of Condition and Income required to be submitted by the Bank as of each Report date, as that term is used in the Instructions, between and including October 22, 1990 and the effective date of this ORDER, shall, at a minimum, reflect a Reserve that should have been maintained in accordance with the Instructions. If necessary to comply with this paragraph 2(c), the Bank shall file amended Reports of Condition and Income within ten (10) days from the effective date of this ORDER.
   (e) Prior to the submission of any Report of Condition or Report of Income required to be filed by the Bank after the effective date of this ORDER, the Board of Directors of the Bank shall: (1) review the adequacy of the Bank's Reserve, (2) provide for an adequate Reserve, and (3) accurately report the Reserve in any such Report of Condition and Income. The minutes of the Board meeting at which such review is undertaken shall indicate the results of the review, including any in- {{8-31-91 p.C-1059}}creases in the Reserve, and the basis for determining the amount of allowance provided.

   [.6] 3. (a) (i) Within twelve (12) months from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall have Tier 1 capital at or in excess of five (5.0) percent of the Bank's total assets ("Tier 1 leverage capital ratio") and shall continue to maintain its Tier 1 leverage capital ratio at or above such level until twenty-four (24) months from the effective date of this ORDER. Within twenty-four (24) months from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall have a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of at least six (6.0) percent and shall continue to maintain its Tier 1 leverage capital ratio at or above such level while this ORDER is in effect. Toward this end, the Bank shall develop a Capital Plan which will be submitted to the Regional Director and the Superintendent for approval within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this ORDER. The Capital Plan should address both internal and external sources of capital augmentation, including capital infusions, retention of earnings, restrictions of asset growth and asset sales.

       (ii) For purposes of this ORDER, the terms "Tier 1 capital" and "total assets" shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the revised Part 325 of the FDIC's Rules and Regulations, 12 C.F.R. Part 325, which became effective April 10, 1991.
   (b) In calculating the Bank's Tier 1 leverage capital ratio under paragraph 3(a)(1) initially, the Bank shall first comply fully with paragraphs 2(a) and (b) of this ORDER. Thereafter, such ratio and its component parts shall be determined only after the Bank has made such additions to its Reserve so as to bring the Reserve into compliance with the prevailing requirements of the Instructions and charged off any losses identified subsequent to the Examination.
   (c) Any increase in the Tier 1 leverage capital ratio made by the Bank in order to meet the requirements of paragraph 3(a) of this ORDER may be accomplished by:
       (i) the retention of earnings;
       (ii) the sale of new offerings of common stock or perpetual preferred stock;
       (iii) the sale or transfer of existing shares by the Bank's shareholders to individuals who will contribute the required increase in capital to the Bank;
       (iv) the direct contribution of cash by the shareholders and/or directors of the Bank;
       (v) the collection of all or part of assets classified: (A) "Loss" as of October 22, 1990, without loss or liability to the Bank, or (B) "Doubtful" as of October 22, 1990, without loss or liability to the Bank, provided any collection on such assets shall first be applied to that portion of the asset which was not charged off pursuant to paragraph 2(b) of this ORDER. Reductions to loans and leases classified "Loss" and "Doubtful" shall first be credited to the Bank's Reserve and, if the Board of Directors' review of the adequacy of the Reserve required by paragraph 2(c) of this ORDER indicates that such Reserve has a balance in excess may be transferred to capital through a negative provision to the Reserve;
       (vi) the collection in cash of assets previously charged off;
       (vii) sale of assets;
       (viii) any combination of the above means; or
       (ix) any other means acceptable to the Regional Director and the Superintendent.
   (d) If, after having achieved the Tier 1 leverage capital ratio specified in paragraph 3(a)(i), such ratio declines below six (6.0) percent, the Bank, within sixty (60) days after the date on which the said ratio so declined, shall submit a written plan to the Regional Director and the Superintendent for increasing such ratio up to or in excess of six (6.0) percent within ninety (90) days after the written plan is implemented. Thereafter, the Bank shall continue to maintain its Tier 1 leverage capital ratio at or in excess of such level as calculated herein while this ORDER is in effect. Upon approval by the Regional Director and the Superintendent, the Bank shall immediately implement the written plan.
   (e) In addition to the requirements of paragraph 3(a)-(d), the Bank shall remain subject to the FDIC's Statement of Policy {{8-31-91 p.C-1060}}on Risk-Based Capital found in Appendix A to Part 325 of the FDIC Rules and Regulations, 12 C.F.R. Part 325, App. A.
   (f) If all or part of any increase in capital made by the Bank in order to meet the requirements of this paragraph 3 involves an offering, other than an offering deemed not to be a public securities offering pursuant to 17 C.F.R. § 230.506 as existing on the date of issuance of this ORDER or as hereafter amended, of the Bank's securities (including a distribution limited only to the Bank's existing shareholders), the Bank shall prepare detailed offering materials fully describing the securities being offered, including an accurate description of the financial condition of the Bank and of this ORDER as well as the circumstances giving rise to the offering, and any other material disclosures necessary to comply with the Federal securities laws. Prior to the sale of the securities, and, in any event not less than twenty (20) days prior to the dissemination of such materials, the materials used in the sale of the securities shall be submitted to the FDIC, Registration and Disclosure Section, Washington, D. C. 20429, for review. Any changes requested to be made in the materials by the FDIC shall be made prior to their dissemination.
   (g) In complying with the provisions of paragraph 3(f) of this ORDER, the Bank shall provide to any subscriber and/or purchaser of Bank stock, written notice of any planned or existing development or other change which is materially different from the information reflected in any offering materials used in connection with the sale of Bank securities. The written notice required by this paragraph 3(g) shall be furnished within ten (10) calendar days from the date such material development or change was planned or occurred, whichever is earlier, to every purchaser and/or subscriber of Bank stock who received or was tendered the information contained in the Bank's original offering materials.
   (h) The Bank's Board of Directors shall maintain in its minutes a written record of all actions taken by the Bank to comply with the capital requirements of paragraphs 3(a) through 3(g) of this ORDER, including, at a minimum, any action to increase its capital by each of the methods specified in paragraphs 3(a)(i) through 3(a)(viii) of this ORDER.

   [.7] 4. (a) Within sixty (60) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Board of Directors shall cause to be developed a written plan of action to lessen the Bank's risk position with respect to each borrower who or which had outstanding principal debt owing to the Bank in excess of $250,000 which was classified "Substandard" or "Doubtful," in whole or in part, as of October 22, 1990. In developing such plan, the Bank shall, at a minimum:

       (i) review the financial position of each such borrower, including source of repayment, repayment ability, and alternative repayment sources; and
       (ii) evaluate the available collateral for each such credit, including possible actions to improve the Bank's collateral position.
Based upon such review and evaluation, the written plan of action shall: (A) establish target dollar levels to which the Bank shall reduce the aggregate dollar volume of "Substandard" or "Doubtful" classifications within six (6) and twelve (12) months from the effective date of this ORDER; and (B) provide for the submission of written monthly progress reports to the Bank's Board of Directors or committee thereof established pursuant to paragraph 1(d)(i) of this ORDER, for review and notation in the Board minutes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such written progress reports shall be submitted directly to the Board on a quarterly basis. Exhibit A provides the form for the progress report. As used in this paragraph 4, "reduce" means to (1) collect, (2) charge off, or (3) improve the quality of such assets so as to warrant removal of any adverse classification by the FDIC and the Superintendent. Payment of loans with the proceeds of the other loans made by the Bank will not constitute "reduction" or "collection" for purposes of this ORDER.
   (b) The written plan of action described by paragraph 4(a) shall be submitted to the Regional Director and the Superintendent for review and comment. No sooner than thirty (30) days, but under no circumstances more than sixty (60) days after such submission, the Board of Directors shall approve the written plan of action, taking into consideration any regulatory comments, and such approval shall {{8-31-91 p.C-1061}}be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors. Subsequent modifications to the written plan may be made only after giving the Regional Director and the Superintendent written notice of the proposed modification, and after consideration of any responsive comments submitted by the Regional Director and/or the Superintendent within thirty (30) days from their receipt of the notice of proposed modification. No such modification shall become effective until approved by the Board of Directors, and such approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors. The Bank, its directors, officers and employees shall follow the written plan of action and/or any subsequent modification thereto.

   [.8] 5. The Bank shall not extend or renew, directly or indirectly, credit to, or for the benefit of, any borrower who has a loan or other extension of credit with the Bank in the amount of $10,000 or more that has been partially or fully charged off within the last seven years, or classified, in whole or in part, "Loss," "Doubtful," or "Substandard" in the Examination, and is uncollected, unless a majority of the Bank's Board of Directors first (1) determines that such advance is in the best interest of the Bank, (2) determines that the Bank has satisfied the requirements set out in paragraph 4 of this ORDER as to such borrower, and (3) approves such advance. A written record of the Board of Directors' determination and approval of any advance under the terms of this paragraph 5 shall be maintained in the credit file of the affected borrower(s) as well as the minutes of the Board of Directors.

   [.9] 6. The Bank shall not accrue interest on any loan that is, or becomes, ninety (90) days or more delinquent as to principal or interest, unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. For purposes of this paragraph 6, "well secured" and "in the process of collection" shall have the same meaning as those terms have in the prevailing Instruction for the Reports of Condition and Income. The Bank shall reverse on its books all previously accrued but uncollected interest on any loan that has ceased to accrue interest pursuant to this provision.

   [.10] 7. (a) Within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall develop a written profit plan consisting of goals and strategies for improving the earnings of the Bank, which written profit plan shall include, at a minimum:

       (i) identification of the major areas in, and means by, which the Board of Directors will seek to improve the Bank's operating performance;
       (ii) realistic and comprehensive budgets;
       (iii) a budget review process to monitor the income and expenses of the Bank to compare actual figures with budgetary projections; and
       (iv) a description of the operating assumptions that form the basis for, and adequately support, major projected income and expense components.
   (b) The written profit plan shall be submitted to the Regional Director and the Superintendent for review and comment. No sooner than thirty (30) days, but under no circumstances more than sixty (60) days after such submission, the Board of Directors shall approve the written profit plan, taking into consideration any regulatory comments, and such approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors. Subsequent modifications to the written profit plan may be made only after giving the Regional Director and the Superintendent written notice of the proposed modification, and after consideration of any responsive comments submitted by the Regional Director and/or the Superintendent within thirty (30) days from their receipt of the notice of proposed modification. No such modification shall become effective until approved by the Board of Directors, and such approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors. The Bank, its directors, officers, and employees shall follow the written profit plan and/or any subsequent modification thereto.

   [.11] 8. The Bank shall not pay or declare any dividends without the prior written consent of the Regional Director and the Superintendent while this ORDER is in effect.

   [.12] 9. Following the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall send to its shareholders a description of this ORDER, (1) in conjunction with the Bank's next shareholder communication, and also (2) in conjunction with its notice or proxy statement preceding the Bank's next shareholder meet- {{8-31-91 p.C-1062}}ing. The description shall fully describe the ORDER in all material respects. The description and any accompanying communication, statement, or notice shall be sent to the FDIC, Registration and Disclosure Section, Washington, D.C. 20429, for review at least twenty (20) days prior to dissemination to shareholders. Any changes requested to be made by the FDIC shall be made prior to dissemination of the description, communication, notice or statement.

   [.13] 10. Within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall formulate and implement a plan to reduce each concentration of credit noted on page 2-b through 2-b-2 of the FDIC Report of Examination of the Bank as of October 22, 1990 to less than twenty-five (25.0) percent of total equity capital and Reserve.

   [.14] 11. Within sixty (60) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall correct the remediable cited deficiencies in the loans listed for "Special Mention" on pages 2-1-c-1 through 2-2-c-1 of the FDIC Report of Examination of the Bank as of October 22, 1990.

   [.15] 12. The Bank shall not make any payments to, or for the benefit of, any affiliated organization without the prior written consent of the Regional Director and the Superintendent.

   [.16] 13. Within thirty (30) days from the effective date of this ORDER, and, thereafter, within thirty (30) days from the end of each calendar quarter, the Bank shall furnish written progress reports to the Regional Director and the Superintendent detailing the form and manner of any action taken to secure compliance with this ORDER and the results thereof. In addition, the Bank shall furnish such reports on request of either the Regional Director or the Superintendent. All progress reports and other written responses to this ORDER shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Bank and made a part of the minutes of the Board meeting.
   This ORDER shall become effective ten (10) days from the date of its issuance.
   The provisions of this ORDER shall be binding upon the Bank and its institution-affiliated parties.
   This ORDER has been reviewed and concurred in by the Superintendent.
   This ORDER supersedes and replaces the Memorandum of Understanding dated February 5, 1990 among the Board of Directors, the Regional Director and the Superintendent, which is of no further force or effect.
   The provisions of this ORDER shall remain effective and enforceable except to the extent that, and until such time as, any provisions of this ORDER shall have been modified, terminated, suspended, or set aside by the FDIC.
   Dated at Needham, Massachusetts this 4th day of June, 1991.
   Pursuant to delegated authority.

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