BANKING & FINANCE - Nov. 30, 1991

OTS Plans Higher Assessments: The Office of Thrift Supervision said it will raise the assessment it charges savings and loans to fund its operations by 5% in 1992. Assessments, which are based on thrift assets, are the largest source of income for the agency, the thrift industry’s chief federal regulator. OTS has cut operating costs and trimmed its budget during the past two years. But a decline in the number of healthy thrifts, coupled with the industry’s shrinking asset base, has forced the agency to increase assessments, OTS Director Timothy Ryan said in a statement. Despite the increase, OTS’ assessment income will fall at least $12 million short of its projected $224-million budget for 1992, the agency said.