Capital Classifications and Critical Capital Levels for the Federal Home Loan Banks, 5595-5609 [E9-2083]

Agencies

• FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 19 (Friday, January 30, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5595-5609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2083]



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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 19 / Friday, January 30, 2009 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 5595]]



FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

12 CFR Part 1229

RIN 2590-AA21


Capital Classifications and Critical Capital Levels for the 
Federal Home Loan Banks

AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance Agency.

ACTION: Interim final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Housing Regulatory Reform Act, Division A of the 
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), requires the Director 
of Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to establish criteria based on 
the amount and type of capital held by a Federal Home Loan Bank (Bank) 
for each of the following capital classifications: adequately 
capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and 
critically undercapitalized. In addition, HERA provides that the 
critical capital level for each Bank shall be the amount of capital 
that the Director by regulation shall require. HERA also sets forth 
prompt corrective action (PCA) authority that the Director has for the 
Banks. To implement these new provisions, the FHFA is adopting this 
interim final rule to define critical capital for the Banks, establish 
the criteria for each of the capital classifications identified in HERA 
and delineate its PCA authority over the Banks.

DATES: Effective Date: January 30, 2009.
    Comment Date: Comments on the interim final rule must be received 
on or before April 30, 2009. For additional information, see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments on the proposed regulation, 
identified by regulatory information number (RIN) 2590-AA21 by any of 
the following methods:
     U.S. Mail, United Parcel Post, Federal Express, or Other 
Mail Service: The mailing address for comments is: Alfred M. Pollard, 
General Counsel and Christopher Curtis, Senior Deputy General Counsel, 
Attention: Comments/RIN 2590-AA21, Federal Housing Finance Agency, 
Fourth Floor, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552.
     Hand Delivered/Courier: The hand delivery address is: 
Alfred M. Pollard, General Counsel and Christopher T. Curtis, Senior 
Deputy General Counsel, Attention: Comments/RIN 2590-AA21, Federal 
Housing Finance Agency, Fourth Floor, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20552. The package should be logged at the Guard Desk, First Floor, 
on business days between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
     E-mail: Comments to Alfred M. Pollard, General Counsel and 
Christopher T. Curtis, Senior Deputy General Counsel, may be sent by e-
mail at RegComments@FHFB.gov. Please include ``RIN 2590-AA21'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Paller, Senior Financial 
Analyst, (202) 408-2842, and Anthony Cornyn, Senior Associate Director, 
(202) 408-2522, Division of Federal Home Loan Bank Regulation; or 
Thomas E. Joseph, Senior Attorney-Advisor, (202) 408-2512, Office of 
General Counsel, Federal Housing Finance Agency, 1625 Eye Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20006. The telephone number for the Telecommunications 
Device for the Deaf is (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Comments

    The FHFA invites comments on all aspects of the interim final rule, 
and will amend the rule as appropriate after taking all comments into 
consideration. FHFA requests that comments submitted in hard copy also 
be accompanied by the electronic version in Microsoft[supreg] Word or 
in portable document format (PDF) on CD-ROM. Copies of all comments 
will be posted on the internet Web site at https://www.fhfa.gov. In 
addition, copies of all comments received will be available for 
examination by the public on business days between the hours of 10 a.m. 
and 3 p.m., at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fourth Floor, 1700 G 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552. To make an appointment to inspect 
comments, please call the Office of General Counsel at (202) 414-3751.

II. Background

A. Federal Housing Finance Agency and Recent Legislation

    Effective July 30, 2008, HERA, Public Law No. 110-289, 122 Stat. 
2654 (2008), transferred the supervisory and oversight responsibilities 
of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) over the 
Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal 
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (collectively, the 
Enterprises) and the oversight responsibilities of the Federal Housing 
Finance Board (FHFB or Finance Board) over the Banks and the Office of 
Finance (which acts as the Banks' fiscal agent) to a new independent 
executive branch agency, the FHFA. The FHFA is responsible for ensuring 
that the Enterprises and the Banks operate in a safe and sound manner, 
including that they maintain adequate capital and internal controls, 
that their activities foster liquid, efficient, competitive and 
resilient national housing finance markets, and that they carry out 
their public policy missions through authorized activities. See id. at 
Sec.  1102, 122 Stat. 2663-64. The Enterprises and the Banks continue 
to operate under regulations promulgated by OFHEO and the FHFB until 
the FHFA issues its own regulations. See id. at Sec. Sec.  1302, 1313, 
122 Stat. 2795, 2798.
    Section 1141 of HERA states that the Director shall adopt 
regulations specifying the critical capital level for each Bank. See 
id. at Sec.  1141, 122 Stat. 2730 (adopting 12 U.S.C. 4613(b)). In 
establishing this requirement, HERA provides that the Director shall 
take due consideration of the critical capital levels established for 
the Enterprises, with such modifications as the Director determines to 
be appropriate to reflect the difference in operations between the 
Banks and the Enterprises. HERA further requires the Director to issue 
regulations establishing the critical capital levels for the Banks no 
later than the expiration of the 180 day period from the date that HERA 
was enacted.

[[Page 5596]]

    In addition, section 1142 of HERA requires that the Director, no 
later than 180 days from its enactment, establish for the Banks the 
following four capital classifications and criteria for each 
classification: adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly 
undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. See id. at Sec.  
1142, 122 Stat. 2730-32. HERA specifies that the criteria should be 
based on the amount and types of capital held by a Bank and the risk-
based, minimum and critical capital levels for the Banks, taking due 
consideration of the capital classifications established for the 
Enterprises, with such modifications as the Director determines to be 
appropriate to reflect the difference in operations between the Banks 
and the Enterprises. HERA also provides the FHFA prompt corrective 
action authority over the Banks and amends the Federal Housing 
Enterprises Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (Safety and Soundness Act) 
so that specific mandatory or discretionary supervisory actions and 
restrictions under that statute would apply to any Bank determined to 
be undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically 
undercapitalized. See id. at Sec. Sec.  1143-1145, 122 Stat. 2732-34. 
The general purpose for the PCA framework is to supplement the FHFA's 
other regulatory and supervisory authority and provide for timely and, 
in some situations, mandatory intervention by the regulator.

B. The Bank System Generally

    The twelve Banks are instrumentalities of the United States 
organized under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (Bank Act).\1\ See 12 
U.S.C. 1423, 1432(a). The Banks are cooperatives; only members of a 
Bank may purchase the capital stock of a Bank, and only members or 
certain eligible housing associates (such as state housing finance 
agencies) may obtain access to secured loans, known as advances or 
other products provided by a Bank. See 12 U.S.C. 1426(a)(4), 1430(a), 
1430b. Each Bank is managed by its own board of directors and serves 
the public interest by enhancing the availability of residential 
mortgage and community lending credit through its member institutions. 
See 12 U.S.C. 1427. Any eligible institution (generally a federally-
insured depository institution or state-regulated insurance company) 
may become a member of a Bank if it satisfies certain criteria and 
purchases a specified amount of the Bank's capital stock. See 12 U.S.C. 
1424; 12 CFR part 925. The Bank Act also requires each Bank to 
establish an affordable housing program (AHP) and contribute a 
specified portion of its previous year's net income to support that 
program. See 12 U.S.C. 1430(j). The purpose of the program is to enable 
Bank members to finance homeownership for low- or moderate-income 
households and the purchase, construction or rehabilitation of rental 
projects that benefit very low-income households.
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    \1\ Each Bank is generally referred to by the name of the city 
in which it is located. The twelve Banks are located in: Boston, New 
York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, Des 
Moines, Dallas, Topeka, San Francisco, and Seattle.
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    As government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), the Banks are granted 
certain privileges under federal law. In light of those privileges and 
their status as GSEs, the Banks typically can borrow funds at a modest 
spread over the rates on U.S. Treasury securities of comparable 
maturity. The Banks pass along a portion of their GSE funding advantage 
to their members--and ultimately to consumers--by providing advances 
and other financial services at rates that would not otherwise be 
available to their members. Some of the Banks also have acquired member 
asset (AMA) programs whereby they acquire fixed-rate, single-family 
mortgage loans from participating member institutions.
    Consolidated obligations, consisting of bonds and discount notes, 
are the principal funding source for the Banks. The Office of Finance 
issues all consolidated obligations on behalf of the twelve Banks.\2\ 
Although each Bank is primarily liable for the portion of consolidated 
obligations corresponding to the proceeds received by that Bank, each 
Bank is also jointly and severally liable with the other eleven Banks 
for the payment of principal of, and interest on, all consolidated 
obligations. See 12 CFR 966.9.
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    \2\ Since June 2000, the Banks have been issuing consolidated 
obligations under section 11(a) of the Bank Act (12 U.S.C. 1431(a)) 
and 12 CFR 966.2(b). Section 11(a) allows the Banks to issue debt 
subject to such rules, regulations and conditions imposed by their 
regulator while 12 CFR 966.2(b) allows the Banks only to issue 
consolidated obligations jointly and which are the joint and several 
obligation of all Banks. Prior to June 2000, the Finance Board 
issued consolidated obligations on which the Banks were jointly and 
severally liable on behalf of the Banks under section 11(c) of the 
Bank Act (12 U.S.C. 1431(c)). HERA amended section 11(c) of the Bank 
Act to remove the authority of the Banks' regulator to issue debt on 
behalf of the Banks. See Sec.  1204(3)(B), Pub. L. No. 110-289, 122 
Stat. 2785-86 (amending 12 U.S.C. 1431(c)).
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C. Capital Requirements for the Banks

    The Bank Act defines the types of capital that the Banks must 
hold--specifically permanent and total capital--and establishes the 
Banks' minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements. The Bank 
Act defines ``permanent capital'' as the amounts paid for Class B stock 
by members plus the Bank's retained earnings as determined in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and 
defines ``total capital'' as permanent capital plus the amounts paid by 
members for Class A stock, any general allowances for losses held by a 
Bank under GAAP (but not any allowances or reserves held against 
specific assets or specific classes of assets) and any other amounts 
from sources available to absorb losses that are determined by 
regulation to be appropriate to include in total capital.\3\ See 12 
U.S.C. 1426(a)(5). However, because the Banks have no general 
allowances for losses and no additional sources have been determined to 
be appropriate to include in total capital, a Bank's total capital 
currently consists of its permanent capital plus the amounts, if any, 
paid by its members for Class A stock.\4\
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    \3\ Class B stock is defined by the Bank Act as stock that is 
redeemable (subject to certain exceptions) five years after a member 
files notice of its intent to have the stock redeemed, while Class A 
stock is defined as stock redeemable (subject to the same 
exceptions) six months after a member files such a notice. See, 12 
U.S.C. 1426(a)(5). See also 12 CFR 931.1. The Chicago Bank is the 
only Bank that has not converted to the Class A/Class B capital 
structure required under the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (GLB Act) 
amendments to the Bank Act and thus, does not issue either Class A 
or Class B stock. Instead, the Chicago Bank still issues stock as 
defined in the Bank Act prior to its amendment by the GLB Act.
    \4\ Only two Banks, Topeka and Seattle, have issued both Class A 
and Class B stock. Nine Banks, Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, 
Atlanta, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Des Moines, Dallas, and San 
Francisco, issue only Class B stock, while, as already noted, the 
Chicago Bank has yet to issue either Class A or Class B stock.
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    The Bank Act provides that each Bank must hold total capital equal 
to at least 5 percent of its total assets, provided that in determining 
compliance with this ratio, a Bank's total capital shall be calculated 
by multiplying its permanent capital by 1.5 and adding to this product 
any other component of total capital. See 12 U.S.C. 1426(a)(2). See 
also 12 CFR 932.2(b). The Bank Act also requires that when total 
capital is calculated without application of the multiplier of 1.5, a 
Bank's total capital must equal at least 4 percent of its total 
assets.\5\ See 12 U.S.C. 1426(a)(2)(B). See

[[Page 5597]]

also, 12 CFR 932.2(a). Each Bank also must fulfill a risk-based capital 
requirement under which it must hold sufficient permanent capital to 
meet its market, credit and operations risk, as measured under current 
regulations.\6\ See 12 U.S.C. 1426(a)(3) and 12 CFR 932.3.
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    \5\ HERA defines these two leverage ratios as the ``minimum 
capital level'' for a Bank. See Sec.  1111, Pub. L. No. 110-289, 122 
Stat. 2666-67. As already noted, the Act states that the capital 
classifications for the Banks should be based on among other things 
``the minimum capital * * * levels for the [B]anks.'' HERA also 
provides the Director with authority to require an increase in a 
Bank's minimum capital level by order, if the increase is to be 
temporary, and to promulgate regulations to require a permanent, 
higher minimum capital level for the Banks. Id.
    \6\ HERA amended the risk-based capital provision to provide the 
Director more flexibility to adopt new risk-based capital standards 
if desired. See Sec.  1110, Pub. L. No. 110-289, 122 Stat. 2675-76 
(amending 12 U.S.C. 1426(a)(3)). The current risk-based capital 
rules are contained at 12 CFR 932.4, 932.5, & 932.6.
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    The above requirements apply to the eleven Banks that have 
converted to the GLB Act capital structure, but do not apply to the 
Chicago Bank. The Chicago Bank is currently subject to capital 
requirements set forth in a 2007 Cease & Desist Order, as amended 
(Order), and remains the only Bank subject to capital requirements 
under Sec.  966.3(a) of the rules.\7\ See 12 CFR 966.3(a). Under the 
Order, the Chicago Bank must maintain a leverage ratio of the sum of 
the paid-in value of its capital stock, plus retained earnings, plus 
the face value of includable, outstanding subordinated debt instruments 
to total assets of at least 4.5 percent, and an aggregate amount of at 
least $3,600,000 in outstanding capital stock and includable 
subordinate debt. The includable amount of subordinated debt used to 
determine compliance with these requirements is 100 percent of the face 
value of the outstanding debt for the five years beginning on June 13, 
2006, the date the debt was issued; thereafter, the included amount of 
outstanding debt shall be reduced by 20 percentage points annually.\8\ 
The capital requirements under the Order, rather than those of Sec.  
966.3(a), currently are binding on the Chicago Bank.
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    \7\ Once a Bank converts to the GLB Act capital structure and 
first complies with the capital requirements under Part 932 of the 
rules, it is no longer subject to Sec.  966.3(a). See, 12 CFR 
931.9(b).
    \8\ In effect, 80 percent of the face value of outstanding 
subordinated debt will be used to calculate compliance beginning 
June 13, 2012, 60 percent beginning June 13, 2013, etc. The 
subordinate debt comes due June 13, 2016. The face value of the 
subordinated debt issued by Chicago Bank was $1 billion, all of 
which remains outstanding.
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    In addition, the Bank Act imposes certain restrictions on Banks 
should they fail to meet any applicable capital requirement. These 
restrictions are separate and distinct from any restrictions or 
requirements imposed by the PCA provisions that apply to the Banks 
under HERA. Under the Bank Act, the Banks are prohibited from redeeming 
or repurchasing any stock if after doing so the Bank would fail to meet 
any minimum capital requirement. See 12 U.S.C. 1426(f). The Bank Act 
also prohibits a Bank from making any distribution of retained earnings 
if following such distribution the Bank would fail to meet any capital 
requirement. See 12 U.S.C. 1426(h)(3).
    Finally, the Bank Act and regulatory provisions restrict Bank 
activity if the value of a Bank's stock is impaired by losses, whether 
or not the Bank meets its regulatory capital requirements. 
Specifically, the Bank Act prohibits a Bank from redeeming or 
repurchasing stock without the written permission of the Director if 
the Bank is experiencing, or is likely to experience, losses that will 
result in charges against capital. See 12 U.S.C. 1426(f). Current 
regulations define the phrase ``charges against capital'' to mean 
losses that would cause a Bank's total equity to fall below the par 
value of outstanding Bank stock on an other than temporary basis. See 
12 CFR 930.1. Current regulations also prohibit a Bank from declaring 
or paying a dividend if the par value of the Bank's stock is impaired 
or is projected to become impaired after payment of the dividend. See 
12 CFR 917.9(b).

D. Considerations of Differences Between the Banks and the Enterprises

    Section 1201 of HERA requires the Director, when promulgating 
regulations relating to the Banks, to consider the following 
differences between the Banks and the Enterprises: cooperative 
ownership structure; mission of providing liquidity to members; 
affordable housing and community development mission; capital 
structure; and joint and several liability. See Sec.  1201 Public Law 
110-289, 122 Stat. 2782-83 (amending 12 U.S.C. 4513). The Director also 
may consider any other differences that are deemed appropriate. In 
preparing this interim final rule, the FHFA considered the differences 
between the Banks and the Enterprises as they relate to the above 
factors. The FHFA requests comments from the public about whether 
differences related to these factors should result in a revision to the 
interim final rule.

III. The Interim Final Rule

    The interim final rule adds new subpart A of part 1229 to 12 CFR 
chapter XII, subchapter B. The new provision clarifies and provides 
details on how the FHFA intends to implement sections 1363 through 
1369D of the Safety and Soundness Act, as these provisions have been 
amended and made applicable to the Banks by HERA. Where appropriate, 
the rule also incorporates and makes clear that restrictions on capital 
distributions established under the Bank Act and its implementing 
regulations apply to Banks that do not meet their capital requirements 
or have suffered from charges against their capital, in addition to any 
of the PCA restrictions applicable under the Safety and Soundness Act. 
See e.g., 12 U.S.C. 1426(f) and (h)(3); 12 CFR 917.9(b). The provisions 
adopted under new subpart A of part 1229 apply only to the Banks. The 
capital classification and PCA provisions applicable to the Enterprises 
are contained at 12 CFR part 1777.

Analysis of the Interim Final Rule

    Section 1229.1. Section 1229.1 sets forth definitions that will be 
applicable to subpart A of part 1229. Many of the terms are specific to 
the Banks. Most of these Bank-specific terms are defined with reference 
to the Bank Act or adopt definitions that are set forth in the Bank Act 
or that were previously adopted by the Finance Board in part 900 of its 
rules. 12 CFR part 900. Such terms include ``class A stock,'' ``class B 
stock,'' ``consolidated obligations,'' ``permanent capital'' and 
``total capital.'' As discussed below, the definition of ``total 
capital,'' however, has been expanded from the definition in the Bank 
Act to ensure that it applies to all Banks and not just those that have 
converted to the GLB Act capital structure. See n.10, infra.
    The definition for the term ``consolidated obligations'' in Sec.  
1229.1 has been altered slightly from the definition previously set 
forth in part 900 of the Finance Board's rules to reflect the fact the 
HERA amendment to section 11 of the Bank Act to remove authority from 
the Banks' regulator to issue debt on behalf of the Banks and to 
authorize the Banks, themselves, through their agent, the Office of 
Finance, to issue debt that would be the joint and several liability of 
all the Banks. See Sec.  1204, Public Law 110-289, 122 Stat. 2785-86 
(amending 12 U.S.C. 1431(b) and (c)). Nevertheless, the new definition 
recognizes that some of the outstanding consolidated obligations may 
have been issued by the Finance Board on behalf of the Banks, and it is 
meant to encompass all outstanding obligations issued under section 11 
(either before or after its amendment by HERA) on which the Banks are 
jointly and severally liable, whether such obligations were issued by 
the Finance Board or jointly by the Banks.
    The section also provides a definition of ``capital distribution'' 
that applies only to the Banks. The Safety and Soundness Act defines 
``capital

[[Page 5598]]

distribution'' but only in terms of payments made by, or with respect 
to shares of, an Enterprise, so that the statutory definition would not 
apply to the Banks. See 12 U.S.C. 4502(2). Nevertheless, the definition 
of ``capital distribution'' adopted in Sec.  1229.1 covers the same 
types of transactions covered by the statutory provision to the extent 
that such transactions are undertaken by the Banks. The definition also 
makes clear that the payment of dividends in the form of stock is 
considered a capital distribution for the Banks even though this type 
of transaction is specifically excluded from the statutory definition 
of ``capital distribution'' for the Enterprises. In this respect, the 
Bank Act and regulations applicable to the Banks prohibit a Bank from 
declaring or paying a dividend in any form if it does not comply with 
any of its capital requirements or would not do so after paying the 
dividend. See 12 U.S.C. 1426(h)(3); 12 CFR 931.4(b). To assure that 
these restrictions are captured in the PCA provisions, capital 
distributions for a Bank are defined to include dividends paid in the 
form of stock.
    Section 1229.1 defines the ``minimum capital requirement'' with 
reference to section 6(a)(2) of the Bank Act (12 U.S.C. 1426(a)(2)), 
which establishes the minimum leverage and total capital requirement 
for Banks that have converted to the stock structure required by the 
GLB Act, as such requirements may be modified by the Director. This is 
consistent with HERA which specifically defines these two requirements 
as the ``minimum capital level'' for the Banks and allows the Director 
to raise these requirements either permanently or temporarily. See n.5, 
supra. In addition, the definition adopted in Sec.  1229.1 states that 
the minimum capital requirement shall include ``any similar requirement 
[to those under section 6(a)(2) of the Bank Act] established for a Bank 
by regulation, order, written agreement or other action.'' This wording 
captures the fact that the Chicago Bank has not yet converted to the 
GLB Act capital structure and is therefore not subject to the leverage 
requirements in section 6(a)(2) of the Bank Act, although it is subject 
to leverage requirements under the Cease and Desist Order and 
applicable regulations. See 12 CFR 966.3(a).\9\ The FHFA does not 
believe that HERA intended to exclude the Chicago Bank from PCA 
coverage just because it has not converted to the GLB Act capital 
structure, and thus has adopted a definition of ``minimum capital 
requirement'' that encompasses the leverage requirements applicable to 
Chicago.\10\ The wording also recognizes that the Director could 
subject any Bank to higher minimum leverage requirements through an 
enforcement action and will assure that such requirements will be 
considered a minimum capital requirement for PCA purposes.
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    \9\ This aspect of the regulation only applies to the Chicago 
Bank and does not apply to any of the other Banks, all of which have 
converted to the GLB Act capital structure and made the transition 
to complying with the GLB Act's capital requirements. See 12 CFR 
931.9(b)(1).
    \10\ Similarly, the definition of total capital in Sec.  1229.1 
states that for a Bank that has not issued either Class A or Class B 
stock, total capital ``will be the measure of capital used to 
determine compliance with its minimum capital requirement.'' This 
wording applies only to the Chicago Bank and recognizes that the 
Chicago Bank's regulatory total capital (used to meet its applicable 
leverage requirements) is defined by the current Order and by 
Finance Board resolution. See Fin. Brd. Res. No. 2006-06 (Apr. 18, 
2006).
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    Section 1229.1 defines the phrase ``tangible equity'' to mean ``for 
a Bank, the paid-in value of its outstanding capital stock plus its 
retained earnings calculated in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) less the amount of 
any assets that would be intangible assets under GAAP.'' HERA adds 
references to ``tangible equity'' in certain PCA provisions but does 
not otherwise define the term.\11\ See Sec.  1143, Pub. L. No. 110-289, 
122 Stat. 2732 (amending 12 U.S.C. 4615). The definition adopted is 
based on that used by banking regulators, adjusted to reflect the 
capital structure of the Banks. Other regulators generally include as 
``tangible equity'' retained earnings, all forms of non-redeemable 
stock such as common stock and perpetual preferred stock less amounts 
of non-tangible assets. See e.g., 12 CFR 565.3(f) (Office of Thrift 
Supervision (OTS) definition). Tangible equity generally does not 
include debt instruments such as subordinated debt.
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    \11\ The term ``tangible equity'' is used in a PCA provision 
added by HERA restricting asset growth for undercapitalized 
regulated entities. The term ``regulated entity'' is defined in HERA 
to mean any Enterprise or any Bank. See Sec.  1002(a), Public Law 
No. 110-289, 122 Stat.2659 (adopting 12 U.S.C. 4502(20)). Section 
1229.6(a)(4) of this interim final rule implements the provision 
restricting asset growth for undercapitalized Banks.
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    The Banks, however, are only allowed to issue stock as defined in 
the Bank Act. The Bank Act specifically defines all Bank stock as 
redeemable, although the Bank Act also prohibits redemption of the 
stock if it is needed to maintain a Bank's compliance with its risk-
based and minimum capital requirements. See 12 U.S.C. 1426. Given this 
statutorily-imposed capital structure, it does not seem reasonable to 
exclude redeemable stock from the definition of ``tangible equity'' for 
the Banks. Therefore, the definition of ``tangible equity'' in Sec.  
1229.1 includes the paid-in value of stock and retained earnings less 
intangible assets. As with the definition adopted by other regulators, 
this definition does not include subordinated debt instruments in 
``tangible equity.''
    Finally, as required by Sec.  1141(a) of HERA, the FHFA establishes 
and defines the critical capital level for the Banks in this section. 
See Sec.  1141(a), Public Law No. 110-289, 122, Stat. 2730 (adopting 12 
U.S.C. 4613(b)). The critical capital level for a Bank is established 
as 2 percent of its total assets. This threshold is addressed below as 
part of the discussion of the criteria for classifying a Bank as 
``critically undercapitalized.''
    Section 1229.2. Section 1229.2 of the interim final rule generally 
implements the requirements of section 1364(d) of the Safety and 
Soundness Act, as that provision was amended and re-designated by Sec.  
1142 of HERA. As set forth in the statute, the interim final rule 
requires the Director to determine the capital classification of each 
Bank no less often than once every quarter. The rule makes clear, 
however, that the Director may make such a determination more often 
than once a quarter and that the Director can make a determination at 
any time for one or more Banks without making a determination for all 
Banks. The rule also requires that the quarterly determination be made 
in accordance with the procedural requirements set forth in Sec.  
1229.12 of the rule, a provision which implements Sec.  1368 of the 
Safety and Soundness Act. 12 U.S.C. 4618. The rule also requires a Bank 
to provide written notification to the FHFA within ten calendar days of 
any event that causes its permanent or total capital to fall below the 
level necessary to maintain the capital classification provided in the 
most recent notice from, or determination by, the Director. For 
purposes of this requirement, a notice would include one provided to 
the Bank under Sec.  1229.12(a) of this interim final rule. This 
requirement is similar to those currently imposed on the Enterprises, 
and the FHFA finds no reasons that the Banks should be treated 
differently in this respect. See 12 CFR 1777.21(b).
    Section 1229.3. Section 1229.3 sets forth the criteria for 
classifying the Banks as adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, 
significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized, as 
required by Sec.  1142 of HERA. Sec.  1142 Public Law No. 110-289, 122 
Stat. 2730-31 (amending 12

[[Page 5599]]

U.S.C. 4614). As required by HERA, these categories are defined in 
terms of the risk-based and minimum capital requirements established 
for the Banks under the Bank Act and other applicable law, after taking 
due consideration of the classifications established for the 
Enterprises. Id. The rule also makes clear that the criteria are only 
applicable to the extent that the Director has not exercised authority 
to reclassify the Bank based on factors other than the capital levels 
of the Bank, such as that provided in Sec.  1142 of HERA and 
implemented in Sec.  1229.4 of this rule. See Sec.  1142 Public Law No. 
110-289, 122 Stat. 2730-31 (adopting 12 U.S.C. 4614(c)).
    Under the rule, a Bank will be adequately capitalized only if it 
holds sufficient capital to meet both its risk-based and minimum 
capital requirements.\12\ This is consistent with the provision in HERA 
that the Banks' capital classifications be based on the amount and 
types of capital held by the Banks and the risk-based and minimum 
capital requirements for the Banks. It is also consistent with the 
general approach under existing Bank Act provisions that a Bank must 
remain in compliance with all its capital requirements, and that a Bank 
itself becomes subject to restrictions, similar to those under the PCA 
provisions of HERA, when it is not in compliance with any one of its 
capital requirements. See 12 U.S.C. 1426(c)(1)(D), (f)(1) and (h)(3).
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    \12\ The Chicago Bank is not yet subject to the risk-based 
capital provisions under section 6(a)(3) of the Bank Act. Further, 
there are no (and have not been) statutory or regulatory risk-based 
capital requirements applicable to a Bank that has not converted to 
the GLB Act capital structure. Thus, until the Chicago Bank 
completes its transition to the GLB Act capital structure, it will 
not have to meet the risk-based requirement for purposes of the 
capital classification--unless further regulatory or supervisory 
action result in the adoption of a risk-based capital requirement 
for it.
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    The rule states that a Bank will be undercapitalized if it fails to 
meet any one of its minimum or risk-based capital requirements. This 
approach is slightly different from that established for the 
Enterprises under the Safety and Soundness Act, which provides that an 
Enterprise is undercapitalized only if it does not meet its total 
capital requirement. See 12 U.S.C. 4614(a)(2). As previously noted, the 
Bank Act already imposes restrictions on a Bank's activity when a Bank 
fails to comply with either the risk-based or minimum capital 
requirement that are similar to those imposed on undercapitalized Banks 
under these PCA provisions. Thus, it would appear reasonable to define 
an undercapitalized Bank by references to both risk-based and minimum 
capital requirements and conform the approach in this regulation to 
that generally mandated by the Bank Act.
    The rule establishes the threshold at which the Bank would become 
significantly undercapitalized at 75 percent of the capital levels 
needed for the Bank to meet either its risk-based or minimum capital 
requirements. This threshold is reasonable given that the Banks have 
the obligation to adjust the amount of capital stock members are 
required to buy when they face a capital shortfall; a case where a Bank 
was facing a greater-than-25 percent shortfall in capital would suggest 
the Bank was having problems raising capital or was beginning to show 
serious structural or financial difficulties. The greater number of 
supervisory options available under the PCA provision with regard to 
significantly undercapitalized Banks would appear valuable in this 
case. At the same time, the threshold is still high enough that in most 
circumstances the Bank would have capital sufficient to operate safely, 
especially in light of the additional restrictions and safeguards that 
may be imposed under the PCA provisions, while action is taken to try 
to correct its capital problems. This threshold is also similar to how 
other banking regulators define the significantly undercapitalized 
category in their regulations. See, e.g., 12 CFR 565.4(b)(4) (OTS 
regulation).
    Finally, a Bank would be critically undercapitalized whenever its 
total capital is 2 percent or less of its total assets. The threshold 
equals one-half of the 4 percent minimum total capital requirement 
established for the Banks under Sec.  6(a)(2)(B) of the Bank Act. This 
approach is broadly similar to that defining critical capital for the 
Enterprises under the Safety and Soundness Act, although the approach 
adopted in this rule recognizes that the Banks do not issue or 
guarantee mortgage-backed securities or hold significant off-balance-
sheet items; no charges are added for these items. See 12 U.S.C. 
4613(a) and 4614(a)(4); 12 CFR 1777.20(a)(4).\13\ The FHFA also 
believes the two percent of total asset threshold is appropriate for 
the Banks. If a Bank's total capital reached this low level, it would 
indicate that the Bank was having serious problems raising additional 
capital from members either because a significant portion of the 
membership were no longer interested in, or were not in a financial 
condition to be capable of, doing business with the Bank or were no 
longer willing or able to buy capital stock to support that business. 
Such a situation, no matter what the cause, would suggest either that 
the Bank's cooperative business model was not working or that members 
were not capable of capitalizing a Bank and justify the intervention by 
the FHFA under the PCA provisions applicable to a critically 
undercapitalized regulated entity or other similar situations. The 
threshold adopted in this rule is similar to the critically 
undercapitalized category in the banking regulations. See, e.g., 12 CFR 
565.4(b)(5) (OTS regulation).
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    \13\ Under both the Safety and Soundness Act and applicable 
regulations, an Enterprise would be critically undercapitalized if 
its core capital were less than the critical capital level. The term 
``core capital,'' however, is not defined or used in the Bank Act or 
any regulation applicable to the Banks. An Enterprise's core capital 
is similar to total capital for a Bank in that each is used to meet 
a leverage type requirement. On the other hand, the Bank Act 
specifically requires that the Bank's permanent capital be used to 
meet its risk-based capital requirements while an Enterprise's total 
capital is used to meet its risk-based capital requirements. Thus, 
whenever comparisons need to be made between the types of capital 
held by the Banks and the core capital and total capital of the 
Enterprises or provisions in HERA implemented by this interim final 
rule refer to core capital and total capital of a regulated entity, 
these terms generally have been interpreted as or compared to, 
respectively, a Bank's total capital and permanent capital.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 1229.4. Section 1229.4 implements the authority provided in 
Sec.  1142(a)(4) of HERA, allowing the Director discretionary authority 
to reclassify a Bank's capital classification for reasons other than 
the amount of capital held by a Bank, such as those related to the 
condition of the Bank or the quality of the assets or collateral held 
by a Bank. See Sec.  1142 Public Law No. 110-289, 122 Stat. 2730-31 
(adopting 12 U.S.C. 4614(c)).
    This section of the interim final rule closely adheres to the text 
of the statutory provision. The grounds for reclassifying a Bank are 
set forth in Sec.  1229.4(b) of the interim final rule. Under this 
provision the Director can reclassify the Bank upon a written 
determination that the Bank is engaging in conduct that could result in 
a rapid depletion of its capital, or that the value of collateral 
pledged to the Bank or the value of property subject to mortgages owned 
by the Bank has decreased significantly. The Director can also 
reclassify a Bank if the Director determines the Bank is in an unsafe 
and unsound condition. Before making this determination, however, the 
rule states that the Director will provide the Bank with notice and an 
opportunity for an informal hearing before the Director during which 
the Bank can present information or testimony about its

[[Page 5600]]

condition. The process contemplated is based on and similar to that 
used by other banking regulators before reclassifying regulated banks 
on similar grounds. See 12 CFR 308.202(a), 325.103(d) (Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation regulations); 12 CFR 565.8 (OTS regulations). 
Finally, the Director can reclassify a Bank if the Director has found, 
in accordance with Sec.  1371(b) of the Safety and Soundness Act, that 
the Bank is engaging in an unsafe and unsound practice because the 
Bank's asset quality, management, earnings or liquidity were found to 
be less than satisfactory during the most recent examination and any 
deficiency has not been corrected.
    As required by statute, Sec.  1229.4(c) of the interim final rules 
provides that the capital reclassification of a Bank is subject to the 
notice and procedural requirements under Sec.  1368 of the Safety and 
Soundness Act, as that provision is implemented by Sec.  1229.12 of 
this rule. Section 1229.4(d) makes clear that any condition, action or 
inaction by a Bank that results in a reclassification of a Bank under 
this section can be the basis for a subsequent reclassification action, 
as long as the Bank has not rectified the original problem or 
condition. Finally, Sec.  1229.4(e) states that nothing in Sec.  1229.4 
will prevent the Director from exercising any other authority available 
under the Bank Act, the Safety and Soundness Act or any other 
regulation to reclassify a Bank or take any other action against a 
Bank.
    Section 1229.5. Section 1229.5 of the interim final rule implements 
the provision added by Sec.  1142(a)(5) of HERA addressing capital 
distributions by adequately capitalized regulated entities. See id. 
(adopting 12 U.S.C. 4614(e)). The provision prohibits an adequately 
capitalized Bank from making a capital distribution if, after doing so, 
the Bank would be undercapitalized. The provision also makes clear that 
an adequately capitalized Bank cannot make any capital distribution if 
it would violate any restriction in section 6 of the Bank Act or any 
other applicable regulation.
    Section 1142(a)(5) of HERA allows the Director to grant an 
exception to the new restriction on capital distributions and permit a 
regulated entity to redeem, repurchase or retire stock if such 
transaction is in connection with the issuance of additional shares or 
obligations in an equivalent amount to those shares retired, will 
reduce the regulated entity's financial obligations or otherwise 
improve its financial conditions. Section 1229.5(b) of the interim 
final rule implements this exception as applied to the Banks, but makes 
clear that any transaction permitted under this exception must be 
consistent with and not violate any restriction in the Bank Act or 
other regulation that prohibits redemption or repurchase of Bank stock.
    Section 1229.6 and Section 1229.7. Sections 1229.6 and 1229.7 of 
the interim final rule implement Sec.  1365 of the Safety and Soundness 
Act as amended by HERA, which sets forth the mandatory and 
discretionary actions applicable to a Bank classified as 
undercapitalized. See 12 U.S.C. 4615, as amended by Sec.  1143, Public 
Law No. 110-289, 122 Stat. 2732-33. Section 1229.6(a) sets forth the 
mandatory actions that a Bank must take and the restrictions that are 
applied to a Bank once it is deemed to be undercapitalized. These 
provisions closely follow the wording in the statute. The regulation 
requires an undercapitalized Bank to submit a capital restoration plan 
that meets with the approval of the Director within the timeframe 
required under Sec.  1229.11 of this regulation, and carry out all 
commitments made in that plan. The regulation also restricts an 
undercapitalized Bank's quarterly asset growth and its ability to 
engage in any new business activity or acquire any entity. The rule 
clarifies that for purposes of the restriction on asset growth, the 
calculation of a Bank's average total assets for a quarter will be 
based on the daily total assets held by the Bank in the quarter.\14\ As 
required under the statute, Sec.  1229.6(a) also prohibits an 
undercapitalized Bank from making any capital distribution that would 
cause it to become significantly or critically undercapitalized, but 
the regulation also makes clear that the undercapitalized Bank cannot 
make any capital distribution that would violate any additional 
restrictions in the Bank Act or other regulations related to the 
payment of dividends or the repurchase or redemption of stock.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Each month, each Bank reports its daily average total 
assets held during that month. These reported figures are then used 
to calculate a quarterly average.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 1229.6(b) implements the changes made by Sec.  1143 of HERA 
which require the Director to reclassify an undercapitalized Bank as 
significantly undercapitalized if the Bank fails to submit a capital 
restoration plan which the Director can approve within the time limits 
established under the interim final rule or fails to implement any 
approved capital restoration plan in any material respect. Finally, 
Sec.  1229.6(c) implements the statutory requirements that the Director 
monitor the undercapitalized Bank's condition and its compliance with 
the requirements and obligations imposed on it under the PCA 
provisions.
    Section 1229.7 implements the provision in Sec.  1143 of HERA which 
allows the Director the discretion to take any action with respect to 
an undercapitalized Bank which the Director may take pursuant to Sec.  
1366 of the Safety and Soundness Act against a significantly 
undercapitalized Bank, ``if the Director determines that such actions 
are necessary to carry out the purpose of this subtitle [C].'' Sec.  
1143(6), Public Law No. 110-289, 122 Stat. 2733 (amending 12 U.S.C. 
4615(c)). The wording of Sec.  1229.7 reflects the FHFA's belief that 
the purposes of the PCA provisions contained in subtitle C of HERA are 
to assure the safe and sound operations of a Bank, for both its own 
benefit and the benefit of its members and the financial system, and 
its compliance with its risk-based and minimum capital requirements 
within a reasonable period of time.\15\ This provision of the rule also 
makes clear that, as required by Sec.  1368 of the Safety and Soundness 
Act, the Director will provide notice to an undercapitalized Bank about 
any potential discretionary action under Sec.  1299.7 and allow the 
Bank the opportunity, as set forth in Sec.  1229.12(c) of this interim 
final rule, to provide information relevant to the proposed action 
before the Director makes a final determination.
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    \15\ Similarly, Sec.  1143 of HERA allows the Director to exempt 
an undercapitalized Bank from the prohibition on its engaging in new 
business activities or acquiring other entities if among other 
conditions, the Director determines the ``proposed action will 
further purposes of this subtitle [C]'' and provides that the 
Director shall monitor the restrictions and requirement imposed on 
an undercapitalized Bank to determine whether they are achieving 
``the purposes of this section [1143].'' These statutory provisions 
are implemented by Sec.  1229.6(a)(5)(ii) and Sec.  1229.6(c) of the 
interim final rule respectively. The wording employed for these two 
regulatory provisions reflects the FHFA's view that the purposes of 
the PCA provisions are to help to assure that a Bank will operate in 
a safe and sound fashion, for both its own benefit and the benefit 
of its members and the financial system, and return within a 
reasonable period of time to compliance with its risk-based and 
minimum capital requirements.
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    Section 1229.8 and Section 1229.9. Sections 1229.8 and 1229.9 
implement Sec.  1366 of the Safety and Soundness Act as amended by 
HERA, which sets forth the mandatory and discretionary actions 
applicable to a Bank classified as significantly undercapitalized. See 
12 U.S.C. 4616, as amended by Sec.  1144, Public Law No. 110-289, 122 
Stat. 2733-34. Section 1229.8 sets forth the mandatory actions and 
restrictions on activities that will apply to a Bank found to be 
significantly

[[Page 5601]]

undercapitalized, while Sec.  1229.9 sets forth discretionary actions 
that the Director may take with regard to any significantly 
undercapitalized Bank.
    Sections 1229.8(a) and (b) of the interim final rule require a 
significantly undercapitalized Bank to submit a capital restoration 
plan consistent with the requirements of Sec.  1229.11 of this rule, 
receive the Director's approval for this plan, and fulfill all terms, 
conditions, and obligations contained in the approved plan. Sections 
1229.8(c) and (d) implement restrictions on the capital distributions 
that a significantly undercapitalized Bank may make. Specifically, 
Sec.  1229.8(c) prohibits a significantly undercapitalized Bank from 
making any capital distribution if the distribution would result in the 
Bank becoming critically undercapitalized or would otherwise violate 
restrictions on the declaration or payment of a dividend or the 
repurchase or redemption of stock set forth in section 6 of the Bank 
Act or any other applicable regulation. To the extent that a capital 
distribution is not already prohibited by Sec.  1229.8(c), Sec.  
1229.8(d) provides that the Bank can make the distribution only with 
the prior approval of the Director. The Director may provide such 
approval only upon a determination that the capital distribution will 
enhance the ability of the Bank to meet its capital requirements 
promptly, contribute to the long-term financial safety and soundness of 
the Bank or otherwise be in the public interest.
    Finally, Sec.  1229.8(e) and Sec.  1229.8(f) of the interim final 
rule establish limits on the bonuses and compensation that a 
significantly undercapitalized Bank may pay to any executive officer. 
Section1229.8(e) prohibits a significantly undercapitalized Bank from 
paying any bonus to an executive officer without the prior written 
approval of the Director. For purposes of this provision, a bonus 
includes any amounts paid or accruing to the executive officer under 
any profit sharing arrangement established by the Bank. Section 
1229.8(f) prohibits a significantly undercapitalized Bank from paying 
an executive officer at a rate of compensation that is higher than the 
average rate paid to that officer during the twelve month period 
immediately prior to the month the Bank became significantly 
undercapitalized, without first receiving the prior written approval 
from the Director. As set forth in HERA, the rule states that the 
average rate of compensation does not include bonuses or profit sharing 
paid or accruing to the officer during the twelve month period.\16\ A 
definition for ``executive officer'' is provided in Sec.  1229.1 of the 
interim final rule.
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    \16\ While the HERA provision also excludes stock options from 
the calculation of average compensation, the Banks do not provide 
stock options to their executive officers; nor can the Banks provide 
such options to officers as the Bank Act only allows member 
institutions to purchase Bank stock and prevents individuals from 
buying Bank stock. Thus, the interim final rule does not need to 
exclude stock options from the calculation of compensation for 
executive officers of a Bank.
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    Section 1229.9 of the interim final rules sets forth the 
discretionary actions the Director may take with regard to a 
significantly undercapitalized Bank. Section 1229.9(a) provides that 
the Director shall carry out this section by taking any one or more of 
the listed action with regard to a significantly undercapitalized Bank. 
These actions can include requiring the Bank to reduce, or limit the 
growth of any obligation, class of obligation, asset or class of assets 
held by the Bank. The Director also can require a Bank to acquire new 
capital in such form and amount determined by the Director, which can 
include requiring the Bank to increase its retained earnings by 
specific amounts. The Director can also require a significantly 
undercapitalized Bank to modify, limit or terminate any activity that 
the Director determines creates excessive risk to the Bank.
    Section 1229.9(a) also allows the Director to take actions to 
improve the management and corporate governance of a significantly 
undercapitalized Bank. Under this provision the Director may take any 
or all of the following actions: ordering the Bank to hold new 
elections for its board of directors under such procedures established 
by the Director at the time of the order, ordering the Bank to dismiss 
particular directors or executive officers, and/or ordering the Bank to 
hire qualified executive officers. As set forth in Sec.  1144 of HERA, 
Sec.  1229.9(a)(7) provides that the removal of a director or executive 
officer under this provision is separate and distinct from a removal 
action under Sec.  1377 of the Safety and Soundness Act (12 U.S.C. 
4636a) and shall not be subject to any procedural requirements adopted 
to implement Sec.  1377. As with other discretionary actions taken 
under Sec.  1229.9, however, removal of a director or executive officer 
under Sec.  1229.9(a)(7) would be subject to the notice and procedural 
requirements applicable to supervisory actions set forth in Sec.  
1229.12. This section also makes clear that the Director may require 
the significantly undercapitalized Bank to get the Director's approval 
before hiring any new executive officer, whenever the Director has 
ordered the Bank to hire qualified executive officers.
    Finally, section 1229.9(a) provides that the Director, in his or 
her discretion, may reclassify a significantly undercapitalized Bank as 
critically undercapitalized if a Bank fails to submit a capital 
restoration plan within the time frame required by regulation, to 
receive the Director's approval of such plan or to carry out any 
obligation under an approved plan. The provision makes clear that the 
Director may assert the stated grounds as a basis for reclassification 
to the critically undercapitalized category even if the same grounds 
previously formed the basis for reclassification of the Bank from 
undercapitalized to significantly undercapitalized, if the Bank has not 
acted to rectify the original problem.
    Section 1229.9(b) provides that the Director may take actions not 
specifically listed elsewhere in Sec.  1229.9, if the Director 
determines that such action will better help ensure the safe and sound 
operation of a significantly undercapitalized Bank and the Bank's 
prompt compliance with its minimum and risk-based capital requirements. 
This provision implements the part of Sec.  1144 of HERA which allows 
the Director to require a significantly undercapitalized Bank ``to take 
any other action that the Director determines will better carry out the 
purpose of this section [1144].'' Id. (adopting 12 U.S.C. 4616(b)(7)). 
The wording adopted in Sec.  1229.9(b) reflects the FHFA's belief, as 
noted above, that the purposes of the PCA provisions are to help ensure 
the safe and sound operations of the Banks and a Bank's prompt 
compliance with its required capital levels, and thus, Sec.  1229.9(b) 
uses references to such goals to implement the quoted language of HERA.
    Section 1229.10. Section 1229.10 of the interim final rule 
implements various provisions of Sec.  1145 of HERA which relate to 
critically undercapitalized Banks. See Sec.  1145(a), Public Law No. 
110-289, 122 Stat. 2734-36 (amending 12 U.S.C. 4617). Under Sec.  
1229.10(a) of this rule, the Director is authorized to appoint the FHFA 
as conservator or receiver as soon as final action is taken to classify 
or reclassify a Bank as critically undercapitalized.
    Section 1229.10(b)(1) of this rule requires the Director to make a 
determination at least once every 30 calendar days, beginning on the 
date a final determination is first made that a Bank is critically 
undercapitalized, as to whether the Bank's assets during the previous 
60 calendar day period were less than the Bank's obligations, or the

[[Page 5602]]

Bank is not currently, or had not been during the previous 60 calendar 
day period, paying its debts as such debts became due. For purposes of 
this determination, the rule clarifies that a Bank's obligations 
include only that portion of outstanding consolidated obligations for 
which the Bank is primary obligor or for which the Bank has been 
ordered to make payments of principal or interest by the Director or 
for which the Bank is actually making such payments on behalf of 
another Bank. Similarly, a Bank's debts do not include any unpaid 
amounts that are subject of a bona fide dispute.
    If the Director determines that a critically undercapitalized 
Bank's obligations are greater than its assets or the Bank has not been 
paying its debts, Sec.  1229.10(b)(2) requires the Director immediately 
to appoint the FHFA as receiver for the Bank. The appointment of the 
FHFA as receiver under Sec.  1229.10(b)(2) terminates any 
conservatorship established for the Bank and ends the requirement for 
future determinations by the Director under Sec.  1229.10(b)(1) for the 
pendency of the receivership.
    Section 1229.10(c) of the interim final rule provides that a Bank 
may seek judicial review of an action under Sec.  1229.10(a) or Sec.  
1229.10(b)(2) to appoint the FHFA as conservator or receiver, as 
allowed under HERA. See Sec.  1145(a), Public Law No. 110-289, 122 
Stat. 2736 (adopting 12 U.S.C. 4617(a)(5)). Finally, Sec.  1229.10(d) 
of the interim final rule makes clear that until the FHFA is appointed 
conservator or receiver of a critically undercapitalized Bank, the Bank 
is subject to all mandatory restrictions and obligations applicable to 
significantly undercapitalized Banks under the PCA provisions, any 
restrictions or obligations previously placed on the Bank by the 
Director under the PCA authority, or any restrictions or obligations 
imposed on the Bank by an approved capital restoration plan.
    Section 1229.11. Section 1229.11 of the interim final rule 
implements Sec.  1369C of the Safety and Soundness Act, as that 
provision is made applicable to the Banks by HERA, which sets forth the 
requirements for capital restoration plans that are required by various 
provisions of this interim final rule. See 12 U.S.C. 4622 (as amended 
by Sec.  1145(b)(2), Public Law No. 110-289, 122 Stat. 2767). Section 
1229.11(a) describes the minimum information that must be contained in 
each capital restoration plan. This information includes a description 
of any changes to members' stock purchase requirements that a Bank 
intends to make to raise capital. As already noted, the Bank Act 
specifically requires each Bank's board of directors to monitor the 
Bank's capital levels and adjust its member's stock purchase 
requirements to assure a Bank maintains compliance with all capital 
requirements. Given that a change in members' stock purchase 
requirements will be a major method for a Bank to raise capital, it is 
reasonable for the Bank to explain how it will adjust these 
requirements as part of its capital restoration plan.
    Section 1229.11(b) of the interim final rule establishes that a 
Bank must submit a capital restoration plan within ten calendar days 
after the Bank learns that it is required to submit such a plan, but 
allows the Director to extend the deadline in writing if needed. The 
FHFA will consider that a Bank knows that it must submit a capital 
restoration plan if the Bank receives final notification that its 
capital classification is undercapitalized, significantly 
undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized, given that submission 
of a plan is mandatory in these situations, or if the Director 
otherwise informs the Bank that it must submit such a plan. While the 
Safety and Soundness Act provides that the Director may establish a 
deadline for submission of a capital restoration plan of no more than 
45 days, it also allows the Director to establish a shorter deadline. 
The ten day period established in Sec.  1229.11(b) appears reasonable 
given the need for a Bank to act promptly to restore its capital levels 
and the possibility that the Director can extend the deadline if 
needed. Ten calendar days for submission of a plan is also consistent 
with the deadline established for the Enterprises under current 
regulations, and the FHFA sees no reason why the Banks and the 
Enterprises should be treated differently with regard to this 
requirement. See 12 CFR 1777.23(a).
    Section 1229.11(c) and (d) sets forth the requirements and 
deadlines for the Director's review of a capital restoration plan 
submitted by a Bank and for the Bank's submission of a new plan should 
the Director not approve the original submission. These provisions 
closely follow the requirements set forth in the Safety and Soundness 
Act. See 12 U.S.C. 4622(c) and (d). Section 1229.11(e) provides that 
the Director may approve amendments to a previously approved capital 
restoration plan if, after consideration of changes in market 
conditions or other relevant factors, the Director determines that the 
amendments are consistent with the Bank's achieving an adequately 
capitalized classification in a reasonable period of time and operating 
in a safe and sound manner.
    Section 1229.11(f) of the interim final rule makes clear that a 
Bank is obligated to implement and fulfill all provisions of an 
approved capital restoration plan, and remains obligated under the 
provisions of an approved capital restoration plan until such provision 
is terminated as may be specifically stated in the plan or is otherwise 
amended or terminated in writing by the Director. Finally, Sec.  
1229.11(g) implements provisions added to the Safety and Soundness Act 
by Sec.  1145 of HERA which provide that the Director may appoint the 
FHFA as conservator or receiver of a Bank if the Bank fails to submit 
an acceptable capital restoration plan within the time frame 
established under the regulations or materially fails to implement any 
provision or fulfill any obligation arising under an approved capital 
restoration plan. See Sec.  1145(a), Public Law No. 110-289, 122 Stat. 
2735 (adopting 12 U.S.C. 4617(a)(3)(J)(iii) and (iv)).
    Section 1229.12. Section 1229.12 of the interim final rule 
implements the provisions of Sec.  1368 of the Safety and Soundness Act 
as these provisions are made applicable to the Banks by HERA. See 12 
U.S.C. 4618 (as amended by Sec.  1145(b)(1), Public Law No. 110-289, 
122 Stat. 2767). Section 1368 of the Safety and Soundness Act requires 
the Director to provide a Bank notice before finalizing any decision to 
classify or reclassify a Bank within a particular capital 
classification under Sec.  1364 of the Safety and Soundness Act or 
before taking any discretionary action pursuant to the PCA authority 
set forth in Sec. Sec.  1365 or 1366 of the Safety and Soundness Act 
and allow the Bank an opportunity to submit information that wou