FDIC Details Enforcement Actions Against Five Banks

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. issued five consent orders in December, according to the agency's most recent summary of enforcement actions.

Columbia Bank in Maryland was ordered to strengthen several aspects of its Bank Secrecy Act compliance program. The $2 billion-asset bank, in a supervisory agreement that it made public in December, must appoint anexecutive to oversee anti-money-laundering procedures and ensure that its board increases oversight of compliance issues.

Columbia is the fourth bank owned by the $17 billion-asset Fulton Financial in Lancaster, Pa., to be hit with a BSA-related enforcement action.

The $522 million-asset Seaway Bank and Trust in Chicago has to raise its Tier 1 capital to at least 8% and risk-based capital to at least 12%. Additionally, the FDIC directed the bank to strengthen its BSA compliance program and reduce its risk position in assets above $500,000. Seaway made the corrective action public in January.

International Bank in Raton, N.M., must increase its Tier 1 leverage capital ratio to 9%. The $292 million-asset bank must also raise its Tier 1 risk-based capital to 13% and total risk-based capital to 15%. Additionally, it was ordered to make a $1.3 million provision for loan losses.

Sage Bank in Lowell, Mass., has to adopt a new capital plan that raises its Tier 1 leverage capital to 8% and risk-based capital to at least 11%. The $208 million-asset bank is also prohibited from growing by more than 5% per quarter.

The $31 million-asset Louisa Community Bank must strengthen its anti-money-laundering procedures and establish a customer-due-diligence program. The Louisa, Ky.-based bank's board has to strengthen its oversight activities, and a succession plan for executives has to be established.

Additionally, the FDIC terminated consent orders for the following banks: VistaBank in Aiken, S.C.; Signature Bank of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.; Golden Eagle Community Bank in Woodstock, Ill.; Community State Bank in St. Charles, Mich.; Wilmington Savings Bank in Wilmington, Ohio; Legacy Bank of Florida in Boca Raton, Fla.; Premier Community Bank in Marion, Wis., and Village Bank in St. Francis, Minn.

The agency also terminated a cease-and-desist order for Business Bank in Burlington, Wash.