This recipe describes enhancements to the CU*BASE Write-off/Charge-off database and analysis tools. During December of 2020 we started re-energizing the project, and have already submitted specifications for the first couple of project segments.

Currently In Process

Project 1(a): Write a new program to calculate daily accruals on written-off loans

This will be a completely separate program from other loan accruals, but will calculate in much the same way. We’ll use the rate and current balance (CURBAL) from the loan account record, calculating a per diem using the 365 daily interest calc type for all written-off loans. The results of this daily calculation will be recorded in a new “bucket” stored along with the other write-off data (see project 1b below). This will be an informational figure only; these “accruals” will not interface with the credit union’s books.

Status of project 1(a): Project #55515 is in development! 

Project 1(b): Expand the written off loans database table (LNWRTOFF)

To record the new daily accrual as well as other details, the existing database will be expanded to include additional fields. New data we’ll capture as of time of write off:

• Rate as of write-off (informational only; this is also retained on the MEMBER5/6 record)
• Interest due as of write-off (informational only; this is also retained on the MEMBER5/6 record)
• Interest calc type as of write-off (informational only; not retained on MEMBER5/6)

New “bucket” fields which can be maintained by the CU at/after write-off:

• Interest accrued since write-off (see project 1a)
• Judgment amount (we already have a place for the date)
• Total collection expenses
• Total other fines/fees
• Comments (free-form text to record things like judgment details, composition of the collection expenses or other fees, etc.)

Status of project 1(b): Project #55515 is in development!

Our Vision for Future Projects

• Project 2(a): Create a payoff calculator, maybe something similar to the “prepare mortgage for payoff” tool.
• Project 2(b): Change how payments are collected to automate collection of the interest accrued since write-off (once principal and interest due are paid down to zero).
• Project 3: Create a new subsidiary activity history tied to the WO loan data to automate the detail behind the new buckets (collection expenses, other fees/fines, etc.).
• Project 4: Enhancements to Written Off Loan Dashboard (Tool #476) to help track recovery amounts for written/charged off loans.  Status: Specifications submitted for PS#56556.

Status on Projects 2 and 3: Will begin design after projects 1(a) and (b) are getting near to implementation.

Other Related Efforts

Specifications have been submitted for PS#56556 on 6/1/21 to enhance Tool #476 “Written Off Loan History Dashboard” to help credit unions track recovery amounts for written/charged off loans.  We are adding the option to use end-of-month balances for calculating the net change amount that displays on the dashboard.  That way the credit union can compare loan balances from EOM December to EOM June (as an example) to determine the amount recovered during that time frame.  This will be helpful for 5300 reporting.

We recently updated the Write Off & Charge Off Tools booklet with a section for “Tracking Charge Offs and Recoveries for the 5300 Call Report” that includes tips and recommendations for analyzing and assembling data that we already have to determine YTD Charge Offs and YTD Recoveries information.  We will continue to work on training and additional documentation to help the tracking of written and charged off loans.

We will also work on documenting recommendations for reinstating loans after a judgment, with tips and ideas about methods that work well with existing CU*BASE tools.

We Want to Hear from You

Give us your feedback, ideas, and suggestions so we can consider them as we continue to shape the final design.  And if you’d like to talk to someone, reach out to the chefs for this recipe: Randy Karnes and Dawn Moore.