FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			
Contact:  Dean DeBuck  (202) 874-5770
Date: May 12, 2000 				    



OCC Encourages National Banks to Work with Customers 
Affected By Fires in New Mexico     

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 
(OCC) has outlined measures to assist national banks and their 
customers affected by fires in New Mexico.  The OCC regulates 
national banks.

The OCC recognizes that the effects of natural disasters on 
individuals and businesses are often temporary, and that prudent 
efforts to adjust or alter terms on existing loans in areas 
affected by the disasters and related problems should not be 
subject to bank examiner criticism. 

The OCC encourages national banks to consider various 
alternatives that may include:

.  extending the terms of loan repayments;
.  restructuring a borrower's debt obligations; and,
.  easing credit terms for new loans to certain borrowers, 
   consistent with prudent banking practice.

The OCC notes that these measures could help borrowers recover 
their financial strength and enable them to be in a better 
position to repay their debts. These recovery efforts can 
contribute to the health of the local community and the long-term 
interests of the national bank and its customers.
	
In addition, the OCC has authorized national banks to close 
offices affected by the fire temporarily.  

National banks in need of assistance in dealing with customers 
affected by the fires should contact the OCC.  National banks in 
New Mexico should contact the OCC district office in San 
Francisco at (415) 545-5900.                 


The OCC charters, regulates and examines approximately 2,400 national banks and 
58 federal branches of foreign banks in the U.S., accounting for more than 57 
percent of the nation’s banking assets. Its mission is to ensure a safe and 
sound and competitive national banking system that supports the citizens, 
communities and economy of the United States.