Before the Purchase and Assumption transaction, MTB Bank was experiencing problems and
was operating under an MOU entered into on September 16, 1998 with the FDIC. A November
1998 joint (FDIC and State of New York) examination report had rated the bank a CAMELS
“3,” and criticized the bank’s risk management process, asset/liability management, and internal controls. A subsequent joint examination report dated November 19994 noted “the overall
condition of the bank was satisfactory; however, management performance remains fair.” The
bank’s condition had improved since the November 1998 examination, and it was upgraded to a
CAMELS “2” rating, although its management component rating remained a “3.” The report
also noted that “[t]he assessment of management reflects the increase in asset classifications,
weaknesses in credit administration, audit, and funds transfer…Weaknesses in audit include lack
of a written risk assessment for areas that are audited and not completing the annual audit plan.”
The 1999 report also noted that adversely classified assets as a percentage of Tier 1 Capital and
loan loss reserves increased from 10.4 percent in September 1998 to 27.7 percent in September
1999. Examiners were concerned that “although the level is generally considered manageable,
the overall trend in volume and severity warrants a moderate level of concern.” At a meeting
with officials from CBC and MTB Bank in May 1999, Division of Supervision and Consumer
Protection5 (DSC) officials in the Boston Regional Office explained that it would be difficult to
approve the Purchase and Assumption of two “troubled banks;” however, that would not
preclude CBC from submitting an application. On August 4, 1999, CBC filed an application
with the FDIC and the State of Connecticut Department of Banking to acquire MTB Bank.
According to the application, the Chairman had agreed to enter into a subscription agreement
with CBC whereby he would purchase $10 million of common stock and $10 million of
preferred stock, the proceeds of which would be used to consummate the sale agreement. As
shown in Table 1, MTB Bank had almost three times the assets of CBC.