Last bankruptcy tonight: America West Bank

| 1 May 2009 22:17

This is FDIC seizure number 32 (more details here):

Cache Valley Bank, Logan, Utah, Assumes All of the Deposits of America West Bank, Layton, Utah

America West Bank, Layton, Utah, was closed today by the Utah Department of Financial Institutions, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Cache Valley Bank, Logan, Utah, to assume all of the deposits of America West.

The failed bank’s three offices will reopen on Monday as branches of Cache Valley Bank. Depositors of America West Bank will automatically become depositors of the assuming bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers of both banks should continue to use their existing branches.

Over the weekend, depositors of America West Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of December 31, 2008, America West Bank had total assets of approximately $299.4 million and total deposits of $284.1 million. Cache Valley Bank paid a discount of $352,000 to acquire all of the deposits of the failed bank.

Customers who have questions about today’s transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-523-8209. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time (MDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., MDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., MDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., MDT. Customers who would like more information about today’s transaction can also visit the FDIC’s Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/americawest.html.

In addition to acquiring the failed bank’s deposits, Cache Valley Bank agreed to purchase approximately $10.9 million in assets, with a 30-day option to purchase loans at book value. The FDIC will retain any remaining assets for later disposition.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund will be $119.4 million. Cache Valley Bank’s acquisition of all of the deposits of America West Bank was the “least costly” resolution for the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund compared to alternatives.

America West Bank is the 32nd bank to fail in the nation this year and the second in Utah. The last FDIC-insured institution to fail in the state was MagnetBank, Salt Lake City, on January 30, 2009.

avatar About Edward Harrison

Edward Harrison is the founder of Credit Writedowns and a former career diplomat, investment banker and technology executive with over twenty years of business experience. He is also a regular economic and financial commentator on BBC World News, CNBC Television, Business News Network, CBC, Fox Television and RT Television. He speaks six languages, a skill he uses to provide a more global perspective. Edward holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia University and a BA in Economics from Dartmouth College.

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