The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 8 : Banking and Insurance

Chapter 222 : Powers

Subchapter 003 : LOANS

• § 32301. Loan authority

  (a) Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, rule, or regulation, a credit union may lend to its members for such purposes as prescribed by the governing body. The governing body shall establish a written loan policy in accordance with the requirements of this section.

  (b) Every loan application shall be in writing upon a form approved by the governing body, which application shall state the purpose for which the loan is desired and the security, if any, offered for such loan.

  (c) Written loan policy. A credit union’s governing body and credit committee shall establish a written loan policy.

  (1) The written loan policy shall address, at a minimum, the following:

  (A) loan portfolio mix and diversification standards;

  (B) prudent underwriting standards, including loan-to-value limits that are clear and measurable;

  (C) loan administration procedures, including delegation and individual lending officer authority; and

  (D) documentation and approval requirements to monitor compliance with lending policies.

  (2) The lending policies adopted pursuant to this section shall be consistent with safe and sound practices and appropriate to the size of the credit union and nature and scope of its operations.

  (d) Interest and charges on loans. Credit unions may demand and receive interest and charges on their loans in accordance with 9 V.S.A. chapter 4 or as otherwise provided by law.

  (e) Limitations. The total direct or indirect liabilities of any one member, however incurred, to a credit union shall not exceed, at the time incurred, the greater of $200.00 or 10 percent of the credit union’s total assets.

  (1) Loans or extensions of credit to one person will be attributed to another person, and each person shall be deemed a borrower as follows:

  (A) In the case of obligations of one person, the proceeds of a loan or extension of credit to a person will be deemed to be used for the direct benefit of another person and will be attributed to the other person when the proceeds or assets purchased with the proceeds are transferred to another person, other than a bona fide arm’s length transaction in which the proceeds are used to acquire property, goods, or services.

  (B) In the case of obligations of a partnership or association, the obligations of each general partner and of each member of the association.

  (C) In the case of obligations of a general partner or a member of an association, the obligations of the partnership or association.

  (D) In the case of obligations of a corporation, the obligations of any subsidiaries in which it holds, directly or indirectly, a controlling equity interest.

  (E) In the case of obligations of a limited liability company, the obligations of any subsidiaries in which it holds, directly or indirectly, a controlling equity interest.

  (F) In the case of obligations of a corporation or limited liability company, the amount of a loan made to any other person to the extent that the proceeds of the loan directly or indirectly are to be:

  (i) lent to the corporation or limited liability company;

  (ii) used for the acquisition from the corporation or limited liability company of any equity interest in the corporation or company; and

  (iii) transferred to the corporation or limited liability company without fair and adequate consideration; provided, however, that the discharge of an equivalent amount of debt previously incurred in good faith for value shall be deemed fair and adequate consideration.

  (2) The following shall not be counted as indebtedness subject to the limitation of this subsection:

  (A) indebtedness evidenced by bills of exchange or drafts drawn against existing values and secured by a lien upon goods in transit with a shipper’s order, bills of lading, or comparable instruments attached;

  (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes or other paper secured by readily marketable corporate stock having a fair market value of not less than 125 percent of the indebtedness;

  (C) indebtedness evidenced by notes or other paper secured by an assignment of accounts receivable or of amounts due or to become due on open account or on a contract to the extent of not less than 125 percent of the indebtedness;

  (D) indebtedness evidenced by notes or other paper secured by liens upon agricultural products, manufactured goods, or other chattels in storage in warehouses or elevators with warehouse or elevator receipts attached, or goods released on trust receipts, when the value of the security is not less than 125 percent of the indebtedness, and the financial institution’s interest is insured against loss by insurance policies or certificates of insurance attached;

  (E) indebtedness arising out of the daily transaction of the business of any clearinghouse association;

  (F) indebtedness secured to the extent thereof by the cash surrender value of life insurance evidenced by policies of insurance validly issued and assigned;

  (G) indebtedness secured to the extent thereof by savings deposits or certificates of deposit of solvent financial institutions up to the amount federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration, and duly assigned;

  (H) any portion of any indebtedness that the U.S. government, or an agency or instrumentality of the United States, unconditionally agreed to purchase or has unconditionally guaranteed as to payment of both principal and interest, including loans insured or guaranteed under the National Housing Act or the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, as amended;

  (I) additional funds advanced for the benefit of a borrower by a credit union for payment of taxes, insurance, utilities, security, and maintenance and operating expenses necessary to preserve the value of real property securing the loan;

  (J) amounts paid against uncollected funds in the normal process of collection; or

  (K) that portion of a loan or extension of credit sold as a participation by a credit union on a nonrecourse basis, provided that the participation results in a pro rata sharing of credit risk proportionate to the respective interests of the originating and participating lenders. (Added 2005, No. 16, § 1, eff. July 1, 2005; amended 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 335, eff. July 1, 2022.)