The Federal Reserve is issuing this guidance to emphasize the importance of appropriate risk management practices and controls in connection with a decision not to complete foreclosure proceedings after they have been initiated (a situation referred to in this guidance as an abandoned foreclosure). This guidance applies to state member banks, bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies (collectively, banking organizations) with residential mortgage servicing operations. Information obtained on mortgage industry practices has revealed that lenders and servicers sometimes discontinue a foreclosure process without notification to borrowers or local authorities, which can raise a number of issues.