Federal Reserve Regulations

TITLE 12 -- BANKS AND BANKING
CHAPTER II -- FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

SUBCHAPTER A -- BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

PART 225 -- BANK HOLDING COMPANIES AND CHANGE IN BANK CONTROL (REGULATION Y)

SUBPART G -- APPRAISALS

225.61 Authority, purpose, and scope

1. Authority. This subpart is issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) under title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FlRREA) (Pub. L. No. 101-73, 103 Stat. 183 (1989)), 12 U.S.C. 3310, 3331-3351, and section 5(b) of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1844(b).
2. Purpose and scope.
   1. Title XI provides protection for federal financial and public policy interests in real estate related transactions by requiring real estate appraisals used in connection with federally related transactions to be performed in writing, in accordance with uniform standards, by appraisers whose competency has been demonstrated and whose professional conduct will be subject to effective supervision. This subpart implements the requirements of title XI, and applies to all federally related transactions entered into by the Board or by institutions regulated by the Board (regulated institutions).
   2. This subpart:
      1. Identifies which real estate-related financial transactions require the services of an appraiser;
      2. Prescribes which categories of federally related transactions shall be appraised by a State certified appraiser and which by a State licensed appraiser; and
      3. Prescribes minimum standards for the performance of real estate appraisals in connection with federally related transactions under the jurisdiction of the Board.

225.62 Definitions.

1. Appraisal means a written statement independently and impartially prepared by a qualified appraiser setting forth an opinion as to the market value of an adequately described property as of a specific date(s), supported by the presentation and analysis of relevant market information.
2. Appraisal Foundation means the Appraisal Foundation established on November 30, 1987, as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of Illinois.
3. Appraisal Subcommittee means the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.
4. Business loan means a loan or extension of credit to any corporation, general or limited partnership, business trust, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, or other business entity.
5. Complex 1-to-4 family residential property appraisal means one in which the property to be appraised, the form of ownership, or market conditions are atypical.
6. Federally related transaction means any real estate-related financial transaction entered into on or after August 9, 1990, that:
   1. The Board or any regulated institution engages in or contracts for; and
   2. Requires the services of an appraiser.
7. Market value means the most probable price which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby:
   1. Buyer and seller are typically motivated;
   2. Both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their own best interests;
   3. A reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market;
   4. Payment is made in terms of cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and
   5. The price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.
8. Real estate or real property means an identified parcel or tract of land, with improvements, and includes easements, rights of way, undivided or future interests, or similar rights in a tract of land, but does not include mineral rights, timber rights, growing crops, water rights, or similar interests severable from the land when the transaction does not involve the associated parcel or tract of land.
9. Real estate-related financial transaction means any transaction involving:
   1. The sale, lease, purchase, investment in or exchange of real property, including interests in property, or the financing thereof; or
   2. The refinancing of real property or interests in real property; or
   3. The use of real property or interests in property as security for a loan or investment, including mortgage-backed securities.
10. State certified appraiser means any individual who has satisfied the requirements for certification in a State or territory whose criteria for certification as a real estate appraiser currently meet or exceed the minimum criteria for certification issued by the Appraiser Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation. No individual shall be a State certified appraiser unless such individual has achieved a passing grade upon a suitable examination administered by a State or territory that is consistent with and equivalent to the Uniform State Certification Examination issued or endorsed by the Appraiser Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation. In addition, the Appraisal Subcommittee must not have issued a finding that the policies, practices, or procedures of the State or territory are inconsistent with title XI of FIRREA. The Board may, from time to time, impose additional qualification criteria for certified appraisers performing appraisals in connection with federally related transactions within its jurisdiction.
11. State licensed appraiser means any individual who has satisfied the requirements for licensing in a State or territory where the licensing procedures comply with title XI of FIRREA and where the Appraisal Subcommittee has not issued a finding that the policies, practices, or procedures of the State or territory are inconsistent with title XI. The Board may, from time to time, impose additional qualification criteria for licensed appraisers performing appraisals in connection with federally related transactions within the Board's jurisdiction.
12. Tract development means a project of five units or more that is constructed or is to be constructed as a single development.
13. Transaction value means:
    1. For loans or other extensions of credit, the amount of the loan or extension of credit;
    2. For sales, leases, purchases, and investments in or exchanges of real property, the market value of the real property interest involved; and
    3. For the pooling of loans or interests in real property for resale or purchase, the amount of the loan or the market value of the real property calculated with respect to each such loan or interest in real property.

225.63 Appraisals required; transactions requiring a State certified or licensed appraiser.

1. Appraisals required. An appraisal performed by a State certified or licensed appraiser is required for all real estate-related financial transactions except those in which:
   1. The transaction value is $ 250,000 or less;
   2. A lien on real estate has been taken as collateral in an abundance of caution;
   3. The transaction is not secured by real estate;
   4. A lien on real estate has been taken for purposes other than the real estate's value;
   5. The transaction is a business loan that:
      1. Has a transaction value of $ 1 million or less; and
      2. Is not dependent on the sale of, or rental income derived from, real estate as the primary source of repayment;
   6. A lease of real estate is entered into, unless the lease is the economic equivalent of a purchase or sale of the leased real estate;
   7. The transaction involves an existing extension of credit at the lending institution, provided that:
      1. There has been no obvious and material change in market conditions or physical aspects of the property that threatens the adequacy of the institution's real estate collateral protection after the transaction, even with the advancement of new monies; or
      2. There is no advancement of new monies, other than funds necessary to cover reasonable closing costs;
   8. The transaction involves the purchase, sale, investment in, exchange of, or extension of credit secured by, a loan or interest in a loan, pooled loans, or interests in real property, including mortgaged-backed securities, and each loan or interest in a loan, pooled loan, or real property interest met Board regulatory requirements for appraisals at the time of origination;
   9. The transaction is wholly or partially insured or guaranteed by a United States government agency or United States government sponsored agency;
   10. The transaction either:
       1. Qualifies for sale to a United States government agency or United States government sponsored agency; or
       2. Involves a residential real estate transaction in which the appraisal conforms to the Federal National Mortgage Association or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation appraisal standards applicable to that category of real estate;
   11. The regulated institution is acting in a fiduciary capacity and is not required to obtain an appraisal under other law; or
   12. The Board determines that the services of an appraiser are not necessary in order to protect Federal financial and public policy interests in real estate-related financial transactions or to protect the safety and soundness of the institution.
2. Evaluations required. For a transaction that does not require the services of a State certified or licensed appraiser under paragraph (a)(1), (a)(5) or (a)(7) of this section, the institution shall obtain an appropriate evaluation of real property collateral that is consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
3. Appraisals to address safety and soundness concerns. The Board reserves the right to require an appraisal under this subpart whenever the agency believes it is necessary to address safety and soundness concerns.
4. Transactions requiring a State certified appraiser. --
   1. All transactions of $1,000,000 or more. All federally related transactions having a transaction value of $1,000,000 or more shall require an appraisal prepared by a State certified appraiser.
   2. Nonresidential transactions of $250,000 or more. All federally related transactions having a transaction value of $250,000 or more, other than those involving appraisals of 1-to-4 family residential properties, shall require an appraisal prepared by a State certified appraiser.
   3. Complex residential transactions of $250,000 or more. All complex 1-to-4 family residential property appraisals rendered in connection with federally related transactions shall require a State certified appraiser if the transaction value is $250,000 or more. A regulated institution may presume that appraisals of 1-to-4 family residential properties are not complex, unless the institution has readily available information that a given appraisal will be complex. The regulated institution shall be responsible for making the final determination of whether the appraisal is complex. If during the course of the appraisal a licensed appraiser identifies factors that would result in the property, form of ownership, or market conditions being considered atypical, then either:
      1. The regulated institution may ask the licensed appraiser to complete the appraisal and have a certified appraiser approve and co-sign the appraisal; or
      2. The institution may engage a certified appraiser to complete the appraisal.
5. Transactions requiring either a State certified or licensed appraiser. All appraisals for federally related transactions not requiring the services of a State certified appraiser shall be prepared by either a State certified appraiser or a State licensed appraiser.

225.64 Minimum appraisal standards.

For federally related transactions, all appraisals shall, at a minimum:

1. 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 Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20005, unless principles of safe and sound banking require compliance with stricter standards;
2. Be written and contain sufficient information and analysis to support the institution's decision to engage in the transaction;
3. Analyze and report appropriate deductions and discounts for proposed construction or renovation, partially leased buildings, non-market lease terms, and tract developments with unsold units;
4. Be based upon the definition of market value as set forth in this subpart; and
5. Be performed by State licensed or certified appraisers in accordance with requirements set forth in this subpart.

225.65 Appraiser independence.

1. Staff appraisers. If an appraisal is prepared by a staff appraiser, that appraiser must be independent of the lending, investment, and collection functions and not involved, except as an appraiser, in the federally related transaction, and have no direct or indirect interest, financial or otherwise, in the property. If the only qualified persons available to perform an appraisal are involved in the lending, investment, or collection functions of the regulated institution, the regulated institution shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the appraisers exercise independent judgment and that the appraisal is adequate. Such steps include, but are not limited to, prohibiting an individual from performing appraisals in connection with federally related transactions in which the appraiser is otherwise involved and prohibiting directors and officers from participating in any vote or approval involving assets on which they performed an appraisal.
2. Fee appraisers
   1. If an appraisal is prepared by a fee appraiser, the appraiser shall be engaged directly by the regulated institution or its agent, and have no direct or indirect interest, financial or otherwise, in the property or the transaction.
   2. A regulated institution also may accept an appraisal that was prepared by an appraiser engaged directly by another financial services institution, if:
      1. The appraiser has no direct or indirect interest, financial or otherwise, in the property or the transaction; and
      2. The regulated institution determines that the appraisal conforms to the requirements of this subpart and is otherwise acceptable.

225.66 Professional association membership; competency.

1. Membership in appraisal organizations. A State certified appraiser or a State licensed appraiser may not be excluded from consideration for an assignment for a federally related transaction solely by virtue of membership or lack of membership in any particular appraisal organization.
2. Competency. All staff and fee appraisers performing appraisals in connection with federally related transactions must be State certified or licensed, as appropriate. However, a State certified or licensed appraiser may not be considered competent solely by virtue of being certified or licensed. Any determination of competency shall be based upon the individual's experience and educational background as they relate to the particular appraisal assignment for which he or she is being considered.

225.67 Enforcement.

Institutions and institution-affiliated parties, including staff appraisers and fee appraisers, may be subject to removal and/or prohibition orders, cease and desist orders, and the imposition of civil money penalties pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C 1811 et seq., as amended, or other applicable law.

History:

Reg. Y, 55 FR 27771, July 5, 1990.

Authority Note Applicable to Entire Part:

12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(13), 1818, 1831i, 1843(c)(8), 1844(b), 1972(l), 3106, 3108, 3310, 3331-3351, 3907, and 3909.

Notes Applicable to Entire Part

At 57 FR 54173, Nov. 17, 1992 a statement and order was issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Office of Thrift Supervision, Treasury; and National Credit Union Administration. Section 2 of the Depository Institutions Disaster Relief Act of 1992 (DIDRA), signed by the President on October 23, 1992, authorizes the agencies to make exceptions to statutory and regulatory requirements relating to appraisals for certain transactions.

This order is effective on November 17, 1992, and expires for specific areas on the dates listed. Exceptions for Florida and Louisiana counties affected by Hurricane Andrew expire
August 23, 1995, respectively. Exceptions for Hawaii counties affected by Hurricane Iniki expire September 11, 1995. Exceptions for Los Angeles County expire May 1, 1995.

Order

In accordance with section 2 of DIDRA, relief is hereby granted from the provisions of title XI of FIRREA and the agencies' appraisal regulations promulgated thereunder:

• [h1] For any real estate-related financial transaction that requires an appraisal under those provisions; provided that the transaction involves real property located in an area designated eligible for Federal assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a result of Hurricanes Andrew; or
• [h2] Iniki; or
• [h3] Of the Los Angeles civil unrest in May 1992; or
• [h6] Florida counties: Broward, Collier, Dade, Monroe; or
• [h7] Louisiana parishes: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette LaFourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides,
  St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana. [h8] Hawaiian counties: Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau, Oahu; or
• [h9] Los Angeles county, provided the real property involved was directly affected by the major disaster or the real property involved was not directly affected by the major disaster but the institution's records explain how the transaction would facilitate recovery from the disaster, and further provided there is a binding commitment to fund a transaction that is made within three years after the date the major disaster was declared by the President, and the regulated institution retains in its files, for examiner review, appropriate documentation supporting the property's valuation.

Note:

At 58 FR 42640, Aug. 11, 1993, a statement and order was issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Office of Thrift Supervision, Treasury; and the National Credit Union Administration. Section 2 of DIDRA, 12 U.S.C. 3352, authorizes the agencies to make exceptions to statutory and regulatory appraisal requirements for transactions with respect to real property located in areas that the President has determined, pursuant to section 5170 of title 42, that a major disaster exists, provided that:

• The exception would facilitate recovery from the major disaster and is consistent with safety and soundness;
• [h10] Such exceptions expire not later than three years after the date of the President's determination that a major disaster exists in the area;
• [h11] The agencies must make the exception no later than 30 months after the date on which the President determines that a major disaster exists in the area. During the summer of 1993, the President determined that major disasters existed in several Midwestern states because of the extensive flooding that had occurred and is continuing in those areas in April through July of 1993. The agencies believe that granting relief from the appraisal requirements for certain real estate transactions in all such areas affected by this summer's flooding is consistent with the provisions of the DIDRA.
  
  The agencies have determined that the disruption of real estate markets in all such affected areas interferes with the ability of depository institutions to obtain appraisals that comply with statutory and regulatory requirements and, therefore, would impede institutions in making loans and engaging in other transactions that would aid in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected areas. Accordingly, the agencies have determined that recovery from the major disasters would be facilitated by excepting transactions involving real estate located in those areas directly affected by this summer's flooding from the real estate appraisal requirements of title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) and regulations promulgated thereto. This has the effect of excluding transactions to which the exceptions apply from the definition of "federally related transactions."
  
  The agencies have also determined safety and soundness would not be adversely affected by such exceptions so long as the depository institution's records relating to any such excepted transaction clearly indicate either that the property involved was directly affected by the major disaster or that the transaction would facilitate recovery from the disaster and there is a binding commitment to fund the transaction within three years after the date the major disaster was declared. In addition, the transaction must continue to be subject to review by management and by the agencies in the course of examination of the institution under normal supervisory standards relating to safety and soundness, though the transactions need not comply with the specific requirements of title XI of FIRREA and the agencies' appraisal regulations.

Expiration Dates

Any exceptions provided under the order shall expire not later than 3 years after the date on which the President determines, pursuant to section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5170, that a major disaster exists in the area. Accordingly, exceptions for the major disasters declared due to the flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin counties expire on June 11, 1996 and July 2, 1996, respectively; in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois counties on July 9, 1996; and in Nebraska and South Dakota counties on July 19, 1996. Exceptions for any other areas that have been declared major disasters by the President expire 3 years after the date of such declaration.

Order

In accordance with section 2 of DIDRA, relief is hereby granted from the provisions of title XI of FIRREA and the agencies' appraisal regulations for any real estate-related financial transaction that requires an appraiser under those provisions, provided that:

• The transaction involves real estate located in an area that the President has determined, pursuant to section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5170, is a major disaster area as a result of the extensive flooding in the Midwest and has been designated eligible for Federal assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
• [h12] [h13] these areas include counties in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota which have been declared major disaster areas and are listed in the attached Appendix. The exception would also include any other such areas that the President declares are major disaster areas as a result of this summer's flooding in the Midwest.
• (2)(a) the real property involved was directly affected by the major disaster; or
• (b) the real property involved was not directly affected by the major disaster but the institution's records explain how the transaction would facilitate recovery from the disaster;
• (3) there is a binding commitment to fund a transaction that is made within three years after the date the major disaster was declared by the President; and
• (4) the institution retains in its files, for examiner review, appropriate documentation supporting the property's valuation.

Appendix:

Minnesota: Brown, Cottonwood, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Blue Earth, Nicollet, Renville, Sibley, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine, Carver, Chippewa, Faribault, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Scott, Goodhue, Washington, Dakota, Houston, Ramsey, Big Stone, Clay, Stevens, Swift, Traverse

Wisconsin: Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jackson, Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Saulk, Trempealeau, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood, Adams, Buffalo, Chippewa, Crawford, Dane, Green, Grant, Iowa, Juneau, LaCrosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Price, Rock, Rusk, St. Croix, Vernon

Missouri: Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, St. Charles, Andrew, Atchison, Barry, Bates, Boone, Buchanan, Callaway, Camden, Carroll, Cape Girardeau, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, Franklin, Gasconade, Gentry, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery, Newton, Nodaway, Osage, Perry, Platte, Pulaski, Ralls, Ray, Saline, Shelby, St. Louis, St. Louis City, St. Genevieve, Stone, Warren, Worth

Iowa: Clayton, Clinton, Des Moines, Dickinson, Humboldt, Jackson, Louisa, Muscaine, Scott, Wapello, Polk, Lyon, Osceola, Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Chickasaw, Floyd, Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Palo Alto, Clay, O'Brien, Sioux, Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Wright, Franklin, Butler, Bremer, Dubuque, Delaware, Buchanan, Black Hawk, Grundy, Hardin, Hamilton, Webster, Calhoun, Sac, Ida, Woodbury, Monora, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Benton, Linn, Jones, Cedar, Iowa, Poweshiek, Jasper, Dallas, Guthrie, Audubon, Shelby, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Madison, Warren, Marion, Mahaska, Keokuk, Washington, Henry, Jefferson, Monroe, Lacas, Clarke, Union, Adams, Montgomery, Mills, Fremont, Page, Taylor, Ringgold, Decatur, Wayne, Appanoosa,Davis, Van Buren, Lee

Illinois: Adams, Calhoun, Carroll, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Mercer, Pike, Rock Island, Whiteside, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair, Boone, Lake, McHenry, Stephenson, Winnebago, Alexander, Jackson, Randolph, Union

Nebraska: Buffalo, Cass, Lancaster, Sarpy, Seward, Washington, Adams, Hall, Kearney, Phelps

South Dakota: Bon Homme, Brookings, Clay, Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kinsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, Union, Yankton.