FDIC Takes Action Against Four Banks

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took enforcement actions against four banks last month tied to inadequate capital, compliance shortcomings and other matters, according to a series of orders released Friday.

The Ohio State Bank in Marion has agreed to maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 9% and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 12%. It also agreed to eliminate from its books loans designated by examiners as losses, to refrain from extending credit to any borrower whose loan has been charged off or flagged by examiners as troubled, and to detail in writing plans to reduce classified assets and boost earnings.

The order replaces one from 2009 that required the $118.8 million-asset bank to boost capital, strengthen credit administration and improve earnings.

La Farge State Bank in La Farge, Wis., has pledged to take steps to strengthen its compliance with several consumer protection laws. The $47.8 million-asset bank promised to employ a full-time compliance officer, to develop a system for managing compliance, to train employees about consumer laws that apply to their work and to commission an audit of its compliance with those laws by an auditor who lacks ties to management.

The Marathon Savings Bank in Wausau, Wis., has agreed to maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 9% and total risk-based capital ratio of at least 12%, as well as to sell itself to another federally insured institution if its Tier 1 capital ratio falls below 8%. It also agreed to refrain from extending further credit to any borrower whose loan examiners flagged as troubled, to improve its position in loans greater than $250,000 that examiners have classified as substandard or doubtful, and to lower concentrations of credit.

Moreover, the $179.9 million-asset bank pledged to implement procedures for reviewing and grading loans, to detail policies and practices for lending and collections, and to spell out a strategic plan and budget.

Pan American Bank in Los Angeles has pledged to maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 10%, to remove from its books loans classified by examiners as losses and to adopt a plan to restore the bank to profitability. The $38.3 million-asset institution also agreed to bolster its compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, to implement an information security program that addresses company-wide risk management, and to hire a core processing software vendor. Pan American further agreed to refrain from paying dividends or expanding its business without permission from regulators.

Meanwhile, the FDIC terminated orders against The Harbor Bank of Maryland in Baltimore; Nova Bank in Berwyn, Pa.; First State Bank in Crossett, Ark.; Citizens Bank and Trust in Chillicothe, Miss.; Wolf River Community Bank in Hortonville, Wis.; Home State Bank in Louisville, Neb.; American Gateway Bank in Port Allen, La.; First American International Bank in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and West Coast Bank in Lake Oswego, Ore.

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