Nama outlines challenges as it aims to wind up operations
As the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) gears up for its scheduled shutdown at the end of next year, it faces significant hurdles in completing its mission. Despite the looming deadline, the agency projects that it will retain property holdings and continue dealing with outstanding litigation matters.
In efforts to manage its remaining obligations, Nama has suggested the possibility of a dedicated resolution unit nestled within the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). This proposal was part of a late August briefing to the Department of Finance, where Nama detailed the considerable pressures it faces, including the task of asset liquidation and debtor management.
One of the most pressing challenges highlighted is the attrition of skilled workforce. As the closure date approaches, retaining employees with the necessary expertise has become increasingly difficult, posing significant risks to the agency’s operational capability.
Moreover, Nama has pointed out the constraints in resolving litigation where it is named as the defendant. The agency flagged the potential for unresolved cases by the end of 2025 and the emergence of new legal challenges that would require attention.
The document also sheds light on the complexity of concluding insolvency cases, some of which are expected to stretch beyond Nama’s operational timeline. These cases, governed by bankruptcy trustees or courts, might necessitate new insolvency proceedings, adding to the agency’s challenges.
Additionally, Nama outlined difficulties in handling particularly troublesome cases that could involve substantial remediation efforts and expenditures, with no certainty of resolution within the defined timeframe. This is compounded by a high volume of inquiries on historical transactions, showing no signs of abating.
There is also concern regarding the legislative support for Nama’s wind-down. The briefing expressed worries that amendments to the Nama Act, crucial for the formal closure process, might not be enacted timely by the Oireachtas, referencing recent delays in legislative reforms affecting the Land Development Agency.
In terms of assets under management, Nama reported approximately €500 million in debtor loans, notably encompassing assets that demand continuous oversight. The geographic concentration of these assets, with a significant portion in North County Dublin and the broader Dublin area, presents its own set of challenges. The briefing highlighted concerns over the slower pace and potentially lower prices of asset liquidation due to fluctuating market conditions.
Nama also noted the complexity of managing numerous small property holdings, which, despite their size, require extensive management efforts. It reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing settlements in litigation, but only when it aligns with commercial interests, cautioning against becoming an easy target for opportunistic and costly litigation in its wind-down phase.
In response to inquiries, a Nama spokesperson indicated no further comments beyond the contents of their briefing. The Department of Finance, recognizing the challenges laid out by Nama, announced plans to establish a resolution unit to handle the residual activities of the asset management agency, marking a significant step towards Nama’s eventual closure and the management of its remaining obligations.
