New and Proposed Regulations
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New Regulations:
Branch Application Procedures - DATES: The final rule is effective on December 14, 2020. SUMMARY: The FDIC is adopting a final rule to amend its application requirements for the establishment and relocation of branches and offices so that such applications no longer require statements regarding the compliance of such proposals with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The final rule amends the FDIC's regulations to remove NHPA and NEPA requirements embedded in its branch application procedures, and rescinds FDIC statements of policy regarding the NHPA and the NEPA, consistent with branch application procedures for national banks and insured state member banks supervised by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (Federal Register Notice) Amendments Relating to Disclosure of Records and Information -DATES: This final rule is effective December 24, 2020. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Bureau's rule regarding the confidential treatment of information obtained from persons in connection with the exercise of its authorities under Federal consumer financial law. (Federal Register Notice) Qualified Mortgage Definition Under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z): Extension of Sunset Date - DATES: This rule is effective December 28, 2020. SUMMARY: With certain exceptions, Regulation Z requires creditors to make a reasonable, good faith determination of a consumer's ability to repay any residential mortgage loan, and loans that meet Regulation Z's requirements for ``qualified mortgages'' (QMs) obtain certain protections from liability. One category of QMs consists of loans that are eligible for purchase or guarantee by either the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (collectively, government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs), while operating under the conservatorship or receivership of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The GSEs are currently under Federal conservatorship. In 2013, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) established this category of QMs (Temporary GSE QM loans) as a temporary measure that would expire with respect to each GSE on the date that GSE exits conservatorship, or on January 10, 2021, whichever comes first. In this final rule, the Bureau amends Regulation Z to replace the January 10, 2021 sunset date of the Temporary GSE QM loan definition with a provision stating that the Temporary GSE QM loan definition will be available only for covered transactions for which the creditor receives the consumer's application before the mandatory compliance date of final amendments to the General QM loan definition in Regulation Z. This final rule does not amend the provision stating that the Temporary GSE QM loan definition expires with respect to a GSE when that GSE exits conservatorship. (Federal Register Notice) Treatment of Certain Emergency Facilities in the Regulatory Capital Rule and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio Rule - DATES: The final rule is effective December 28, 2020. SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation are adopting as final the revisions to the regulatory capital rule and the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) rule made under three interim final rules published in the Federal Register on March 23, April 13, and May 6, 2020. The agencies are adopting these interim final rules as final with no changes. Under this final rule, banking organizations may continue to neutralize the regulatory capital effects of participating in the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (MMLF) and the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF), and are required to continue to neutralize the LCR effects of participating in the MMLF and the PPPLF. In addition, Paycheck Protection Program loans will receive a zero percent risk weight under the agencies' regulatory capital rules. (Federal Register Notice) National Banks and Federal Savings Associations as Lenders - DATES: The final rule is effective on December 29, 2020. SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is issuing this final rule to determine when a national bank or Federal savings association (bank) makes a loan and is the ``true lender,'' including in the context of a partnership between a bank and a third party, such as a marketplace lender. Under this rule, a bank makes a loan if, as of the date of origination, it is named as the lender in the loan agreement or funds the loan. (Federal Register Notice) Real Estate Appraisals - DATES: The final rule is effective October 16, 2020 through December 31, 2020. SUMMARY: The OCC, Board, and FDIC (collectively, the agencies) are adopting as final the interim final rule published by the agencies on April 17, 2020, making temporary amendments to the agencies' regulations requiring appraisals for certain real estate-related transactions. The final rule adopts the deferral of the requirement to obtain an appraisal or evaluation for up to 120 days following the closing of certain residential and commercial real estate transactions, excluding transactions for acquisition, development, and construction of real estate. Regulated institutions should make best efforts to obtain a credible estimate of the value of real property collateral before closing the loan and otherwise underwrite loans consistent with the principles in the agencies' Standards for Safety and Soundness and Real Estate Lending Standards. The agencies' final rule allows regulated institutions to expeditiously extend liquidity to creditworthy households and businesses in light of recent strains on the U.S. economy as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID event). The final rule adopts the interim final rule with one revision in response to comments received by the agencies on the interim final rule. (Federal Register Notice) Regulatory Capital Rule and Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity Rule: Eligible Retained Income - DATES: The final rule is effective January 1, 2021 SUMMARY: The OCC, Board, and FDIC (together, the agencies) are adopting as final the revisions to the definition of eligible retained income made under the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2020, for all depository institutions, bank holding companies, and savings and loan holding companies subject to the agencies' capital rule. The final rule revises the definition of eligible retained income to make more gradual any automatic limitations on capital distributions that could apply under the agencies' capital rule. Separately, in this final rule, the Board also is adopting as final the definition of eligible retained income made under the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on March 26, 2020, for purposes of the Board's total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC) rule. The final rule adopts these interim final rules with no changes. (Federal Register Notice) Truth in Lending (Regulation Z) Annual Threshold Adjustments (Credit Cards, HOEPA, and Qualified Mortgages) - Dates: This final rule is effective January 1, 2021. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is issuing this final rule amending the regulation text and official interpretations for Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The Bureau is required to calculate annually the dollar amounts for several provisions in Regulation Z; this final rule revises, as applicable, the dollar amounts for provisions implementing TILA and amendments to TILA, including under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act), the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA), and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The Bureau is adjusting these amounts, where appropriate, based on the annual percentage change reflected in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in effect on June 1, 2020. (Federal Register Notice) Prohibitions and Restrictions on Proprietary Trading and Certain Interests in, and Relationships With, Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds-Effective Date: The effective date for amendatory instructions 1 through 14 (OCC), 16 through 29 (Board), 31 through 44 (FDIC), and 46 through 58 (CFTC) is January 1, 2020; the effective date for amendatory instructions 60 through 73 (SEC) is January 13, 2020; and the effective date for the addition of appendices Z at amendatory instructions 15 (OCC), 30 (Board), and 45 (FDIC) is January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, except for amendatory instruction 74 (SEC), which is effective January 13, 2020, through December 31, 2020. Compliance date: Banking entities must comply with the final amendments by January 1, 2021. Until the compliance date, banking entities must continue to comply with the 2013 rule (as set forth in appendices Z to 12 CFR parts 44, 248, and 351 and 17 CFR parts 75 and 255). Alternatively, a banking entity may voluntarily comply, in whole or in part, with the amendments adopted in this release prior to the compliance date, subject to the agencies’ completion of necessary technological changes. SUMMARY: The OCC, Board, FDIC, SEC, and CFTC are adopting amendments to the regulations implementing section 13 of the Bank Holding Company Act. Section 13 contains certain restrictions on the ability of a banking entity and nonbank financial company supervised by the Board to engage in proprietary trading and have certain interests in, or relationships with, a hedge fund or private equity fund. These final amendments are intended to provide banking entities with clarity about what activities are prohibited and to improve supervision and implementation of section 13. (Federal Register Notice) Community Reinvestment Act Regulations-DATES: This rule is effective on October 1, 2020. Banks must comply with the final amendments by October 1, 2020, January 1, 2023, or January 1, 2024, as applicable, except that appendix C to part 25 expires January 1, 2024. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for compliance details. SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is adopting a final rule to strengthen and modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) by clarifying and expanding the activities that qualify for CRA credit; updating where activities count for CRA credit; creating a more consistent and objective method for evaluating CRA performance; and providing for more timely and transparent CRA-related data collection, recordkeeping, and reporting. (Federal Register Notice) Home Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C)- DATES: This final rule is effective on July 1, 2020, except for the amendments to Sec. 1003.2 in amendatory instruction 5, the amendments to Sec. 1003.3 in amendatory instruction 6, and the amendments to supplement I to part 1003 in amendatory instruction 7, which are effective on January 1, 2022. See part VI for more information. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is amending Regulation C to increase the threshold for reporting data about closed-end mortgage loans, so that institutions originating fewer than 100 closed-end mortgage loans in either of the two preceding calendar years will not have to report such data effective July 1, 2020. The Bureau is also setting the threshold for reporting data about open-end lines of credit at 200 open-end lines of credit effective January 1, 2022, upon the expiration of the current temporary threshold of 500 open-end lines of credit. (Federal Register Notice) Proposed Regulations: Applicability of Annual Independent Audits and Reporting Requirements for Fiscal Years Ending in 2021 - DATES: The interim final rule is effective October 23, 2020 through December 31, 2021, unless extended by the FDIC. Comments on the interim final rule must be received no later than November 23, 2020. SUMMARY: In light of recent disruptions in economic conditions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and strains in U.S. financial markets, some insured depository institutions (IDIs) have experienced increases to their consolidated total assets as a result of large cash inflows resulting from participation in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (MMLF), the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF), and the effects of other government stimulus efforts. Since these inflows may be temporary, but are significant and unpredictable, the FDIC is issuing an interim final rule (IFR) that will allow IDIs to determine the applicability of part 363 of the FDIC's regulations, Annual Independent Audits and Reporting Requirements, for fiscal years ending in 2021 based on the lesser of their consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2019, or consolidated total assets as of the beginning of their fiscal years ending 2021. Notwithstanding any temporary relief provided by this IFR, an IDI would continue to be subject to any otherwise applicable statutory and regulatory audit and reporting requirements. The IFR also reserves the authority to require an IDI to comply with one or more requirements of part 363 if the FDIC determines that asset growth was related to a merger or acquisition. (Federal Register Notice) Statement of Policy Regarding Minority Depository Institutions - DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 24, 2020. SUMMARY: The FDIC is proposing to revise its Statement of Policy Regarding Minority Depository Institutions. Section 308 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 established several goals related to encouraging, assisting, and preserving minority depository institutions. The FDIC has long recognized the unique role and importance of minority depository institutions and has historically taken steps to preserve and encourage minority-owned and minority-led financial institutions. The revised Statement of Policy updates, strengthens, and clarifies the agency's policies and procedures related to minority depository institutions. (Federal Register Notice) Threshold for the Requirement To Collect, Retain, and Transmit Information on Funds Transfers and Transmittals of Funds That Begin or End Outside the United States, and Clarification of the Requirement To Collect, Retain, and Transmit Information on Transactions Involving Convertible Virtual Currencies and Digital Assets With Legal Tender Status - DATES: Written comments on this proposed rule may be submitted on or before November 27, 2020. SUMMARY: The Board and FinCEN (collectively, the ``Agencies'') are issuing this proposed rule to modify the threshold in the rule implementing the Bank Secrecy Act (``BSA'') requiring financial institutions to collect and retain information on certain funds transfers and transmittals of funds. The proposed modification would reduce this threshold from $3,000 to $250 for funds transfers and transmittals of funds that begin or end outside the United States. FinCEN is likewise proposing to reduce from $3,000 to $250 the threshold in the rule requiring financial institutions to transmit to other financial institutions in the payment chain information on funds transfers and transmittals of funds that begin or end outside the United States. The Agencies are also proposing to clarify the meaning of ``money'' as used in these same rules to ensure that the rules apply to domestic and cross-border transactions involving convertible virtual currency (``CVC''), which is a medium of exchange (such as cryptocurrency) that either has an equivalent value as currency, or acts as a substitute for currency, but lacks legal tender status. The Agencies further propose to clarify that these rules apply to domestic and cross-border transactions involving digital assets that have legal tender status. (Federal Register Notice) Consumer Access to Financial Records - DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 4, 2021. SUMMARY: Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) provides, among other things, that subject to rules prescribed by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau), a consumer financial services provider must make available to a consumer information in the control or possession of the provider concerning the consumer financial product or service that the consumer obtained from the provider. The Bureau is issuing this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit comments and information to assist the Bureau in developing regulations to implement section 1033. (Federal Register Notice) Fair Access to Financial Services - DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 4, 2021. SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is proposing a regulation to ensure that national banks and Federal savings associations offer and provide fair access to financial services. (Federal Register Notice) Community Reinvestment Act - DATES: Comments on this ANPR must be received on or before February 16, 2021. SUMMARY: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) is publishing for public comment an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public input regarding modernizing the Board's Community Reinvestment Act regulatory and supervisory framework. The Board is seeking comment on all aspects of the ANPR from all interested parties and also requests commenters to identify other issues that the Board should consider. (Federal Register Notice) For More Information Contact:
Jennifer Heaton, Vice President of Government & Executive Affairs |
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