|  |     This is an official response by Mary Madden of the DCU. The portion of
    that response, dated 13-July-1989, that applies to this note topic is
    included below. See note 2.22 for more information. 
    
    Your comments on this response should be posted here or directed to
    to DCU directly at Mary Madden's number (dtn) 223-6735 x207.
    (Note: New extension for Mary Madden)
        
    Carl Leeber
******************************************************************************
    RE: 181.0
    
    In many states, the housing industry has softened. Recently, we've seen
    the value of homes decline significantly. This is espcially true in
    Massachusetts. With this in mind, DCU chose to decrease its Home Equity
    loan-to-value ratio from 80% to 70% on April 21, 1989. 
    
    At that time, we updated our home equity applications and instructed
    our staff that if any applications received quoted 80%, they were to
    call the member and inform them of our new loan_to_value ratio. Though
    the majority of our members were informed immediately, a few
    experienced a delay in notification. Our apologies. 
    
    We were in no way trying to "hide" the change in the ratios. Since the
    majority of our members' funds are invested in DCU loans, including
    Home Equity, the 80% to 70% change was instituted to better protect
    these investments. If you have comments or concerns, we encourage you
    to contact MARY MADDEN AT DTN/223-6735 OR 508/493-6735, Ext. 207. 
    
******************************************************************************
    
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|  |     I find this reply (.2) unacceptable.  DCU will not approve an equity
    loan application without a property appraisal.  The appraisal process
    would highlight any "decrease" in property values.  Decreasing the
    L-T-V ratio does not address the issue at all, in my opinion.  What
    it does do is put the DCU further into the "non-competitive" column.
    
    Now we can have it all - minimal services, minimal access, ultra-
    conservative loan approval processes, uncompetitive loan products,
    AND lower-than-market savings rates!  Who could ask for anything more?
    
    I apologize if my frustration shows.  I guess that's why I'm in
    the process of joining a "real" financial institution!
 | 
|  |     I agree with your concern over dealing with the DCU.  I am very
    upset about the fact that I paid almost $600.00 for legal fees,
    appraisal fees etc. in December, 1986 to obtain a home equity loan
    and they now pay people $300.00 to open one.
    
    I have requested that they give rebates to the original home equity
    customers as a "goodwill" gesture.  This request has been denied.
    Does anyone else feel this way?
 | 
|  | 
If I bought a thingamajig at Sears in December 1986, and while shopping there
2 1/2 years later find they give a $300 rebate when you purchase a thingamajig,
it doesn't seem reasonable to expect them to give me $$ back. Same with auto
rebates - if Ford gives $X back on an '89 Model ABC, how can I justify asking
for $X on the model I bought years earlier?
						Trace
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