OAR 863-050-0055: Accounting Practices

(1) An escrow agent may not draw, execute, or date a check on an individual escrow account ledger or escrow trust account before the account has sufficient monies to pay the check. An escrow agent may not withdraw or transfer money from any individual escrow account or escrow trust unless such account has sufficient monies for such payment or transfer. (2) An escrow agent may not withdraw escrow fees from a closing escrow account until: (a) The escrow is cancelled; or (b) The escrow is closed with the exception of customary post-closing procedures as contained in the escrow instructions of the principals to the escrow transaction. (3) An escrow agent may deposit only the funds received as part of an escrow transaction or as trustee of a trust deed under ORS 86.705 to 86.795 in an account established under 696.578. (4) All funds deposited in an escrow trust account established under ORS 696.578 may be withdrawn, paid out, or transferred to other accounts as specified in the written escrow instructions of the principals to the escrow transaction directed to the escrow agent or pursuant to order of a court of competent jurisdiction. (5) An escrow agent must provide the Real Estate Commissioner upon the Commissioner's request with a continuing authorization to certify the actual balance in any escrow trust account the escrow agent has established under ORS 696.578. The escrow agent must file the authorization in the depository in which the escrow trust account is maintained and file a copy of the authorization with the Commissioner. (6) Upon request by the Commissioner or an authorized representative, an escrow agent must demonstrate that an individual escrow account contained sufficient funds before any disbursement by producing documentation and financial records showing that: (a) The trust funds deposited into an escrow trust account on behalf of a principal and credited to the individual account were collected and available for disbursement; and (b) The disbursement of these funds did not involve the use of any other principal’s trust funds.