The federal Office of Thrift Supervision has asked the management of John Hanson Savings Bank to consider signing a "consent agreement" that may include appointing a conservator or receiver, the troubled Beltsville thrift said today in a release.

The board of the savings and loan said that it will consider the proposed terms and will most likely comply.

Deposits at John Hanson, which has 15 branches in Maryland, continue to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The action comes after regulators rejected the thrift's plan to raise capital. The OTS revoked the plan after John Hanson was unable to raise an additional $10 million in capital and failed to meet certain earnings projections.

After a recent examination, the OTS asked the savings and loan to make extraordinary provisions for loan losses, recognizing reductions in the value of real estate owned and real estate equity investments. The thrift said it expects this will cut income by $15 million for the third fiscal quarter that ends March 31, pushing John Hanson below all required capital levels.