America West Bank Seized by U.S. Regulators

America West Bank, Layton, Utah, was seized by regulators today, boosting the tally of failed lenders in the U.S. this year to 31.

From FDIC: 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.
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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.

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.