​​Purchase of Vendor's Interest in Land Contract by State Chartered Banks​

This office has received inquiries as to whether state-chartered banks may purchase the vendor's interest in a land contract. Specifically, the question has been asked as to whether such a purchase would conflict with the limitations in Wis. Stat. s. 221.14 regarding circumstances under which a bank may purchase, hold and convey real estate. According to decisions of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, particularly Mueller v. Novelty Dye Works, 273 Wis. 501 (1956), a vendor's interest in a land contract is similar to that of a mortgagee and is secured by a lien on real property. The purchase of the vendor's interest is equivalent to the purchase of a loan secured by real estate rather than the purchase, holding or conveyance of real estate itself. The purchase of the vendor's interest, therefore, constitutes the purchase or discount of an evidence of debt or the lending of money on real security, powers granted to state-chartered banks by Wis. Stat. s. 221.04(1)(f).

These transactions are subject to the limitations in Wis. Stat. s. 221.32​. Moreover, banks proposing to engage in these transactions must be aware that the vendor's sale of the land on land contract may conflict with restrictions in any prior mortgage which may claim to restrict the vendor's ability to transfer title to the property. Therefore, a bank purchasing such an interest would have to be certain that the land contract is recorded and that the first lien holder is aware of and has consented to the land contract sale. The transactions must comply with the requirements of Wis. Admin. Code ch. DFI-Bkg 7 and, in addition, are to be supported by the following documentation:

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