Highlights:

The Guidelines, including the appendices

• recognize that while borrowers' ability to repay real estate loans according to reasonable terms remains the primary consideration in a lending decision, sound collateral valuation practices are an integral part of the loan underwriting process.
• update and replace existing supervisory guidance to reflect developments regarding appraisals and evaluations as well as changes in appraisal standards and advancements in regulated institutions' collateral valuation methods.
• clarify that collateral valuation methods that use an analytical method or technological tool, such as an automated valuation model, cannot be substituted for an appraisal when the transaction requires an appraisal.
• enhance the requirements for collateral valuation methods for transactions that permit the use of an evaluation and specify that valuation methods that do not provide a property's market value, such as a broker price opinion, are not acceptable as an evaluation.
• instruct institutions to file a complaint with the appropriate state appraiser regulatory officials when they suspect that a state certified or licensed appraiser fails to comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices, applicable laws, or engages in other unethical or unprofessional conduct, and to file a suspicious activity report (SAR) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network when the suspicious activity meets the SAR filing criteria.
• supplement existing guidance and rescind the following:
• 1994 Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines , FIL-74-94,
• Statement on Appraisal Standards , FIL-20-2001,
• Interagency Statement on Independent Appraisal and Evaluation Functions , FIL-84-2003, and
• 2006 Revisions to Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice , FIL-53-2006.

Distribution:
FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Suggested Routing:
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Lending Officer
Chief Financial Officer

Note:
FDIC financial institution letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2010/index.html .

To receive FILs electronically, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/fil.html .

Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 3501 Fairfax Drive, E-1002, Arlington, VA 22226 (1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200).