What is the legal authority for a credit union to acquire, hold and dispose of OREO? A Washington state chartered credit union is permitted to own foreclosed and other OREO property, based on its statutory power to make secured and unsecured loans to its members. RCW 31.12.426(1). If the borrower defaults on a loan secured by real property, the credit union has the authority to obtain title to the property as a power incidental to its normal course of business.