TITLE 7.BANKING AND SECURITIES

Part 6. CREDIT UNION DEPARTMENT

Chapter 91. CHARTERING, OPERATIONS, MERGERS, LIQUIDATIONS

Subchapter G. LENDING POWERS

7 TAC §91.708

The Texas Credit Union Commission proposes amendments to §91.708, concerning real estate appraisals. The amendments would increase the threshold for an appraisal from $100,000 to $250,000. The amendments also propose to increase the threshold for an appraisal for a member business loan to $250,000 if it involves real estate.

Harold Feeney, Commissioner, has determined that for the first five-year period the amended rule is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Feeney has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect, the public benefit anticipated will be that the rule will be consistent with the regulatory provisions of the agencies regulating banks, thrifts and federal credit unions. There will be no effect on small businesses as a result of amending this section. There is no anticipated economic cost to entities that are currently required to comply with the section as result of the proposed amendment's adoption.

Written comments on the proposed amendment must be submitted within 30 days after its publication in the Texas Register to Harold Feeney, Commissioner, Credit Union Department, 914 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752-1699.

The amendment is proposed under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §124.001, which provides the Credit Union Commission with the authority to adopt rules governing loans made to credit union members; and under the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code.

The specific section affected by the proposed amendment is Texas Finance Code, §124.001.

§91.708.Real Estate Appraisals.

For real estate loans in which the transaction value exceeds $250,000 [ $100,000 or in the case of a member business loan exceeding $50,000 ], a professional appraisal report by a state certified or licensed appraiser, as required by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, is necessary. Reappraisals may be required by the commissioner on real estate or other property or interests therein securing loans, at the expense of the credit union, when the commissioner has reason to believe the value of the security is overstated for any reason. The appraisal report shall be in writing and conform to generally accepted appraisal standards as evidenced by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation, 1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005. In the case of renewal of a loan where additional funds are advanced by the credit union, a written certification of current value by the original appraiser or an acceptable substitute shall satisfy this section.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, 2002.

TRD-200201669

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 28, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


7 TAC §91.709

The Texas Credit Union Commission proposes amendments to §91.709 concerning certain loans or extensions of credit that a credit union may make, the proceeds of which will be used for a commercial, corporate, business investment property or venture, or agricultural purposes (member business loans). The amendments are being proposed to reduce confusion and to make it abundantly clear that member business loans must be secured by collateral.

Harold Feeney, Commissioner, has determined that for the first five-year period the amended rule is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Feeney has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect, the public benefit anticipated will be that the rule will be unambiguous, therefore preventing future confusion on the part of those referencing the Commission's rules. There will be no effect on small businesses as a result of amending this section. There is no anticipated economic cost to entities that are currently required to comply with these sections as result of the proposed amendment's adoption.

Written comments on the proposed amendment must be submitted within 30 days after its publication in the Texas Register to Harold Feeney, Commissioner, Credit Union Department, 914 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752-1699.

The amendment is proposed under the provision of the Texas Finance Code §124.001, which provides the Credit Union Commission with the authority to adopt rules governing loans made to credit union members; and under the Texas Finance Code §15.402, which authorizes the commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code.

The specific section affected by the proposed amendment is Texas Finance Code §124.001.

§91.709.Member Business Loans.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Member business loans shall be secured by collateral. The maximum loan-to-value ratio for a loan made under this section may not exceed 80%.

(c) [ (b) ] A credit union that engages in this type of lending shall adopt specific member business loan policies and review them at least annually. The policies, at a minimum, shall address all of the following areas:

(1) Types of business loans to be made.

(2) The maximum amount of credit union assets, relative to credit union net worth, that will be invested in member business loans.

(3) The maximum amount of credit union assets, relative to credit union net worth, that will be invested in a given category or type of member business loan.

(4) The maximum amount of credit union assets, relative to credit union net worth, that will be loaned to any one member or group of associated members, subject to subsection (d) of this section.

(5) The qualifications and experience requirements for personnel involved in making and servicing business loans.

(6) Analysis of the member's initial and ongoing financial capacity to repay the debt.

(7) Documentation supporting each request for an extension of credit or an increase in an existing loan or line of credit, which shall address all of the following:

(A) A balance sheet;

(B) An income statement;

(C) A cash flow analysis;

(D) Tax returns;

(E) Leveraging; and

(F) Receipt and the periodic updating of financial statements, tax returns, and other documentation.

(8) Collateral requirements which include all of the following:

(A) Types of collateral that will be accepted as security;

(B) [ (A) ]Loan-to-value (LTV) ratios (which for all liens cannot exceed 80% unless the value in excess of 80% is covered through private mortgage or equivalent insurance but in no case can it exceed 95%);

(C) [ (B) ]Appraisal, title search, and insurance requirements; and

(D) [ (C) ]Steps to ensure that a valid and enforceable lien will be created for each type of collateral accepted by the credit union.

(9) Identification, by position, of the officials and senior management employees who are prohibited from receiving member business loans which, at a minimum, shall include the credit union's chief executive officer, any assistant chief executive officers, the chief financial officer, and any associated member or immediate family member of such persons.

(d) [ (c) ] The aggregate amount of outstanding member business loans to any one member or group of associated members shall not be more than 15% of the credit union's net worth (less the Allowance for Loan Losses account) or $100,000.00, whichever is higher. If any portion of a member business loan is secured by shares in the credit union or deposits in another financial institution, or is fully or partially insured or guaranteed by, or subject to an advance commitment to purchase by, any agency of the Federal government or of a state or any of its political subdivisions, such portion shall not be calculated in determining the 15% limit.

(e) [ (d) ] Construction and development of commercial or residential property are subject to the following additional requirements:

(1) The aggregate of all construction and development loans must not exceed 15% of the credit union's net worth. To determine the aggregate, a credit union may exclude any portion of a loan:

(A) Secured by shares in the credit union;

(B) Secured by deposits in another financial institution;

(C) Fully or partially insured or guaranteed by any agency of the federal government, state, or its political subdivisions; or

(D) Subject to an advance commitment to purchase by an agency of the federal government, state, or its political subdivisions;

(2) The member borrower must have a minimum of 35% equity interest in the project being financed; and

(3) The funds may be released only after on-site, written inspections by qualified personnel and according to a preapproved draw schedule and any other conditions as set forth in the loan documentation.

(f) [ (e) ] The aggregate limit on a credit union's outstanding member business loans (including any unfunded commitments) is the lesser of 1.75 times the credit union's net worth or 12.25% of the credit union's total assets. Loans that are exempt from the definition of member business loans are not counted for the purpose of the aggregate loan limit.

(g) [ (f) ] For the purposes of this section, the following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Associated member -- means any member with a common ownership, investment, or other pecuniary interest in the business or agricultural endeavor for which the business loan is being made.

(2) Net Worth -- means retained earnings as defined under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, 2002.

TRD-200201691

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 28, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


Subchapter H. INVESTMENTS

7 TAC §91.802

The Texas Credit Union Commission proposes amendments to §91.802 relating to other investments for credit unions.

The amendments modifies the definition of "yankee dollar deposit" to prohibit investment in U.S. branches of foreign banks, the deposits of which are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

The amendments to the rule are proposed as a result of an interested person petitioning the Commission to amend the rule to prevent the current definition from being construed to allow investment in non-insured branches.

Harold Feeney, Commissioner, has determined that there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amended rule.

Mr. Feeney has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amended rule is in effect, the public benefits anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be greater clarification as to credit unions' ability to invest excess funds not used for loans, as well as improved safety and soundness given the additional restriction relating to investment quality. There is no anticipated effect on small businesses as a result of adopting the proposal. There is no economic cost anticipated to entities that are required to comply with the amendment as a result of its future adoption.

Written comments on the proposal must be submitted within 30 days after its publication in the Texas Register to Harold Feeney, Commissioner, Credit Union Department, 914 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752-1699.

The amendments are proposed under the provisions of §124.351 of the Texas Finance Code that are interpreted to authorize the Credit Union Commission to adopt rules authorizing other investments permissible for credit unions that are responsive to changes in economic conditions or competitive practices and to the need for safety and soundness of credit union investments.

The specific section affected by this proposed amendments is Texas Finance Code §124.351.

§91.802.Other Investments

(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) - (11) (No change.)

(12) Yankee Dollar deposit--A deposit in a United States branch of a foreign bank , the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, that is licensed to do business in the state in which it is located, or a deposit in a state chartered, foreign controlled bank.

(13) - (15) (No change.)

(b) - (e) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, 2002.

TRD-200201697

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 28, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236