May 13, 1998
Philip F. Donovan, Vice President
First Union Capital Markets
1000 Ridgeway Loop Road, Suite 103
Memphis, Tennessee 38120
Dear Mr. Donovan:
You have asked whether a federal credit union
may invest in a Home Equity Loan Collateralized Mortgage Obligation.
Based on the information in your letter, this is not an authorized
investment for a federal credit union under the Federal Credit
Union Act.
Sections 107(7), (8), and (15) of the Federal
Credit Union Act and Part 703 of NCUA's Regulations list those
securities, deposits, and other obligations in which a federal
credit union may invest. Federal credit unions have long been
authorized to invest in mortgage related securities issued by
federal instrumentalities such as the Federal National Mortgage
Association, the Government National Mortgage Association, and
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. We understand that
the Home Equity Loan Collateralized Mortgage Obligation is not
generally insured or guaranteed by one of these organizations.
Therefore, this investment must meet the requirements of section
107(15)(B) of the Federal Credit Union Act to be permissible for
federal credit unions.
Section 107(15)(B) of the Federal Credit Union
Act permits federal credit unions to invest in mortgage related
securities as defined in section 3(a)(41) of the Securities Exchange
Act. 15 U.S.C. §78c(a)(41). This definition provides, among
other things, that the mortgage related security represents ownership
of one or more notes which are secured by a first lien on real
estate. We understand that a Home Equity Loan Collateralized
Mortgage Obligation does not meet this definition because the
notes underlying the security are not secured by a first lien.
Therefore, it is an impermissible investment for a federal credit
union.
Sincerely,
Sheila A. Albin
Associate General Counsel
GC/MJMcK:bhs
SSIC 3501
98-0403