Member Business Loans, 20487-20489 [05-7835]

Download as PDF 20487 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 75 Wednesday, April 20, 2005 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR Part 723 Member Business Loans National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NCUA proposes to revise its member business loans (MBL) rule to clarify the minimum capital requirements a federally insured corporate credit union (Corporate CU) must meet to make unsecured MBLs to its members other than member credit unions and corporate credit union service organizations (Corporate CUSOs). NCUA also proposes to revise the definition of ‘‘construction or development loan’’ to include loans for renovating or developing property owned by a borrower for incomeproducing purposes and the definition of ‘‘net worth’’ to be more consistent with how that phrase is defined in the Federal Credit Union Act (Act) and NCUA’s prompt corrective action regulation (PCA). Additionally, NCUA is soliciting comments on how best to amend the MBL rule to enable credit unions to participate more fully in government guaranteed loan programs. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 20, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods (Please send comments by one method only): • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • NCUA Web site: https:// www.ncua.gov/ RegulationsOpinionsLaws/ proposed_regs/proposed_regs. html. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: Address to regcomments@ncua.gov. Include ‘‘[Your name] Comments on Part 723 Member Business Loans’’ in the e-mail subject line. VerDate jul<14>2003 14:52 Apr 19, 2005 Jkt 205001 • Fax: (703) 518–6319. Use the subject line described above for e-mail. • Mail: Address to Mary Rupp, Secretary of the Board, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314– 3428. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as mail address. Public inspection: All public comments are available on the agency’s Web site at https://www.ncua.gov/ RegulationsOpinionsLaws/comments as submitted, except as may not be possible for technical reasons. Public comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. Paper copies of comments may be inspected in NCUA’s law library, at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, by appointment weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. To make an appointment, call (703) 518–6546 or send an e-mail to OGCMail@ncua.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Kressman, Staff Attorney, at the above address, or telephone: (703) 518– 6540. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Background In addition to making regulatory changes as the need arises, NCUA also reviews all its existing regulations every three years. This review is conducted on a rolling basis so that a third of the regulations are reviewed each year. This helps NCUA update its regulations to address current regulatory concerns. NCUA provides notice to the public of those regulations under review so the public has an opportunity to comment. The following proposed revisions to the MBL rule are the result of this review and comments received on a previous MBL rulemaking. B. Corporate Credit Union Capital Requirements MBLs made by Corporate CUs to member credit unions and Corporate CUSOs are exempt from the MBL rule. 12 CFR 704.7(e)(1), (2); 12 CFR part 723. MBLs made by Corporate CUs to other members, however, are subject to the MBL rule. Accordingly, in those instances where the MBL rule applies, a Corporate CU must comply with the rule’s collateral and security requirements. 12 CFR 723.7. For example, one of the conditions a credit union must meet to make PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 unsecured MBLs is to be ‘‘well capitalized as defined by § 702.102(a)(1)’’ of the PCA rule. 12 CFR 723.7(c)(1); 12 CFR part 702. The PCA rule, however, does not apply to Corporate CUs. 12 U.S.C. 1790d(m); 12 CFR 702.1(c). Rather, Corporate CUs generally must maintain a minimum capital ratio of four percent or a different minimum capital ratio under special circumstances. 12 CFR 704.3(d), (e). Accordingly, NCUA proposes to amend the MBL rule’s capital requirements for unsecured MBLs to accommodate the differences between the more general capital requirements for natural person credit unions and those for Corporate CUs. C. Definitions The MBL rule defines the phrase ‘‘net worth’’ slightly differently than it is defined in the Act and PCA. 12 U.S.C. 1790d(o)(2); 12 CFR 702.2(f). To avoid confusion, NCUA proposes to revise the definition of ‘‘net worth’’ in the MBL rule to be the same as in PCA. The PCA rule’s definition of ‘‘net worth’’ is an expanded version of the Act’s. The PCA and Act definitions both state that secondary capital accounts are counted in the net worth of low income credit unions. The MBL rule’s current definition of ‘‘construction or development loans’’ is limited to financing arrangements for acquiring property or rights to property to convert it to an income producing purpose. This definition excludes a loan to a borrower, who already owns or has rights to a property, to convert it to or improve it as income producing property. NCUA believes an appropriate test for determining if a loan is a construction or development loan is whether the loan will be used to renovate or otherwise develop a property for an income producing purpose. NCUA does not believe loans for these purposes, the essential nature of which is related to construction or development, should be excluded from the definition of ‘‘construction or development loan’’ just because the borrower has already acquired the property or rights to it. Accordingly, NCUA proposes to revise the definition of ‘‘construction or development loans’’ as discussed. E:\FR\FM\20APP1.SGM 20APP1 20488 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 20, 2005 / Proposed Rules D. Government Guaranteed Loan Programs In October 2004, NCUA amended the MBL rule to permit credit unions to make SBA guaranteed loans under SBA’s less restrictive lending requirements instead of under the more restrictive MBL rule. 69 FR 62563 (October 27, 2004). Before issuing the amendment, NCUA reviewed the SBA’s loan programs in which credit unions can participate and determined they provide reasonable criteria for credit union participation and compliance within the bounds of safety and soundness. Additionally, NCUA has determined that these SBA programs are ideally suited to the mission of many credit unions to satisfy their members’ business loans needs. NCUA solicited public comment on the amendment before issuing it. A number of commenters suggested NCUA expand the scope of the amendment to include other government guaranteed loan programs. Some commenters specifically named the Farm Service Agency and United States Department of Agriculture loan programs. Others suggested all government guaranteed loan programs be included. NCUA has made clear it is willing to consider other government guaranteed loan programs as it becomes apparent there is demand for the program among credit unions. Since October 2004, NCUA has learned there may be such demand. Accordingly, NCUA is soliciting comment on how best to broaden the MBL rule to enable credit unions to participate more fully in other government guaranteed loan programs that the current MBL rule might otherwise restrict. NCUA is interested in comments on whether to broaden the MBL rule in this regard, and, if so, if it is better to expand it to permit only specifically identified programs or to permit all such programs. NCUA is particularly interested in comments that address the benefits of specific programs and any safety and soundness or operational concerns associated with them. Regulatory Procedures Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NCUA to prepare an analysis to describe any significant economic impact a proposed rule may have on a substantial number of small credit unions (those under ten million dollars in assets). This rule clarifies capital requirements for making unsecured MBLs, revises definitions for consistency and practical application and solicits comments on expanding the VerDate jul<14>2003 14:52 Apr 19, 2005 Jkt 205001 MBL rule regarding government guaranteed loan programs, without imposing any additional regulatory burden. This rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small credit unions, and, therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. Paperwork Reduction Act NCUA has determined that the proposed rule would not increase paperwork requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and regulations of the Office of Management and Budget. Executive Order 13132 Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. In adherence to fundamental federalism principles, NCUA, an independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily complies with the executive order. The proposed rule would not have substantial direct effects on the states, on the connection between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. NCUA has determined that this proposed rule does not constitute a policy that has federalism implications for purposes of the executive order. The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999—Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families The NCUA has determined that this proposed rule would not affect family well-being within the meaning of section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999, Pub. L. 105–277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998). Agency Regulatory Goal NCUA’s goal is to promulgate clear and understandable regulations that impose minimal regulatory burden. We request your comments on whether the proposed rule is understandable and minimally intrusive. List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 723 Credit, Credit unions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. By the National Credit Union Administration Board on April 14, 2005. Mary F. Rupp, Secretary of the Board. For the reasons stated above, NCUA proposes to amend 12 CFR part 723 as follows: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 PART 723—MEMBER BUSINESS LOANS 1. The authority citation for part 723 continues to read as follows: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1756, 1757, 1757A, 1766, 1785, 1789. 2. Revise § 723.7(c)(1) to read as follows: § 723.7 What are the collateral and security requirements? * * * * * (c) * * * (1) You are a natural person credit union that is well capitalized as defined by § 702.102(a)(1) of this chapter or you are a corporate credit union that maintains a minimum capital ratio as required by § 704.3(d) of this chapter or a different ratio as permitted under § 704.3(e) of this chapter; * * * * * 3. Revise the definitions of ‘‘Construction or development loan’’ and ‘‘Net worth’’ in § 723.21 to read as follows: § 723.21 Definitions. * * * * * Construction or development loan is a financing arrangement for acquiring property or rights to property, including land or structures, with the intent to convert it to or improve it as incomeproducing property such as residential housing for rental or sale; commercial use; industrial use; or similar uses. Construction or development loan also is a financing arrangement for renovating or otherwise developing property, including land or structures, already owned by the borrower or that the borrower already has rights to, with the intent to convert it to or improve it as income-producing property such as residential housing for rental or sale; commercial use; industrial use; or similar uses. * * * * * Net worth means the retained earnings balance of the credit union at quarter end as determined under generally accepted accounting principles. Retained earnings consists of undivided earnings, regular reserves, and any other appropriations designated by management or regulatory authorities. This means that only undivided earnings and appropriations of undivided earnings are included in net worth. For low income-designated credit unions, net worth also includes secondary capital accounts that are uninsured and subordinate to all other claims, including claims of creditors, shareholders and the NCUSIF. For any credit union, net worth does not include E:\FR\FM\20APP1.SGM 20APP1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 20, 2005 / Proposed Rules the allowance for loan and lease losses account. [FR Doc. 05–7835 Filed 4–19–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7535–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 117 [CGD01–05–020] RIN 1625–AA09 Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Dorchester Bay, MA Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the drawbridge operating regulations governing the operation of the William T. Morrisey Boulevard Bridge, at mile 0.0, across Dorchester Bay at Boston, Massachusetts. This change to the drawbridge operation regulations would allow the bridge to remain in the closed position from November 1, 2005 through May 10, 2006. This action is necessary to facilitate necessary maintenance at the bridge. DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before June 20, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to Commander (obr), First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, or deliver them to the same address between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (617) 223– 8364. The First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John McDonald, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, (617) 223–8364. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Request for Comments We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments or related material. If you do so, please include your name and address, identify the docket number for VerDate jul<14>2003 14:52 Apr 19, 2005 Jkt 205001 this rulemaking (CGD01–05–020), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know if they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them. Public Meeting We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for a meeting by writing to the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, at the address under ADDRESSES explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register. Background and Purpose The William T. Morrisey Boulevard Bridge, at mile 0.0 across Dorchester Bay, has a vertical clearance of 12 feet at mean high water and 22 feet at mean low water. The existing regulations at 33 CFR 117.597 require the draw to open on signal from April 16 through October 14, except that the draw need not open for vessel traffic from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. except on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays observed in the locality. From October 15 through April 15, the draw shall open on signal if at least twenty-four hours notice is given. The bridge owner, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), asked the Coast Guard to temporarily change the drawbridge operation regulations to allow the bridge to remain in the closed position from November 1, 2005 through May 10, 2006, to facilitate electrical rehabilitation construction at the bridge. Discussion of Proposed Rule This proposed change would suspend the existing drawbridge operation regulations, listed at 33 CFR 117.597, and add a temporary regulation that allows the bridge to remain in the closed position from November 1, 2005 through May 10, 2006, to facilitate electrical rehabilitation construction at the bridge. Regulatory Evaluation This proposed rule is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 20489 Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not ‘‘significant’’ under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation, under the regulatory policies and procedures of DHS is unnecessary. This conclusion is based on the fact that the only known users of the waterway, the Dorchester Yacht Club, will not be affected by this rule during the time the bridge is closed. Small Entities Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612), we considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under section 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This conclusion is based on the fact that the only known users of the waterway, the Dorchester Yacht Club, will not be affected by this rule during the time the bridge is closed. If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this rule would economically affect it. Assistance for Small Entities Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104–121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact us in writing at, Commander (obr), First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, 408 Atlantic E:\FR\FM\20APP1.SGM 20APP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 20, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20487-20489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7835]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 20, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 20487]]



NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 723


Member Business Loans

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NCUA proposes to revise its member business loans (MBL) rule 
to clarify the minimum capital requirements a federally insured 
corporate credit union (Corporate CU) must meet to make unsecured MBLs 
to its members other than member credit unions and corporate credit 
union service organizations (Corporate CUSOs). NCUA also proposes to 
revise the definition of ``construction or development loan'' to 
include loans for renovating or developing property owned by a borrower 
for income-producing purposes and the definition of ``net worth'' to be 
more consistent with how that phrase is defined in the Federal Credit 
Union Act (Act) and NCUA's prompt corrective action regulation (PCA). 
Additionally, NCUA is soliciting comments on how best to amend the MBL 
rule to enable credit unions to participate more fully in government 
guaranteed loan programs.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 20, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods 
(Please send comments by one method only):
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     NCUA Web site: https://www.ncua.gov/
RegulationsOpinionsLaws/proposed_regs/proposed_regs. html. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: Address to regcomments@ncua.gov. Include ``[Your 
name] Comments on Part 723 Member Business Loans'' in the e-mail 
subject line.
     Fax: (703) 518-6319. Use the subject line described above 
for e-mail.
     Mail: Address to Mary Rupp, Secretary of the Board, 
National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, 
Virginia 22314-3428.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as mail address.
    Public inspection: All public comments are available on the 
agency's Web site at https://www.ncua.gov/RegulationsOpinionsLaws/
comments as submitted, except as may not be possible for technical 
reasons. Public comments will not be edited to remove any identifying 
or contact information. Paper copies of comments may be inspected in 
NCUA's law library, at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, by 
appointment weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. To make an appointment, 
call (703) 518-6546 or send an e-mail to OGCMail@ncua.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Kressman, Staff Attorney, at the 
above address, or telephone: (703) 518-6540.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    In addition to making regulatory changes as the need arises, NCUA 
also reviews all its existing regulations every three years. This 
review is conducted on a rolling basis so that a third of the 
regulations are reviewed each year. This helps NCUA update its 
regulations to address current regulatory concerns. NCUA provides 
notice to the public of those regulations under review so the public 
has an opportunity to comment. The following proposed revisions to the 
MBL rule are the result of this review and comments received on a 
previous MBL rulemaking.

B. Corporate Credit Union Capital Requirements

    MBLs made by Corporate CUs to member credit unions and Corporate 
CUSOs are exempt from the MBL rule. 12 CFR 704.7(e)(1), (2); 12 CFR 
part 723. MBLs made by Corporate CUs to other members, however, are 
subject to the MBL rule. Accordingly, in those instances where the MBL 
rule applies, a Corporate CU must comply with the rule's collateral and 
security requirements. 12 CFR 723.7.
    For example, one of the conditions a credit union must meet to make 
unsecured MBLs is to be ``well capitalized as defined by Sec.  
702.102(a)(1)'' of the PCA rule. 12 CFR 723.7(c)(1); 12 CFR part 702. 
The PCA rule, however, does not apply to Corporate CUs. 12 U.S.C. 
1790d(m); 12 CFR 702.1(c). Rather, Corporate CUs generally must 
maintain a minimum capital ratio of four percent or a different minimum 
capital ratio under special circumstances. 12 CFR 704.3(d), (e). 
Accordingly, NCUA proposes to amend the MBL rule's capital requirements 
for unsecured MBLs to accommodate the differences between the more 
general capital requirements for natural person credit unions and those 
for Corporate CUs.

C. Definitions

    The MBL rule defines the phrase ``net worth'' slightly differently 
than it is defined in the Act and PCA. 12 U.S.C. 1790d(o)(2); 12 CFR 
702.2(f). To avoid confusion, NCUA proposes to revise the definition of 
``net worth'' in the MBL rule to be the same as in PCA. The PCA rule's 
definition of ``net worth'' is an expanded version of the Act's. The 
PCA and Act definitions both state that secondary capital accounts are 
counted in the net worth of low income credit unions.
    The MBL rule's current definition of ``construction or development 
loans'' is limited to financing arrangements for acquiring property or 
rights to property to convert it to an income producing purpose. This 
definition excludes a loan to a borrower, who already owns or has 
rights to a property, to convert it to or improve it as income 
producing property. NCUA believes an appropriate test for determining 
if a loan is a construction or development loan is whether the loan 
will be used to renovate or otherwise develop a property for an income 
producing purpose. NCUA does not believe loans for these purposes, the 
essential nature of which is related to construction or development, 
should be excluded from the definition of ``construction or development 
loan'' just because the borrower has already acquired the property or 
rights to it. Accordingly, NCUA proposes to revise the definition of 
``construction or development loans'' as discussed.

[[Page 20488]]

D. Government Guaranteed Loan Programs

    In October 2004, NCUA amended the MBL rule to permit credit unions 
to make SBA guaranteed loans under SBA's less restrictive lending 
requirements instead of under the more restrictive MBL rule. 69 FR 
62563 (October 27, 2004). Before issuing the amendment, NCUA reviewed 
the SBA's loan programs in which credit unions can participate and 
determined they provide reasonable criteria for credit union 
participation and compliance within the bounds of safety and soundness. 
Additionally, NCUA has determined that these SBA programs are ideally 
suited to the mission of many credit unions to satisfy their members' 
business loans needs.
    NCUA solicited public comment on the amendment before issuing it. A 
number of commenters suggested NCUA expand the scope of the amendment 
to include other government guaranteed loan programs. Some commenters 
specifically named the Farm Service Agency and United States Department 
of Agriculture loan programs. Others suggested all government 
guaranteed loan programs be included.
    NCUA has made clear it is willing to consider other government 
guaranteed loan programs as it becomes apparent there is demand for the 
program among credit unions. Since October 2004, NCUA has learned there 
may be such demand. Accordingly, NCUA is soliciting comment on how best 
to broaden the MBL rule to enable credit unions to participate more 
fully in other government guaranteed loan programs that the current MBL 
rule might otherwise restrict.
    NCUA is interested in comments on whether to broaden the MBL rule 
in this regard, and, if so, if it is better to expand it to permit only 
specifically identified programs or to permit all such programs. NCUA 
is particularly interested in comments that address the benefits of 
specific programs and any safety and soundness or operational concerns 
associated with them.

Regulatory Procedures

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NCUA to prepare an analysis 
to describe any significant economic impact a proposed rule may have on 
a substantial number of small credit unions (those under ten million 
dollars in assets). This rule clarifies capital requirements for making 
unsecured MBLs, revises definitions for consistency and practical 
application and solicits comments on expanding the MBL rule regarding 
government guaranteed loan programs, without imposing any additional 
regulatory burden. This rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small credit unions, and, therefore, 
a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    NCUA has determined that the proposed rule would not increase 
paperwork requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
regulations of the Office of Management and Budget.

Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to 
consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. In 
adherence to fundamental federalism principles, NCUA, an independent 
regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily complies 
with the executive order. The proposed rule would not have substantial 
direct effects on the states, on the connection between the national 
government and the states, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. NCUA has 
determined that this proposed rule does not constitute a policy that 
has federalism implications for purposes of the executive order.

The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999--
Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    The NCUA has determined that this proposed rule would not affect 
family well-being within the meaning of section 654 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act, 1999, Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 
2681 (1998).

Agency Regulatory Goal

    NCUA's goal is to promulgate clear and understandable regulations 
that impose minimal regulatory burden. We request your comments on 
whether the proposed rule is understandable and minimally intrusive.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 723

    Credit, Credit unions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on April 14, 
2005.
Mary F. Rupp,
Secretary of the Board.

    For the reasons stated above, NCUA proposes to amend 12 CFR part 
723 as follows:

PART 723--MEMBER BUSINESS LOANS

    1. The authority citation for part 723 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1756, 1757, 1757A, 1766, 1785, 1789.

    2. Revise Sec.  723.7(c)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  723.7  What are the collateral and security requirements?

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) You are a natural person credit union that is well capitalized 
as defined by Sec.  702.102(a)(1) of this chapter or you are a 
corporate credit union that maintains a minimum capital ratio as 
required by Sec.  704.3(d) of this chapter or a different ratio as 
permitted under Sec.  704.3(e) of this chapter;
* * * * *
    3. Revise the definitions of ``Construction or development loan'' 
and ``Net worth'' in Sec.  723.21 to read as follows:


Sec.  723.21  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Construction or development loan is a financing arrangement for 
acquiring property or rights to property, including land or structures, 
with the intent to convert it to or improve it as income-producing 
property such as residential housing for rental or sale; commercial 
use; industrial use; or similar uses. Construction or development loan 
also is a financing arrangement for renovating or otherwise developing 
property, including land or structures, already owned by the borrower 
or that the borrower already has rights to, with the intent to convert 
it to or improve it as income-producing property such as residential 
housing for rental or sale; commercial use; industrial use; or similar 
uses.
* * * * *
    Net worth means the retained earnings balance of the credit union 
at quarter end as determined under generally accepted accounting 
principles. Retained earnings consists of undivided earnings, regular 
reserves, and any other appropriations designated by management or 
regulatory authorities. This means that only undivided earnings and 
appropriations of undivided earnings are included in net worth. For low 
income-designated credit unions, net worth also includes secondary 
capital accounts that are uninsured and subordinate to all other 
claims, including claims of creditors, shareholders and the NCUSIF. For 
any credit union, net worth does not include

[[Page 20489]]

the allowance for loan and lease losses account.

[FR Doc. 05-7835 Filed 4-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P
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