Unclaimed funds may await former WaMu customers

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More than $20 million has been delivered to the state by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as a result of the closing of Washington Mutual accounts in Nevada, the state's unclaimed property division announced Wednesday.

The money includes deposits from bank accounts held at WaMu branches across the state.

Former Nevada WaMu customers who feel they may have a rightful claim to funds now being held by the state of Nevada are encouraged to go to www.nevadatreasurer.gov and click on the "Unclaimed Property" box to file a claim.

On Sept. 25, 2008, the U.S. Office of Thrift Supervision placed WaMu's bank operations under the receivership of the FDIC. JP Morgan Chase acquired most of the banking operations.

The WaMu account funds were transferred to the state pursuant to the federal Unclaimed Deposits Amendment Act.

Under the Act, the state of the depositor's last known address receives the money. However, following a 10 year custody period, during which time rightful owners may file a claim, the remaining money must be returned in its entirety to the FDIC.

The state's unclaimed property division in the treasurer's office currently has more than $406 million in abandoned property.