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Question and Answer Guide

BankUnited, FSB, Coral Gables, Florida

En Español

FDIC Call Center
Toll free number 1-800-451-1093
Hours of Operation – Eastern Time
Thursday, May 21, 2009: Until 9:00 p.m.
Friday, May 22, 2009: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 23, 2009:  9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 24, 2009: Noon – 6:00 p.m.
Thereafter: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

On May 21, 2009, BankUnited, FSB was closed by the Office of Thrift Supervision. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was then named Receiver. Subsequent to the closure, BankUnited, a newly chartered federal savings bank, acquired the assets and most of the liabilities of BankUnited, FSB from the FDIC as Receiver for BankUnited, FSB. Any claims by equity holders were not acquired. Share price does not trigger a bank closing and was not the reason for BankUnited FSB’s failure.

It is business as usual. Therefore, you may continue to use your same checks, ATM cards and debit cards until notified.

All direct deposits, including Social Security checks will continue as usual.

The following answers are provided to the most commonly asked questions by customers of the failed bank. The total balance in your account(s) has been transferred to BankUnited, Coral Gables, FL and will be available for transactions during regular business hours at the former BankUnited, FSB branches.

Account(s): What about my account with BankUnited, FSB?

If you had an account with BankUnited, FSB you now have an account with BankUnited. All deposit accounts, which include Checking, Savings, Money Market, CDs and Retirements accounts have been transferred to BankUnited, Coral Gables, FL, regardless of the dollar amount. No one lost any money on deposit in BankUnited, FSB.

It is business as usual; customers should continue to use their existing branches.

Please be advised you will not receive any email notification to claim/unlock/unsuspend your account or to provide any private information. Please be aware of any scams to obtain information from you.


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ATM/debit card and/or Billpay: What about my ATM/debit card and/or bill paying with BankUnited?

Your ATM/debit card will continue to work, and bill paying will work as it has in the past.


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Brokered Deposits: I am a deposit broker or have brokered deposits. What do I do?

All deposits comprised of principal and interest through the date of the bank failure, EXCLUDING deposits in the name of CEDE & CO, will be funded by the FDIC and transferred to the assuming bank. Funds representing principal and interest through the date of the bank failure for the CEDE & Co., brokered CDs will be paid directly by the FDIC. DTC Participant holders will not need to submit paperwork to claim funds. For additional recorded guidance relative to broker processing, you may call 1-800-451-1093.

Be advised, however, that from and after the date of closing, BankUnited will accrue and pay interest on deposit liabilities at a rate it shall determine; accordingly, BankUnited shall permit depositors, including brokered depositors, impacted by reduced interest rates, to withdraw their deposits without penalty for early withdrawal.


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Direct Deposits - Government Deposits: What will happen to my direct deposits?

Direct Deposits will continue as normal, including Social Security checks.


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Interest Rates, Early Withdrawal Penalty: Will I continue to earn interest at the same rate?  Will I be charged an early withdrawal penalty?

BankUnited will be reviewing rates and will notify you.

You may withdraw funds from any transferred account without an early withdrawal penalty until you enter into a new deposit agreement with your new bank. Entering into a new deposit agreement can be done by either renewing your CD or making a deposit to, or a withdrawal from, your account.


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Loans/mortgages: What about my loan or mortgage with BankUnited, FSB?

All mortgages and loans have been assumed by BankUnited. Your payment amount and due date are the same. If you are having your payment deducted from your account, it will continue as it has in the past. You should continue to make your checks payable to BankUnited and send your payments to the same address.


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Loans in Process: What happens if I had a loan in process that had not closed or a line of credit not fully funded?

You should contact your loan officer.  All prior contacts remain the same.


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Media: I represent a TV/Newspaper/Radio and would like some information.

Please contact the Office of Public Affairs:

David Barr
202-898-6992
dbarr@fdic.gov


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Outstanding Checks: What about checks that I have written on my account with BankUnited?

Your checks will clear up to the available balance in your account. You can continue to use your existing checks.


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Safe Deposit Boxes: How can I claim the contents of my safe deposit box?

It is business as usual.  You can go to your local branch and access your safe deposit box; however, no action on your part is required because of this transaction.


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Shareholders: What about my shares of stock, notes or subordinated notes that I own in BankUnited Financial Corporation?

There was no publicly owned stock in BankUnited, FSB. If you are an equity shareholder, your shares are in BankUnited Financial Corporation, Coral Gables, FL, the holding company for BankUnited, FSB, and not the institution. BankUnited Financial Corporation and the interests of equity, debt holders or other creditors of BankUnited Financial Corporation are not included in the closure or receivership of the institution. Any claims by equity holders were not acquired by the assuming institution. Please do not file a claim with the Receiver; instead, you should contact BankUnited Financial Corporation directly for information.

Susan Greenfield
305-569-3449


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Unpaid Bill: I did some work for BankUnited and have not yet been paid. What should I do?

All claims against BankUnited, FSB together with proof of the claims, must be submitted in writing to the Receiver at the following address:

FDIC as Receiver of BankUnited, FSB
1601 Bryan Street
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Claims Agent


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Transaction Types: Why do all deposits, insured and uninsured, pass in some transactions but not in others?

The FDIC is required by law to employ the least-cost resolution measure for each failed financial institution.  The most frequent result is for the FDIC to transfer only the insured deposits in a merger transaction.  The FDIC has been able to transfer all deposits in about 25% of the failures over the past 15 years.


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