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Minutes of actions taken by the Board of Governors of the
-44* Reserve System on Tuesday, October 10, 1950.

PREsENT:

Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.

McCabe, Chairman
Szymczak
Evans
Vardaman
Norton
Mr. Carpenter, Secretary
Mr. Sherman, Assistant Secretary
Mr. Kenyon, Assistant Secretary

Minutes of actions taken by the Board of Governors of the
Reserve System on October 9, 1950, were approved unanimously.
Memorandum dated October

6, 1950, from Mr. Marget, Director

°tIlleDivision of International Finance, recommending that the
resig48.tio4 of
Miss Barbara Hinrichs, a research assistant in that
1:141siort, be
accepted to be effective, in accordance with her request,
Oqt,01,
vet es
1950
Approved unanimously.

Mein

orandum dated October

6, 1950, from Mr. Vest, General

,_

'oommending the appointment of James Bruce Kellison as a
14 the Legal Division, with basic salary at the rate of
0 13ezi
tho

84nunly effective as of the date upon which he enters upon
Derr°
111411oe of his duties after having passed the usual physical
tiorL

,Approved unanimously.
L
-K

Letter to Mr.
Olson, Vice President of the Federal Reserve
414
4-cago, reading as follows:




10/10/50
-2"This refers to your letter of October 3, 1950 en1/Xirig a copy of a letter received by you from the Marine
:")11a1 Exchange Bank of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, regarding
ti
;
a question whether a Regulation V guarantee would cover
8.
-n e8.se Where a bank which has taken an assignment of claims
ecurity for a loan is later required by the Government,
a;
!
to 4he result of price revision, to refund amounts paid
e
:
11/ ,
e_ bank as assignee, even though the guarantee may
b
t1„terminated because of payment of the loan by
c'j
e borrow r. It is assumed that the ruling of the
General referred to in the Bank's letter is
the
Boje inien of May 17, 1949 which was enclosed with the
8 letter of June 16, 1949.
vith "There has been no authoritative opinion expressed
1)1.0-4, rese
P Ct to the question raised.
Duringthe V-loan
perragrie1114_ of World War II the Armed Services agreed to
agre;' banks, upon the cancellation of a guarantee
TerapTrileAt, to add a rider to the form of 'Statement of
Na:14.1?ti0nt to the effect that, notwithstanding canloZ1 of the guarantee agreement, the agreement and
4ts of the financing institution should continue
iii
or aZ,1 force and effect 'with reference to the amount
44(
0
1 PaYments or application of funds, if any, heretofore
the r°A said loan which may hereafter be recovered from
Eq,a 4Ilancing institution'. (See F.R.L.S. 74'966o) By
iliwt1", it might be supposed that if a financing
elaoln;Ution after payment of the loan by the borrower,
NI-;r- be
required by the Government to refund amounts
ea by the bank as assignee, such amounts would
sha/jarded as a 'loss on the loan' which would be
‘' ratably by the financing institution and the
glzaZeeing agency of the Government according to the
there7;fed percentage. However, as previously indicated,
N.1,6,
'
1 4.448 not been any interpretation of the form of
1_e agreement of September 27, 1950 to this effect.
-7 e
is
question and other questions relating to the
Act, 0f assignee banks under the Assignment of Claims
ktl 11,2,1 the light of opinions of the Comptroller General,
studied; and it is likely that we may discuss
he
h0
.
1701Areci0le Problem with the guaranteeing agencies inn13 v,i4 the new V-loan program. We shall of course
qqa 4`'u advised
of any developments in connection with
fla
tter."

1)er:




Approved unanimously.

10/10/5o
Telegram
to the Presidents of all Federal Reserve Banks and
14811414g 0„,
411oers of all Federal Reserve Bank Branches, prepared in
e.ccortance
with the discussion at the meeting on October 6, 1950,
fOilOWS:

Res "Referring my wire October 6 re Regulation X,
idential Real Estate Credit. Text of press release
to b
giVen to press at press conference to be held
0 P.m. today, Eastern Standard Time, is as
or
• Statement is for release in morning papers
wednesday,
October 11:
et 'Restrictions on residential real estate Conet
credit, under authority of the Defense
Ord-o-liction Act of 1950 and the President's Executive
toci2: No. 10161 of September 9, 1950, were announced
te„;,v on non-government-aided private credit, governded loans, and direct covernment veteran and
114 1
,(3ans on one and two-family houses.
silre,4 Credit
restrictions on housing loans not inGuaranteed, or extended by Government agencies
orGe°7ered under Regulation X issued by the Board
eola,°17ernors of the Federal Reserve System, with the
gor
:
ellrrence of the Administrator of the Housing and
govel„
,
Plaance Agency. Companion restrictions on
torti erit-aided housing finance, on a basis concretl 114g to those applied to other types of private
were announced by the Housing and Home
—ce
Administrator.
reziaiLI:Ile new regulations will call for down payments
riEtri.
li7 from 10 per cent in the $5,000 and under price
or vd„:° 50 Per cent at $25,000 and over, with preference
Poillt'
erane amounting in most cases to 10 percentage
or h 8' The regulations are geared to the marketing
nillg production of not more than 800,000 to
N),(1
01
(1\S
aew housing units next year.
rsa
'
t he regulations on both types become effective
October 12, 1950. They are designed to
;
1Ice the currently high inflationary pressures
/1 re::!
.
4
41krite;1.
cting the flow of funds into the mortgage
e‘ctilisiyuld through the reduction of new home construction
aext year, to assure that materials and labor
for the defense program will be available
tleeded.

N




10/10/50

-4'The regulations apply to virtually all future
10
Thez
e s on new construction of one and two-family houses.
mc re
strictions agreed upon, according to Thomas B.
e4bel
Chairman of the Board, and Ruymond M. Foley,
14
, A Ad
ministrato,
r are based on an estimate that, to
:%
1
serious inflation in the housing market and to
1213
cr
te
i:rt3J
i 1;;t
6
i mated defense requirements, housing
I should be reduced about one-third
1,10'jv the current record level of homebuilding, or
ev raore than 800,000 units. They are intended, howto continue, as far as possible through control
thecredit, the
relative preferences for veterans and
it 11-oe distribution of housing sought by Congress
its l
egislative enactments. The situation will be
Under close review to determine whether defense
tiots
liflationary developments require later modificacalll:The regulations specify maximum amounts which
borrowed, maximum maturities, and minimum
ollortization requirements for extensions of credit
or l'esidential construction, including the financing
Eltio:i!j°r additions Awl improvements where the loan
llorl-ut is more than $2,500. They do not apply to
ber'130vernment-aided loans on construction begun
te °Ile noon on
August 3, 1950, nor to loan commitprior to the effective date. Credits
bY new construction as well as credits exfinance the purchase of homes are subject
eations
bra .ror
those purchasing homes in the lower price
lolZets, the percentage down payments required are
vet; thaz for higher priced structures, and for
rtie:
:
t 448 Using GI loans the down payment require4re lower at each price level than on other
tlittsr; .Also, a longer period for repayment is peror those buying homes costing $7,000 or less.
thell-La determining the amount that can be loaned,
N'toil licler must take into account all credit pre44i --LY e
xtended in connection with the property
4(141.8j111 outstanding, as well as the amount of
briii;"348-1 credit being extended. This provision
41011;8 suPAlementary borrowing, as well as first
Ill oiZ!! loans, within the scope of the regulation.
40111
words, minimum down payments must be made
terlai'lle borrower's own funds in connection with ex(348 of credit on new residential construction




458
Mob
-5o,
and. not from
the proceeds of supplemental mortgages
°rPersonal loans in excess of the permissible loan
Value.
40
, 'Down payments and maximum permissible loans for
irgovernment loans and FHA-insured financing are
Ith7ctical and are calculated on the transaction price
or4V1 is defined by the regulation as the amount paid
it
be paid by the purchaser, exclusive of prepaid
the8 cf expense, such as taxes or insurance. Under
r4az regulation, maximum permissible loan amounts,
are,1141.1m maturities and minimum amortization provisions
sPecified.
°erties having a value of:
May have outstanding
credit of:
Oe thn,
$2,500 but not
1411)4;ri.than $5,000
90% of the value
m "hall $5,000 but not
-Ore
than $9,000
$4,500 plus 65% of
excess of value over
$5,000
More than
$7,100 plus 60 of
$9,000 but not
rIl°re than
excess of value over
$15,000
14°re than
$15,000 but not
tore

than $20,000

01'er $20,000

$9,000
$10,700 plus 20% of
excess of value over
$15,000
$11,700 plus 10% of excess
of value over $20,000 but
not less than 50% of value

T° carry out the requirement that the relative
credi
:
N.v;" Preferences for veterans be maintained, down
th;Irlt requirements on loans guaranteed or made by
th veterans Administration are 10 per cent lower
Dric,
°11 PHA and non-government-aided loans in the
- range between $6,000 and $12,000, with the
pre-ererr—
narrowing to 5 per cent in both the
4
17 and lower price levels. The down payments
pric
:
-guaranteed
loans, also based on transaction
vkl "4 are
computed as follows:
Ile Transaction Price
Minimum Down
Payment
!,500,0 or
less
of value
5%
-41 e than
$5,000
but not
-°re than
$250
$6,000




10/10/50
-6
"'Value

Transaction Price

More than $6,00C but not
more than
$9,000
More than
$9,000 but not
more than
$12,000
More than
$12,000 but not
r110re
than $15,000
More than
$15,000 but not
Zore than
$20,000
More
than $20,000 but not
lac)re than
$24,250
°N'er $24,250

Minimum Down
Payment
$250 plus 25% of
excess of value over

$6,000
$1,000 plus 30% of
excess of value over
$9,000
$1,900 plus 55% of
excess of value over
$12,000
$3,550 plus 75% of
excess of value over
$15,000
$7,300 plus 85% of
excess of value over
$20,000
45% of value

1-L1 real estate construction loans are limited
to. '
pr -nlaximm term of 20 years, except those made on
10erties valued at $7,000 or less under a contract
,
c h calls for complete amortization of the loan
1.11 ,
or `5 Years by equal monthly, quarterly, semi-annual
ilrttAllel Payments to principal or to principal and
basi—est• However, a loan may be amortized on a
that Provides for nnnual reduction of principal
0:ZMinimum rate of 5 per cent per year of the
eze
;
41a1 amount of the balance, and such loans are
bale,t from further amortization when the outstanding
ot;,ce has been reduced to not more than 50 per cent
cred;! value of the property as of the time the
vas extended.
tallet 'Alth -6ou 1_
11 the regulation provides that a person
14g. rebe registered to engage in the business of extendal estate construction credit, all persons
to
in the business will automatically be deemed
0114
, registered for present purposes and no action
40It;
eir Part to secure registration is now required.
ImLer, the regulation provides that the Board may
stet;
, hY Public announcement, require registration
,4ts to be filed by persons affected.
.uring the formulation of Regulation X, and the
l'eglu,44j
N.usi7:1°As on government-aided housing credit, concl'7:'°48 and meetings were held with representatives
--i°us groups affected. This includes manufacturers

4

11




10h0/50
-7and dealers in building supplies and materials,
itellor and veterans' and other consumer organizations,
eT14 and trust companies, savings banks, savings
Thrli°an associations, and building associations,
j"Eage bankers, insurance companies, builders, real
,
:
,ete dealers, and others interested in construction
u•ukt in
ortgage finance.
re
The new regulations apply only to residential
eval estate credit on one and two-family houses. HowConsideration is being given to the early
.1,4811a/ice of regulations applying to construction credit
pr„ating to rental-type projects, non-residential
Pe
and other real estate credit.
dir 'Inquiries in regard to Regulation X should be
th2:cted to one of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks and
24
2+ branches, through which the regulation will
be
adm
inistered.
gov 'Instructions to field offices for processing
viirt ent-aided housing loans under the new regulations
tret4be issued shortly by the Federal Housing Administelit4'°; the Veterans Administration, and the DepartOf Agriculture in their respective fields.

2

Approved unanimously.

ka,

-gram to the Presidents of all Federal Reserve Banks
mrs,_
the
Qu
'
Leging Officers of all Federal Reserve Bank Branches,
as

follows:

e l
ection 4(c) of Regulation X provides that no
4.iTk.rant shall extend any credit unless he is
4,'8fied and maintains records which reasonably
cflm°11strate on their face whether such credit is
110t real estate construction credit. One
Vherr Of showing compliance with this provision
is
4° real estate construction credit is involved
the:4 st
atement made by the borrower to the effect
4:
:
h the credit in question is not wholly or partly
by, or for the purpose of purchasing or
'
4111.0 4.,g, or for the purpose of financing, or one
cotl Illvolves the right to acquire or use new
01117nction on real property or real property
"A41°}1 there is new construction (or that such new




10/10/50

-8Ii

cohs
truction, if any, is not a residence or a
/J°11. addition or major improvement to a residence).
D4°11 a statement, if accepted in good faith by the
"registrant, will be acceptable if stamped on the
Of the borrower's note and the note is theresigned by him or, if made by the borrower in
134-stter,
application form, or in any other written
taerla whatever. Merely as a suggested form of stateveillt
, which can be used if desired for this purpose,
it rye prepared the statement quoted below which
ro,'" suggested you reproduce and have available
ar; registrants. Mimeograph copies of the statement
Illso going forward to you by airmail. We are
3 working on
a Statement of the Borrower with
8t Peet to loans which involve real estate contor.uction credit and will forward such a statement
ou as
STATmbm, soon as possible.
is ;;;a,DIT OF BORROWER WITH RESPECT TO CREDIT WHICH
"v4: 'REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION CREDIT'
does This form may be used where the Registrant
ollthr
,
1?t have other records which reasonably demonstrate
stril
r face that the credit is not 'real estate conOf j'ion credit' under Regulation X of Board of Governors
or :e Federal Reserve System. Credit extended, insured
is raranteed
by the United States or any agency thereof
°t 'real estate construction credit' under Regulation

4

$

With respect to the credit in the amount of
for which I am applying to

Name of Registrant
cer+4,,
cleC
0 41-Y under the penalties of Regulation X of the Board
it Ajernors
of the Federal Reserve System that the credit
and will not be either wholly or partly secured
the'for the purpose of purchasing or carrying, orright
for
to 413
011rPose of financing, or one which involves the
qUire or use, new construction* on real property or
!
)
,f:
(TertY on which there is a new construction (or
or aUch new construction, if any, is not a residence
174aj°r addition or major improvement to a residence).
tate

(Borrower's Addressr
(Borrower's Signature)
*At
Nor8ed here, 'new construction' means any structur
ts or e4dition or major improvement to a structure, which
has been begun after August 3,
1950."




10/10/50

-9Approved unanimously.

Letter for the signature of the Chairman, to Honorable
kr
rY S.
Trumaaa., President of the United States, The White House,
1(18111hgtort, D. C.,
reading as follows:
vi "The Board will be glad to proceed in accordance
s th the request contained in your memorandum of
clember 28, 1950, that in performing the functions
oelegated to or vested in the Board by Executive
Gr
eciel' 10161, the Board consult with the Attorney
colt,a1 and the Chairman of the Federal Trade
th:Liesion for the purpose of determining and, to
'
or extent consistent with the principal objectives
e Defense
Production Act and without impairing
the
tae
defense effort, of eliminating any factors which
ajtetd to suppress competition unduly, create or
oth'eerigthen monopolies, injure small business, or
ise Promote undue concentration of economic
004 "To that end we are forwarding to the Attorney
Q01071
'
8.1 and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission
Pr;;" of Regulation V, Loan Guarantees for Defense
Crl i.tiTtion, and Regulation X, Residential Real Estate
to
'which have been issued by the Board pursuant
;:lle
Defense Production Act and the Executive Order.
We
"e.Nre been giving consideration to possible actions
rese°Arlection with the voluntary agreements with
cliZct to financing authorized by the Defense Prosila:t 011 Act and the Executive Order and we will conthe t,Ilith the Attorney General and the Chairman of
701 ederal Trade Commission as required by Section
°F, the Order with respect to any such agreements.
kelt) In accordance with the last paragraph of your
EIN,erelliclum, I or the members of the Board who will
to thePeoial consideration to the matters delegated
ror -e Board by the Executive Order will be available
Ciletic°neultation with the Attorney General and the
sifillan of the Federal Trade Commission whenever

Approved unanimously, with the
understanding that copies would be sent




•

463

10110/50
-10to Attorney General McGrath and Mr.
James M. Mead, Chairman of the Federal
Trade Commission.
te*
17,

Letter to Mr. Victor H. NYborg, President, Association of
usiness Bureaus, Inc., 723 Chrysler Building, New York

Ilev York, reading as follows:
T
21 ,:
:
. hank you very much for your letter of September
',7'th which you forwarded a copy of your organizatio
Press release covering the issuance of advertis- 8-,t;ezdards for consumer credit.
co,, Your constructive action relating to the Board's
lie-LIttler credit Regulation W is appreciated indeed and
to ;re forwarded copies of your letter and enclosures
""e Federal Reserve Banks for their information."
Approved unanimously.
Menloranclum dated October
the payment of

$600

6, 1950,

from Mr. Thurston,

to cover the costs of the trip of

44 ellier, of Encyclopaedia Britannica Films Inc., to Washington
t414'eliminary animation drawings and showing of the film on
Ne,

Reserve System in the then incompleted stage to members
'theTk
--jktcl's research staff, etc., with the understanding that the
:
ett) 14€et of the Division of Administrative Services would be into
cover this additional cost.




Approved unanimously.