A written statement from the U.S. Attorney's office in Seattle said a task force from the FBI, Internal Revenue Service, Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. had been formed to check for any potential wrongdoing in the takeover and subsequent sale of the Seattle-based bank to JP Morgan Chase.

"Given the significant losses to investors, employees and our community, it is fully appropriate that we scrutinize the activities of the bank, its leaders, and others to determine if any federal laws were violated," U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sullivan said.

The statement gave no indication that criminal activity was suspected.

The Seattle Times reported the task force said anyone with information that might assist the task force could phone in tips to 866-915-8299.