Skip Header
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Question and Answer Guide

SouthwestUSA Bank, Las Vegas, NV

The FDIC has put together some responses to frequent issues or questions bank customers may have following a bank failure. These should assist you in understanding what is happening at your bank.

On Friday, July 23, 2010, SouthwestUSA Bank, Las Vegas, NV, was closed by the Nevada Financial Institutions Division. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was then named Receiver. Subsequent to the closure, Plaza Bank, Irvine, CA, acquired almost all the deposits and assets of SouthwestUSA Bank from the FDIC as Receiver. Share price does not trigger a bank closing and was not the reason for SouthwestUSA Bank’s failure. All shares of stock were owned by the holding company, which was not involved in this transaction.

YOUR MONEY IS SAFE! No one lost any money on deposit as a result of the closure of this institution.

ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY: The total balance in your account(s), including checking, savings, money market, non-brokered Certificates of Deposit, and retirement accounts, has been transferred to Plaza Bank and will be available for transactions during regular business hours at the former SouthwestUSA bank location. You may continue to use your outstanding checks and they will clear up to the balance in your account. Your ATM/Debit card will continue to work as usual.

DIRECT DEPOSITS: All direct deposits, for example, social security checks, payroll, veteran’s benefits, welfare and/or disability, unemployment or any payment you receive electronically will continue as usual.

AUTOPAYMENTS/BILLPAY: These services will continue as usual.

INTEREST RATES: Interest on deposits accrued through close of business the day the bank was closed will be paid at your same rate. Current rates will be reviewed by the acquiring institution and may be lowered; however, you may withdraw funds from any transferred account without early withdrawal penalty until you renew your Certificate of Deposit.

BROKERED DEPOSITS: As an All-Deposits Transfer transaction, the total of all deposit accounts, whether insured or not (excluding the Cede & Co deposits that have been retained by the FDIC and will be paid separately), have been assumed by Plaza Bank. If you are a customer who has a SouthwestUSA Bank deposit through a broker, you must contact your broker with any questions.

SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES: You may continue to access your safe deposit box during normal business hours. Any changes will be communicated by the Plaza Bank.

OVERDRAFT LINES OF CREDIT: These lines have been transferred to the assuming bank. Please contact the Plaza Bank if you have additional questions regarding your line of credit account.

LOAN PAYMENTS: You should continue to make your payments according to the terms of your written contract. You may continue to make your payments at the branch office or send it to the same payment address with checks made payable to the old institution.

ESCROW PAYMENTS: All services previously performed related to your loan will continue. Should you receive notification that any portion of your taxes or insurance were not paid, notify your loan officer immediately.

LOANS IN PROCESS: Please contact your current loan officer directly.

SHARES OF STOCK: All shares of stock were owned by its holding company, SouthwestUSA Corporation, Las Vegas, NV. The holding company was not included in the closing of the bank or the resulting receivership. If you are a shareholder of SouthwestUSA Corporation, please do not contact or file a claim with the Receiver. You may contact SouthwestUSA Corporation directly for information as follows:

SouthwestUSA Corporation
4043 South Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV   89119
1-702-853-4700

CLAIMS: A Proof of Claim (POC) form for unpaid bills will need to be completed. POC’s can be found on the FDIC website (www.fdic.gov) or you can request one to be sent to you by calling 1-949-208-6700. Please send completed POC, supporting documents, and any other documentation that supports your claim to the following address:

FDIC as Receiver for SouthwestUSA Bank
1601 N. Bryan Street
Dallas, TX  75201-3430
Attention: Claims Agent

DEPOSIT INSURANCE INFORMATION: If you have accounts in both the failed and the assuming institution, they will be insured separately for at least six months following the merger of the institutions. This will allow you time to restructure your accounts if necessary.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: You may contact the FDIC Call Center at the number provided below with any additional questions:

FDIC Call Center
Toll free number 1-800-591-2845
Hours of Operation – Pacific Time
Friday, July 23, 2010: Until 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 24, 2010: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 25, 2010: Noon – 6:00 p.m.
Thereafter: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

SCAMS: Be watchful for and resistant to any scams to obtain information from you by individuals or entities stating that they are acting on behalf of either the failed bank, Plaza Bank, or the FDIC. Should you be contacted by anyone requesting private information from you related to this event, please contact the call center above and you will be directed to the appropriate person.

For more information: www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/southwestusanv.html


Back to top