12 CFR Part 620 - DISCLOSURE TO SHAREHOLDERS

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA or Agency), through the FCA Board (Board), issued a final rule amending its regulations for Farm Credit System banks and associations to require disclosure of pension benefit and supplemental retirement plans and a discussion of the link between senior officer compensation and performance. In accordance with the law, the effective date of the final rule is 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register during which either or both Houses of Congress are in session.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA, us, we, or our) amends our regulations for Farm Credit System (System) banks and associations to require disclosure of pension benefit and supplemental retirement plans and a discussion of the link between senior officer compensation and performance. Also, we are amending our regulations to require timely reporting of significant or material events that occur at System institutions between annual reporting periods. We believe these requirements will promote transparency of and consistency in disclosures and ensure timely reporting to shareholders. In addition, the final rule establishes minimum responsibilities that a compensation committee must perform. Further, the final rule requires that System banks and associations provide for a non-binding, advisory vote on senior officer compensation by shareholders. Also, the final rule bifurcates existing annual reporting requirements at § 620.5 and makes other technical changes.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA or Agency), through the FCA Board (Board), issued a final rule amending its regulations for Farm Credit System banks and associations to require disclosure of pension benefit and supplemental retirement plans and a discussion of the link between senior officer compensation and performance. In accordance with the law, the effective date of the final rule is 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register during which either or both Houses of Congress are in session.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA, us, we, or our) amends our regulations for Farm Credit System (System) banks and associations to require disclosure of pension benefit and supplemental retirement plans and a discussion of the link between senior officer compensation and performance. Also, we are amending our regulations to require timely reporting of significant or material events that occur at System institutions between annual reporting periods. We believe these requirements will promote transparency of and consistency in disclosures and ensure timely reporting to shareholders. In addition, the final rule establishes minimum responsibilities that a compensation committee must perform. Further, the final rule requires that System banks and associations provide for a non-binding, advisory vote on senior officer compensation by shareholders. Also, the final rule bifurcates existing annual reporting requirements at § 620.5 and makes other technical changes.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA, we, or our) is proposing to establish a regulatory framework for Farm Credit System (System) institutions' use of unincorporated business entities (UBEs) organized under State law for certain business activities. For purposes of this proposed rule, a UBE includes limited partnerships (LPs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), limited liability limited partnerships (LLLPs), limited liability companies (LLCs), and any other unincorporated business entities, such as unincorporated business trusts, organized under State law. This rule does not apply to UBEs that one or more System institutions may establish as Rural Business Investment Companies (RBICs) pursuant to the institutions' authority under the provisions of title VI of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, as amended (FSRIA), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations implementing FSRIA. This rule does apply, however, to System institutions that organize UBEs for the express purpose of investing in RBICs.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA, us, we, or our) published a proposed rule to amend our regulations related to Farm Credit System (System) bank and association disclosures to shareholders and investors. The proposed rule would require enhanced reporting of senior officer compensation and retirement programs and reporting to shareholders of significant events that occur between annual reporting periods. The proposed rule would also identify the minimum responsibilities a compensation committee must perform and require that System banks and associations provide for a nonbinding, advisory vote on senior officer compensation. To allow interested parties additional time to submit comments, we are extending the comment period on the proposed rule from March 23, 2012 to April 16, 2012.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA, us, we, or our) proposes to amend our regulations related to Farm Credit System (System) bank and association disclosures to shareholders and investors. The proposed rule would require reporting of supplemental retirement plans, a discussion of the link between senior officer compensation and performance, and timely and transparent reporting to shareholders of significant events that occur between annual reporting periods. We believe the proposed changes will provide full, transparent and consistent disclosures to shareholders. The proposed rule would identify the minimum responsibilities a compensation committee must perform to ensure it continues to exercise good stewardship, and require that System banks and associations provide for a nonbinding, advisory vote on senior officer compensation in order to engage shareholders in the management and control of their institution. Also, the proposed rule would bifurcate existing annual reporting requirements at § 620.5 and make other conforming technical changes.