April 6, 1999
Gerald E. Toland, President
Redstone Federal Credit Union
220 Wynn Drive
Huntsville, Alabama 35893
You have asked whether a federal credit union (FCU) can accept
a mortgage on real estate owned by a trust as collateral for a
loan to the trust and, if so, whether the transaction is a loan
to a natural or nonnatural member. Further, if the transaction
is a loan to a nonnatural member, you have asked whether the FCU
must amend its bylaws to allow for such a loan.
An FCU can accept a mortgage on real estate owned by an irrevocable
trust, making a loan to the trust, if the trust is a member of
the FCU. The trust would be a nonnatural member. A loan to a
trust is considered a business loan and must meet the requirements
set forth in Part 723 of NCUA's regulations. If the loan is for
an amount that exceeds the trust's shareholdings in the FCU, the
FCU would need to request approval for a nonstandard amendment
of its bylaws to provide for such a loan.
An FCU can offer loans only to its members. Membership is open
to natural and nonnatural persons within an FCU's field of membership
(FOM). An irrevocable trust is eligible for membership if it
is specifically named in an FCU's FOM or as an "organizations
of such persons" if the FCU has opted to include organizations
of such persons in its FOM. NCUA Chartering and Field of Membership
Manual, Ch. 2, II.H, Other Persons Sharing Common Bond (IRPS 99-1).
An organization of such persons means an organization composed
exclusively of persons who are within an FCU's FOM. Article XVIII,
§2(b), NCUA Bylaws. Thus, a trust is eligible for membership
as an organization of such persons if the settlors, trustees,
and beneficiaries of the trust are all within the FCU's FOM. Only
irrevocable trusts will qualify for membership as an organization
of such persons because they are operative upon formation, whereas,
revocable trusts are not operative until the death of the grantor.
This limitation on membership for a trust is discussed in the
enclosed letter from Richard Schulman to Charles Williams, dated
September 19, 1995. A trust would be a nonnatural member, and
a loan to a trust would be a business loan subject to the member
business loan requirements. 12 C.F.R. Part 723.
The NCUA Bylaws state that an FCU cannot make a loan to a nonnatural member in excess of the member's shareholdings in the FCU. Article XII, §1,
Gerald E. Toland, President
Page Two
NCUA Bylaws. There is a standard bylaw amendment for this section
that permits loans to other than natural persons in excess of
their shareholdings in circumstances where a loan is being made
to a business organization or an association as long as natural
persons who have a majority interest in the organization or association
agree to be jointly liable for the loan. The basis for this requirement
is that the personal liability of natural person members is required.
12 C.F.R. §723.7(b). While that standard amendment would
not be appropriate for a trust, you may want to consider requesting
approval for a nonstandard amendment that would permit a loan
to a trust and provide for the personal liability of members who
are parties to the trust. I am enclosing a copy of page vi from
the NCUA publication "Federal Credit Union Standard Bylaw
Amendments and Guidelines." It explains the process of
obtaining approval for a nonstandard bylaw amendment.
We suggest that the members having interests in the trust should
consult with their own legal counsel about any potential tax implications
or any aspects of the loan that would be governed by state trust
law or the terms of the trust agreement.
Sincerely,
Sheila A. Albin
Associate General Counsel
GC/NSW/SAA:bhs
SSIC 3000
98-1116
Enclosures
cc: Alonzo A. Swann, III, Region III Director