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Fe d e r al Reserve

bank

of

Da ll a s

D ALLAS, TEXAS

May 14,1963

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ILLUSTRATING
APPLICATION OF REGULATION U

To All Banks and Others Concerned
in the Eleventh Federal Reserve District:

The Board of Governors o f the Federal Reserve System has re­
vised the booklet entitled “ Questions and Answers Illustrating Appli­
cation of Regulation U” as o f May, 1963, to replace a similar booklet
furnished in April, 1961. The revised booklet has been updated to
conform to the provisions o f the Regulation as amended effective
May 1, 1962, and the supplement to the Regulation which became
effective July 10,1962.
Significant changes in content are (a) comments under subsection
( f ) in answer to Question 12, relating to “ Excepted Loans” , have been
amended; (b) answer to Question 19, under “ Making o f Regulated
Loans” , has been modified; and, (c) a new question has been added
to replace Question 31 in the April, 1961, booklet in the section entitled
“ Transfer o f Loans” .
Member banks are requested to substitute the enclosed booklet
in the ring binder containing the Regulations o f the Board o f Gov­
ernors and the Bulletins o f this Bank. The booklet dated April, 1961,
should be destroyed.
Yours very truly,
Watrous H. Irons
President

This publication was digitized and made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Historical Library (FedHistory@dal.frb.org)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ILLUSTRATING APPLICATION
of

REGULATION U

LOANS BY BANKS FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PURCHASING OR CARRYING REGISTERED
STOCKS

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
of the
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
M ay, 1 9 6 3

CONTENTS

General coverage ofregulation ............................................................................

1

Regulated loan

...................................................................................................

2

Maximum loanvalue .............................................................................................

6

Excepted loans

...................................................................................................

7

Making of regulated loans .................................................................................

9

Withdrawals and substitutions of collateral ..................................................

12

Maintenance of a regulated loan .......................................................................

15

Transfer of loans ................................................................................................

16

Loans to over-the-counter dealers.......................................................................

18

Bank borrowing by brokers and dealers on registered securities

18

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ILLUSTRATING
APPLICATION OF REGULATION U
Regulation U, relating to “ Loans by Banks for the Purpose of
Purchasing or Carrying Registered Stocks,” is issued pursuant to
section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, particularly sub­
section (d) of the section. It applies to all banks (whether or not
members of the Federal Reserve System), except banks which are
members of a national securities exchange and therefore subject to
Regulation T.
The following Questions and Answers have been prepared for the
benefit and guidance of banks subject to the regulation and exam­
iners concerned with determining compliance with the regulation.
Of course, the Questions and Answers cannot be expected to cover
in detail all aspects of the regulation. Furthermore, in any given
case the Answers to particular Questions must necessarily depend
on the specific facts and circumstances involved. Therefore, the fol­
lowing Questions and Answers, as indicated above, should be re­
garded as general aids to a better understanding of the principal
features of the regulation, rather than an exhaustive, detailed ex­
planation of the application of its various provisions.
References to sections are to the sections of the regulation as
published in the Federal Register, 12 OFR 221, except that “221.”
is omitted at the beginning of each such reference. Thus, “ section 3”
refers to “ section 221.3” in the Federal Register and the Board’s
May 1, 1962 reprint of the regulation.
GENERAL COVERAGE OF REGULATION:

(1)
Question.— What type of loan is subject to the provisions of
Regulation U? (Hereafter, such a loan will be referred to as a
“ regulated loan.” )

Answer.— Any loan by a bank (including a loan of funds held
by the bank as fiduciary) is subject to the regulation if it falls
within at least one of the following four categories:
(a)
A loan is subject to the regulation if it meets both the follow­
ing tests:
i. The loan is for the purpose of purchasing or carrying stocks
registered on a national securities exchange and is not excepted by

2

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

section 2 of the regulation. (Such a loan is sometimes referred to in
these Questions and Answers as a “purpose loan.” )
ii. The loan is secured directly or indirectly by any stock, whether
registered or unregistered. [Sec. 1(a)]
(b) A loan is also subject to the regulation if it is so secured
and is for the purpose of purchasing or carrying a “redeemable
security” issued by an open-end investment company (sometimes
known as a “mutual fund” ) whose assets customarily include regis­
tered stocks, whether or not the “ redeemable security” itself is regis­
tered, since a loan for such purpose shall be deemed to be for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying registered stocks. [Sec. 3(b) (2)]
(c) A loan can also be subject to the regulation, regardless of
ichether it is secured by any stock, if it is to a person subject to
neither Regulation U nor to Regulation T, who is engaged prin
cipally or as an important activity, in the business of making loans
for the purpose of purchasing or carrying registered stocks. Loans
to such persons, unless unmistakably kept distinct from financing by
the borrower of purchasing or carrying of registered stocks, will be
deemed to be for such a purpose and therefore subject to section
3(q) of the regulation, which requires that such loans be secured.
(d) A loan made on or after June 15, 1959 for the purchase of a
security other than a registered stock (principally convertible bonds)
which is convertible into a registered stock becomes subject to the
regulation at the time that conversion takes place and the regis­
tered stock is substituted as collateral for the loan. At this time the
loan is not permitted to exceed the then maximum loan value of
the collateral, except that any reduction of the loan or deposit of
collateral to meet this requirement may be brought about within
30 days from such date. [Sec. 3(r) ]
REGULATED LOAN:

(2) Question.— In general, when is a loan secured by stock?

Answer.— A loan is secured by stock when it is secured, directly
or indirectly, by some stock, whether registered or unregistered,
even though such stock be only a small portion of the total collateral.
It is not possible for the same borrower to have at the bank both
“ unsecured” and secured purpose loans; all such indebtedness is con­
sidered as a unit, together with related collateral. This is because

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

3

section 1(b) of Regulation U states that the “entire indebtedness
of any borrower to any bank incurred at any time for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying stocks registered on a national securities
exchange shall be considered a single loan, and all the collateral
securing such indebtedness shall be considered in determining wheth­
er or not the loan complies. . .
(3) Question.— Is there any kind of loan, not secured by any
stock, which can be subject to the regulation by reason of the nature
of the borrower?

Answer.— Yes. Such a loan is one to a person not subject to
either Regulation T or Regulation U, who is engaged principally,
or as one of the person’s important activities, in the business of
making loans for the purpose of purchasing or carrying stocks regis­
tered on a national securities exchange. Such loans are deemed to
be for the purpose of purchasing or carrying registered stocks unless
the loan and its purposes are unmistakably separated and disasso­
ciated from any financing or refinancing for any such purpose.
Unless such a loan is so “ separated and disassociated” or is excepted
by section 2 of the regulation, it is subject to the regulation, regard­
less of whether or not it is secured by any stock. No such loan may
be made after June 15, 1059 without collateral; and it must be se­
cured to the same extent as would be required if it were secured by
stock. Such a loan, whether made before or after June 15, 1959 is
subject to all of the other provisions of the regulation including
provisions relating to withdrawal and substitution of collateral.
[Sec. 3 ( q ) ]
(4) Question.— In general what determines whether a loan is for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying stock registered on a national
securities exchange?

Answer.— It is substance, rather than form, which determines
whether a loan is for the purpose of purchasing or carrying regis­
tered stocks. A loan is not for “ carrying” (as distinguished from
“purchasing” ) under section 3(b)(1), unless the ultimate purpose
of the loan is to enable the borrower to reduce or retire indebtedness
incurred to purchase or carry registered stocks. But whether the
loan is for “ purchasing” or for “ carrying,” it should be remembered
that the ultimate-purpose test cannot be defeated by any temporary
application of the funds.
As noted in the Answer to Question 1, a loan for the purpose of

4

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

purchasing or carrying a “ redeemable security” of an openrend
investment company whose assets customarily include registered
stocks is considered to be for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
a registered stock. [Sec. 1 ( a) ; sec. 3 ( b) (2 )]
(5) Question.— When would a loan be secured “indirectly” by
any stock?

Answer.— An answer necessarily must depend upon the facts and
circumstances of each case that arises. For example, it has been
held that a purpose loan is subject to the regulation as one secured
by stock where, although the pledge of the stock was delayed, both
the bank and the borrower contemplated that the loan would be so
secured.
In determining whether a loan is “indirectly” secured, it should
be borne in mind that the reason the Board has thus far refrained
(except to the limited extent covered in section 3 ( q ) ) from regulat­
ing loans not secured by stock has been to simplify operations under
the regulation. This objective of simplifying operations does not
apply to loans in which arrangements are made to retain the sub­
stance of stock collateral while sacrificing only the form.
As a related point it may be noted, as shown in the Answer to
Question (2), that any collateral securing any portion of a bor­
rower’s purpose loan at a bank automatically secures all such
indebtedness of the borrower at the bank. Hence, it is not possible
for a borrower to have both “ unsecured” and secured purpose loans
at the bank.
(6) Question.— What is included within the term “ stock” as used
in the regulation?

Answer.— The term “stock” includes any security commonly
known as a stock, including preferred stock, any voting trust cer­
tificate or other instrument representing such a security, and any
warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase such a security. [Sec.
3(1)] It does not, under the present regulation, include any bond,
including a bond convertible into stock, or a bond carrying stock
purchase warrants. But, where the immediate purpose is to obtain
the stock, a loan to purchase a bond convertible into, or carrying
warrants to acquire the stock, should be considered a loan to pur­
chase the stock. See also section 3(r) regarding loans for the pur­
chase of convertible securities.
(7) Question.— How may one determine whether a particular

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

5

stock is registered on a national securities exchange or whether a
security is a “redeemable security” of an open-end investment
company ?

Answer.— The bank may rely upon any reasonably current rec­
ord of such stocks and securities published or specified in a publi­
cation of the Board of Governors. [Sec. 3(c) ] Such a record is pub­
lished by the Board from time to time in the form of a “List of
Stocks Registered on National Securities Exchanges and of Redeem­
able Securities of Certain Investment Companies.” Copies of the
current list or Supplements thereto may be obtained from the Fed­
eral Reserve Bank of the District. Frequently, it is not possible to
keep this list completely current on newly organized mutual funds
or new listings on exchanges. Sound practice would require that a
bank take account of any such late developments known to it, and
that it keep itself informed, so far as is practical, of such develop­
ments.
(8)
Question.— In determining whether a loan for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying a particular stock is currently a purpose
loan, is the status of registration of the stock at the present time
or at the time of making the loan the determining factor?

Answer.— Whether a loan is a purpose loan at a particular time
depends on the status of the stock at that time.
A loan initially made for the purpose of purchasing or carry­
ing a particular stock is a purpose loan if that particular stock
is now registered, and this would be true even if the stock were
not registered at the time the loan was originally made. A
bank ordinarily is not required to reduce an outstanding secured
loan or obtain additional collateral when the stock becomes
registered, but the indebtedness must thereafter be treated as a
regulated loan. An exception to this concerns the purchase of
a convertible security which is not a registered stock. In this
case, the loan becomes regulated at the time any registered
stock obtained through conversion of the securities originally
purchased, is substituted as collateral for the loan. If the loan
would be undermargined at this time, the borrower has 30 days
within which either to reduce the loan or to deposit additional
collateral in order to bring the loan up to margin.
Conversely, if stock becomes unregistered, a loan which had

6

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
been made for the purpose of purchasing or carrying that stock
ceases to be a purpose loan.

MAXIMUM LOAN V ALU E :

(9) Question.— What limit is placed on the amount of a regu­
lated loan?
Answer.— The maximum loan value of a stock is a percentage of
its market value, specified in the current Supplement to the regula­
tion, but varying from time to time as the Supplement is amended.
The amount of the loan must not exceed the maximum loan value
of the collateral at the time the loan is made. [Sec. 1(a)] The single
exception to this occurs in the case of convertible securities, in which
case the maximum loan value of the collateral is determined at the
time Regulation U becomes applicable, that is, at the time of the
conversion and the substitution as collateral of the registered stocks
obtained upon conversion. [Sec. 3(r)]
(10) Question.— What is the present maximum loan value of
collateral securing a regulated loan?
Answer.— (a) Except as noted in paragraph (b) of this Answer,
the maximum loan value of any stock, whether registered or unregis­
tered, at this time is 50 per cent of its current market value as
determined by any reasonable method. [Supplement to regulation,
effective July 10, 1962] In the case of mixed collateral (e.g., stocks
and bonds), stocks have the present maximum loan value just indi­
cated, i.e., 50 per cent, and bonds or other nonstock collateral have
loan value as determined by the bank in good faith. [Sec. 1(a)]
(b) However, if the loan is to enable the borrower to exercise
a stock subscription right which is evidenced by a warrant or cer­
tificate issued to stockholders and expiring within 90 days of issu­
ance, a maximum loan value of 75 per cent of the current market
value of the stock so acquired as determined by any reasonable
method is permissible, provided the transaction is treated as indi­
cated below in connection with Question (11). In no event could the
loan exceed 100 per cent of the subscription price, since a loan in
excess of that price would not be for the requisite purpose.
[Sec. 3 ( p ) ]
(11) Question.— Does the regulation provide any special or pref­
erential maximum loan values for stocks in certain circumstances?

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

7

Answer.— The only special or preferential maximum loan value
for stocks is described under Question (10) above, i.e., the 75 per
cent maximum loan value in the case of a loan to enable the borrower
to exercise a stock subscription right which is evidenced by a war­
rant or certificate issued to stockholders and expiring within 90
days of issuance. However, the 75 per cent maximum loan value in
such a case is permissible only if (1) the transaction is handled by
the bank on a segregated basis; (2) the bank prohibits any with­
drawal or substitution of the stock used to make the loan until the
amount of the loan is reduced to an amount not exceeding the
regular maximum loan value specified in the current Supplement
to the regulation, at which time the loan need no longer be segre­
gated; and (3) there is no other subscription right loan to the
borrower which has been outstanding at the bank more than nine
months without being reduced to the amount indicated in clause
(2) above. [Sec. 3 ( p ) ]
In particular, no preferential maximum loan value is provided
for a registered stock acquired under an officers’ or employees’ stock
purchase plan. However, the loan value may be computed against
its current market value as indicated on the exchange where it is
listed, rather than against the borrower’s cost if the latter is lower.
EXCEPTED LOANS:

(12)
Question.— What loans, even though they have the charac­
teristics of a regulated loan, are excepted from the regulation?

Answer.— (a) Any loan to a bank or to a foreign banking insti­
tution. [Sec. 2(a)] The term “bank” does not include a bank which
is a member of a national securities exchange and therefore subject
to Regulation T. [Sec. 3 ( k ) ]
(b) Any loan made prior to July 16, 1945 to any person whose
total indebtedness to the bank at the date of and including such
loan did not exceed $1,000. [Sec. 2(b)] The term “ total indebted­
ness” means total indebtedness for all purposes and is not restricted
to total indebtedness for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
registered stocks or “redeemable securities.”
(c) Any loan to a dealer, or two or more dealers, to aid in the
financing of the distribution of securities to customers not through
the medium of a national securities exchange. [Sec. 2(c)] In gen­
eral, this exception covers the underwriting and distributing of

8

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

new issues; it should not be regarded as excepting, for example, a
loan to finance the ordinary activities of an over-the-counter dealer,
nor the disposition through salesmen of securities purchased on an
exchange.
(d) Any loan to a broker or dealer that is made in exceptional
circumstances in good faith to meet his emergency needs. [Sec.
2(d)] The bank, however, should obtain and preserve adequate
evidence of the details in order to support excepting the loan.
(e) Any loan to a broker or dealer secured by any securities
which, according to written notice received by the bank from the
broker or dealer pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Ex­
change Commission concerning the hypothecation of customers’
securities, are securities carried for the account of one or more
customers, provided the bank accepts in good faith from the bor­
rower a signed statement that he is subject to Regulation T or that
all credit extended or maintained by him for customers complies
with Regulation T. [Sec. 2(e)]
(f) Any temporary advance to finance the purchase or sale of
securities for prompt delivery which is to be repaid in the ordinary
course of business upon completion of the transaction. [Sec. 2(f)]
This exception is intended to facilitate the financing of bona fide
cash transactions such as, for example, (1) the purchase of a
security by a bank as agent for the account of a customer who
intends to make payment promptly upon receipt of the security, or
(2) an advance to a customer who has sold his security pending
delivery to and payment by the buyer. The exception does not
apply to a temporary loan which is to be repaid from the proceeds
of a new regulated loan. Nor does this exception, or the exceptions
described under (g) or (h), below, apply to a loan to a person
described in the Answer to Question (3), above, or to a loan to a
borrower to pay for securities purchased in a “ special cash account”
with a broker or dealer unless the borrower himself is a broker or
dealer.
(g) Any loan against securities in transit or surrendered for
transfer, which is payable in the ordinary course of business upon
completion of the transaction. [Sec. 2 (f)] In general, this excep­
tion is designed to cover the cashing of sight drafts with securities
attached. However, note the qualification under (f) above.
(li) Any loan which is to be repaid on the calendar day on which

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

9

it is made. [Sec. 2(h)] This exception would cover so-called “ day”
loans but not “overnight” loans. Also, note the qualification under
(f) above.
(i) A loan made outside the 50 States of the United States and
the District of Columbia. [Sec. 2 (i) ] The exception would apply,
for example, to the usual loan by the foreign branch office of an
American bank.
(j) Any loan to a member of a national securities exchange for
the purpose of financing his or his customers’ bona fide arbitrage
transactions in securities. [Sec. 2(j )] In general, “ arbitrage” is
defined to mean (1) the purchase or sale of a security in one market
together with an offsetting sale or purchase of the same security in
a different market at as nearly the same time as practicable for the
purpose of taking advantage of a difference in prices in the two
markets (e.g., the purchase in London of 100 shares of stock of the
X company and the immediate sale of a like amount of the same
security in New York) ; or (2) the purchase of a security which is,
without restriction other than the payment of money, exchangeable
or convertible within 90 days following the date of its purchase
into a second security together with an offsetting sale at or about
the same time of such second security, for the purpose of taking
advantage of a disparity in the price of the two securities (e.g., the
purchase of a bond of X company and the immediate sale of the
stock into which the bond is convertible without any restriction).
The purchase of issued securities and sale of unissued securities
which are to be issued to holders of the issued security under a
tentative plan of reorganization or merger which has not been
finally approved by the stockholders, the court, or other necessary
authority, should not be considered a bona fide arbitrage.
(k) Any loan to a member of a national securities exchange for
the purpose of financing such member’s transactions as an odd-lot
dealer (including transactions as a combined odd-lot dealer and
specialist) in securities with respect to which lie is registered on
such exchange as an odd-lot dealer. The separate function of the
specialist on the NYSE, where the two are separate, may be similarly
financed under a “good faith” loan value. [Secs. 2(k), 3(o)]
MAKING OF REGULATED LOANS:

(13)
Question.— If the maximum loan value of the collateral
securing an outstanding regulated loan exceeds the total amount of

10

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

the loan, may the bank make another regulated loan without the
deposit of additional collateral?

Answer.— Yes. The bank may make an additional regulated loan
equal to the amount of the excess loan value of the collateral. This
is permissible regardless of the cause of the excess, whether it
results from an increase in the market value of the collateral, a
decrease in the amount of the original loan, or a subsequent increase
by the Board in the permissible maximum loan value.
(14) Question.— May a bank make a new regulated loan in case
the outstanding regulated loan has a deficiency in collateral?

Answer.— Yes. The new loan, however, must be secured by addi­
tional collateral having a maximum loan value at least equal to the
amount of the new loan. Thereafter both loans must be considered
a single loan for the purposes of substitutions or withdrawals of
collateral. An increase of an existing loan must be considered a
new loan, except insofar as the increase may be due solely to the
addition of interest or service charges, or of taxes on transactions
in connection with the loan. [Sec. 3(d) ] See also Question (1) (d)
of these Questions and Answers and section 3(r) of Regulation U
relating to conversion of convertible securities.
(15) Question.— If a bank has outstanding a purpose loan which
is not a regulated loan because it is not secured directly or indirectly
by any stock, may the bank, without regard to the status of the out­
standing loan, make the same customer another loan which is a
regulated loan?

Answer.— Yes, but the outstanding loan thereupon becomes a
regulated loan and thereafter both loans must be considered, by
reason of their purpose, to be a single loan. [Sec. 1(b)] However,
the bank need not obtain additional collateral to cover the outstand­
ing loan, even if the combined single loan is now undermargined.
[See also Answers to Questions (16), (24) and (25).]
(16) Question.— May a bank make a nonpurpose loan in reliance
on the collateral used to meet the requirements for a regulated
loan ?

Answer.— In general, no. In the case of any regulated loan, the
bank is required to identify all the collateral used to meet the
maximum loan value limitation of the regulation, and only the
collateral so identified has loan value for the purpose of the regula­

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

11

tion and is subject to the restrictions of the regulation applicable
to collateral for a regulated loan. For any nonregulated indebted­
ness of the same borrower (other than loans excepted by sections
2(d), (f), (g), or ( h ) ), the bank shall require in good faith as much
collateral (if any) not so identified as it would require if it did not
hold the regulated loan. However, this does not require the bank to
waive or forego any lien. It also does not apply to a loan to meet
emergency expenses not reasonably foreseeable, provided the cir­
cumstances are suitably documented. [Sec. 3(n)]
It should be noted that the nonregulated indebtedness referred
to here is necessarily a nonpurpose indebtedness, since it is not
possible for the same borrower to have at the same bank both “unse­
cured” and secured purpose loans. See Answer to Question (2).
(17) Question.— Does the regulation require that a bank obtain a
statement of purpose for every stock-secured loan which is not a
regulated loan?

Answer.— While there is no requirement in the present regula­
tion that such a statement be obtained, a bank should do so in any
case in which the bank’s records do not otherwise indicate satisfac­
torily the actual purpose of the loan. There is no need for a state­
ment of purpose with respect to a loan which the bank treats as a
regulated loan. A bank may rely upon a statement with respect to
the purpose of the loan, if it is (1) signed by the borrower, (2)
accepted by the bank in good faith and signed by an officer as hav­
ing been so accepted, and (3) if it merely states what is not the
purpose of the loan, it is supported by a memorandum of the lending
officer describing the purpose of the loan. [Sec. 3(a)] Unless such
a statement is on file, the bank should be able to demonstrate the
purpose of a loan which is secured by stocks.
(18) Question.— Would the mere acceptance by a bank of a non­
purpose statement protect the bank?

Answer.— No. Under section 3(a) as amended effective June 15,
1959, if a statement of the borrower merely states what is not the
purpose of the loan, it must be supported by a memorandum or nota­
tion of the lending officer describing the purpose of the loan. In
addition, no statement of the borrower may be relied upon unless
it is accepted “in good faith” and signed by an officer of the bank
as having been so accepted. A hank could not, of course, rely “in
good faith” upon a statement which it knew to be false or if, in the

12

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

circumstances, it had reason to question the correctness or com­
pleteness of the statement. The requirement of “good faith” is of
vital importance; and to fulfill such requirement the bank must be
alert to circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower. For
example, if the bank had reason to suspect that a loan was obtained
with the idea of purchasing unregistered stock or bonds merely as a
temporary expedient and shortly thereafter selling the unregistered
stock or bonds and purchasing registered stocks, the loan should be
considered to be a purpose loan; and the bank, in such a case, would
not be justified in relying on the borrower’s statement without full
investigation. Special vigilance would be necessary also where, on
more than one occasion, a borrower substituted registered stock for
other collateral securing a loan. In addition, a bank could not
accept a statement in “good faith” without obtaining a reliable and
satisfactory explanation where, for example, a loan is made to a
customer who is not a broker or dealer, but a broker or dealer is to
deliver registered stock to secure the loan or is to receive the pro­
ceeds of the loan. There usually would be reasonable grounds for
questioning reliance upon a statement if an unsecured loan should
become secured by registered stock shortly after disbursement of the
loan. In any case, “good faith” would require the exercise of special
diligence where the borrower is not personally known to the bank
or to the officer who processes the loan. See also the Answer to
Question (31) below, as to transfers of loans.
(19) Question.— If a bank holds stock under a bona fide trust
agreement established by a borrower and does not rely upon such
stock in any way in making a purpose loan, does the purpose loan
become a regulated loan by virtue of the stock held under the trust?

Answer.— No. A loan need not be treated as collateralled by
securities which are held by the bank only in the capacity of cus­
todian, depositary or trustee, or under similar circumstances, if the
bank in good faith has not relied upon such securities as collateral
in the making or maintenance of the particular loan. Such reliance,
however, ordinarily must be inferred if holding the securities serves
in some way to protect the interests of the bank in connection with
the loan. [Sec. 3(f)]
W ITHDRAW ALS AND SUBSTITUTIONS OF COLLATERAL:

(20) Question.— May a bank permit the substitution or with­
drawal of collateral securing a regulated loan which is fully mar­

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

13

gined in accordance with the maximum loan value specified in the
current Supplement to the regulation?

Answer.— Yes, if the substitution or withdrawal would not cause
the maximum loan value of the remaining collateral at such time
to be less than the amount of the loan. If the withdrawal or sub­
stitution would result in a deficiency, then it would be permitted
only on the terms applicable to withdrawals or substitutions in
undermargined accounts, as described in the Answer to Question
(21). [Sec. 1(c) ]
(21) Question.— May a bank permit the substitution or with­
drawal of collateral securing a regulated loan which is undermargined, i.e., which has insufficient collateral to satisfy the maxi­
mum loan value specified in the current Supplement to the
regulation ?

Answer.— Substitution or withdrawal, unless it results from a
purchase and sale executed on the same day, is permissible in an
undermargined account only if (1) the loan would not exceed the
maximum loan value of the collateral after such withdrawal or sub­
stitution, or (2) the loan is reduced by an amount at least equal to
the “retention requirement” of the collateral withdrawn minus the
maximum loan value of the collateral deposited. [Sec. 1(c)]
The “ retention requirement” of nonstock collateral is the same
as its maximum loan value, and the “retention requirement” of
stock collateral is prescribed from time to time in the Supplement
to the regulation. Effective June 15, 1959, the “retention require­
ment” of a stock, whether or not registered on a national securities
exchange, was set in the Supplement at 50 per cent of market value.
At the present time (March 1903) the maximum loan value of
stocks is 50 per cent and the retention requirement is also 50 per
cent. In the following example, becaiise the maximum loan value
was assumed to be less than the retention requirement, reduction
of the loan was necessary; this would not be necessary at present.
The example is included here in this form, however, because of its
significance at times when the maximum loan value is less than 50
per cent.
Example: if $1,000 market value of stock X were withdrawn from
an undermargined account in a situation other than a same-daypurchase-and-sale, and $1,000 market value of stock Y were depos­
ited, the loan must be reduced by an amount determined as follows:
the retention requirement of collateral withdrawn (i.e., 50 per cent

14

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

of $1,000, or $500) less the maximum loan value of the collateral
deposited (e.g., if the maximum loan value specified at the time
were 10 per cent, this would be $100) equals the required reduction
(i.e., $400). Thus, the loan in this example must be reduced by
$400. Of course, if some smaller reduction would reduce the loan
to the maximum loan value of the collateral, then the smaller reduc­
tion would be sufficient.
In the case of a substitution resulting from a purchase and sale
occurring on the same day, the substitution is permissible in an
undermargined loan without additional collateral or reduction in
the loan if the excess of the loan over the maximum loan value of
the securities is not thereby increased. The bank must reasonably
ascertain and have evidence in its records that the purchase and
sale orders were both executed on the same day. The controlling
events which must occur on the same day are the executions of the
purchase and sale orders, and not the bank’s receipt or release of
stock certificates. For example, if $2,000 market value of stock A
were sold in an undermargined loan, and $2,000 market value of
stock B were purchased in the loan, both orders being executed on
the same day, the substitution could be effected in the account with­
out any deposit of additional collateral or any reduction in the loan.
(22) Question.— How much collateral may a bank release by
reason of a reduction in the amount of a regulated loan which is
undermargined on the basis of the maximum loan value specified in
the current Supplement to the regulation?
Answer.— A reduction in the amount of an undermargined loan
permits the bank to release collateral having a “retention require­
ment” as large as the reduction in the loan. [Sec. 1(c)]

For example, under present retention requirements of 50 per cent
for stock collateral, if an undermargined loan were reduced by
$1,000, stock collateral with a market value of $2,000 could be
withdrawn.
(23) Question.— Are there any exceptions to the provisions ex­
plained above regarding substitutions or withdrawals of collateral?
Answer.— (a) Yes, substitutions and withdrawals are permitted,
without regard to the above provisions, to enable a borrower to
participate in a reorganization. [Sec. 3(g)] In any such case the
bank would normally be expected to obtain as promptly as possible
such other securities as are to be issued in connection therewith.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

15

(b) Withdrawals or substitutions are prohibited in the case of
subscription right loans as indicated in the Answer to Question (11)
above, except as may be permissible under section 3(g).
(24) Question.— If a bank has outstanding a loan either secured
or unsecured, the purpose of which is not known, and then, subse­
quently, makes a regulated loan to the same borrower, may the
bank permit withdrawals or substitutions of collateral to either
loan without ascertaining the purpose of the first loan?

Answer.— Not if the maximum loan value of the remaining col­
lateral is, or would thereupon become, less than the combined in­
debtedness. Since all the borrower’s purpose loans at the bank
must be considered a single loan, and all collateral therefor must
be considered as a unit, the bank cannot exclude from this total
indebtedness a previously outstanding loan unless the bank has
satisfied itself that the loan is not a purpose loan. See Questions
(17) and (18) regarding the purpose of a loan.
(25) Question.— Are the provisions of Regulation U applicable
to the withdrawal or substitution of collateral to a loan that is not
for the purpose of purchasing or carrying a registered stock?

Answer.— No. Under so-called “ overlap” agreements which are
frequently used by banks, collateral which secures one loan of a
borrower at a bank also secures all other indebtedness of the bor­
rower to the bank. As a result of such “ overlap” agreements, col­
lateral securing a nonpurpose loan may also secure a purpose loan.
Before the June 15, 1959 amendment to section 3(n), collateral
which secured a nonpurpose loan might in that way become subject
to limitations on withdrawals and substitutions. Since that date,
however, the limitations apply only to collateral that has been used
to meet the requirements of the regulation, rather than to all col­
lateral available to secure a purpose loan.
MAINTENANCE OF A REGULATED LOAN:

(26) Question.— If there is a decline in the market value of the
collateral securing a regulated loan or a decrease in the maximum
loan value prescribed by the Board which causes the maximum loan
value of the collateral to be less than the amount of the loan, is the
bank required by the regulation to demand additional collateral
equal to the deficiency or to require liquidation or payment of the
loan?

16

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Answer.— No. The regulation does not require the bank to obtain
additional collateral nor to liquidate or reduce any regulated loan
by reason of such a decline or decrease. But see section 3(r) con­
cerning loans for the purchase of convertible securities. (It should
be noted that brokers or securities exchanges may impose require­
ments as to margins to be maintained and that these requirements
operate in quite a different way from the initial margin require­
ments prescribed under Regulation U.)
TRANSFER OF LOANS:

(27) Question.— What procedure should a bank follow in accept­

ing the transfer of a loan from another bank, as permitted by sec­
tion 3(e) ?
Answer.— The transferee bank should pay off the transferor bank
against the receipt of the collateral. A loan to enable a borrower
to reduce or retire existing indebtedness at another bank or to
replace funds which the borrower has used for such purpose does
not constitute a transfer of the loan within the meaning of section
3(e). See the Answer to Question (31) below, for transfers of loans
from one borrower to another, or to others.

(28) Question.— May a bank accept transfer of a regulated loan
from another bank if the bank knows or has reason to know that
the loan when made failed to comply with the regulation?
Answer.— No. See the Answer to Question (31) below, as to the
bank’s duty to ascertain all relevant facts connected with the trans­
fer of a loan.

(29) Question.— If a regulated loan is fully margined must there
be compliance with section 3(e) in connection with the transfer of
the loan to another bank?
Answer.— No. Since the transferee bank could make the loan
initially because the maximum loan value of the securities equals
or exceeds the loan, the transferee bank may treat the loan as a
new loan and need not rely on section 3(e) permitting transfers.

(30) Question.— In accepting the transfer of a loan from an­
other bank, how may the transferee bank determine whether there
is any change in the amount of the loan or in the collateral thereto?
Answer.— If the transferred loan is a regulated loan, it must be
accompanied by all the collateral used to meet the collateral re-

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

17

quirements of the regulation, i.e., all the collateral required to be
identified under section 3(n). In the case of a transfer of a portion
of such a loan, the transferred portion should be accompanied by
its proper proportion of the entire collateral so that the ratio of
loan value of collateral to indebtedness is the same with the trans­
ferred portion of the indebtedness and transferred portion of the
collateral as with the aggregate indebtedness and aggregate
collateral.
(31) Question.— May a bank permit the transfer of a loan from
one borrower to another, or to others, under all circumstances?
Answer.— No, only as a bona fide incident to a transaction that
is not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of
the regulation. In connection with any transfer of a loan between
borrowers, an officer at the bank must obtain and keep with the
transferee loan account a statement signed by the transferor, which
the officer accepts in good faith, describing the circumstances of the
transfer. In addition, of course, a bank should exercise good faith,
including reasonable diligence, in ascertaining all facts relevant to
any transfer of a loan. See the last sentence of section 3(a) regard­
ing acceptance of a statement in good faith.

(32) Question.— May a bank accept the transfer of a loan of a
borrower from another lender which is not a bonk (e.g., a broker or
dealer) without following the requirements of the regulation as to
the making of the loan ?
Answer.— No. Although the regulation originally permitted such
a transfer, this permission was eliminated shortly after the regula­
tion was issued. [Sec. 3(e)]

(33) Question.— After a transfer of a regulated loan from one
bank to another, may the bank permit withdrawals and substitu­
tions of collateral?
Answer.— Yes. The bank accepting the transfer of a regulated
loan may permit withdrawals and substitutions of collateral on the
same basis as if it had been the original maker of the loan. If the
transferee bank already has a regulated loan to the same borrower
or a loan to him which has not been a regulated loan solely because
it has not been secured by any stock, the transferred loan and the
outstanding loan must be combined for the purpose of the regula­
tion in determining permissible withdrawals or substitutions of
collateral.

18

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

LOANS TO OVER-THE-COUNTER-DEALERS:

(34)
Question.— Does the regulation apply to stock-secured loans
made to an over-the-counter dealer whose business consists chiefly
of purchasing or carrying unregistered securities but who also, as a
regular part of his business, purchases or carries registered stocks?
Answer.— Theoretically, if the different parts of the dealer’s busi­
ness are kept separate so that it can be demonstrated that a par­
ticular loan is not for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any
registered stocks, such loan, of course, would not be subject to the
regulation.

In practice, however, it would be difficult to effect any such
separation. In the absence of such separation, any loan to replenish
the working capital of such over-the-counter dealer cannot be said
to be a nonpurpose loan and should, therefore, be considered a
regulated loan.
BANK BORROWING BY BROKERS AND DEALERS
ON REGISTERED SECURITIES:

Under the provisions of section 8(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 it is unlawful for any member of a national securities
exchange, or any broker or dealer who transacts a business in securi­
ties through the medium of any such member, directly or indirectly,
to borrow in the ordinary course of business as a broker or dealer
on any registered security (other than an exempted security) from
any bank which is not a member of the Federal Reserve System
unless such nonmember bank shall have filed Avith the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System an agreement (on Federal
Reserve Board Form T-l or T-2) undertaking to comply with all
the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Federal
Reserve Act as amended, and the Banking Act of 1933, which are
applicable to member banks and which relate to the use of credit to
finance transactions in securities, and with such rules and regula­
tions as may be prescribed pursuant to such provisions of law.
In view of the foregoing, a nonmember bank should not make
loans to any brokers or dealers in the circumstances specified in the
Act unless such bank has filed an agreement on Federal Reserve
Board Form T-l or T-2 with the Board of Governors.