OCC Bulletin 2021-65 | December 20, 2021

Other Real Estate Owned: Updated Comptroller's Handbook Booklet and Rescissions

To

Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks, Federal Savings Associations, and Federal Branches and Agencies; Department and Division Heads; All Examining Personnel; and Other Interested Parties

Summary

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today issued an updated "Other Real Estate Owned" booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook, which is prepared for use by OCC examiners in connection with the examination and supervision of national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign banking organizations (collectively, banks).

Updates are summarized in the "Table of Updates Since Publication" in the back of the booklet. Refer to the "Foreword" booklet of the Comptroller's Handbook for more information regarding the OCC’s process for revising and updating booklets.

Rescissions

The updated booklet replaces the booklet of the same title issued in September 2020. Also rescinded is OCC Bulletin 2020-79, “Other Real Estate Owned: Updated Comptroller’s Handbook Booklet.”

Note for Community Banks

The "Other Real Estate Owned" booklet applies to the OCC’s supervision of community banks.

Highlights

The updated booklet

clarifies the definition of physical possession as it pertains to OREO properties.
updates ownership obligations and actions as they pertain to the Fair Housing Act.
makes other changes for clarity.

Further Information

Please contact the Commercial Credit Risk Policy Division at (202) 649-6670.

Grovetta N. Gardineer
Senior Deputy Comptroller for Bank Supervision Policy