12 CFR Chapter III, Subchapter A - PROCEDURE AND RULES OF PRACTICE

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting a final rule to rescind and remove from the Code of Federal Regulations rules transferred to the FDIC following the dissolution of the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) in connection with the implementation of applicable provisions of Title III of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The rule also makes conforming amendments to FDIC regulations.

The OCC and Board (collectively, the agencies) invite comment on an interim final rule that amends the definition of “qualifying master netting agreement” under the regulatory capital rules, and the liquidity coverage ratio rule, as well as under the lending limits rule applicable to national banks and Federal savings associations. The agencies also are proposing to amend the definitions of “collateral agreement,” “eligible margin loan,” and “repo-style transaction” under the regulatory capital rules. The amendments are designed to ensure that the regulatory capital, liquidity, and lending limits treatment of certain financial contracts is not affected by implementation of special resolution regimes in foreign jurisdictions or by the International Swaps and Derivative Association Resolution Stay Protocol.

The OCC and Board (collectively, the agencies) invite comment on an interim final rule that amends the definition of “qualifying master netting agreement” under the regulatory capital rules, and the liquidity coverage ratio rule, as well as under the lending limits rule applicable to national banks and Federal savings associations. The agencies also are proposing to amend the definitions of “collateral agreement,” “eligible margin loan,” and “repo-style transaction” under the regulatory capital rules. The amendments are designed to ensure that the regulatory capital, liquidity, and lending limits treatment of certain financial contracts is not affected by implementation of special resolution regimes in foreign jurisdictions or by the International Swaps and Derivative Association Resolution Stay Protocol.

The OCC and Board (collectively, the agencies) invite comment on an interim final rule that amends the definition of “qualifying master netting agreement” under the regulatory capital rules, and the liquidity coverage ratio rule, as well as under the lending limits rule applicable to national banks and Federal savings associations. The agencies also are proposing to amend the definitions of “collateral agreement,” “eligible margin loan,” and “repo-style transaction” under the regulatory capital rules. The amendments are designed to ensure that the regulatory capital, liquidity, and lending limits treatment of certain financial contracts is not affected by implementation of special resolution regimes in foreign jurisdictions or by the International Swaps and Derivative Association Resolution Stay Protocol.

The OCC, the Board and the Bureau are publishing final rules amending the official staff interpretations for their regulations that implement section 129H of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). Section 129H of TILA establishes special appraisal requirements for “higher-risk mortgages,” termed “higher-priced mortgages” or “HPMLs” in the agencies' regulations. The OCC, the Board, the Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) (collectively, the Agencies) issued joint final rules implementing these requirements, effective January 18, 2014. The Agencies' rules exempted, among other loan types, transactions of $25,000 or less, and required that this loan amount be adjusted annually based on any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W as of June 1, 2014, the OCC, the Board and the Bureau are adjusting the exemption threshold to $25,500, effective January 1, 2015.

The OCC, the Board and the Bureau are publishing final rules amending the official staff interpretations for their regulations that implement section 129H of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). Section 129H of TILA establishes special appraisal requirements for “higher-risk mortgages,” termed “higher-priced mortgages” or “HPMLs” in the agencies' regulations. The OCC, the Board, the Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) (collectively, the Agencies) issued joint final rules implementing these requirements, effective January 18, 2014. The Agencies' rules exempted, among other loan types, transactions of $25,000 or less, and required that this loan amount be adjusted annually based on any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W as of June 1, 2014, the OCC, the Board and the Bureau are adjusting the exemption threshold to $25,500, effective January 1, 2015.

The OCC, the Board, and the FDIC (collectively, the Agencies) are amending their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations to adjust the asset-size thresholds used to define “small bank” or “small savings association” and “intermediate small bank” or “intermediate small savings association.” As required by the CRA regulations, the adjustment to the threshold amount is based on the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.

The OCC, the Board, and the FDIC (collectively, the Agencies) are amending their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations to adjust the asset-size thresholds used to define “small bank” or “small savings association” and “intermediate small bank” or “intermediate small savings association.” As required by the CRA regulations, the adjustment to the threshold amount is based on the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.

The OCC, the Board, and the FDIC (collectively, the Agencies) are amending their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations to adjust the asset-size thresholds used to define “small bank” or “small savings association” and “intermediate small bank” or “intermediate small savings association.” As required by the CRA regulations, the adjustment to the threshold amount is based on the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is issuing a final rule amending the official commentary that interprets the requirements of the Bureau's Regulation C (Home Mortgage Disclosure) to reflect a change in the asset-size exemption threshold for banks, savings associations, and credit unions based on the annual percentage change in the average of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The exemption threshold is adjusted to increase to $44 million from $43 million. The adjustment is based on the 1.1 percent increase in the average of the CPI-W for the 12-month period ending in November 2014. Therefore, banks, savings associations, and credit unions with assets of $44 million or less as of December 31, 2014, are exempt from collecting data in 2015.

The Bureau is amending the official commentary that interprets the requirements of the Bureau's Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) to reflect a change in the asset size threshold for certain creditors to qualify for an exemption to the requirement to establish an escrow account for a higher-priced mortgage loan based on the annual percentage change in the average of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the 12-month period ending in November. The exemption threshold is adjusted to increase to $2.060 billion from $2.028 billion. The adjustment is based on the 1.1 percent increase in the average of the CPI-W for the 12-month period ending in November 2014. Therefore, creditors with assets of $2.060 billion or less as of December 31, 2014, are exempt, if other requirements of Regulation Z also are met, from establishing escrow accounts for higher-priced mortgage loans in 2015. The adjustment to the escrows exemption asset-size threshold will also increase a similar threshold for small-creditor portfolio and balloon-payment qualified mortgages. Balloon-payment qualified mortgages that satisfy all applicable criteria, including being made by creditors that do not exceed the asset-size threshold, are also excepted from the prohibition on balloon payments for high-cost mortgages.

The OCC, Board, FDIC, Commission, FHFA, and HUD (the agencies) are adopting a joint final rule (the rule, or the final rule) to implement the credit risk retention requirements of section 15G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as added by section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Act or Dodd-Frank Act). Section 15G generally requires the securitizer of asset-backed securities to retain not less than 5 percent of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing the asset-backed securities. Section 15G includes a variety of exemptions from these requirements, including an exemption for asset-backed securities that are collateralized exclusively by residential mortgages that qualify as “qualified residential mortgages,” as such term is defined by the agencies by rule.

The OCC, Board, FDIC, Commission, FHFA, and HUD (the agencies) are adopting a joint final rule (the rule, or the final rule) to implement the credit risk retention requirements of section 15G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as added by section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Act or Dodd-Frank Act). Section 15G generally requires the securitizer of asset-backed securities to retain not less than 5 percent of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing the asset-backed securities. Section 15G includes a variety of exemptions from these requirements, including an exemption for asset-backed securities that are collateralized exclusively by residential mortgages that qualify as “qualified residential mortgages,” as such term is defined by the agencies by rule.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) is adopting a final rule to rescind and remove regulations entitled “Loans in Areas Having Flood Hazards” and to amend regulations entitled “Loans in Areas Having Flood Hazards.” The final rule will integrate the flood insurance regulations for State nonmember banks and State savings associations in accordance with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The integration of the regulations was originally proposed as part of an interagency joint notice of proposed rulemaking issued in October 2013 pursuant to the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (the BW Act). The FDIC has decided to integrate the flood insurance regulations by means of an individual final rule.

As part of NCUA's Regulatory Modernization Initiative, the NCUA Board (Board) is revising two of NCUA's regulations regarding appraisals. In response to a recent amendment to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) Regulation B, the Board is eliminating from NCUA's regulations the now duplicative requirement that federal credit unions (FCUs) make available, to any requesting member, a copy of the appraisal used in connection with that member's application for a loan secured by a first lien on a dwelling. Also, the Board is amending NCUA's appraisal regulations by expanding the current exemption for certain transactions involving an existing extension of credit. More specifically, under the expanded exemption, a federally insured credit union (FICU) will be permitted to refinance or modify a real estate-related loan held by the FICU, without having to obtain another appraisal, if there is no advancement of new monies or if there is adequate collateral protection even with the advancement of new monies. Lastly, the Board is making a minor technical amendment to the definition of the term “application.”

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) has adopted revisions to part II of the Federal Reserve Policy on Payment System Risk (PSR policy) related to the procedures for measuring balances intraday in institutions' accounts at the Federal Reserve Banks (Reserve Banks). The changes relate to the Board's procedures for posting debit and credit entries to institutions' Federal Reserve accounts for automated clearinghouse (ACH) debit transactions and commercial check transactions. Elsewhere in the Federal Register under Docket No. R-1473, the Board has adopted related changes to the Board's Regulation J that affect when paying banks settle for check transactions presented to them by the Reserve Banks. Additionally, in this document, the Board has adopted a set of principles for establishing future posting procedures for the Reserve Banks' same-day ACH service. The Board has also adopted a change in language of the PSR policy intended to clarify the Reserve Banks' administration of the policy for U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banking organizations. Finally, the Board has adopted two technical revisions to the posting procedures to reflect deposit deadlines already in effect for Treasury checks, postal money orders, local Federal Reserve Bank checks, and savings bond redemptions in separately sorted deposits.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is amending its regulations by relocating to the FHFA chapter of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) a Federal Housing Finance Board (Finance Board) regulation relating to procedures under which the Federal Home Loan Banks (Banks) and the Office of Finance (OF) may request waivers, approvals, no-action letters, and regulatory interpretations. The final rule modifies these regulations to make them also applicable to the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (collectively, Enterprises) and repeals provisions relating to the procedures for requesting case-by-case determinations. The final rule also relocates a definition to the general definitions section of the FHFA regulations.

The FDIC is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of October 24, 2014 (79 FR 63498), regarding Transferred OTS Regulations Regarding Securities of State Savings Associations. This publication corrects a typographical error in the Paperwork Reduction Act statement in the Regulatory Analysis and Procedure section.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) are adopting a final rule that implements a quantitative liquidity requirement consistent with the liquidity coverage ratio standard established by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS). The requirement is designed to promote the short-term resilience of the liquidity risk profile of large and internationally active banking organizations, thereby improving the banking sector's ability to absorb shocks arising from financial and economic stress, and to further improve the measurement and management of liquidity risk. The final rule establishes a quantitative minimum liquidity coverage ratio that requires a company subject to the rule to maintain an amount of high-quality liquid assets (the numerator of the ratio) that is no less than 100 percent of its total net cash outflows over a prospective 30 calendar-day period (the denominator of the ratio). The final rule applies to large and internationally active banking organizations, generally, bank holding companies, certain savings and loan holding companies, and depository institutions with $250 billion or more in total assets or $10 billion or more in on-balance sheet foreign exposure and to their consolidated subsidiaries that are depository institutions with $10 billion or more in total consolidated assets. The final rule focuses on these financial institutions because of their complexity, funding profiles, and potential risk to the financial system. Therefore, the agencies do not intend to apply the final rule to community banks. In addition, the Board is separately adopting a modified minimum liquidity coverage ratio requirement for bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies without significant insurance or commercial operations that, in each case, have $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets but that are not internationally active. The final rule is effective January 1, 2015, with transition periods for compliance with the requirements of the rule.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) repealed NCUA's rulemaking authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act). As a result, the NCUA Board (Board) is now repealing NCUA's regulations governing unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The Board is also making a number of technical amendments to other NCUA regulations to conform them to the agency's current central and field office structures. Additionally, the Board is amending NCUA's payday alternative loans regulation to replace all references to “short-term, small amount loans” and “STS loans” with corresponding references to “payday alternative loans” and “PAL loans.” The latter terms more accurately reflect the nature and purpose of this loan product.

In May 2014, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively, the agencies) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR or proposed rule) to revise the definition of the denominator of the supplementary leverage ratio (total leverage exposure) that the agencies adopted in July 2013 as part of comprehensive revisions to the agencies' regulatory capital rules (2013 revised capital rule). The agencies are adopting the proposed rule as final (final rule) with certain revisions and clarifications based on comments received on the proposed rule. The final rule revises total leverage exposure as defined in the 2013 revised capital rule to include the effective notional principal amount of credit derivatives and other similar instruments through which a banking organization provides credit protection (sold credit protection); modifies the calculation of total leverage exposure for derivative and repo-style transactions; and revises the credit conversion factors applied to certain off-balance sheet exposures. The final rule also changes the frequency with which certain components of the supplementary leverage ratio are calculated and establishes the public disclosure requirements of certain items associated with the supplementary leverage ratio. The final rule applies to all banks, savings associations, bank holding companies, and savings and loan holding companies (banking organizations) that are subject to the agencies' advanced approaches risk-based capital rules, as defined in the 2013 revised capital rule (advanced approaches banking organizations), including advanced approaches banking organizations that are subject to the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio standards that the agencies finalized in May 2014 (eSLR standards). Consistent with the 2013 revised capital rule, advanced approaches banking organizations will be required to disclose their supplementary leverage ratios beginning January 1, 2015, and will be required to comply with a minimum supplementary leverage ratio capital requirement of 3 percent and, as applicable, the eSLR standards beginning January 1, 2018.

The Board and the Bureau are publishing final rules amending the official interpretations and commentary for the agencies' regulations that implement the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) amended the CLA by requiring that the dollar threshold for exempt consumer leases be adjusted annually by any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W as of June 1, 2014, the Board and the Bureau are adjusting the exemption threshold to $54,600, effective January 1, 2015. Because the Dodd-Frank Act also requires similar adjustments in the Truth in Lending Act's threshold for exempt consumer credit transactions, the Board and the Bureau are making similar amendments to each of their respective regulations implementing the Truth in Lending Act in a rule published elsewhere in the Federal Register .

The Board and the Bureau are publishing final rules amending the official interpretations and commentary for the agencies' regulations that implement the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) amended TILA by requiring that the dollar threshold for exempt consumer credit transactions be adjusted annually by any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W as of June 1, 2014, the Board and the Bureau are adjusting the exemption threshold to $54,600, effective January 1, 2015. Because the Dodd-Frank Act also requires similar adjustments in the Consumer Leasing Act's threshold for exempt consumer leases, the Board and the Bureau are making similar amendments to each of their respective regulations implementing the Consumer Leasing Act in a joint rulemaking published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register .

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is adopting guidelines, issued as an appendix to its safety and soundness standards regulations, establishing minimum standards for the design and implementation of a risk governance framework (Framework) for large insured national banks, insured Federal savings associations, and insured Federal branches of foreign banks (banks) with average total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more and minimum standards for a board of directors in overseeing the Framework's design and implementation (final Guidelines). The standards contained in the final Guidelines will be enforceable by the terms of a Federal statute that authorizes the OCC to prescribe operational and managerial standards for national banks and Federal savings associations. In addition, as part of our ongoing efforts to integrate the regulations of the OCC and those of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), the OCC is adopting final rules and guidelines that make its safety and soundness standards regulations and guidelines applicable to both national banks and Federal savings associations and that remove the comparable Federal savings association regulations and guidelines. The OCC is also adopting other technical changes to the safety and soundness standards regulations and guidelines.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively, the agencies) are adopting a final rule that revises the definition of eligible guarantee in the agencies' advanced approaches risk-based capital rule, adopted in the agencies' July 2013 regulatory capital rule (2013 capital rule). The final rule removes the requirement that an eligible guarantee be made by an eligible guarantor for purposes of calculating the risk-weighted assets of an exposure (other than a securitization exposure) under the advanced approaches risk-based capital rule as incorporated into the 2013 capital rule (advanced approaches). The change to the definition of eligible guarantee applies to all banks, savings associations, bank holding companies, and savings and loan holding companies that are subject to the advanced approaches.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) is adopting a final rule (“Final Rule”) to rescind and remove regulations transferred to the FDIC following dissolution of the former Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) in connection with the implementation of applicable provisions of Title III of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”). Section 316(b)(3) of the Dodd-Frank Act provided that the former OTS rules that were transferred to the FDIC would be enforceable by or against the FDIC until they were modified, terminated, set aside, or superseded in accordance with applicable law by the FDIC, by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) is adopting a final rule (“Final Rule”) to rescind and remove certain regulations transferred to the FDIC from the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) on July 21, 2011, in connection with the implementation of applicable provisions of Title III of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act provided that the former OTS rules that were transferred to the FDIC would be enforceable by or against the FDIC until they were modified, terminated, set aside, or superseded in accordance with applicable law by the FDIC, by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. The requirements for State savings associations are substantively similar to existing FDIC regulations.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) is amending Appendix D-2 of Regulation H and Appendix F of Regulation Y to correct citations to rules on privacy of consumer financial information.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) adopts as final without change an interim final rule which amended FCA regulations to remove the requirement that Farm Credit System (System) banks and associations hold non-binding, advisory votes on senior officer compensation in certain circumstances.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) adopts as final without change an interim final rule which amended FCA regulations to remove the requirement that Farm Credit System (System) banks and associations hold non-binding, advisory votes on senior officer compensation in certain circumstances.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is amending its rule on identity theft “red flags” (“Red Flags rule”), which implements section 615(e) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010 (the Clarification Act) added a definition of “creditor” in FCRA section 615(e) that is specific to section 615(e). Accordingly, the final rule amends the definition of “creditor” in the Red Flags rule to reflect the definition of that term as added by the Clarification Act. The final rule also updates a cross-reference in the Red Flags rule to reflect a statutory change in rulemaking authority.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is combining certain rules originally issued jointly with the other Federal banking agencies by the OCC with respect to national banks and by the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) with respect to savings associations. Specifically, the OCC is combining rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This rulemaking also makes technical amendments to the OCC's FCRA rule to conform to provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act or Act). This rulemaking will not result in any substantive changes in the combined rules. It will, however, streamline OCC rules, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies by establishing a single set of these rules for all entities supervised by the OCC.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively, the agencies) are adopting a final rule that strengthens the agencies' supplementary leverage ratio standards for large, interconnected U.S. banking organizations (the final rule). The final rule applies to any U.S. top-tier bank holding company (BHC) with more than $700 billion in total consolidated assets or more than $10 trillion in assets under custody (covered BHC) and any insured depository institution (IDI) subsidiary of these BHCs (together, covered organizations). In the revised regulatory capital rule adopted by the agencies in July 2013 (2013 revised capital rule), the agencies established a minimum supplementary leverage ratio of 3 percent, consistent with the minimum leverage ratio adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), for banking organizations subject to the agencies' advanced approaches risk-based capital rules. The final rule establishes enhanced supplementary leverage ratio standards for covered BHCs and their subsidiary IDIs. Under the final rule, an IDI that is a subsidiary of a covered BHC must maintain a supplementary leverage ratio of at least 6 percent to be well capitalized under the agencies' prompt corrective action (PCA) framework. The Board also is adopting in the final rule a supplementary leverage ratio buffer (leverage buffer) for covered BHCs of 2 percent above the minimum supplementary leverage ratio requirement of 3 percent. The leverage buffer functions like the capital conservation buffer for the risk-based capital ratios in the 2013 revised capital rule. A covered BHC that maintains a leverage buffer of tier 1 capital in an amount greater than 2 percent of its total leverage exposure is not subject to limitations on distributions and discretionary bonus payments under the final rule. Elsewhere in today's Federal Register , the agencies are proposing changes to the 2013 revised capital rule's supplementary leverage ratio, including changes to the definition of total leverage exposure, which would apply to all advanced approaches banking organizations and thus, if adopted, would affect banking organizations subject to this final rule.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively, the agencies) are adopting a final rule that strengthens the agencies' supplementary leverage ratio standards for large, interconnected U.S. banking organizations (the final rule). The final rule applies to any U.S. top-tier bank holding company (BHC) with more than $700 billion in total consolidated assets or more than $10 trillion in assets under custody (covered BHC) and any insured depository institution (IDI) subsidiary of these BHCs (together, covered organizations). In the revised regulatory capital rule adopted by the agencies in July 2013 (2013 revised capital rule), the agencies established a minimum supplementary leverage ratio of 3 percent, consistent with the minimum leverage ratio adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), for banking organizations subject to the agencies' advanced approaches risk-based capital rules. The final rule establishes enhanced supplementary leverage ratio standards for covered BHCs and their subsidiary IDIs. Under the final rule, an IDI that is a subsidiary of a covered BHC must maintain a supplementary leverage ratio of at least 6 percent to be well capitalized under the agencies' prompt corrective action (PCA) framework. The Board also is adopting in the final rule a supplementary leverage ratio buffer (leverage buffer) for covered BHCs of 2 percent above the minimum supplementary leverage ratio requirement of 3 percent. The leverage buffer functions like the capital conservation buffer for the risk-based capital ratios in the 2013 revised capital rule. A covered BHC that maintains a leverage buffer of tier 1 capital in an amount greater than 2 percent of its total leverage exposure is not subject to limitations on distributions and discretionary bonus payments under the final rule. Elsewhere in today's Federal Register , the agencies are proposing changes to the 2013 revised capital rule's supplementary leverage ratio, including changes to the definition of total leverage exposure, which would apply to all advanced approaches banking organizations and thus, if adopted, would affect banking organizations subject to this final rule.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is adopting as final an interim final rule that revised the risk-based and leverage capital requirements for FDIC-supervised institutions, with no substantive changes. This final rule is substantively identical to a joint final rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) (together, with the FDIC, the agencies). The interim final rule became effective on January 1, 2014; however, the mandatory compliance date for FDIC-supervised institutions that are not subject to the advanced internal ratings-based approaches (advanced approaches) is January 1, 2015.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA, we, or our) issues this interim final rule amending its regulations to remove all requirements for non-binding, advisory votes at Farm Credit System (System) banks and associations. This rule is in response to recent legislation wherein Congress provided that no funds available to the FCA may be used to “implement or enforce” regulations requiring non-binding, advisory votes on senior officer compensation, and directed the FCA to review its rules to ensure they reflect Congressional intent that a primary responsibility of the boards of directors of System institutions is to oversee compensation practices.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is removing regulations concerning registration of mortgage loan originators, and regulations relating to privacy of consumer financial information. Rulemaking authority for these rules transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on July 21, 2011 pursuant to Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and these OCC rules are therefore no longer operative. The OCC also is amending its regulations to update its address to reflect its move to a new headquarters building, to update the address of its Freedom of Information Act web portal, and to update its Web site address.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is removing regulations concerning registration of mortgage loan originators, and regulations relating to privacy of consumer financial information. Rulemaking authority for these rules transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on July 21, 2011 pursuant to Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and these OCC rules are therefore no longer operative. The OCC also is amending its regulations to update its address to reflect its move to a new headquarters building, to update the address of its Freedom of Information Act web portal, and to update its Web site address.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is removing regulations concerning registration of mortgage loan originators, and regulations relating to privacy of consumer financial information. Rulemaking authority for these rules transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on July 21, 2011 pursuant to Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and these OCC rules are therefore no longer operative. The OCC also is amending its regulations to update its address to reflect its move to a new headquarters building, to update the address of its Freedom of Information Act web portal, and to update its Web site address.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is removing regulations concerning registration of mortgage loan originators, and regulations relating to privacy of consumer financial information. Rulemaking authority for these rules transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on July 21, 2011 pursuant to Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and these OCC rules are therefore no longer operative. The OCC also is amending its regulations to update its address to reflect its move to a new headquarters building, to update the address of its Freedom of Information Act web portal, and to update its Web site address.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is removing regulations concerning registration of mortgage loan originators, and regulations relating to privacy of consumer financial information. Rulemaking authority for these rules transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on July 21, 2011 pursuant to Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and these OCC rules are therefore no longer operative. The OCC also is amending its regulations to update its address to reflect its move to a new headquarters building, to update the address of its Freedom of Information Act web portal, and to update its Web site address.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is removing regulations concerning registration of mortgage loan originators, and regulations relating to privacy of consumer financial information. Rulemaking authority for these rules transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on July 21, 2011 pursuant to Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and these OCC rules are therefore no longer operative. The OCC also is amending its regulations to update its address to reflect its move to a new headquarters building, to update the address of its Freedom of Information Act web portal, and to update its Web site address.