ORDERS ISSUED UNDER BANK HOLDING COMPANY ACT.Orders Issued Under Section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act Chittenden Places called Chittenden:
Order Approving the Acquisition of a Bank Holding Company Chittenden Corporation ("Chittenden"), a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act ("BHC BHC benzene hexachloride. BHC, ?-BHC see benzene hexachloride. Act"), has requested the Board's approval under section 3 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. [sections] 1842) to acquire Vermont Vermont (vərmŏnt`) [Fr.,=green mountain], New England state of the NE United States. It is bordered by New Hampshire, across the Connecticut R. Financial Services The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. Corp., Brattleboro, Vermont Brattleboro is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 12,005 at the 2000 census. Brattleboro was chartered on December 26, 1753, and is located in the southeast corner of Vermont. ("Vermont Financial"), and its wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. banks, Vermont National Bank ("Vermont National"), also in Brattleboro, and United Bank, Greenfield, Massachusetts The Town of Greenfield, is a city in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,168 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Franklin County. ("United Bank").(1) Notice of the proposal, affording interested persons an opportunity to submit comments, has been published (64 Federal Register 6361 (1999)). The time for filing comments has expired ex·pire v. ex·pired, ex·pir·ing, ex·pires v.intr. 1. To come to an end; terminate: My membership in the club has expired. 2. , and the Board has considered the proposal and all comments received in light of the factors set forth in section 3 of the BHC Act. Chittenden, with total consolidated assets of $2.1 billion, operates depository institutions Depository institution A financial institution that obtains its funds mainly through deposits from the public. This includes commercial banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks and credit unions. in Vermont and Massachusetts Massachusetts (măsəch  `sĭts), most populous of the New England states of the NE United States. .(2) Chittenden is headquartered in Vermont and is the third largest depository institution in the state, controlling deposits of $1.2 billion, representing approximately 16.8 percent of total deposits in insured depository institutions in the state ("state deposits"). Vermont Financial, with total consolidated assets of $2.1 billion, also operates depository institutions in Vermont and Massachusetts. Vermont Financial is the second largest depository institution in Vermont, controlling deposits of $1.3 billion, representing approximately 17.3 percent of state deposits. On consummation CONSUMMATION. The completion of a thing; as the consummation of marriage; (q.v.) the consummation of a contract, and the like.2. A contract is said to be consummated, when everything to be done in relation to it, has been accomplished. of the proposal, and after accounting for the proposed divestitures discussed in this order, Chittenden would become the largest depository institution in Vermont, controlling deposits of $2 billion, representing approximately 27.3 percent of state deposits. Chittenden is the 32d largest depository institution in Massachusetts, controlling deposits of $499 million, representing less than 1 percent of state deposits. Vermont Financial is the 71st largest depository institution in the state, controlling deposits of $238 million, also representing less than 1 percent of state deposits. On consummation of the proposal, Chittenden would become the 18th largest depository institution in Massachusetts, controlling deposits of $737 million, representing less than 1 percent of state deposits.(3) Interstate in·ter·state adj. Involving, existing between, or connecting two or more states. n. One of a system of highways extending between the major cities of the 48 contiguous United States. Noun 1. Analysis Section 3(d) of the BHC Act allows the Board to approve an application by a bank holding company to acquire control of a bank located in a state other than the home state of the bank holding company if certain conditions are met.(4) For purposes of the BHC Act, the home state of Chittenden is Vermont, and Vermont Financial's subsidiary banks are located in Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire New Hampshire, one of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (S), Vermont, with the Connecticut R. forming the boundary (W), the Canadian province of Quebec (NW), and Maine and a short strip of the Atlantic Ocean (E). .(5) Thus, for purposes of section 3(d), this transaction involves the acquisition by a Vermont bank holding company of banks in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. All the conditions for an interstate acquisition enumerated This term is often used in law as equivalent to mentioned specifically, designated, or expressly named or granted; as in speaking of enumerated governmental powers, items of property, or articles in a tariff schedule. in section 3(d) of the BHC Act are met in this case.(6) In view of all the facts of record, the Board is permitted to approve the proposal under section 3(d) of the BHC Act, Competitive Considerations The BHC Act prohibits the Board from approving an application under section 3 of the BHC Act if the proposal would result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance fur·ther·ance n. The act of furthering, advancing, or helping forward: "Pakistan does not aspire to any . . . role in furtherance of the strategies of other powers" Ismail Patel. of any attempt to monopolize mo·nop·o·lize tr.v. mo·nop·o·lized, mo·nop·o·liz·ing, mo·nop·o·liz·es 1. To acquire or maintain a monopoly of. 2. To dominate by excluding others: monopolized the conversation. the business of banking. The BHC Act also prohibits the Board from approving a proposed combination that would substantially lessen less·en v. less·ened, less·en·ing, less·ens v.tr. 1. To make less; reduce. 2. Archaic To make little of; belittle. v.intr. To become less; decrease. competition or tend to create a monopoly in any relevant banking market, unless the Board finds that the anticompetitive an·ti·com·pet·i·tive adj. That discourages competition among businesses: anticompetitive foreign trade restrictions. effects of the proposal are clearly outweighed in the public interest by the probable effects of the proposal in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served.(7) Chittenden and Vermont Financial compete directly in eight banking markets in Vermont and two banking markets in Massachusetts.(8) The Board has carefully reviewed the competitive effects of the proposal in these banking markets in light of all the facts of record, including the number of competitors that would remain in the markets, the relative shares of total deposits in depository institutions in the markets ("market deposits")(9) controlled by the companies involved in this transaction, the concentration levels of market deposits and the increase in these levels as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index ("HHI HHI Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (measure of market concentration) HHI Heinrich Hertz Institut (Germany) HHI Hilton Head Island HHI Household Income HHI Hyundai Heavy Industries Co, Ltd ") under the Department of Justice Merger Guidelines The Merger guidelines are a set of internal rules promulgated by the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). ("DOJ (Department Of Justice) The legal arm of the U.S. government that represents the public interest of the United States. It is headed by the Attorney General. Guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. "),(10) and other characteristics of the markets. A. Banking Markets in Massachusetts Consummation of the proposal without divestitures would be consistent with Board precedent and the DOJ Guidelines in the Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts Springfield is a city in Massachusetts, United States. It is the county seat of Hampden County.GR6 In the 2000 census, the city population was 154,082. , banking markets.(11) After consummation of the proposal, numerous competitors would remain in each banking market and the markets would remain moderately concentrated as measured by the HHI. B. Banking Markets in Vermont To mitigate mit·i·gate v. To moderate in force or intensity. mit  i·ga tion n. the potential anticompetitive effects of the proposal in the eight banking markets in Vermont, Chittenden has committed to divest To deprive or take away.Divest is usually used in reference to the relinquishment of authority, power, property, or title. If, for example, an individual is disinherited, he or she is divested of the right to inherit money. 18 branches that control a total of $497 million in deposits.(12) After accounting for the proposed divestitures, consummation of the proposal would be consistent with Board precedent and the DOJ Guidelines in six of the Vermont banking markets: Bennington, Brattleboro, Middlebury, Rutland, Springfield, and Vergennes.(13) In addition, a significant number of competitors would remain in each of these banking markets relative to the size of the market after consummation of the proposal. Consummation of the proposal in the Barre-Montpelier and Burlington-St. Albany banking markets would exceed the DOJ Guidelines after accounting for the proposed divestitures. In these markets, the Board has considered whether other factors either mitigate the competitive effects of the proposal in the market or indicate that the proposal would have a significantly adverse effect on competition in the market.(14) Barre-Montpelier. Chittenden is the fourth largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $106.6 million, representing approximately 15.4 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the second largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $150.9 million, representing approximately 21.9 percent of market deposits. Chittenden proposes to divest two branches in the Barre-Montpelier banking markets with total deposits of $30.1 million to a banking organization that does not currently have a presence in the market. On consummation of the proposed merger and divestiture The breakup of AT&T. By federal court order, AT&T divested itself on January 1, 1984 of its 23 operating companies, which became known as the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). , Chittenden would become the largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $227.3 million, representing approximately 32.9 percent of market deposits. A number of factors indicate that the competitive effects of the proposal are not likely to be significantly adverse in this market. First, a large number of financial institutions compete in this market. Seven commercial banks, in addition to Chittenden, would remain in the market after the merger. In addition, one savings association that competes in the market is particularly active in commercial as well as mortgage and consumer lending Consumer lending or consumer loans refers to any type of loan product that is not a mortgage; such as a car, boat, manufactured home, home equity loan, home equity line of credit, signature loan, signature line of credit, recreational vehicle, or Certificate of Deposit loans. . Based on these activities, the Board has concluded that this savings association should be considered as a full competitor of banks in this market.(15) Seven credit unions also compete in the market and control approximately $234.2 million of deposits. One credit union controls approximately $191.9 million of deposits and represents that its members include approximately 38 percent of all households in the market.(16) Second, the Barre-Montpelier banking market has characteristics that make it attractive for entry. From 1993 to 1998, market deposits increased 13.8 percent, compared to an average statewide increase of 10.6 percent in Vermont. One bank entered the market de novo [Latin, Anew.] A second time; afresh. A trial or a hearing that is ordered by an appellate court that has reviewed the record of a hearing in a lower court and sent the matter back to the original court for a new trial, as if it had not been previously heard nor decided. in 1995, and three other banks have entered the market by acquisition since 1993. The proposed divestiture to an out-of-market commercial banking organization would provide another market entrant en·trant n. One that enters, especially one that enters a competition. [French, from present participle of entrer, to enter, from Old French; see enter. . Burlington-St. Albans. Chittenden is the second largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $604.2 million, representing approximately 26.6 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the third largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $348.5 million, representing approximately 15.3 percent of market deposits. Chittenden proposes to divest seven branches in the Burlington-St. Albans banking market with total deposits of $220.8 million, representing approximately 9.7 percent of market deposits, to a suitable competitor. On consummation of the proposed merger and divestiture, Chittenden would become the largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $731.9 million, representing approximately 32.2 percent of market deposits. The HHI would increase not more than 219 points to 2198. Several factors mitigate the potential adverse effects that may result from the proposal in the Burlington-St. Albans banking market. In particular, the Board has considered the number of competing institutions in and the structure of the Burlington-St. Albans banking market. Seven depository institutions in addition to Chittenden would remain in the market after the proposed acquisition. The proposed acquiror of the divested branches would become the fourth largest depository institution in the market, controlling 11.2 percent of market deposits. Four depository institutions in addition to Chittenden would each control more than 9 percent of market deposits. The market also appears to be attractive for entry by out-of-market competitors. Average household income in the Burlington MSA (Metropolitan Service Area) An urban area with at least 50,000 people plus surrounding counties. There are 306 MSAs and 428 RSAs (rural service areas) in the U.S. MSAs and RSAs are used to allocate cellular licenses. , which closely approximates the banking market, substantially exceeds the statewide average in Vermont, and the population in the Burlington MSA increased 7.8 percent from 1990 to 1997, compared to an average statewide increase of 5.1 percent. In addition, one depository institution entered the market de novo in 1998, and three depository institutions have entered by acquisition since 1993. C. Views of Other Agencies and Conclusion The Department of Justice has conducted a detailed review of the proposal and advised the Board that, conditioned on completion of the proposed divestitures, consummation of the proposal would not likely have a significantly adverse effect on competition in any relevant banking market. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (or OCC) was established by the National Currency Act of 1863 and serves to charter, regulate, and supervise all national banks and the federal branches and agencies of foreign banks in the United States. ("OCC OCC See: Options Clearing Corporation OCC See Options Clearing Corporation (OCC). ") and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an independent U.S. federal executive agency designed to promote public confidence in banks and to provide insurance coverage for bank deposits up to $100,000. ("FDIC FDIC See: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC See Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). ") also have been afforded an opportunity to comment and have not objected to consummation of the proposal. After carefully reviewing all the facts of record, and for the reasons discussed in the order and appendices ap·pen·di·ces n. A plural of appendix. , the Board concludes that consummation of the proposal would not likely result in a significantly adverse effect on competition or on the concentration of banking resources in any of the ten banking markets in which Chittenden and Vermont Financial directly compete or in any other relevant banking market. Accordingly, based on all the facts of record, and subject to completion of the proposed divestitures and compliance with the related commitments, the Board has determined that competitive factors are consistent with approval of the proposal. Convenience and Needs Considerations In acting on a proposal under section 3 of the BHC Act, the Board is required to consider the effect of the proposal on the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Board has carefully considered the effect of the proposal on the convenience and needs of the communities to be served in light of all the facts of record, including comments submitted by two community development organizations in Vermont and New Hampshire ("Commenters"). Commenters expressed concern that the proposal may result in reduced lending for affordable housing and community development activities, reduced accessibility of banking services, and elimination of certain products and services offered by Vermont National. The Board has long held that consideration of the convenience and needs factor includes a review of the records of the relevant depository institutions under the Community Reinvestment Act Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Enacted by Congress in 1977, the CRA encourages banks to help meet the credit needs of their communities for housing and other purposes, particularly in neighborhoods with low or moderate incomes, while maintaining safe and sound operations. (12 U.S.C. [sections] 2901 et seq et seq. (et seek) n. abbreviation for the Latin phrase et sequentes meaning "and the following." It is commonly used by lawyers to include numbered lists, pages or sections after the first number is stated, as in "the rules of the road are found in Vehicle Code .) ("CRA See Community Reinvestment Act. "). As provided in the CRA, the Board has evaluated this factor in light of examinations by the appropriate federal banking supervisors of the CRA performance records of the relevant institutions.(17) Chittenden' s lead subsidiary bank, Chittenden Trust Company, Burlington, Vermont ("Chittenden Trust"), has received five consecutive "outstanding" ratings for CRA performance from the FDIC, most recently as of June 1998. Chittenden's other subsidiary banks, The Bank of Western Massachusetts, Springfield, Massachusetts ("Western Massachusetts"), and Flagship Bank & Trust Company, Worcester, Massachusetts, also received "outstanding" ratings for CRA performance from the FDIC at their most recent examinations, as of June 1998 and June 1997, respectively. Vermont Financial's lead subsidiary bank, Vermont National, was rated "satisfactory" for CRA performance by the OCC, as of June 1997, and Vermont Financial's other subsidiary bank, United Bank, was rated "satisfactory" for CRA performance by the FDIC, as of December 1996. In reviewing this case, the Board has paid particular attention to the record of performance of Chittenden Trust in helping to meet the convenience and needs of the community, because Chittenden has indicated that Chittenden Trust and Vermont National would merge no later than April 1, 2000, and that, in the interim, executive officers of Chittenden Trust would serve as directors and officers of Vermont National.(18) Chittenden also has committed that it will extend Chittenden Trust's comprehensive regulatory compliance program to Vermont National after consummation of the proposal. A. Chittenden Trust's CRA Performance Record In the most recent CRA performance examination of Chittenden Trust, examiners found that the geographical distribution the natural arrangements of animals and plants in particular regions or districts. See under Distribution. See also: Distribution Geographic of lending by Chittenden Trust reflected lending throughout its assessment area and at all income levels. Examiners noted no substantive or technical violations at the bank of any antidiscrimination laws or regulations. During 1996 and 1997, the bank ranked second in the percentage of home mortgage loans originated in its assessment area, and the number and dollar volume of its home mortgage loans and its market share of all such loans steadily increased during these two years. Chittenden Trust also originated a higher percentage of its home mortgage loans during 1996 and 1997 among low- and moderate-income ("LMI LMI Labor Market Information LMI Local Management Interface LMI Logistics Management Institute LMI Linear Matrix Inequality LMI Legemiddelindustriforeningen (Norway) LMI Low to Moderate Income LMI Lender's Mortgage Insurance ") borrowers than did lenders in the aggregate. Examiners reported that Chittenden Trust provided a broad range of loan products, including state and federal supported affordable mortgage loan programs.(19) Chittenden Trust also has developed its own affordable mortgage loan programs in response to the needs of the community it serves. For example, the bank offers the Chittenden Affordable Real Estate ("CARE") Mortgage, which provides home mortgage loans featuring flexible underwriting Underwriting 1. The process by which investment bankers raise investment capital from investors on behalf of corporations and governments that are issuing securities (both equity and debt). 2. The process of issuing insurance policies. guidelines to LMI borrowers. Chittenden Trust originated approximately $6.7 million of CARE loans during 1996 and 1997. Examiners cited consumer lending by Chittenden Trust during 1997 as an indicator of the bank's responsiveness to the needs of its community.(20) Examiners also commended Chittenden Trust for its responsiveness to a demand for small business loans, noting that during 1996 it originated nearly 23 percent of the total number of small business loans made in its assessment area by reporting financial institutions.(21) In addition, examiners found that Chittenden Trust participated in community development lending in a manner consistent with the needs of its assessment area. The bank originated over $1.5 million of qualified community development loans in its assessment area during the period covered in the CRA performance examination. The bank also made 74 qualified community development investments, totaling $9.5 million, during this period.(22) Chittenden Trust was considered by examiners to be competitive in the banking hours banking hours npl → heures fpl d'ouverture des banques banking hours npl → Schalterstunden pl banking hours npl it offered, the accessibility of its branches and alternative retail delivery systems, and the variety of its banking products.(23) For example, Chittenden Trust's Basic Banking Account requires no minimum balance and, for a $3 monthly fee, includes ten checks a month and offers free ATM access. Chittenden Trust also offers a free checking account to senior citizens. Branch openings and closings during 1996 and 1997 were reported not to have affected any LMI areas.(24) B. Vermont National's CRA Performance Record In the most recent CRA performance examination of Vermont National, Vermont Financial's lead subsidiary bank, examiners found that Vermont National extended credit to borrowers of all income levels and to businesses of all sizes throughout its assessment area. The Socially Responsible Banking Fund ("SRB Fund"), an independent division of the bank, contributed to this performance by offering the 1-4 Affordable Housing mortgage, which featured flexible underwriting guidelines and below-market fixed interest rates for residences in low-income housing projects.(25) The SRB Fund also offered mobile home and manufactured housing Manufactured housing (also known as prefab housing) is a type of housing unit that is largely assembled in factories and then transported to sites of use. In the United States, the term "manufactured home" specifically refers to a house built entirely in a protected loans and other innovative home financing for LMI households. A fair lending review conducted concurrently with the CRA performance examination did not identify any violations of antidiscrimination laws and regulations and noted that the bank had an effective fair lending compliance program in place. C. Conclusion on Convenience and Needs Considerations The Board has carefully considered all the facts of record, including the comments received, responses to these comments, and the CRA performance records of Chittenden Trust, Vermont National, and the other subsidiary banks of Chittenden and Vermont Financial, including relevant reports of examination and other supervisory information. Based on a review of the entire record and for the reasons discussed above, the Board concludes that convenience and needs considerations, including the CRA records of performance of the institutions involved, are consistent with approval of the proposal. Financial, Managerial, and Other Supervisory Factors The BHC Act also requires the Board, in acting on an application, to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the companies and banks involved in a proposal, the convenience and needs of the community to be served, and certain other supervisory factors. The Board has carefully considered the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of Chittenden and Vermont Financial and their respective subsidiary banks, and other supervisory factors in light of all the facts of record. As part of this consideration, the Board has reviewed relevant reports of examination and other supervisory information prepared by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is responsible for the First District of the Federal Reserve, which covers Connecticut (excluding Fairfield County), Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. It is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. and other federal banking supervisory agencies, including reports concerning the parties' data processing data processing or information processing, operations (e.g., handling, merging, sorting, and computing) performed upon data in accordance with strictly defined procedures, such as recording and summarizing the financial transactions of a systems. The Board notes that the bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks are well capitalized Capitalized Recorded in asset accounts and then depreciated or amortized, as is appropriate for expenditures for items with useful lives longer than one year. and are expected to remain so after consummation of the proposal. The Board also has considered other aspects of the financial condition and resources of the two organizations, the structure of the proposed transaction, and the managerial resources of each of the entities and the combined organization. Based on these and other facts of record, the Board concludes that considerations relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of Chittenden, Vermont Chittenden is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,182 at the 2000 census. Geography According to the [......United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 192.2 km² (74.2 mi²). 189.1 km² (73.0 mi²) of it is land and 3. Financial, and their respective subsidiaries are consistent with approval of the proposal, as are the other supervisory factors that the Board must consider under section 3 of the BHC Act. Conclusion Based on the foregoing, and in light of all the facts of record, the Board has determined that the application should be, and hereby is, approved. Approval of the application is specifically conditioned on compliance by Chittenden with all the commitments made in connection with the proposal and with the conditions stated or referred to in this order, including Chittenden's divestiture commitments. For purposes of this transaction, the commitments and conditions referred to in this order shall be deemed to be conditions imposed in writing by the Board in connection with its findings and decision and, as such, may be enforced in proceedings under applicable law. The acquisition shall not be consummated con·sum·mate tr.v. con·sum·mat·ed, con·sum·mat·ing, con·sum·mates 1. a. To bring to completion or fruition; conclude: consummate a business transaction. b. before the fifteenth In music, a fifteenth (sometimes abbreviated 15ma) is the interval between one musical note and another with one-quarter or quadruple the frequency. It corresponds to two octaves. It is the fourth harmonic. calendar day after the effective date of this order, and the proposal shall not be consummated later than three months after the effective date of this order, unless such period is extended for good cause by the Board or by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, acting pursuant to delegated authority Delegated authority is an authority obtained from another that has authority since the authority does not naturally exist. Typically this is used in a government context where an organization that is created by a legitimate government, such as a Board, City, Town or other . By order of the Board of Governors, effective May 12, 1999. Voting for this action: Chairman Greenspan, Vice Chair Rivlin, and Governors Kelley, Meyer, and Ferguson. Absent and not voting: Governor Gramlich. (1.) Chittenden expects to merge the subsidiary banks of Vermont Financial into the subsidiary banks of Chittenden in the near future. Chittenden also has requested the Board's approval to hold and to exercise an option to acquire up to 19.9 percent of the voting shares Voting Shares Shares that give the stockholder the right to vote on matters of corporate policy making as well as who will compose the members of the board of directors. Notes: Different classes of shares, such as preferred stock, sometimes don't allow for voting rights. of Vermont Financial. This option would expire expire /ex·pire/ (ek-spi´er) 1. to exhale. 2. to die. ex·pire v. 1. To breathe one's last breath; die. 2. To exhale. on consummation of the proposal. (2.) Asset data are as of December 31, 1998. State deposit data are as of June 30, 1998. In this context, depository institutions include commercial banks, savings banks savings bank, financial institution that, until recently, performed only the following functions: receiving savings deposits of individuals, investing them, and providing a modest return to its depositors in the form of interest. , and savings associations. (3.) Vermont Financial's subsidiary banks also maintain branches in New Hampshire. On consummation of the proposal, Chittenden would become the sixth largest depository institution in New Hampshire, controlling deposits of $229 million, representing approximately 1.7 percent of state deposits. (4.) See 12 U.S.C. [sections] 1842(d). A bank holding company's home state is that state in which the total deposits of all banking subsidiaries of the company were the largest on July 1, 1966, or on the date on which the company became a bank holding company, whichever is later. 12 U.S.C. [sections] 1841(o)(4)(C). (5.) For purposes of section 3(d) of the BHC Act, the Board considers a bank to be located in the states in which the bank is chartered or headquartered or operates a branch. NationsBank Corporation, 84 Federal Reserve Bulletin 858 (1998). (6.) See 12 U.S.C. [subsections] 1842(d)(1)(A) and (B) and 1842(d)(2)(A) and (B). Chittenden is adequately capitalized and adequately managed, as defined in the BHC Act, and the subsidiary banks of Vermont Financial have been in existence and operated for the minimum periods of time necessary to satisfy age requirements established by applicable state law. See Mass. Gen. Laws Ann ANN, Scotch law. Half a year's stipend over and above what is owing for the incumbency due to a minister's relict, or child, or next of kin, after his decease. Wishaw. Also, an abbreviation of annus, year; also of annates. In the old law French writers, ann or rather an, signifies a year. . Ch. 167A, [sections] 2 (West 1998) (three years). Chittenden also would not exceed applicable state law deposit limitations as calculated under state law. See Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. Ch. 167A, [sections] 2 (West 1998) (30 percent); N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. [sections] 384-B:3 (1999) (20 percent). On consummation of the proposal, Chittenden would control less than 10 percent of the total amount of deposits in insured depository institutions in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . All other requirements of section 3(d) of the BHC Act also would be met on consummation of the proposal. (7.) 12 U.S.C. [sections] 1842(c). (8.) The banking markets are described in Appendix A. (9.) Market share data are as of June 30, 1998, and are based on calculations that, except as noted in this order, include the deposits of thrift institutions Thrift institution An organization formed as a depository for primarily consumer savings. Savings and loan associations and savings banks are thrift institutions. at 50 percent. The Board previously has indicated that thrift institutions have become, or have the potential to become, significant competitors of commercial banks. See, e.g., Midwest Financial Group, 75 Federal Reserve Bulletin 386 (1989); National City Corporation, 70 Federal Reserve Bulletin 743 (1984). Thus, the Board has regularly included thrift thrift: see leadwort. deposits in the calculation of market share on a 50-percent weighted basis. See, e.g., First Hawaiian, Inc., 77 Federal Reserve Bulletin 52 (1991). (10.) Under the DOJ Guidelines, 49 Federal Register 26,823 (1984), a market in which the post-merger HHI is more than 1800 is considered highly concentrated. The Department of Justice has informed the Board that a bank merger or acquisition generally will not be challenged (in the absence of other factors indicating anticompetitive effects) unless the post-merger HHI is at least 1800 and the merger increases the HHI by more than 200 points. The Department of Justice has stated that the higher than normal HHI thresholds for screening bank mergers for anticompetitive effects implicitly recognize the competitive effects of limited-purpose lenders and other nondepository financial institutions Noun 1. nondepository financial institution - a financial institution that funds their investment activities from the sale of securities or insurance financial institution, financial organisation, financial organization - an institution (public or private) that . (11.) The effect of the proposal on the concentration of banking resources in these markets is set forth in Appendix B. (12.) With respect to each market in which Chittenden has committed to divest offices to mitigate the anticompetitive effects of the proposal, Chittenden has committed to execute, before consummation of the acquisition of Vermont Financial, sales agreements for the proposed divestitures with a purchaser determined by the Board to be competitively suitable and to complete the divestiture within 180 days of consummation of the acquisition of Vermont Financial. Chittenden also has committed that, if it is unsuccessful in completing any divestitures within the 180-day period, it will transfer the unsold branch(es) to an independent trustee that is acceptable to the Board and will instruct in·struct v. in·struct·ed, in·struct·ing, in·structs v.tr. 1. To provide with knowledge, especially in a methodical way. See Synonyms at teach. 2. To give orders to; direct. v. the trustee to sell the branch(es) promptly to one or more alternative purchasers acceptable to the Board. See BankAmerica Corporation, 78 Federal Reserve Bulletin 338 (1992); United New Mexico New Mexico, state in the SW United States. At its northwestern corner are the so-called Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet at right angles; New Mexico is also bordered by Oklahoma (NE), Texas (E, S), and Mexico (S). Financial Corporation, 77 Federal Reserve Bulletin 484 (1991). Chittenden also has committed to submit to the Board an executed trust agreement acceptable to the Board stating the terms of these divestitures. (13.) The effect of the proposal on the concentration of banking resources in these markets is set forth in Appendix C. (14.) The number and strength of factors necessary to mitigate the competitive effects of a proposal depend on the level of concentration and size of the increase in market concentration. See NationsBank Corporation, 84 Federal Reserve Bulletin 129 (1998). (15.) The Board previously has indicated that, when analyzing the competitive effects of a proposal, it may consider the competition of savings associations at a level greater than 50 percent of the savings association's deposits if appropriate. See, e.g., Banknorth Group, Inc., 73 Federal Reserve Bulletin 703 (1989). This savings association controls deposits of approximately $252.7 million and accounted for more than 30 percent of all small business loans originated in the market from September 1997 to June 1998. On the basis of 100-percent deposit weighting, this savings association is the third largest depository institution in the market, with 30.9 percent of market deposits, and Chittenden would become the second largest depository institution in the market, with 27.8 percent of market deposits. In this light, the post-merger HHI would increase 277 points to 2314. (16.) Credit unions control 22.2 percent of all insured deposits in the market, compared to 9 percent of insured deposits controlled by credit unions statewide in Vermont. (17.) The Interagency in·ter·a·gen·cy adj. Involving or representing two or more agencies, especially government agencies. Questions and Answers Regarding Community Reinvestment Reinvestment Using dividends, interest and capital gains earned in an investment or mutual fund to purchase additional shares or units, rather than receiving the distributions in cash. 1. In terms of stocks, it is the reinvestment of dividends to purchase additional shares. provide that an institution's most recent CRA performance evaluation Performance evaluation The assessment of a manager's results, which involves, first, determining whether the money manager added value by outperforming the established benchmark (performance measurement) and, second, determining how the money manager achieved the calculated return is a particularly important consideration in the applications process because it represents a detailed on-site evaluation of the institution's overall record of performance under the CRA by the appropriate federal banking supervisor. 62 Federal Register 52,105, 52,121 (1997). (18.) Chittenden also has indicated that United Bank would be merged into Western Massachusetts no later than September 30, 1999. Both the proposed bank mergers are subject to the prior approval of the FDIC under the Bank Merger Act. (19.) Commenters questioned whether Chittenden would expand its support for affordable housing loans and multi-family housing projects to compensate fully for the loss of support for these projects by Vermont National. Commenters expressed particular concern that Chittenden might not maintain Vermont National's level of support of the Home Ownership Using Shared Equity ("HOUSE") program sponsored by the Vermont Housing Finance Authority ("VHFA VHFA Vermont Housing Finance Agency "), which combines state subsidies, low-cost bank funding, and the assistance of nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. associations to provide affordable mortgages to low-income homebuyers. Chittenden has indicated that it intends to maintain funding for HOUSE in the same manner as provided by Vermont National through the membership of its subsidiary bank, Western Massachusetts, in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Chittenden Trust also offers Federal Housing Administration Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Federally sponsored agency chartered in 1934 whose stock is currently owned by savings institutions across the United States. The agency buys residential mortgages that meet certain requirements, sells these mortgages in packages, and insures and Veterans Administration loans and loans sponsored by Vermont Rural Housing Services. (20.) Chittenden Trust made 29.8 percent of the total number of its consumer loans and 23.7 percent of the total dollar volume of these loans to low-income households, while low-income households represented 22.1 percent of total households in its assessment area. Chittenden Trust similarly made 27.3 percent of the total number of its consumer loans, accounting for 25.4 percent of the total dollar amount of its consumer loans, to moderate-income households, which represented 17.2 percent of total households in its assessment area. (21.) More than 65 percent of the bank's loans were made to borrowers with gross annual revenues of $1 million or less, while reporting lenders in the assessment area in the aggregate made less than 35 percent of their loans to borrowers in this category. In addition, more than 75 percent of Chittenden Trust's small business loans and all its small farm loans were originated in amounts under $100,000. (22.) Of this amount, $5 million was fully funded and $4.5 million consisted of unfunded commitments at the time of the examination. Funded investments included $1.4 million invested under programs sponsored by the VHFA to develop four low-income housing projects. (23.) Commenters raised concerns that branch closings, consolidations, and divestitures after consummation of the proposal would reduce customer convenience, and that Chittenden Trust would not offer certain consumer lending and deposit products currently offered by Vermont National. (24.) Commenters questioned whether job losses and community disruptions might arise as a result of consolidations that would occur after consummation of the proposal. Chittenden has described certain steps it would take to minimize these effects, including posting notices of job openings among Vermont Financial employees before consummation of the proposal and maintaining Chittenden's and Vermont Financial's operations centers The facility or location on an installation, base, or facility used by the commander to command, control, and coordinate all crisis activities. See also base defense operations center; command center. at their current locations. (25.) Vermont National originated 64 mortgage loans totaling $6.4 million under this program during 1996 and the first half of 1997. Commenters commended Vermont Financial for the expertise and leadership in community development activities that it has provided through the SRB Fund, and expressed concern that Chittenden may not retain this program and provide the same level of support for state-supported affordable housing programs and community development programs. Chittenden has indicated that it intends to maintain the SRB Fund, including its staff and advisory board, after consummation of the proposal. Appendix A Banking Markets in which Chittenden and Vermont Financial Directly Compete Massachusetts Boston: Boston Rand McNally Rand McNally & Company is the preeminent American publisher of maps, atlases, and globes for travel, reference, commercial, and educational uses. It also provides online consumer street maps and directions, as well as commercial transportation routing software and mileage data. Marketing Area ("RMA (RealMedia Architecture) See RealMedia. ") and the town of Lyndeboro in New Hampshire. Springfield: Springfield RMA and the towns of Otis in Berkshire Berkshire (bärk`shĭr, –shər, bûrk`–) or Berks (bärks, bûrks), former county, S central England. County; Deerfield, Leverett, Shutesbury, and Whately in Franklin County Franklin County is the name of 24 counties in the United States. All except Franklin County, Idaho are likely named for Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States. ; Blandford, Chester, Granville, and Tolland in Hampden County; Chesterfield Chesterfield, city (1991 pop. 73,352) and district, Derbyshire, central England. An important industrial center, Chesterfield produces mining equipment, railroad cars, metal products, glass, and pottery. , Cummington, Goshen, Pelham Noun 1. Pelham - a bit with a bar mouthpiece that is designed to combine a curb and snaffle bit - piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding; "the horse was not accustomed to a bit" , Plainfield, Westhampton, and Worthington in Hampshire County Hampshire County is the name of two counties in the United States:
Vermont Barre-Montpelier: Barre-Montpelier RMA and the towns of Groton, Hardwick, Stannard, and Walden in Caledonia County; Chelsea and Topsham in Orange County; and Cabot, Duxbury, Roxbury, and Woodbury in Washington County Washington County is the name of 30 counties and one parish in the United States of America, all named for George Washington. It is the most common county name in the United States. . Bennington: Bennington County, excluding the towns of Readsboro and Stamford, and the towns of Danby, Pawlet, Wells, and West Pawlet in Rutland County Rutland County may mean:
Brattleboro: The towns of Brattleboro, Brookline, Dummerston, Guilford, Halifax, Marlboro, Newfane, Putney, Townsend, and Vernon in Windham County Windham County is the name of two counties in the United States:
Burlington-St. Albans: Burlington RMA and Franklin County and the towns of Monkton and Starksboro in Addison Addison, village (1990 pop. 32,058), Du Page co., NE Ill.; inc. 1884. An industrial suburb of Chicago, it manufactures machinery and plastic items. County; Bolton, Buel's Gore, Huntington, Underhill, and Westford in Chittenden County; Alburg, Grand Isle Grand Isle can refer to:
Middlebury: Addison County, excluding the city of Vergennes and the towns of Addison, Ferrisburg, Goshen, Granville, Hancock, Monkton, Panton, Starksboro, and Waltham. Rutland: Rutland RMA and the towns of Benson, Pittsfield, Poultney, Sherburne, and West Haven West Haven, town (1990 pop. 54,021), New Haven co., S Conn., a suburb across the West River from New Haven; settled 1638, inc. as a separate borough 1873. Although mainly residential, there are diversified manufacturing industries. in Rutland County and Goshen in Addison County. Springfield: The towns of Athens, Grafton, Rockingham, and Westminster in Windham County and Andover, Baltimore Baltimore, city (1990 pop. 736,014), N central Md., surrounded by but politically independent of Baltimore co., on the Patapsco River estuary, an arm of Chesapeake Bay; inc. 1745. , Cavendish, Chester, Londonderry, Jamaica, Ludlow, Reading, Springfield, Wethersfield, Weston, and Windham in Windsor County. Vergennes: The city of Vergennes and the towns of Addison, Ferrisburg, Panton, and Waltham in Addison County. Appendix B Banking Markets in Massachusetts Boston: Chittenden is the 179th largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $11.6 million, representing less than 1 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the 142d largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $27.3 million, also representing less than 1 percent of market deposits. On consummation of the proposal, Chittenden would become the 118th largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $38.9 million, representing less than 1 percent of market deposits. The HHI would remain unchanged at 1373. Springfield: Chittenden is the seventh largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $228.8 million, representing approximately 4 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the 18th largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $64 million, representing approximately 1.1 percent of market deposits. On consummation of the proposal, Chittenden would become the fifth largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $292.8 million, representing approximately 5.2 percent of market deposits. The HHI would increase 9 points to 1205. Appendix C Banking Markets in Vermont Bennington: Chittenden is the third largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $102.8 million, representing approximately 20.9 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the fourth largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $53.9 million, representing approximately 11 percent of market deposits. Chittenden proposes to divest one branch with deposits of approximately $53.9 million to a suitable competitor. After the proposed merger and divestiture, Chittenden would remain the third largest of seven depository institutions in the market, controlling deposits of $102.8 million, representing approximately 20.9 percent of market deposits. Thus, Chittenden's market share would not increase in this market. Assuming that Chittenden would sell branches to a suitable in-market competitor, the HHI would increase not more than 112 points to 1872. Brattleboro: Chittenden is the fourth largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $26 million, representing approximately 5.8 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $206.8 million, representing approximately 46.1 percent of market deposits. Chittenden proposes to divest one branch with deposits of approximately $28.5 million. After the proposed merger and divestiture, Chittenden would become the largest of eight depository institutions in the market, controlling deposits of $204.3 million, representing approximately 45.5 percent of market deposits. The HHI would decrease 45 points to 3234. Middlebury: Chittenden is the second largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $68.8 million, representing approximately 25 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the fourth largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $22.3 million, representing approximately 8.4 percent of market deposits. Chittenden proposes to divest one branch with deposits of approximately $22.3 million to a suitable competitor. After the proposed merger and divestiture, Chittenden would remain the second largest of six depository institutions in the market, controlling deposits of $68.8 million, representing approximately 25 percent of market deposits. Thus, Chittenden's market share would not increase in this market. Assuming that Chittenden would sell branches to a suitable in-market competitor, the HHI would increase not more than 47 points to 2332. Rutland: Chittenden is the fourth largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $117.6 million, representing approximately 14.6 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the third largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $135.7 million, representing approximately 17.6 percent of market deposits. Chittenden proposes to divest two branches in the Rutland banking market with total deposits of $54.7 million. After the proposed merger and divestiture, Chittenden would become the second largest of seven depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $193.6 million, representing approximately 25.1 percent of market deposits. The HHI would increase 158 points to 2141. Springfield: Chittenden is the second largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $83.8 million, representing approximately 21.4 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $141.5 million, representing approximately 36.1 percent of market deposits. Chittenden proposes to divest three branches with total deposits of $68.1 million. After the proposed merger and divestiture, Chittenden would become the largest of eight depository institutions in the market, controlling deposits of $157.2 million, representing approximately 40.1 percent of market deposits. The HHI would :increase 150 points to 2428. Vergennes: Chittenden is the largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $33.6 million, representing approximately 55.1 percent of market deposits. Vermont Financial is the second largest depository institution in the market, controlling deposits of $18.7 million, representing approximately 30.7 percent of market deposits. Chittenden proposes to divest one branch with deposits of $18.7 million. After the proposed merger and divestiture, Chittenden would remain the largest of three depository institutions in the market, controlling deposits of $33.6 million, representing approximately 55.1 percent of market deposits. The HHI would remain unchanged at 4181. ROBERT DEV. FRIERSON Associate Secretary of the Board |
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