Derivatives, 32191-32212 [2013-12638]

Agencies

• National Credit Union Administration

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 29, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32191-32212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12638]


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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Parts 703, 715, and 741

RIN 3133-AD90


Derivatives

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Proposed Rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule permits credit unions to engage in limited 
derivatives activities for the purpose of mitigating interest rate 
risk. This proposed rule applies to federal credit unions and any 
federally insured, state-chartered credit unions that are permitted 
under applicable state law to engage in derivatives transactions. It 
requires any credit union seeking derivatives authority to submit an 
application for one of two levels of authority. Level I and Level II 
authority differ on the permissible levels of transactions as well as 
the application, expertise, and systems requirements associated with 
operating a derivatives program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 29, 2013.

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 Proposed Rule--Derivatives'' in the email subject 
line.
     Fax: (703) 518-6319. Use the subject line described above 
for email.
     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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin M. Anderson or Lisa Henderson, 
Staff Attorneys, Office of General Counsel, at the above address or 
telephone (703) 518-6540; J. Owen Cole, Director, Division of Capital 
and Credit Markets, or Rick Mayfield, Senior Capital Markets 
Specialist, Office of Examination and Insurance, at the above address 
or telephone (703) 518-6360; or Dr. John Worth, Chief Economist, Office 
of the Chief Economist, at the above address or telephone (703) 518-
6660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

A. Introduction

    The NCUA Board (Board) is proposing to allow credit unions to 
engage in limited derivatives transactions \1\ for the purpose of 
mitigating interest rate risk (IRR). This proposed authority does not, 
however, allow credit unions to offer derivatives. This proposed rule 
applies to all federal credit unions (FCUs) and all federally insured 
state- chartered credit unions (FISCUs) that are expressly permitted by 
applicable state law to engage in derivatives transactions. The Board 
believes this proposed rule allows eligible credit unions to utilize an 
additional tool to mitigate IRR, while also reducing risk to the 
National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF).
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    \1\ A derivative is an instrument whose price is dependent on or 
derived from one or more underlying assets. A derivatives 
transaction involves a contract between two parties, called 
counterparties, that exchange value based on the fluctuation of the 
underlying asset or index. A counterparty is the other party to the 
derivatives transaction and can include swap dealers and major swap 
participants, which are terms to identify entities that operate 
primarily in the derivatives market. These transactions may involve 
collateral and a collateral custodian, which is an entity that holds 
the collateral for the two contracting parties.
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    The rule requires eligible credit unions to apply to NCUA or, in 
the case of a FISCU, NCUA and the applicable state supervisory 
authority (SSA), for either Level I or Level II derivatives authority. 
As discussed in greater detail below, Level I and Level II authority 
differ on the permissible levels of transactions as well as the 
application, expertise, and systems requirements.

B. The Act and NCUA's Regulations

    The Federal Credit Union Act (Act) provides FCUs with the authority 
to invest in certain securities, obligations, and accounts.\2\ For 
safety and soundness reasons, however, NCUA has adopted regulatory 
restrictions on certain investments and activities permitted by the 
Act.\3\ Currently, derivatives are among the investments specifically 
prohibited by NCUA.\4\
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    \2\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(7) and (15).
    \3\ 12 CFR 703.16.
    \4\ Id. at 703.16(a). Section 703.16(a), however, provides three 
exceptions to the general prohibition on derivatives. First, an FCU 
may purchase or sell any derivatives permitted under Sec.  703.14(g) 
or under Sec.  701.21(i) of NCUA's lending regulations. Second, an 
FCU may purchase or sell an embedded option not required under 
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to be accounted for 
separately from the host contract. Third, an FCU may enter into 
interest rate lock commitments or forward sales commitments made in 
connection with a loan originated by the FCU. The Board believed 
that the benefits of the three exceptions outweighed the potential 
risk and recognized these items were tools FCUs needed.

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[[Page 32192]]

    NCUA prohibited derivatives because they are complex financial 
instruments that potentially introduce significant degrees of risk to a 
credit union. Accordingly, this risk calls for a more robust asset/
liability management (ALM) capability that is supported by a higher 
degree of sophistication, analytical rigor and risk management 
expertise.
    Traditionally, derivatives instruments have been customizable over-
the-counter instruments. They span a wide variety of types and 
structures, many of which are unsuitable for credit unions. As the 
financial derivatives markets have evolved, however, greater 
standardization of contracts, collateral requirements, market 
participation and price transparency have made certain derivatives more 
suitable for meeting the risk mitigation needs of some credit unions. 
In addition, given the historically low interest rate environment of 
the last few years, IRR now poses a material risk to many credit 
unions.
    Recognizing that derivatives can be beneficial in helping credit 
unions to mitigate IRR, the Board believes it is appropriate to allow 
credit unions to use derivatives for the limited purpose of IRR 
mitigation. The Board notes, however, that derivatives are not the only 
way for credit unions to control IRR. Rather, the Board emphasizes that 
derivatives are just one tool that credit unions may employ as part of 
a comprehensive ALM strategy.
    This rule builds on the IRR rule that the Board issued in 2012, 
which required certain federally insured credit unions to develop and 
adopt a written policy on IRR management and a program to effectively 
implement that policy.\5\ The IRR rule provides guidance in developing 
an effective IRR management program to identify, measure, monitor, and 
control IRR. This proposed rule does not change any of the requirements 
in the IRR rule, but rather is another measure the Board is taking to 
enhance risk management alternatives.
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    \5\ 71 FR 5155 (February 2, 2012).
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C. 1998 IRPS

    This proposed rule is consistent with a 1998 Interpretive Ruling 
and Policy Statement (IRPS) 98-2, Investment Securities and End-User 
Derivatives issued by NCUA.\6\ IRPS 98-2 provides guidance to credit 
unions on sound practices for managing the risks of investment 
securities and end-user derivatives activities, including transactions 
in swaps and caps. While derivatives are generally prohibited by 
regulation for FCUs, the IRPS provides guidance on other investments as 
well and applies to FISCUs with derivatives authority under applicable 
state law. The Board, therefore, joined the other Federal Financial 
Institutions Examination Council members in promulgating the guidance.
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    \6\ IRSP 98-2 (October 1, 1998).
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    The IRPS notes that effective management of the risks associated 
with securities and derivatives instruments represents an essential 
component of safe and sound practice. It identifies certain elements as 
fundamental to all sound risk management programs. These elements 
include oversight by a credit union's board of directors and senior 
management and a comprehensive risk management process that effectively 
identifies, measures, monitors, and controls risk. This proposed rule 
incorporates many of the guiding principles of IRPS 98-2, as well as 
lessons learned from the derivatives pilot programs and comments 
received on two advanced notices of proposed rulemaking (ANPRs).

D. Pilot Programs

    Since 1999, the Board has been evaluating pilot programs for 
limited derivatives authority. These pilot programs have provided NCUA 
with insight to move from a limited experimental authority to a more 
general regulatory authority. They have shown the Board that most 
credit unions need to develop sufficient experience, management, and 
infrastructure before beginning a derivatives program. Once these are 
developed, however, credit unions can operate a limited derivatives 
program in a safe and sound manner.
    In addition, several key lessons emerged from NCUA's experience 
with the derivative pilot programs. Some programs were managed directly 
by credit unions, while others were administered by external service 
providers. NCUA observed that the understanding and management of 
derivatives transactions, while generally sound and effective, were 
rudimentary in some instances. Various weaknesses were encountered over 
time. Some areas of concern included: lack of, or inadequate, 
assessments of the capacity to absorb losses and establish processes to 
proactively limit loss exposure; lack of due diligence on 
counterparties and credit risk mitigation; lack of vigilant collateral 
management; heavy reliance on external parties to value derivatives for 
base and stress scenarios; and lack of analysis and disclosure for 
transaction costs (spreads over market). These noted areas, which were 
addressed through the supervision process, have influenced the Board's 
current perspective on the need for the requirements and limits 
contained in this rule. These lessons also raise the need for NCUA's 
supervision skills and resources to be enhanced commensurate with a 
broader derivatives authority that expands beyond limited pilot usage. 
This rule is crafted to address these lessons and the comments received 
on the two ANPRs.

E. ANPRs

1. ANPR I
    In June 2011, the Board issued an ANPR (ANPR I) requesting public 
comment on whether and how to modify its rule on investment and deposit 
activities to permit FCUs to enter into derivatives transactions for 
the purpose of offsetting IRR.\7\ The Board requested comment on five 
broad topics, three of which related to NCUA's pilot programs and 
third-party programs. The other two topics directly addressed 
independent derivatives authority. The following summary focuses on the 
topics directly related to the promulgation of this proposed rule.
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    \7\ 76 FR 37030 (June 24, 2011).
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    First, the Board asked if it should consider allowing credit unions 
to engage in independent derivatives activities. Ten out of 29 
commenters believed the Board should allow credit unions to engage in 
derivatives activity independently, subject to ability, expertise, 
adequate understanding and controls, so long as the activity is shown 
to reduce IRR. Three commenters supported allowing credit unions to 
engage in derivatives activity independently without further comment. 
Three commenters supported allowing credit unions that have already 
demonstrated ability in a third party program to have independent 
derivatives authority. Two supported independent approval only if 
limited and qualified by high standards.
    Next, the Board asked what criteria it should consider in allowing 
a credit union to independently engage in derivatives activities. The 
Board suggested criteria such as asset size, capital adequacy, balance 
sheet composition, or risk exposure with and without derivatives. Nine 
commenters believed there should not be numerical criteria, such as 
size. Five commenters thought there should be other criteria

[[Page 32193]]

such as experience, correlation testing and modeling expertise. Two 
commenters said the criteria should be the capital or earnings of the 
credit union.
    In addition, ten commenters stated that credit unions applying to 
engage independently should follow the present third party pilot 
program standards. Two credit unions said that NCUA should require 
credit unions to prepare succession plans, exit plans, and to engage 
independent CPAs. Five commenters said that approval to engage 
independently should be given on a similar basis as part 704 Expanded 
Authorities.\8\
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    \8\ 12 CFR part 704, Appendix B.
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    Finally, the Board asked if it should require credit unions to 
demonstrate enhanced functionality in terms of the experience of 
personnel, credit analysis and reporting infrastructure to evaluate the 
creditworthiness of derivative counterparties. Ten commenters said that 
there is no need for enhanced credit functionality because requirements 
for bilateral collateral, credit ratings and mandatory clearing make 
this unnecessary. Three commenters believed credit unions should show 
enhanced credit functionality and that the standard should be clear and 
objective. Twelve commenters argued credit unions should demonstrate 
enhanced hedging expertise including modeling, live pricing, hedge 
impact, trade execution, system capabilities and reporting balance 
sheet strategies.
2. ANPR II
    The Board issued a second ANPR in January 2012 (ANPR II) \9\ to 
obtain further industry input to help ensure that any rule granting 
independent derivatives authority is manageable for both participating 
FCUs and NCUA, while simultaneously protecting the credit union 
industry from undue risk. In ANPR II, the Board asked six questions 
regarding the conditions under which NCUA might grant authority for an 
FCU to engage in derivatives transactions independently.
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    \9\ 77 FR 5416 (Feb. 3, 2012).
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    Question One. The Board asked if NCUA should require an FCU to 
demonstrate a material IRR exposure or another risk management need, 
before it receives independent derivatives authority. Seven commenters 
supported such a requirement, and 19 opposed it. Eleven of those 19 
commenters expressed concern that such a requirement would prevent FCUs 
from proactively managing IRR through the use of derivatives before IRR 
poses a danger to the FCU.
    Question Two. The Board asked if it was appropriate to require 
minimum performance levels, as measured, for example, by CAMEL ratings 
and net worth classifications, when considering whether to grant an 
FCU's application to independently engage in derivatives transactions. 
The Board further asked, if the answer is yes, what performance 
measures and levels would be appropriate and should the Board permit 
waivers from these requirements.
    Seventeen commenters stated that NCUA should require minimum 
performance levels before approving an FCU's application for 
independent derivatives authority. The majority of the suggested 
metrics were CAMEL ratings and net worth classifications. Four 
commenters suggested a CAMEL 2 rating as a minimum and one suggested a 
CAMEL 3 rating. Some commenters opposed using CAMEL ratings because the 
ratings contain elements that are not relevant to an FCU's need or 
capability to support an independent derivatives program.
    Eight commenters argued that NCUA should not require minimum 
performance levels. One commenter stated that poorly capitalized FCUs 
would actually benefit from derivatives. Another stated that standards 
are not necessary because the market would not support an FCU in poor 
financial health as a counterparty. Two commenters supported allowing 
waivers from performance standards if an FCU could demonstrate that it 
met certain criteria, such as need, or could show that it had the 
ability to transact derivatives.
    Question Three. The Board asked what derivatives experience and 
expertise an FCU's staff should demonstrate before receiving 
independent derivatives authority. The Board questioned whether NCUA 
should require additional experience and expertise when there is more 
complexity in the FCU's statement of financial condition and to what 
extent an FCU should be allowed to rely on an outside party to fulfill 
any such requirements.
    Nineteen commenters stated that experience or demonstrated skill 
was necessary to conduct derivatives transactions, but they did not 
want NCUA to condition approval of independent derivatives authority on 
specific experience requirements. Several commenters suggested that FCU 
boards of directors should define experience based on each FCU's 
derivatives program. One commenter stated that FCUs should demonstrate 
an advanced level of skill in conducting derivatives transactions, and 
one commenter suggested a broader level of experience such as 
professional accreditations to satisfy an experience requirement. Other 
commenters argued that, because ``plain vanilla'' derivatives 
instruments present little or no risk, the Board should not require 
specific experience. Seven commenters supported NCUA allowing third 
parties to meet an experience requirement, and seven were opposed.
    Question Four. The Board asked whether NCUA should limit FCUs to 
using interest rate swaps and interest rate caps and whether interest 
rate swaps should be pay-fixed/receive-floating instruments. The Board 
also asked what other limits it should establish to ensure that an FCU 
does not transact interest rate derivatives in an amount greater than 
the level of its IRR exposure.
    Twenty-five commenters agreed that NCUA should allow FCUs to use 
interest rate caps \10\ and pay-fixed/receive-floating interest rate 
swaps \11\ to offset and manage IRR. Twenty of these commenters, 
however, suggested that NCUA also allow credit unions to use other 
types of derivatives, including floors, collars, pay-floating/receive-
fixed swaps, pay-variable/receive-fixed swaps, basis swaps, forwards, 
futures, and swaptions.
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    \10\ In an interest rate cap, one party agrees to compensate 
another party for the amount by which an underlying short-term rate 
exceeds a specified rate on a series of dates during the life of the 
contract.
    \11\ A pay-fixed/receive-floating interest rate swap is an 
agreement where a credit union pays the counterparty a fixed rate of 
return in exchange for returns based upon future rates of a floating 
rate index for a predetermined period of time.
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    Question Five. The Board asked whether NCUA or an FCU's board of 
directors should establish exposure limits for FCUs and whether there 
should be limits on the aggregate amount of each type of derivatives 
instrument in the portfolio or on the aggregate amount of derivatives 
transacted with any counterparty. The Board also asked whether limits 
should be based on the notional amount of a derivatives instrument, its 
mark-to-market valuation, or both. Twenty-three commenters suggested 
that an FCU's board of directors should set the exposure limits, and 
five supported regulatory limits.
    Question Six. The Board requested comment on whether there are ways 
to mitigate counterparty risk besides posting collateral and sought 
suggestions for appropriate collateralization conditions. Fourteen 
commenters supported collateral requirements, and four were opposed. 
Six credit unions stated that FCUs

[[Page 32194]]

should be allowed to use letters of credit from a Federal Home Loan 
Bank or similar institution to meet collateral requirements. Three 
credit unions suggested that NCUA should allow the use of a non-zero 
threshold for collateral \12\ posting by the counterparty, subject to 
the capital strength of the credit union.
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    \12\ A threshold amount is the amount of unsecured credit each 
party is prepared to accept before requiring collateral. A non-zero 
threshold arrangement means that the parties would be willing to 
accept some level of unsecured credit.
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II. Proposed Amendments

    Taking into account the lessons learned from the pilot programs, 
the comments from the ANPRs, and the guiding principles in the IRPS, 
the Board is proposing the following amendments. The Board believes 
these amendments achieve a balance between IRR mitigation, a safe and 
sound derivatives program, and flexibility for credit unions.

A. Changes to Part 703

    This proposed rule divides part 703 into two subparts. Subpart A 
consists of the current part 703, with some minor modifications. These 
modifications, discussed below, include added definitions the Board 
believes will add to the clarity to the rule. Subpart B consists of 
rules and requirements relating to IRR derivatives authority.
    As discussed above, current Sec.  703.16(a) lists derivatives as a 
prohibited investment for FCUs, but provides three exceptions.\13\ This 
proposed rule deletes the general prohibition against derivatives in 
Sec.  703.16(a) and moves the exceptions described there to a new 
permissible investments paragraph in Sec.  703.14. Proposed paragraph 
(k) of Sec.  703.14 authorizes FCUs to enter into all of the 
derivatives transactions permitted in current Sec.  703.16(a) plus the 
derivatives transactions permitted in proposed subpart B of part 703.
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    \13\ 12 CFR Sec.  703.16(a).
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    This proposed rule also adds a definition of ``derivatives,'' 
``forward sales commitment,'' and ``interest rate lock commitment'' and 
updates the definition of ``fair value.'' The new definitions clarify 
terms that are currently used in part 703. The updated definition of 
``fair value'' cross references the definition used in GAAP.

B. Derivatives Authority

    This proposed rule allows credit unions to enter into interest rate 
swaps and to purchase interest rate caps, and it requires pre-approval 
for all derivatives users. There will be two levels of pre-approval, 
Level I and Level II, permitting different degrees of derivatives 
authority with differing degrees of regulatory requirements.

C. Application of the Proposed Rule

    The Act permits the Board to prescribe rules and regulations for 
all federally insured credit unions it deems are necessary to protect 
the NCUSIF and the credit union industry.\14\ Before implementing a 
rule that applies to all federally insured credit unions, the Board 
carefully considers all available alternatives and the degree of risk 
posed to the NCUSIF by an activity the Board seeks to regulate. In the 
area of derivatives, the Board recognizes the risks inherent in these 
instruments and that the unregulated use of derivatives poses 
significant risk to the NCUSIF. For those reasons, this proposed rule 
applies to both FCUs and certain FISCUs described below.
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    \14\ 12 U.S.C. Sec.  1789(11).
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    This proposed rule applies to any FISCU that is permitted by its 
state law to engage in derivatives. This proposed rule does not grant 
any FISCU authority to engage in derivatives if applicable state law 
does not expressly allow it. It does, however, require those FISCUs 
with derivatives authority under state law to follow the requirements 
of this proposed rule. In addition, if aspects of a state's derivatives 
rule are more restrictive than this rule, FISCUs in that state must 
follow the more restrictive provisions of the state rule. In all other 
cases, a FISCU with derivatives authority must follow this proposed 
rule.
    As discussed in more detail below, this proposed rule requires a 
FISCU to submit an application to its SSA. The SSA will review the 
application and forward its decision to NCUA for concurrence. The Board 
believes this approach will create a uniform system of approval and 
examination of credit unions permitted to engage in derivatives 
transactions, leading to greater protection of the NCUSIF.

D. Levels of Authority

    As noted above, this proposed rule requires pre-approval from NCUA 
or, in the case of a FISCU, from the applicable SSA with NCUA's 
concurrence. Credit unions meeting specific eligibility criteria under 
this rule are permitted to apply for Level I or Level II derivatives 
authority.
    Level I derivatives authority contains lower permissible 
transaction limits, but also entails a more streamlined application 
process and less restrictive requirements with respect to experience, 
personnel, and systems. Conversely, Level II allows for higher 
transaction limits set by NCUA up to a specific ceiling, but entails an 
onsite evaluation, higher regulatory requirements, a higher application 
fee, and the necessary personnel and systems to be in place before a 
credit union may apply. The following chart highlights the differences 
between Level I authority and Level II authority. These differences are 
discussed in more detail in other sections of this preamble.

                     Level I and Level II Comparison
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                Level I                              Level II
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Eligibility: To apply for Level I        Eligibility:
 authority a credit union must:           In addition to all of
 Show, in its application, how    the eligibility criteria under
 derivatives are part of the credit       Level I in this chart, a
 union's IRR mitigation strategy. IRR     credit union seeking Level II
 mitigation may be of current or          authority must also be able to
 prospective IRR..                        demonstrate in its application
 Have a composite CAMEL code      why the limits for Level I
 rating assigned by NCUA of 1, 2, or 3    authority are not sufficient
 with a management component of 1 or 2..  to meet the credit union's IRR
                                          mitigation needs.
     Have assets of at least
     $250 million, as of its most
     recent call report.
Authorities and Limits:                  Authorities and Limits:

[[Page 32195]]

 
     Interest rate swaps are         Interest rate swaps
     limited to a notional value of          are limited to a notional
     100% of net worth.                      value of 250% of net worth.
     Interest rate caps are       Interest rate caps are
     limited to an aggregate book value   limited to an aggregate book
     of 10% of net worth.                 value of 25% of net worth.
     The combined limit of        NCUA will set the
     interest rate swaps and interest     combined limit of interest
     rate caps is limited to 100% of      rate swaps and interest rate
     the aggregate limits based on        caps during the approval
     usage.                               process.
     Aggregate fair value loss    Aggregate fair value
     on all interest rate swap            loss on all interest rate swap
     positions cannot exceed 10% of net   positions cannot exceed 25% of
     worth.\15\.                          net worth.\16\
                                          Maximum weighted
                                          average life of all
                                          derivatives transactions may
                                          not exceed 7 years.
     Maximum weighted average        A single
     life of all derivatives                 derivatives position
     transactions may not exceed 5           maturity may not exceed 10
     years.                                  years.
     A single derivatives         Single counterparty
     position maturity may not exceed 7   notional exposure cannot
     years.                               exceed 100% of net worth for
                                          interest rate swaps and single
                                          counterparty book value may
                                          not exceed 10% of net worth
                                          for interest rate caps.
Application Review by Regulators:        Application Review by
                                          Regulators:
     90 days from the date the       120 days from the
     appropriate Field Director              date the appropriate Field
     determines a credit union's             Director determines a
     application is complete or              credit union's application
     receives a decision from an SSA,        is complete or receives a
     in the case of a FISCU.                 decision from an SSA, in
                                             the case of a FISCU.
Application content. A credit union      Application content. In
 must demonstrate:                        addition to the content
 How derivatives are one part     required in an application for
 of the credit union's IRR mitigation     Level I, a credit union
 strategy. Mitigation may be of current   applying for Level II
 or prospective IRR.                      authority must also:
 How it plans to acquire,         Demonstrate why the
 employ, and/or create the required       limits for Level I authority
 resources, policies, processes,          are not sufficient for it to
 systems, internal controls, modeling,    use derivatives as part of its
 and competencies.                        IRR mitigation strategy.
                                          Have the systems and
                                          personnel required by this
                                          rule in place before
                                          submitting its application.
     That its senior executive
     officers and board of directors
     understand the role derivatives
     play in the credit union's balance
     sheet management and the risk
     inherent in derivatives
     activities.
     How it intends to use
     external service providers.
External service providers: A credit     External service providers: A
 union may contract with external         credit union may contract with
 service providers to:                    external service providers to:
 Support:                         Support:
[cir] Evaluating credit risk             [cir] Asset/liability risk
 management.                              management.
[cir] Evaluating liquidity risk.         [cir] Evaluating credit risk.
[cir] Asset/liability risk management.   [cir] Counterparty exposure
                                          management.
                                         [cir] Evaluating liquidity
                                          risk.
     Conduct:                         [cir] Collateral
    [cir] Accounting reporting.........        management.
    [cir] Counterparty exposure          [cir] Transaction management.
     management..                         Conduct:
    [cir] Collateral management........  [cir] Accounting reporting.
    [cir] Trade execution..............  [cir] Trade execution.
                                         [cir] Financial statement
                                          auditing.
    [cir] Transaction management.
    [cir] Financial statement auditing.       [cir] Legal services.
    [cir] Legal services.
Application fee:                         Application fee:
    As set by NCUA. The Board is             As set by NCUA. The
     considering amounts starting at         Board is considering
     $25,000.                                amounts between $75,000 and
                                             $125,000.
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    \15\ A credit union with Level I authority that exceeds this 
limit may not enter into any new derivatives transactions and must 
submit a corrective action plan to NCUA (or NCUA and the applicable 
SSA, in the case of a FISCU).
    \16\ A credit union with Level II authority that exceeds this 
limit may not enter into any new derivatives transactions and must 
submit a corrective action plan to NCUA (or NCUA and the applicable 
SSA, in the case of a FISCU).
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E. Permissible Transactions

    As stated above, this proposed rule limits permissible derivatives 
transactions for both Level I and Level II to interest rate caps and 
interest rate swaps. The Board considered all of the comments 
requesting additional levels of derivatives authority. At the present 
time, however, the Board believes that credit unions' capabilities and 
experience dictate a targeted approach to permissible derivatives. In 
addition, the Board believes this limited permissibility achieves the 
purpose of this rule, which is to provide credit unions with a 
meaningful tool to mitigate IRR. The Board recognizes and intends that 
these proposed limits may not provide mitigation for 100% of every 
credit union's IRR. Rather, the Board intends derivatives to be one 
part of a broader IRR mitigation and ALM strategy.
    With regard to interest rate swaps, the Board is proposing to 
authorize only standard ``pay-fixed/receive-floating'' and ``pay-
floating/receive-fixed'' \17\ interest rate swaps. It is currently 
anticipated that most interest rate swaps users would enter into ``pay-
fixed/receive-floating'' transactions to hedge against rising interest 
rates. This ``plain vanilla'' interest rate swap affords some 
protection against the most common interest rate exposure experienced 
by credit unions with material IRR sensitivity, namely, a statement of 
financial condition with an asset portfolio that does not reset to 
external rate changes as quickly as its liabilities.

[[Page 32196]]

Most credit unions use non-maturity and other short-term shares to fund 
longer duration assets creating an inherent re-pricing mismatch for 
which pay-fixed/receive-floating interest rate swaps can provide some 
effective mitigation.
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    \17\ A pay-floating/receive-fixed interest rate swap is an 
agreement where a credit union pays the counterparty returns based 
on a floating rate index in exchange for returns based on a fixed 
rate of interest on a predetermined notional amount for a 
predetermined period of time.
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    Many variations of swap structures exist. NCUA is not authorizing 
any of the complex variations of the pay-fixed/receive-floating 
interest rate swaps structure because doing so introduces measures of 
complexity and risk that are more difficult to model, measure, monitor, 
and control. The Board does not believe the marginal risk management 
utility from more complex structures is sufficient to warrant the 
additional inherent risks. The Board seeks comment on whether credit 
unions believe that complex swap structures are necessary and, if so, 
which structures and why.
    The Board is also restricting derivatives transactions to 
derivatives that are not leveraged. In some cases financial instruments 
have multipliers assigned to interest rate payments. These multipliers 
create a form of leverage that can either increase or decrease exposure 
to the rate or index to which the financial instrument is exposed. For 
example, a financial instrument could be structured to pay a floating 
rate of 3-month Treasury Bills times 1.2. This multiplier creates 
leverage and is impermissible under this proposed rule. This proposed 
rule allows credit unions to engage in a limited amount of ``plain 
vanilla'' derivatives transactions. Incorporating leverage could result 
in derivatives exposure beyond the limitations in this rule.
    The Board is also excluding from the definition of interest rate 
swaps those where the notional amount varies because it does not 
believe the benefits of these instruments offset their added 
complexity. The maturity of instruments where the notional amounts vary 
can change in ways that may be unrelated to a credit union's own IRR. 
The Board does not intend for derivatives usage to add layers of 
complexity to a credit union's IRR management. Instead, the Board 
intends for credit unions to use derivatives as one tool in a 
comprehensive IRR management approach.
    Consistent with the limitations for variable rate investments set 
in Sec.  703.14(a),\18\ NCUA is limiting permissible indices for 
interest rate swaps to domestic interest rates. In addition, any 
derivatives transaction must be denominated in U.S. dollars. These 
restrictions are consistent with the use of derivatives to manage IRR, 
as a credit union's IRR is correlated to changes in domestic interest 
rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 12 CFR Sec.  703.14(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Board is also proposing to set a three-day settlement 
requirement for derivatives transactions. The counterparties to a 
derivatives transaction negotiate many elements of the transaction, 
including the settlement terms. The Board is proposing a three-day 
limitation based on market convention and believes it allows sufficient 
time to settle, while preventing forward-settling transactions, which 
can be used for speculation rather than mitigation. The Board invites 
comments on the appropriateness of this limit in the context of not 
wanting to allow forward-settling derivatives transactions.
    Finally, this proposed rule prohibits credit unions from using 
derivatives to create structured liability offerings \19\ for members 
or nonmembers, except as permitted under Sec.  703.14(g) of NCUA's 
regulations.\20\ That provision allows FCUs to purchase equity options 
for the purpose of offering their members dividends based on the 
performance of an equity index. Except for such dividends, FCUs may not 
use derivatives to offer structured liability products.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ A structured liability is an offering with contractual 
option features, such as periodic caps and calls, similar to those 
found in structured securities or structured notes.
    \20\ 12 CFR Sec.  703.14(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. Eligibility

1. IRR Mitigation
    As noted above, some commenters to the ANPRs expressed concerns 
with the general concept of requiring credit unions to demonstrate a 
material IRR exposure or another risk management need as a condition of 
derivatives authority. Other commenters supported requiring a credit 
union to demonstrate material IRR exposure before being granted 
independent derivatives authority. Among commenters expressing concerns 
with the concept of demonstrated need, one common concern was that 
requiring demonstrated need will reduce FCUs' incentives to responsibly 
manage IRR. The concern suggests that CUs will either proactively 
increase IRR in order to demonstrate need or will be less vigilant in 
managing IRR.
    The purpose of this rule is to provide credit unions that meet 
certain standards with interest rate derivatives as an additional tool 
to reduce IRR exposure. As suggested by commenters, the Board 
recognizes that requiring the demonstration of material need for IRR 
reduction may create perverse incentives and lead to unintended 
consequences.
    As discussed below, rather than demonstrate material interest rate 
risk exposure, a credit union must present a comprehensive risk 
management strategy, and articulate how the inclusion of interest rate 
derivatives will complement existing risk mitigation tools. In 
addition, a credit union applying for Level II authority must show why 
the limits in Level I authority are not sufficient to meet its IRR 
mitigation needs. The Board believes these requirements eliminate the 
unintended consequences cited by commenters, while ensuring a credit 
union fully considers how derivatives fit within its overall IRR 
mitigation strategy.
2. CAMEL Requirements
    This proposed rule also requires a credit union's most recent 
composite CAMEL code rating, assigned by NCUA, to be a 1, 2, or 3, with 
a management component rating of 1 or 2. The Board believes that a high 
management component rating accounts for credit unions that may have a 
weak financial position because of IRR, but have the management in 
place to effectively identify, measure, monitor, and control 
significant risks. The Board intends this eligibility requirement to 
ensure that well-managed credit unions that need derivatives to 
mitigate IRR are able to obtain this authority.
3. Asset Threshold
    As an eligibility requirement, the Board is also proposing an asset 
threshold of $250 million. An asset threshold of $250 million includes 
most credit unions with IRR exposure and the capacity to use 
derivatives. The Board arrived at this threshold by analyzing interest 
rate exposure at credit unions of varying asset size, the share of 
these credit unions' assets as a share of the credit union system, and 
the use of interest rate derivatives by similarly-sized community 
banks.
a. IRR Exposure
    The Board notes that IRR is more prevalent among credit unions with 
assets over $250 million. Table 1 provides the average share of fixed 
rate assets, average share of money market deposits, and average share 
of non-core deposits (e.g., deposits other than regular share and share 
draft accounts). These assets and liabilities represent the primary 
drivers of IRR exposure in a credit union's portfolio. Credit unions 
with more than $250 million in total

[[Page 32197]]

assets have nearly twice the exposure to fixed rate assets and hold a 
much greater share of non-core deposits than credit unions with $250 
million or less in assets.
    Credit unions with more than $250 million in total assets represent 
78% of the system-wide assets. With much of the IRR in these larger 
credit unions, the rule covers the vast majority of the IRR in the 
credit union system.

                      Table 1--IRR Exposure at Credit Unions by Asset Category (2012Q4) 21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Asset category
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           < $250M           $250M-$1B           $1B-$5B              $5B+
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share of Loans in Fixed Rate                        18%                35%                38%                36%
 Mortgages..........................
Share of Deposits in Money Market                    8%                22%                27%                26%
 Accts..............................
Share of Non-Core Deposits..........                32%                54%                60%                61%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Credit Unions.............              6,066                556                180                 17
Share of Systemwide Assets..........                22%                27%                33%                18%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Capacity
    The cost  to build staff and execute trades, and the counterparty 
requirements for many derivatives contracts, restricts most of these 
transactions to large commercial banks and community banks with more 
than $250 million in total assets. The Board believes this also holds 
true with credit unions. Table 2 below demonstrates the increasing 
likelihood of derivatives participation among larger financial 
institutions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ Data from the 2012Q4 NCUA Call Report.

                          Table 2--Capacity for Derivatives Based on Bank Use Rates 22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Asset category
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           < $250M           $250M-$1B           $1B-$5B              $5B+
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Banks and Thrifts.........              4,506              1,918                490                178
Number of Banks and Thrifts Holding                 347                535                280                148
 Any Interest Rate Derivatives......
Derivatives Use Rate................                 8%                28%                57%                83%
Average Notional Amount Held........              $0.7M               $12M               $94M              $1.0T
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based  on these considerations, the Board believes an asset 
threshold of $250 million is appropriate. It will allow those credit 
unions with the need and capacity to take advantage of this additional 
IRR mitigation tool.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ Data calculated from the 2012Q4 FDIC Call Report and is 
calculated for all banks and thrifts that report non-zero notional 
amounts outstanding for interest rate derivatives contracts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, a threshold of $250 million is a benchmark NCUA uses 
in other supervision areas, such as for annual examinations for FISCUs. 
The Board believes this figure represents a relative distinction 
between credit unions with more complex asset-liability structures and 
risks.

G. Proposed Requirements

    The following discussion outlines the proposed requirements for 
credit unions with Level I and Level II authority. The Board points out 
the distinctions between the two levels and explains the reason for the 
differences. As discussed above, the difference between the two levels 
is in the permissible levels of transactions, as well as the 
application, expertise, and systems requirements.
1. Policies and Procedures
    This proposed rule requires a credit union applying for Level I or 
Level II authority to operate according to written policies and 
procedures. These policies and procedures must, at a minimum, address 
managerial oversight, scope of activities, approved counterparties, 
risk management, legal issues, accounting standards, limits, 
counterparty exposure, margin requirements, and reporting requirements. 
The proposed rule requires that a credit union's board of directors 
review these policies and procedures annually and update them when 
necessary.
    The Board believes it is important for everyone involved in a 
credit union's derivatives program, including external service 
providers, to be aware of the derivatives program's requirements, 
restrictions, and parameters. In addition, the Board believes written 
policies help ensure a credit union's board of directors contemplates 
every aspect of a derivatives program and the effect each will have on 
the credit union. An annual review will ensure the policies are updated 
to reflect the changing environment and the credit union's needs and 
goals.
2. Collateral Requirements
    The Board is proposing requirements for collateral to ensure credit 
unions are fully protected in the event of market disruptions or 
counterparty defaults. These proposed collateral requirements include 
limiting collateral to highly liquid instruments permitted under the 
Act.
    The proposed rule restricts the forms of collateral that are 
permitted for a credit union to the most liquid and easily valued 
instruments so that they can be easily negotiated even in times of 
market illiquidity. In addition, collateral arrangements must be 
bilateral and collateral may not be held by counterparties except at a 
legally separate affiliate. These requirements ensure that a credit 
union's exposure is de minimis by specifying that derivatives positions 
are priced daily, that the threshold amounts at which collateral is 
required are zero, and that mandatory triggers for transfer amounts are 
low. The Board has also included a proposed requirement that accounts 
for cases where a credit union lacking financial strength may be 
required to

[[Page 32198]]

post additional collateral for a counterparty to be willing to 
transact.
    The Board notes that all of these proposed collateral provisions 
are based on common practices in the derivatives market. In addition, 
the Board believes these provisions will help protect the safety and 
soundness of a credit union with derivatives authority and will not 
pose an unreasonable burden.
    This proposed rule limits eligible collateral to cash, Treasury 
securities, fixed-rate non-callable agency debentures, and zero-coupon 
non-callable agency debentures. Eligible collateral must also be 
permissible under the Act, part 703 of NCUA's regulations, and the 
credit union's own investment policy. NCUA is aware that these 
collateral restrictions are more limited than the permissible 
investments in the Act and NCUA's regulations, but the Board believes 
implementing narrower limitations is necessary to ensure collateral 
will be both highly liquid and easy to value. The Board notes that both 
Treasury and agency securities are generally considered the most liquid 
debenture sectors within the fixed-income arena. Furthermore, limiting 
agencies to fixed-rate and zero-coupon, non-callable structures further 
increases liquidity and ease of valuations. The importance of 
collateral in a derivatives transaction is to protect a credit union in 
the event the derivatives counterparty fails. Requiring highly liquid 
and easy to value securities, or cash, will help ensure credit unions 
are protected in the event of a counterparty default. The Board 
believes these restrictions will provide ample collateral options to 
derivatives counterparties.
    In addition, the proposed rule requires that derivatives exposures 
be fully collateralized. This requirement is also an integral part of 
derivatives clearing requirements for banking organizations 
participating in the derivatives markets, including margins on 
collateral. Collateral management integrally reinforces good 
counterparty management.
    Credit unions also need to consider the possible effects of 
derivatives transactions on liquidity. This includes the use of liquid 
assets as collateral for transactions which may reduce assets available 
for other liquidity needs. Margin requirements can fluctuate and 
require increasing amounts of collateral. Credit unions with Level II 
derivatives authority in particular should be aware of additional 
liquidity pressure from increased margin requirements for counterparty 
exposure under potential stress conditions where the credit union's 
loss on a derivatives position increases significantly. The replacement 
cost for a terminated or defaulted derivative transaction can also 
impinge on liquidity.
    The proposed rule also limits a collateral custodian to an entity 
that is not the counterparty to the transaction (except for affiliates 
that are separate legal entities organized under U.S. law), is 
authorized to be a custodian, is subject to federal or state 
examination, and has equity of at least $50 million. Like the 
restrictions on counterparties discussed below, the Board is proposing 
this limitation to ensure that any entity holding collateral in a 
derivatives transaction is qualified and well capitalized so as not to 
add undue risk to a derivatives transaction.
3. Counterparty Requirements
    In addition to the proposed collateral requirements to reduce risk 
to credit unions, the Board is proposing counterparty requirements with 
the same intent. First, the proposed rule limits credit risk by 
limiting permissible counterparties to swap dealers and major swap 
participants as defined by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission 
(CFTC).\23\ At the time of this proposed rule, more than 70 domestic 
swap dealers have provisionally registered with the CFTC under its 
clearing requirements. By restricting counterparties to swap dealers 
and major swap participants, the Board is limiting counterparties to 
established institutions that meet the standards of and are subject to 
oversight by the CFTC. This pool of counterparties is sufficiently 
broad for credit unions to access the derivatives markets. The proposed 
rule also limits counterparties to those doing business under the laws 
of the United States to protect credit unions in case of counterparty 
dispute.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 17 CFR Sec. Sec.  1.3(ggg) and (hhh).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, the Board is proposing to require credit unions to develop 
the internal capacity to conduct a credit risk analysis of any 
potential counterparty. This means that a credit union must be able to 
carefully assess the likelihood of default and timely repayment of 
derivatives obligations. In addition, a credit union must be aware of 
the financial strength of its counterparties, as well as the 
counterparty's capital buffers to absorb losses and access liquidity.
4. Reporting
    The proposed rule requires the senior executive officers to deliver 
a monthly report to the credit union's board of directors on certain 
aspects of the derivatives program. The proposed rule defines a credit 
union's senior executive officers as a credit union's chief executive 
officer (typically this individual holds the title of president or 
treasurer/manager), any assistant chief executive officer (e.g., any 
assistant president, any vice president or any assistant treasurer/
manager), and the chief financial officer (controller) that are 
directly within the chain of command for the oversight of a credit 
union's derivatives program, as identified in a credit union's process 
and responsibility framework.
    This report must include an identification of noncompliance with 
the credit union's policies or any applicable law or regulation, 
including this rule, utilization limits, an itemization of the credit 
union's individual positions, a comprehensive view of the credit 
union's balance sheet, and the cost of executing new derivatives 
transactions. The Board believes it is important for a credit union's 
board of directors to be timely and accurately informed about the 
condition of the derivatives program so that it can make adjustments in 
the derivatives strategy to ensure the short and long-term goals of the 
credit union are met.
    The Board also expects that senior executive officers would receive 
daily and weekly reports from individuals responsible for managing 
transactions and tracking risk compliance. While not included in the 
rule, the Board believes this is a prudent strategy to ensure adequate 
supervision of the derivatives program.
5. Systems, Processes, Personnel
    The Board believes that appropriate systems, processes, and 
personnel are vital to a safe and successful derivatives program. The 
Board, therefore, has proposed several related requirements. The Board 
notes certain differences between systems, processes, and personnel 
requirements for Level I and those for Level II. The Board believes 
that the Level II requirements should be greater because of the higher 
transaction limits. The specific requirements are discussed below.
a. Personnel
    Having the proper personnel in place at a credit union is 
fundamental to ensuring the safety and soundness of a derivatives 
program. To ensure a derivatives program is well managed and achieves 
the goals of the credit union, the board of directors, senior executive 
officials, and qualified derivatives personnel need to have varying 
degrees of knowledge and

[[Page 32199]]

expertise to carry out their respective functions.
i. A Credit Union's Board of Directors
    A credit union's board of directors is responsible for establishing 
the business plan for the credit union and ensuring that the policies 
and programs achieve the goals of that plan. A credit union's board of 
directors must receive training before the credit union enters into any 
derivatives transactions, and annually thereafter. This training should 
educate the board members on the benefits and risks associated with 
derivatives, as well as how derivatives fit within a credit union's 
balance sheet and can be used as an effective IRR mitigation tool. The 
Board expects this training will provide a credit union's board of 
directors with the knowledge necessary to fulfill its fiduciary 
responsibility and provide strategic oversight of a derivatives 
program. A credit union must make evidence of this training available 
during its next NCUA or SSA examination.
ii. Senior Executive Officers
    A credit union's senior executive officers are tasked with carrying 
out the credit union board's plan for using derivatives. This includes 
understanding the benefits and risks associated with derivatives as 
well as knowing how derivatives fit within the credit union's business 
model and balance sheet. As these officers are directly overseeing the 
day-to-day operation of a credit union's derivatives program, the Board 
expects them to have a comprehensive understanding of derivatives. 
During a credit union's application process, NCUA will evaluate each 
senior executive officer responsible for overseeing the credit union's 
derivatives program to ensure that each person has the education, 
skills, and experience necessary to oversee a derivatives program that 
is managed safely and effectively.
    A credit union must immediately notify NCUA (and, if applicable, 
the appropriate SSA) when a senior executive officer position as 
defined in this rule becomes vacant.\24\ A credit union must also 
immediately provide NCUA (and, if applicable, the appropriate SSA) with 
documentation evidencing knowledge and experience for any person who 
becomes a senior executive officer as defined in this rule while the 
credit union has derivatives authority. This supporting documentation 
must demonstrate that the new senior executive officer has the skill 
and experience required by the rule. Failure to provide this 
documentation or to show that the new senior executive officer is 
qualified under the rule will mean the credit union is no longer in 
compliance with the rule, and would be subject to the regulatory 
violation provisions, discussed below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ Senior executive officer is, for the purposes of this 
proposed rule, a credit union's chief executive officer (typically 
this individual holds the title of president or treasurer/manager), 
any assistant chief executive officer (e.g., any assistant 
president, any vice president or any assistant treasurer/manager), 
and the chief financial officer (controller) that are directly 
within the chain of command for the oversight of a credit union's 
derivatives program, as identified in a credit union's process and 
responsibility framework, discussed in Sec.  703.108(b)(2) of the 
proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

iii. Qualified Derivatives Personnel
    In order to engage in any new activity, it is incumbent on the 
credit union to ensure that personnel with appropriate training and 
experience are responsible for the day-to-day activity. The risk of a 
derivatives program is not limited by the complexity of permissible 
products. While the Board is proposing ``plain vanilla'' interest rate 
swaps and interest rate caps as a way to mitigate a credit union's IRR, 
these tools still present complex issues with the transaction, risk 
management, and the operational aspects of a derivatives program.
    The proposed rule requires three years of experience for qualified 
derivatives personnel at a credit union seeking Level I authority and 
five years of experience for Level II. The Board believes that 
increased limits correlate with increased risk, which necessitates 
additional experience by a credit union's qualified derivatives 
personnel. To satisfy the experience requirement of the proposed rule, 
qualified derivatives personnel must have at least the requisite number 
of years of direct transactional experience in the trading, 
structuring, analyzing, monitoring, or auditing of financial 
derivatives transactions at a financial institution, a risk management 
advisory practice, or a financial regulatory organization. Staff must 
also have the demonstrated expertise in statement of financial 
condition analysis. The Board believes that direct experience with 
derivatives allows a credit union to effectively manage risk and 
properly execute all derivatives transactions.
    The Board recognizes the comments on ANPR II stating that NCUA 
should not condition approval on experience requirements. The Board 
believes that without qualified staff, however, a credit union will not 
be able to safely and effectively manage a derivatives program.
6. Internal Controls Structure
    In addition to having the proper personnel in place, it is 
imperative that a credit union be organized in a way that ensures the 
proper level of oversight, separation of duties, and reviews and 
audits. As discussed below, this proposed rule has six requirements the 
Board believes will ensure a credit union's derivatives program is 
operated safely and soundly.
a. Separation of Duties
    An important internal controls principle is dividing duties so that 
no one person has sole control over any transaction and its recording 
and accounting. Separation of duties helps reduce an employee's 
opportunity to commit and conceal fraud or errors. Errors in 
derivatives operations can result in significant losses because of the 
effect of leverage. Accordingly, the proposed rule requires that as 
part of its derivatives management and internal controls structure, a 
credit union maintain separation of duties for the functions of: (1) 
Derivatives execution and oversight; (2) accounting for and 
confirmation of derivatives transactions; (3) ALM; and (4) credit, 
collateral, and liquidity management. The Board believes these core 
functions must be accomplished by different people to ensure an 
effective system of checks and balances.
b. Framework
    This proposed rule also requires a credit union with derivatives 
authority to maintain, in its written derivatives policy, a written and 
schematic description of the derivatives decision process. This 
framework description must show how decisions on derivatives are made, 
starting with the board's decision to use derivatives to mitigate IRR, 
to the senior executives formulating a derivatives plan and choosing 
the counterparties and derivatives, to the execution of the derivatives 
transaction and the monitoring and accounting through the life of the 
transaction. The Board is requiring that this framework be both written 
and in a schematic or flow chart form. A visual depiction of a credit 
union's decision process provides the credit union's employees and 
examiners with a useful summary of who is making and executing all of 
the decisions and functions associated with the credit union's 
derivatives program.
c. Internal Controls Audit
    A credit union with Level I or Level II derivatives authority must, 
at least annually, have an internal controls audit conducted by an 
external service

[[Page 32200]]

provider. The credit union must ensure the external service provider is 
experienced in auditing derivatives transactions, including, but not 
limited to, valuation methods and risk management modeling techniques, 
and is familiar with the credit union's IRR model and the related 
assumptions and inputs to test for reasonableness.
    The scope of the audit must include coverage of the accounting, 
legal, operating and risk controls. The legal audit section should 
ensure executed contracts are in place with all counterparties and 
external service providers used in the derivatives program. The 
auditors will need to ensure all material contracts have been reviewed 
by counsel.
    Scoping for operating and risk controls should include at a minimum 
a review of and testing for segregation of duties to ensure no one 
party or department is responsible for executing, documenting 
(accounting), and risk reporting of derivatives transactions along with 
compliance with policies and procedures. In addition, the audit must 
address collateral management to ensure the credit union is adequately 
monitoring and valuing its positions with counterparties. This includes 
independent valuations and review of counterparty pricing reports.
d. Financial Statement Audit
    Currently, NCUA only requires financial statement audits for credit 
unions with assets of $500 million or more.\25\ The Board, however, is 
proposing to require financial statement audits for any credit union 
with derivatives authority. Financial statement audits express an 
opinion as to whether the financial statements fairly present the 
credit union's financial position and the results of the operations and 
its cash flows in conformity with GAAP. The licensed certified public 
accountants responsible for the financial statement audit must have 
experience evaluating derivatives transactions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ 12 CFR Sec.  715.5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Using derivatives exposes credit unions to a variety of risks, 
including market, counterparty, credit, and liquidity risks. 
Consequently, the review of written policies, internal controls, 
financial reporting, and regulatory requirements is imperative. Because 
accurate financial reporting is paramount to effectively manage risk 
and make sound business decisions, the Board believes it is prudent to 
require financial statement audits for all credit unions with approved 
derivatives authority. This is a new requirement only for those credit 
unions with assets between $250 million and $500 million. The Board is 
also proposing a conforming change to part 715 to clarify that credit 
unions with assets over $500 million and any credit union engaged in 
derivatives must obtain a financial statement audit.
e. Legal Review
    The proposed rule requires a credit union to obtain a legal opinion 
from qualified counsel before executing any derivatives transaction. 
Qualified counsel means an attorney with at least five years of 
experience reviewing derivatives transactions. This attorney may be the 
credit union's in-house counsel or the credit union may need to retain 
outside counsel. The Board is proposing this requirement to ensure that 
any attorney providing a legal opinion on a credit union's derivatives 
program has the requisite skills and experience to properly evaluate 
International Swap Dealers Association (ISDA) agreements and 
compliance.
    The legal opinion must conclude that the credit union's ISDA 
agreements are enforceable and the credit union is in compliance with 
all applicable laws and regulations relating to its derivatives 
program. Like the 1998 IRPS, this proposed rule also requires that a 
credit union ensure any counterparty is authorized to enter into the 
transaction.
f. Hedge Review \26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ Hedge review means an analysis of the specific derivatives 
transaction a credit union is considering, to ensure that the 
transaction will mitigate IRR on the credit union's balance sheet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule requires a credit union to conduct a hedge review 
before executing a derivatives transaction. This review entails 
identifying and documenting the circumstances leading to the decision 
to hedge, specifying the derivatives strategy, and demonstrating that 
the derivatives transaction is protecting against the loss it was 
intended to mitigate. The Board included this requirement to ensure 
that two conditions are met: (1) A credit union with derivatives 
authority is using derivatives for their intended purpose, the 
mitigation of IRR; and (2) the credit union has a well thought out and 
documented plan of how and why it will hedge particular IRR on its 
balance sheet. The Board believes this requirement achieves both of 
these goals.
7. Transaction Management
    The proposed rule requires credit unions to have support systems in 
place to provide accurate and timely transaction processing. The Board 
believes this requirement will help credit unions ensure that 
derivatives transactions are executed in a timely manner and in 
accordance with the policy of the credit union's board of directors. 
Under this requirement, credit unions should be able to document a 
derivatives transaction, including the price paid, collateral 
requirements, identification of the counterparty, life of the 
transaction, and reason for the hedge. Under the reporting section of 
the proposed rule, these items must be included in the monthly report 
to the credit union's board of directors. Further, the Board believes a 
credit union must be able to accurately account and record a 
derivatives transaction, just as it would any other transaction.
8. Asset Liability Management (ALM)
    The proposed rule describes the management of derivatives as part a 
credit union's overall ALM. It is critical for the credit union to have 
staff with sufficient expertise to perform this function. It is equally 
important for the credit union to have an ALM function in place that is 
sufficiently well-developed to measure, monitor, and control all 
aspects of the credit union's statement of financial condition, 
including the credit union's derivatives activities. A credit union 
will need to manage the risk of derivatives transactions itself, within 
a clearly stated ALM strategy, while testing and demonstrating the 
effectiveness of these transactions in reducing IRR exposure. 
Therefore, as well as testing past effectiveness, a credit union must 
assess the likely effectiveness of its derivatives transactions in 
reducing IRR exposure going forward under a range of stressed rate and 
statement of financial condition scenarios. The credit union will also 
need to consider a variety of alternative strategies to reduce IRR in 
order to perform this function successfully.
    The proposed rule identifies a number of ALM process elements that 
are necessary to successfully manage derivatives activity. Clear, 
comprehensive reporting by senior management to the credit union's 
board of directors is essential to identify any policy exceptions and 
to ensure that management of derivatives is clear and transparent at 
the highest level. The credit union should state individual and 
aggregate derivatives exposure within the context of the overall 
balance sheet of the credit union. The credit union should clearly 
capture, monitor, and report the cost of these transactions. 
Appropriate separation of duties is necessary to maintain accurate 
review and disclosure. The credit union will

[[Page 32201]]

need ALM systems that are able to identify the value of any of its 
derivatives transactions, and must have the capacity to state this 
value as part of a net economic value calculation of the credit union's 
balance sheet.
9. External Service Providers
    The Board believes external service providers (ESPs) \27\ can play 
a vital role in the overall success of a derivatives program. The 
Board, however, is concerned that overreliance on ESPs in the complex 
area of derivatives may lead to additional risk to the credit union. 
Potential conflicts exist because external parties do not share the 
same fiduciary responsibility as the credit union and they have 
financial objectives and incentives that are different as well. The 
Board, therefore, is proposing to allow credit unions to utilize ESPs 
in limited ways, provided that credit unions meet certain conditions 
and restrictions. In addition, the Board is proposing differing levels 
of ESP involvement for credit unions with Level I and Level II 
authority. As noted above, credit unions with Level II authority must 
have a higher degree of infrastructure and experience to obtain a 
higher level of authority. Behind this requirement is the idea that 
these credit unions should have more internal capacity, and, therefore, 
less reliance on ESPs, than credit unions with Level I authority.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ An external service provider is any entity that provides 
services to assist a credit union in carrying out its derivatives 
program and the requirements of this rule. An external service 
provider does not include a credit union service organization that 
is wholly owned by the credit union receiving the services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    First, the proposed rule prohibits credit unions from using ESPs 
that are principals or agents to derivatives transactions involving the 
credit union. NCUA is aware that some credit unions have ESP 
relationships with firms that provide services and act as agents or 
principals for securities trades. Unlike securities, derivatives 
transactions are unique agreements between two parties and pricing 
transparency is typically considerably more limited. This limited 
transparency makes it harder for a credit union to determine what fees 
are being charged to execute the transaction. Additionally, principals 
or agents may have an incentive to enter into derivatives trades to 
generate income for themselves. The potential conflicts of interest and 
the limited transparency are the primary reasons for the prohibition on 
ESPs being principals or agents in derivative transactions. The Board 
further believes that credit unions have sufficient alternatives for 
ESPs beyond principals or agents in derivative transactions.
    Second, the Board believes that credit unions can make responsible 
use of contractual services provided by independent ESPs, as part of an 
effective derivatives and balance sheet management process. Responsible 
use of ESPs requires a credit union to have the internal capacity, 
experience and skills to oversee and manage any ESP activities. More 
generally, a credit union must retain responsibility and control over 
the derivatives and balance sheet management process and decision 
making. The credit union is responsible for managing ESP work products 
and must have a full understanding of ESPs' activities.
    While the Board supports the use of ESPs, there are some activities 
that the Board believes are so central to demonstrating effective 
managerial control that the credit union must conduct them.\28\ The 
Board is proposing to allow Level II credit unions more restricted use 
of ESPs because it believes that institutions able to take greater 
risks must have greater in-house risk-management capabilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ For purposes of this rule, a wholly owned credit union 
service organization may perform these functions for the credit 
union that wholly owns it. If the CUSO provides services to other 
credit unions, it will be an ESP and subject to the restrictions in 
the proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule classifies a number of activities into two 
categories of permissible use of contractual services and support. The 
functions in each classification vary between Level I and Level II 
authority. The two classifications are:
    Support: A credit union is required to conduct the functions in 
this category. ESPs can provide assistance and input, but a credit 
union is prohibited from allowing an ESP to conduct the function or 
activity in lieu of the credit union.
    Conduct: A credit union may contract with an ESP to conduct a 
function or activity in this category as part of the management and 
internal controls structure. While a credit union is responsible for 
managing an ESP's work quality and must have full understanding of all 
ESP activities and work products, it is not required to maintain in-
house capacity for the function or activity. The table below summarizes 
the permissible uses of ESPs outlined in the proposed rule.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Level I                Level II
                            Function                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                    Support     Conduct     Support     Conduct
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset Liability Management......................................          X   ..........          X   ..........
Accounting and Reporting........................................  ..........          X   ..........          X
Credit Risk.....................................................          X   ..........          X   ..........
Counterparty Exposure Management................................  ..........          X           X   ..........
Collateral Management...........................................  ..........          X           X   ..........
Liquidity Risk..................................................          X   ..........          X   ..........
Trade Execution.................................................  ..........          X   ..........          X
Transaction Management..........................................  ..........          X           X   ..........
Financial Statement Auditing....................................  ..........          X   ..........          X
Legal Services..................................................  ..........          X   ..........          X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Limits
a. Interest Rate Swaps and Interest Rate Caps
    The proposed rule includes limits for Level I and Level II 
authorities on the amount of derivatives exposure a credit union may 
take. These limits are intended to provide credit unions with 
sufficient tools to manage IRR based on the credit union's ability to 
independently manage its derivatives program. The Board, in 
establishing the limits, is also trying to limit the amount of 
potential loss exposure derivatives transactions may cause the credit 
union and NCUSIF. Derivatives exposure limits are measured differently 
for interest rate caps and interest rate swaps. The Board chose 
relatively simple measurement tools and acknowledges they may not fully 
capture all risks associated with derivative exposure. However, the

[[Page 32202]]

Board is comfortable that the methodology limits loss exposure, is easy 
to understand, and will allow credit unions to manage their IRR 
exposure. In addition, the Board chose these proposed limits with the 
intent that derivatives would not provide every credit union with 
complete IRR mitigation. Rather, the Board intends derivatives to be 
one part of an overall IRR mitigation strategy.
    The proposed limit on interest rate caps is measured by the 
exposure of book value to net worth. The Board chose book value as the 
limit's measurement basis since it measures the amount of net worth at 
risk if the cap becomes worthless through the event of a default by the 
counterparty. Interest rate caps are typically purchased with strike 
rates \29\ above current rates and pay the purchaser when interest 
rates increase above the strike rate. The premium that a purchaser pays 
at inception of the interest rate cap represents the maximum amount of 
potential loss to net worth on day one of the transaction. This premium 
will fluctuate over time, and value changes are reflected through 
changes in the income statement. GAAP hedge accounting treatment 
dictates whether the premium can be amortized or is subject to changes 
in fair value. The Board considered using notional value as a 
limitation, but decided book value was a more appropriate measurement 
because it accurately captures the risk associated with interest rate 
caps without unreasonably limiting a credit union's ability to mitigate 
IRR. The Board specifically requests that interested stakeholders 
provide suggestions of alternative methodologies to measure and limit 
cap exposure for credit unions and explain why the alternative is 
better than book value. The Board requests that any alternative 
measurement for credit unions to measure and report be straightforward.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ Strike rate means the interest rate that triggers payments 
to the credit union under the contract.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed limit on interest rate swaps is measured using 
notional exposure and fair value loss. Both measurements use the credit 
union's net worth as the basis. The Board chose two separate types of 
limitations for interest rate swaps based on lessons learned from the 
corporate credit union crisis. Unlike interest rate caps, an interest 
rate swap can result in the credit union owing the counterparty if 
rates move the opposite way from which the credit union is hedging. 
This loss can be magnified if the value of the hedged assets declines. 
Therefore, the Board is proposing to limit the notional amount of swap 
exposure a credit union may have regardless of whether the credit union 
is in a fair value gain or loss position. Further, the Board is 
proposing fair value loss limits that trigger a suspension of 
derivatives transactions and the submission of a corrective action plan 
if the credit union reaches certain levels of losses. As noted above, 
the proposed rule contains different loss limits for Level I and Level 
II.
    The proposed rule allows credit unions with Level I authority to 
have book value of up to 10% of net worth in caps and up to a notional 
value of 100% of net worth in swaps exposure with a total fair value 
loss limit on swaps of 10% of net worth. A credit union with Level I 
authority using both interest rate swaps and interest rate caps will be 
subject to a combined limit. The combined limit requires that the sum 
of the percentage utilization of the interest rate swaps limit and 
interest rate caps limit is less than or equal to 100%. For example, 
consider a credit union that holds interest rate swaps with a notional 
balance equal to 75% of net worth (or 75% of the interest rate swaps 
limit) and interest rate caps with an aggregate book value equivalent 
2.5% of net worth (or 25% of the interest rate caps limit). Combining 
the interest rate caps and interest rate swaps limits utilization 
percentages (75% + 25%) equals 100%. Therefore this credit union is at 
the limit and unable to add additional derivative positions.
    Both the interest rate swaps limit and the interest rate caps limit 
are designed to make identifying and tracking exposure easy for credit 
unions. The Board believes these limits are appropriate given the 
risks, personnel, and systems required under the proposed rule for 
Level I authority, which are discussed above. The Board also believes 
these limits are sufficient for credit unions with lower levels of IRR 
and infrastructure to adequately use derivatives as an additional IRR 
mitigation tool.
    The proposed rule allows credit unions with Level II authority to 
have book value of up to 25% of net worth in interest rate caps and up 
to a notional value of 250% of net worth in interest rate swaps 
exposure with a total fair value loss limit on interest rate swaps of 
25% of net worth. NCUA will establish a combined limit for credit 
unions with Level II authority up to the maximum limit for caps and 
swaps. NCUA will establish this limit during the approval process based 
on the resources and need of the applying credit union. The Board 
believes these higher limits, in contrast to those for Level I, are 
appropriate given the added requirements for Level II credit unions. 
These higher limits will allow a credit union with considerably more 
infrastructure and experience to utilize additional derivatives to 
mitigate higher levels of IRR.
    As identified in the discussion of the Level I and Level II limits 
on swaps, the proposed rule includes limits on a credit union's loss on 
swaps. The Board believes it is appropriate to include this additional 
limit on swaps given their riskier nature and the potential for losses. 
The Board's goal is to ensure the financial health of a credit union is 
not jeopardized by the declining value of swaps positions. The 
difference in the individual limits in this area reflects a higher 
level of experience and derivatives management capability at Level II 
credit unions, as well as a higher level of regulatory due diligence at 
the time NCUA reviews a credit union applying for Level II authority.
b. Maturity
    In addition to the limits discussed above, the proposed rule 
includes limits on the individual maturities of derivatives 
transactions and the combined weighted average life of derivatives 
transactions for both Level I and Level II. Unlike exposure limits, 
these limits are applied equally to interest rate caps and interest 
rate swaps and are based on the notional amount. The Board notes that, 
like bonds, the risk of derivatives transactions increases as the 
maturity length increases. The Board believes that limiting the term of 
individual transactions and the weighted average life of the portfolio 
is an additional way to limit losses for a credit union and the NCUSIF, 
while not hindering a credit union's ability to mitigate IRR.
    The proposed rule prohibits a credit union with Level I derivatives 
authority from having individual derivatives transactions that exceed a 
maturity of seven years. Further, the weighted average life of all 
derivatives in the credit union's portfolio cannot exceed five years. 
The Board believes these limits are appropriate given the risks, 
personnel, and systems required for Level I authority.
    Conversely, the proposed rule prohibits credit unions with Level II 
derivatives authority from having derivatives transactions that have a 
maturity longer than ten years or a weighted average life of all 
derivatives in its portfolio greater than seven years. These longer 
maturities reflect the increased requirements for and supervision of a 
credit union with Level II authority.

[[Page 32203]]

    The following table illustrates the differing limits between Level 
I and Level II:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Authority                   Level I            Level II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Rate Caps..............  Book value of up    Book value of up
                                   to 10% of net       to 25% of net
                                   worth.              worth.
Interest Rate Swaps.............   Notional    Notional
                                   value of up to      value of up to
                                   100% of net worth.  250% of net
                                                       worth.
                                   Must        Must
                                   suspend             suspend
                                   derivative          derivative
                                   activity if total   activity if total
                                   fair value of       fair value of
                                   swap loss           swap loss
                                   position exceeds    position exceeds
                                   10% of net worth.   25% of net worth.
Combined Limits.................  A weighting         Determined during
                                   between both        approval process.
                                   limits to equal
                                   100%. For
                                   example, 50% of
                                   cap limit would
                                   allow for 50% of
                                   swap limit.
Tenor Limits....................              
                                   Derivative          Derivative
                                   portfolio           portfolio
                                   weighted average    weighted average
                                   life limit of 5-    life limit of 7-
                                   years.              years.
                                   Single      Single
                                   transaction         transaction
                                   maturity limit of   maturity limit of
                                   7-years.            10-years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

G. Application Procedures and Content and Review

    The Board is proposing an application process that requires an 
applying credit union to demonstrate the requisite systems and 
expertise to support derivatives. In accordance with the increased 
levels for a credit union applying for Level II authority, the 
application process for this authority will be more thorough and will 
include an NCUA on-site review of the derivatives program 
infrastructure.
1. Application Content
    The application process begins with the credit union submitting 
comprehensive documentation demonstrating that it meets the 
requirements for the level of authority it is applying for. The Board 
considers derivatives authority as an advanced ALM tool and expects a 
credit union's infrastructure to sufficiently support the activity. 
Application requirements represent items the Board regards as necessary 
components of enhanced ALM and critical derivatives program functions.
    A credit union applying for either level must provide an IRR 
mitigation plan, which demonstrates how derivatives fit within that 
plan. The Board notes that while the need to mitigate IRR may be a 
prospective need, a credit union may not use derivatives to speculate. 
A credit union's plan should show that derivatives are an effective 
part of a credit union's IRR mitigation plan and that the credit union 
has other tools it is using to mitigate IRR. In addition to this 
requirement, a credit union applying for Level II authority must 
demonstrate why the limits in Level I are insufficient for its IRR 
mitigation needs. A credit union should be able to show in its 
application that even after employing other mitigation strategies it 
still has a need for derivatives limits that are higher than under 
Level I.
    A credit union's senior executive officers and board of directors 
must understand how derivatives fit within the credit union's business 
model and balance sheet and be able to articulate how they intend to 
use ESPs. A credit union applying for Level I must demonstrate how it 
plans to acquire and employ the necessary systems, personnel and 
infrastructure, and do so before transacting in derivatives. A credit 
union, however, applying for Level II authority must have these in 
place before it applies. This requirement for Level II ensures that 
NCUA can adequately evaluate all of the components of the proposed 
derivatives program during its onsite review.
2. Application Review
    After a credit union has compiled all of the information for its 
application, it must submit it to NCUA, or its SSA in the case of a 
FISCU. An SSA will evaluate an application and send its decision to 
NCUA for concurrence. Once the Field Director receives a complete 
application or a decision from an SSA, as applicable, NCUA will begin 
its review process. The Board notes that NCUA will not begin its review 
of an application until the appropriate Field Director determines that 
the application is complete and in compliance with the regulation and 
any applicable supervisory guidance. The proposed rule requires that a 
Field Director make this determination within 30 days of the date it 
receives an application from a credit union. NCUA will use its best 
efforts to review every application as quickly as possible.
    The proposed rule provides that NCUA will approve or deny a credit 
union's application within 90 days for Level I and 120 days for Level 
II. These time limits begin when a Field Director determines it has a 
complete application from an FCU or a decision from an SSA for FISCU 
applicants.
    Given the complex nature of derivatives and the level of due 
diligence the agency must perform to ensure derivatives programs are 
safe and sound, the Board believes these time frames are reasonable. 
The Board recognizes that a review of a derivatives program will vary 
between credit unions and the Board wants to ensure field staff has 
adequate time to conduct a thorough review. In addition, while not 
required under the proposed rule, it may be necessary for NCUA to 
conduct an onsite review of a credit union applying for Level I 
authority.
3. Appeals
    The proposed rule also permits a credit union that has had its 
application denied by a Field Director to appeal to NCUA's Supervisory 
Review Committee within 60 days from the date of denial. For any final 
rule that becomes effective, the Board would make a corresponding 
change to IRPS 11-1, which lists the issues that credit unions may 
appeal to NCUA's Supervisory Review Committee.

H. Pilot Program Participants and FISCUs With Derivatives

    The Board recognizes that current participants in the various 
derivatives pilot programs and FISCUs with active positions may not 
meet the requirements of a final rule promulgated by the Board. The 
Board wants to provide these credit unions with sufficient time to 
bring their programs into compliance with a final rule. This proposed 
rule, therefore, includes a section addressing this goal.
    Specifically, the proposed rule provides that any credit union 
that, as of January 1, 2013, is holding derivatives under an NCUA 
derivatives pilot program or state law has 12-months from the effective 
date of a final rule to come into compliance with the rule's 
requirements. The Board set a date of January 1, 2013, to ensure that 
only credit unions with active positions before publication of this 
proposed rule could take advantage of the 12-month

[[Page 32204]]

grace period. Compliance would include submitting an application for 
review under the provisions of the rule. During this 12-month period, a 
pilot participant is permitted to continue operating its derivatives 
program in accordance with its pilot program terms and conditions. A 
FISCU may also continue to operate its derivatives program under the 
applicable state law during this time period.
    If a credit union fails to meet the requirements of the rule after 
12 months, the rule requires that the credit union immediately cease 
entering into new derivatives transactions and within 30 days present a 
corrective action plan to NCUA (and SSA, in the case of a FISCU) 
outlining how and when it will cure any deficiencies or how it will 
unwind its derivatives program. A credit union under a corrective 
action plan is not permitted to enter into any new derivatives 
transactions until notified by NCUA.
    A credit union that is otherwise in compliance with the rule, but 
is holding active positions it purchased prior to January 1, 2013, will 
not be subject to the corrective action plan requirements discussed 
above. Rather, the credit union will be required to inform NCUA and the 
SSA, in the case of a FISCU, how it will handle these active positions.

I. Regulatory Violation

    The proposed rule provides a system of corrective action if a 
credit union with derivatives authority fails to comply with the rule, 
has safety or soundness concerns identified by NCUA, or fails to employ 
the resources, policies, processes, and competencies that it identified 
in its application for approval. If NCUA determines a credit union has 
failed any of these aspects, the credit union must immediately cease 
entering into any new derivatives transactions and must also present a 
corrective action plan to NCUA and the SSA, in the case of a FISCU, 
within 30 days.
    A credit union's corrective action plan must address the 
deficiencies identified by NCUA and how the credit union will promptly 
fix these deficiencies. NCUA will evaluate all corrective action plans 
to determine if they are realistic and sufficient to remedy the 
deficiencies. In the case of a FISCU, this plan must also be approved 
by the applicable SSA. If NCUA, and the SSA, if applicable, approve a 
credit union's corrective action plan, NCUA will also notify the credit 
union when it is permitted to begin entering into new derivatives 
transactions.
    In addition to or in lieu of a corrective action plan, NCUA may 
terminate a credit union's derivatives authority based on a violation 
of NCUA's regulations or safety and soundness concerns. NCUA will only 
require divestiture if it determines that doing so would not pose 
additional risks to the credit union.

J. Application Fees

    The Board is considering instituting a fee structure for those 
credit unions that apply for derivatives authority. As discussed above, 
NCUA's application review process and ongoing enhanced supervision is 
labor and resource intensive. Rather than pass this cost on to the 
credit union industry as a whole, the Board believes it may be prudent 
to pass this cost directly to the credit unions seeking approval. 
Application fees may also serve as a deterrent to credit unions that 
are unsure whether or not they can meet all of the qualifications 
required to implement a safe and sound derivatives program.
    The Board is considering a Level I application fee with amounts 
starting at $25,000 and a Level II application fee with amounts ranging 
from $75,000 to $125,000 based on the complexity of the application. 
The Board would set this fee in periodic guidance based on the evolving 
costs of processing an application.
    In addition, the Board will maintain authority to modify the Level 
II application fee if the credit union operates under Level I authority 
for a period of time. The Board notes that NCUA will expend fewer 
resources to review the Level II application of a Level I credit union 
due to familiarity with the credit union's current practices. This 
situation may warrant a reduced Level II application fee. This 
reduction in application fee would largely depend on the length of time 
a credit union operates under Level I authority before applying for 
Level II authority. The Board also notes that this application fee 
would be in addition to any fees charged by an SSA for an application 
by a FISCU. The Board is interested in comments on this approach.

K. Supervision and/or Examination Fees

    In addition to application fees, the Board is seeking comments on 
the pros and cons of recovering the costs of ongoing supervision of 
credit unions engaged in derivatives. The Board is particularly 
interested in comments as to whether annual NCUA costs for staff, 
contractors, and/or examination hours should be borne entirely by the 
credit unions engaged in derivatives.
    For example:
     Should NCUA charge an annual licensing fee to the credit 
unions approved to engage in derivatives?
     Should NCUA charge credit unions that have purchased 
derivatives for examination time spent evaluating their derivatives 
activity?
     How would NCUA isolate and determine the staff hours 
involved in supervision of derivatives activity?
     Would an annual licensing fee or additional yearly charge 
act as a deterrent to qualified credit unions from using derivatives to 
mitigate IRR?
    In responding to the above questions, it should be noted that the 
Board would not intend for any annual charges to act as a deterrent to 
qualified credit unions but rather as a more equitable way of assessing 
the cost of the derivatives program. The Board intends to encourage 
qualified credit unions to purchase risk-mitigating derivatives.
    Commenters might want to consider who would benefit if more credit 
unions engage in risk-mitigating derivatives and if NCUA enhances 
derivatives supervision:
     Would credit unions that purchase derivatives and 
successfully mitigate IRR benefit directly from a reduction in 
potential losses?
     Would that reduction in potential losses at credit unions 
with more than $250 million in assets benefit the NCUSIF?
     Would all federally insured credit unions benefit 
indirectly from NCUA's enhanced supervision of derivatives?

L. Changes to Part 715

    As noted above, the Board is also proposing a change to Sec.  715.2 
to clarify the financial statement audit requirement. Currently, this 
section only requires a credit union over $500 million in assets to 
obtain a financial statement audit. The proposed change clarifies that 
this requirement is in addition to the requirement in this rule that 
any credit union with derivatives authority, regardless of size, must 
obtain a financial statement audit.

M. Changes to Part 741

    Subpart B of part 741 contains a list of regulations that, by their 
terms, apply only to FCUs but that NCUA has determined, for safety and 
soundness reasons, apply to FISCUs. Section 219 of part 741 addresses 
investments, providing that FISCUs must follow the requirements in part 
703 regarding purchasing shares or deposits in corporate credit 
unions.\30\ The proposed rule designates that provision as

[[Page 32205]]

paragraph (a) of section 219 and adds a new paragraph (b) which 
requires FISCUs, which are permitted by state law to engage in 
derivatives transactions, to follow the requirements in subpart B of 
part 703.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ 12 CFR 741.219.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Regulatory Procedures

a. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NCUA to prepare an analysis 
of any significant economic impact any proposed regulation may have on 
a substantial number of small entities (primarily those under $50 
million in assets).\31\ The proposed rule allows credit unions to enter 
into certain derivatives transactions to reduce IRR. Since the proposed 
rule requires credit unions seeking derivatives authority to have at 
least $250 million in assets, it will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small credit unions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ 5 U.S.C. 603(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) applies to rulemakings in 
which an agency by rule creates a new paperwork burden on regulated 
entities or increases an existing burden.\32\ For purposes of the PRA, 
a paperwork burden may take the form of a reporting or recordkeeping 
requirement, both referred to as information collections. The proposed 
changes to part 703 impose new information collection requirements. As 
required by the PRA, NCUA is submitting a copy of this proposal to OMB 
for its review and approval. Persons interested in submitting comments 
with respect to the information collection aspects of the proposed rule 
should submit them to OMB at the address noted below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d); 5 CFR part 1320.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Estimated PRA Burden
    For the purposes of calculating the PRA burden, NCUA estimates that 
150 credit unions will apply for and be granted derivatives authority. 
NCUA further estimates that approximately 75 percent of this number, or 
113, will be Level I credit unions and 25 percent, or 37, will be Level 
II credit unions.
    Section 703.104 of the proposed rule requires a credit union to 
operate according to written, comprehensive policies and procedures for 
control, measurement, and management of derivatives transactions. To do 
so, a credit union must first develop such policies and procedures. 
NCUA estimates that it will take a credit union seeking Level I 
derivatives authority an average of 40 hours to develop appropriate 
policies and procedures and a credit union seeking Level II authority 
80 hours to do so. This is a one-time recordkeeping burden.
    Section 703.104(b) of the proposed rule requires a credit union's 
board of directors to review the derivatives policies and procedures 
annually and update them when necessary. NCUA estimates this ongoing 
recordkeeping burden will take an average of 10 hours per year per 
Level I or Level II respondent.
    Section 703.107 of the proposed rule requires a credit union's 
senior executive officers to provide a monthly, comprehensive 
derivatives report to the credit union's board of directors. NCUA 
estimates this ongoing recordkeeping burden will take an average of 2 
hours per month (24 hours per year) per Level I or Level II respondent.
    Section 703.108(a)(1) of the proposed rule requires that a credit 
union retain evidence of annual derivatives training for its board of 
directors. NCUA estimates this ongoing recordkeeping requirement will 
take an average of 4 hours per year per Level I or Level II respondent.
    Section 703.108(b)(2) of the proposed rule requires that a credit 
union maintain a written and schematic description of the derivatives 
decision process. NCUA estimates that the one-time recordkeeping burden 
of creating the description will take 10 hours per Level I respondent 
and 20 hours per Level II respondent. The ongoing burden of maintaining 
the description will take 2 hours per year per Level I or II 
respondent.
    Section 703.108(b)(4) of the proposed rule requires a credit union 
engaging in derivatives transactions to obtain an annual financial 
statement audit by a certified public accountant. Section 715.5(a) of 
NCUA's Regulations already requires FCUs with assets of $500 million or 
greater to obtain an annual financial statement audit. Currently, 
approximately 60 credit unions with assets between $250 million and 
$500 million that meet the proposed CAMEL ratings requirements do not 
obtain annual financial statement audits. Due to the overhead costs 
associated with derivatives activity, NCUA estimates that 20 percent, 
or 12, of these credit unions will apply for and be granted derivatives 
authority. NCUA further estimates that a financial statement audit for 
a credit union of this size would cost approximately $50,000.
    Section 703.108(b)(6) of the proposed rule requires a credit union, 
before executing a derivatives transaction, to identify and document 
the circumstances leading to the decision to hedge, specify the 
derivatives strategy the credit union will employ, and demonstrate the 
economic effectiveness of the hedge. NCUA estimates a credit union will 
execute an average of 2 transactions per year and that it will take an 
average of 2 hours per transaction to complete the pre-execution 
analysis. This results in an ongoing recordkeeping burden of 4 hours 
per year per respondent.
    Sections 703.111 and 703.112 of the proposed rule require a credit 
union seeking Level I or Level II derivatives authority to submit a 
detailed application to NCUA. NCUA estimates that this one-time 
recordkeeping burden will take an average of 50 hours per respondent to 
prepare. This estimate does not include developing policies and 
procedures for operating a derivatives program and creating and 
maintaining a written and schematic description of the derivatives 
decision process, as those recordkeeping requirements are already 
accounted for above.
    Section 703.117 of the proposed rule requires a credit union that 
no longer meets the requirements of subpart B of part 703 to submit a 
corrective action plan to NCUA. NCUA estimates that 6 credit unions may 
have to submit an action plan each year and that a plan will take an 
average of 10 hours to prepare.
Summary of Collection Burden
Written policies and procedures:
    113 Level I credit unions x 40 hours = 4520 hours (one-time 
burden).
    37 Level II credit unions x 80 hours = 2960 hours (one-time 
burden).
Board review of policies and procedures:
    150 credit unions x 10 hours = 1500 hours.
Monthly derivatives report:
    150 credit unions x 24 hours = 3600 hours.
Evidence of Board training:
    150 credit unions x 4 hours = 600 hours.
Derivatives process description:
    113 Level I credit unions x 10 hours = 1130 hours (one-time 
burden).
    37 Level II credit unions x 20 hours = 740 hours (one-time burden).
    150 credit unions x 2 hours = 300 hours.
Financial statement audit:
    12 credit unions x $50,000 = $600,000.
Pre-execution analysis:
    150 credit unions x 4 hours = 600 hours.
Application:
    150 credit unions x 50 hours = 7500 hours (one-time burden).

[[Page 32206]]

Corrective action plan:
    6 credit unions x 10 hours = 60 hours.
Total Annual Hours Burden:
    23,510 (16,850 one-time only).
Total Annual Cost Burden:
    $600,000.
2. Submission of Comments
    NCUA considers comments by the public on this proposed collection 
of information in:
     Evaluating whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NCUA, 
including whether the information will have a practical use;
     Evaluating the accuracy of NCUA's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhancing the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimizing the burden of collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    The Paperwork Reduction Act requires OMB to make a decision 
concerning the collection of information contained in the proposed 
regulation between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in 
the Federal Register. Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of 
having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of 
publication. This does not affect the deadline for the public to 
comment to NCUA on the substantive aspects of the proposed regulation.
    Comments on the proposed information collection requirements should 
be sent to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, New 
Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; Attention: NCUA Desk 
Officer, with a copy to Mary Rupp, Secretary of the Board, National 
Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 
22314-3428.

c. Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to 
consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. 
NCUA, an independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), 
voluntarily complies with the executive order to adhere to fundamental 
federalism principles. The proposed rule does not have substantial 
direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the national 
government and the states, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. While the 
Board notes that this proposed rule applies to certain FISCUs, the 
Board does not believe that this rule rises to the level of a 
regulation ``that has substantial direct effects on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. This rule does not grant any authority to FISCUs that has 
not been granted by applicable state law. In addition, any FISCU 
applying must apply to its state first and NCUA must concur with the 
state's determination. NCUA has, therefore, determined that this 
proposal does not constitute a policy that has federalism implications 
for purposes of the executive order.

d. Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

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

e. Agency Regulatory Goals

    NCUA's goal is to promulgate clear and understandable regulations 
that impose minimal regulatory burden. The Board requests comments on 
whether this rule is understandable and minimally intrusive.

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 703

    Credit unions, Investments.

12 CFR Part 715

    Audits, Credit unions, Supervisory committees.

12 CFR Part 741

    Credit, Credit unions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Share insurance.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board, on May 16, 
2013.
Mary F. Rupp,
Secretary of the Board.

    For the reasons discussed above, the National Credit Union 
Administration proposes to amend parts 703, 715, and 741 as follows:

PART 703--INVESTMENT AND DEPOSIT ACTIVITIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 703 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1757(7), 1757(8), 1757(15).

0
2. Existing sections Sec. Sec.  703.1 through 703.20 are redesignated 
under the following subpart A heading:

Subpart A--General Investment and Deposit Activities

* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  703.2 by revising the definitions of ``derivatives'' and 
``fair value'' and adding definitions of ``forward sales commitment'' 
and ``interest rate lock commitment'' to read as follows:


Sec.  703.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Derivatives means an instrument that has its price based on or 
derived from one or more underlying assets.
* * * * *
    Fair value means the price that would be received to sell an asset 
or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 
market participants at the measurement date, as defined by GAAP.
* * * * *
    Forward sales commitment means an agreement to sell a property at a 
price and future date specified in the agreement.
* * * * *
    Interest rate lock commitment means an agreement by a credit union 
to hold a certain interest rate and points for a specified amount of 
time while a borrower's application is processed.
* * * * *
0
4. Add paragraph (k) to Sec.  703.14 to read as follows:


Sec.  703.14  Permissible investments.

* * * * *
    (k) Derivatives. A federal credit union may only enter into in the 
following derivatives transactions:
    (1) Any derivatives permitted under Sec.  701.21(i) of this 
chapter, Sec.  703.14(g), or subpart B of this part;
    (2) Embedded options not required under generally accepted 
accounting principles (GAAP) adopted in the United States to be 
accounted for separately from the host contract; and
    (3) Interest rate lock commitments or forward sales commitments 
made in connection with a loan originated by a federal credit union.


Sec.  703.16  [Amended]

0
5. Remove paragraph (a) of Sec.  703.16 and redesignate paragraphs (b), 
(c), (d), as (a), (b), (c), respectively.
0
6. Add subpart B to read as follows:
Subpart B--Derivatives Authority
Sec.

[[Page 32207]]

703.100 Purpose and Scope.
703.101 Definitions.
703.102 Permissible derivatives transactions.
703.103 Eligibility.
703.104 Policies and procedures for operating a Level I or Level II 
program.
703.105 Collateral requirements for operating a Level I or Level II 
program.
703.106 Counterparty requirements for operating a Level I or Level 
II program.
703.107 Reporting requirements for operating a Level I or Level II 
program.
703.108 Systems, processes, and personnel requirements for operating 
a Level I or Level II derivatives program.
703.109 Specific Level I limits and requirements.
703.110 Specific Level II limits and requirements.
703.111 Applying for Level I or Level II authority.
703.112 Application content.
703.113 Application review by regulators.
703.114 Pilot program participants and FISCUs with active 
derivatives positions.
703.115 Regulatory violation.

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1757(7), 1757(8), 1757 (15).

Subpart B--Derivatives Authority


Sec.  703.100  Purpose and Scope.

    (a) Application of this subpart. Unless explicitly specified 
otherwise, the requirements of this subpart apply to:
    (1) Federal credit unions; and
    (2) Federally insured, state-chartered credit unions that are 
permitted to engage in derivatives transactions under applicable state 
law.
    (b) Sections 703.101-703.109 and 703.111-703.116 apply to a Level I 
derivatives program. Sections 703.101-703.108 and 703.110-703.116 apply 
to a Level II derivatives program.
    (c) Purpose. This subpart allows credit unions to purchase interest 
rate caps and enter into interest rate swap transactions exclusively 
for the purpose of reducing their interest rate risk exposure.


Sec.  703.101  Definitions.

    For purposes of this subpart:
    (a) Book value means the value at which the derivative is carried 
on a statement of financial condition prepared in accordance with GAAP;
    (b) Counterparty means the other party that participates in a 
derivatives transaction;
    (c) Derivative means an instrument that has its price based on or 
derived from one or more underlying assets;
    (d) Economic effectiveness means the extent to which a derivatives 
transaction results in offsetting changes in the interest rate risk 
that the transaction was, and is, intended to provide;
    (e) External service provider means any entity that provides 
services to assist a credit union in carrying out its derivatives 
program and the requirements of this rule;
    (f) Fair value has the meaning specified in Sec.  703.2 of subpart 
A of this part;
    (g) Field Director means an NCUA Regional Director, the Director of 
the Office of National Examinations and Supervision, or any other NCUA 
Director designated to directly supervise credit unions eligible to 
apply for this authority;
    (h) Hedge means to enter into a derivatives transaction to protect 
against loss created by changes in interest rates;
    (i) Interest rate cap means a contract, based on an interest rate, 
for payment to the purchaser when the interest rate rises above a level 
specified in the contract;
    (j) Interest rate risk means the estimated change in earnings or 
value of an asset, liability, portfolio, or statement of financial 
condition as measured in terms of price, net interest income, or net 
economic valuation change from current levels;
    (k) Interest rate swap means an agreement to exchange future 
payments of interest on a notional amount at specific times and for a 
specified time period, paid in U.S. dollars. The exchange may be fixed 
to floating or floating to fixed;
    (l) ISDA agreement means an agreement specified by the 
International Swaps and Derivatives Association that consists of a 
master agreement, a schedule, confirmations, definition booklets, and a 
credit support annex;
    (m) Leveraged derivative means a derivative with interest rates 
that change proportionally with the contractual rate or index;
    (n) Major swap participant has the meaning defined by the Commodity 
Futures Trading Commission in 17 CFR Sec.  1.3(hhh);
    (o) Minimum transfer amount means the amount of collateral that can 
be required per transfer to cover exposure in excess of the collateral 
threshold;
    (p) Net economic value means the economic value of assets minus the 
economic value of liabilities;
    (q) Net worth has the meaning specified in Sec.  702.2 of this 
chapter;
    (r) Notional amount means the predetermined dollar amount on which 
exchanged interest payments are based;
    (s) Novate means the substitution of an old obligation with a new 
one that either replaces an existing obligation with a new obligation 
or replaces an original party with a new party;
    (t) Structured liability offering means an offering with 
contractual option features, such as periodic caps and calls, similar 
to those found in structured securities or structured notes;
    (u) Senior executive officer is, for the purposes of this rule, a 
credit union's chief executive officer (typically this individual holds 
the title of president or treasurer/manager), any assistant chief 
executive officer (e.g., any assistant president, any vice president or 
any assistant treasurer/manager), and the chief financial officer 
(controller) that are directly within the chain of command for the 
oversight of a credit union's derivatives program, as identified in a 
credit union's process and responsibility framework, discussed in Sec.  
703.108(b)(2) of this subpart;
    (v) Swap dealer has the meaning defined by the Commodity Futures 
Trading Commission in 17 CFR 1.3(ggg);
    (w) Threshold amount means an unsecured credit exposure that the 
parties are prepared to accept before asking for collateral; and
    (x) Weighted average life means the weighted average length of time 
to the final maturity of derivatives contracts, calculated by 
multiplying the notional amount of each contract by the time to 
maturity and then adding each of those numbers together and dividing by 
the total notional amount of the contracts.


Sec.  703.102  Permissible derivatives transactions.

    As part of its regulator approved strategy, a credit union may only 
purchase interest rate caps or enter into interest rate swap 
transactions that are:
    (a) For the purpose of managing interest rate risk;
    (b) Not leveraged;
    (c) Based on domestic rates, as defined in Sec.  703.14(a) of 
subpart A of this part;
    (d) Denominated in U.S. dollars;
    (e) Except as provided in Sec.  703.14(g) of subpart A of this 
part, not used to create structured liability offerings for members or 
nonmembers;
    (f) Settled within three business days of entering into the 
transaction; and
    (g) Interest rate swaps that do not have fluctuating notional 
amounts.


Sec.  703.103  Eligibility.

    (a) A credit union may apply for Level I or Level II derivatives 
authority if it meets the following criteria:
    (1) It provides an interest rate risk mitigation plan, which 
includes derivatives and shows how derivatives are one aspect of its 
overall interest rate risk mitigation strategy;
    (2) Its most recent composite CAMEL code rating assigned by NCUA is 
1, 2, or 3 with a management component of 1 or 2; and
    (3) It has assets of at least $250 million, as of its most recent 
call report.

[[Page 32208]]

    (b) A credit union seeking Level II authority must also show why 
the limits under Level I authority are insufficient for it to 
effectively mitigate interest rate risk.


Sec.  703.104  Policies and procedures for operating a Level I or Level 
II program.

    A credit union must operate according to written, comprehensive 
policies and procedures for control, measurement, and management of 
derivatives transactions.
    (a) At a minimum, the policies and procedures must cover:
    (1) Managerial oversight and responsibilities;
    (2) Scope of activities;
    (3) Approved counterparties;
    (4) Risk management (market, credit, liquidity, settlement, and 
operations);
    (5) Legal issues;
    (6) Accounting and financial reporting in accordance with GAAP;
    (7) Derivatives limits;
    (8) Aggregate counterparty exposure;
    (9) A limit on the amount of exposure the credit union will have to 
any single counterparty, expressed as a percentage of net worth;
    (10) Margin requirements; and
    (11) Reporting requirements.
    (b) A credit union's board of directors must review the derivatives 
policies and procedures annually and update them when necessary.


Sec.  703.105  Collateral requirements for operating a Level I or Level 
II program.

    (a) A credit union's collateral arrangements must be supported by a 
bilateral ISDA credit support annex and comply with all applicable 
requirements of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
    (b) A credit union may only accept collateral to secure a 
derivatives transaction that is permissible for a credit union to hold 
as enumerated in the Federal Credit Union Act, subpart A of this part, 
and its investment policies. Acceptable collateral is limited to cash, 
Treasury securities, fixed-rate non-callable agency debentures, and 
zero-coupon non-callable agency debentures.
    (c) Daily, a credit union must price derivatives positions and 
calculate its fair value exposure.
    (d) Daily, a credit union must be collateralized for all 
transactions to at least 100 percent of the transactions, based on the 
risk of the collateral.
    (e) A credit union must set threshold amounts to zero.
    (f) A counterparty to a derivatives transaction cannot hold or be 
the custodian of the collateral, except for affiliates of the 
counterparty that are separate legal entities. In any custodial 
arrangement, the custodian must: be organized and doing business under 
the laws of the United States or any state thereof; authorized under 
such laws to exercise corporate trust or custodial powers; have equity 
of at least $50,000,000; and be subject to supervision or examination 
by a federal or state authority.
    (g) The minimum transfer amount must be less than or equal to 
$250,000.
    (h) A credit union using collateral netting arrangements must have 
the ability to disaggregate and report individual exposures within and 
across all counterparties.
    (i) A credit union may agree to provide additional collateral to a 
counterparty in a credit support annex so long as the credit union 
complies with all other collateral provisions in this subpart.
    (j) A credit union must have systems in place to effectively manage 
collateral.
    (1) A credit union's collateral management process must monitor its 
collateral daily and ensure that its derivatives positions are 
collateralized at all times in accordance with the collateral 
requirements of this subpart and the credit union's ISDA agreement with 
its counterparty. This includes the posting, tracking, valuing, and 
reporting of collateral to state positive and negative exposure using a 
daily fair value.
    (2) A credit union must have the ability to analyze and measure 
potential liquidity needs related to its derivatives program and 
stemming from additional collateral requirements due to changes in 
interest rates. It must also be able to calculate and track contingent 
liquidity needs in the event a derivatives transaction needs to be 
novated or terminated. A credit union's senior executive officers must 
establish effective controls for liquidity exposures arising from both 
market or product liquidity and instrument cash flows.


Sec.  703.106  Counterparty requirements for operating a Level I or 
Level II program.

    (a) A credit union must have an ISDA agreement in place to 
establish a credit relationship with any counterparty.
    (b) Any derivatives counterparty must be either a ``swap dealer'' 
or ``major swap participant,'' and:
    (1) Organized and doing business under the laws of the United 
States or any state thereof; or
    (2) A United States branch of a foreign depository institution, 
licensed to do business under the laws of the United States or any 
state thereof.
    (c) A credit union must calculate and manage individual 
counterparty exposure by book value and fair value. A credit union must 
conduct stress tests of counterparty exposures.
    (d) A credit union must analyze counterparty credit risks, 
including, but not limited to: counterparty exposures, concentrations, 
credit exceptions, and nonperforming contracts. The credit union's 
board of directors must receive monthly, detailed reports addressing 
aggregate counterparty credit exposures.


Sec.  703.107  Reporting requirements for operating a Level I or Level 
II program.

    At least monthly, a credit union's senior executive officers must 
deliver to the credit union's board of directors, separately or as part 
of the standard funds management or asset/liability report, a 
comprehensive derivatives report. At a minimum, this report must 
include:
    (a) Identification of any areas of noncompliance with any provision 
of this subpart or the credit union's policies;
    (b) Utilization of the limits in Sec.  703.109 or Sec.  703.110, as 
applicable, and the limits in the credit union's policies;
    (c) An itemization of the credit union's individual positions and 
aggregate fair and book values;
    (d) A comprehensive view of the credit union's statement of 
financial condition, including, but not limited to, net economic value 
calculations for the credit union's statement of financial condition 
done with derivatives included and excluded; and
    (e) The cost of executing new derivatives transactions. A credit 
union can express this cost through a comparison with observed market 
quotes and/or offering levels from other counterparties. Observed 
market quotes can include swap rates or external service provider 
modeled cap prices.


Sec.  703.108  Systems, processes, and personnel requirements for 
operating a Level I or Level II derivatives program.

    (a) Required experience and competencies. A credit union operating 
a derivatives program must internally possess the following experience 
and competencies:
    (1) Board. Before entering into any derivatives transactions, and 
annually thereafter, a credit union's board members must receive 
training to provide a general understanding of derivatives and 
knowledge to provide strategic oversight of the credit union's 
derivatives program. This includes understanding how derivatives fit 
into the credit union's business model and risk management process. The 
credit union must maintain evidence of this training, in accordance 
with its

[[Page 32209]]

document retention policy, until its next NCUA or state supervisory 
authority examination.
    (2) Senior executive officers. A credit union's senior executive 
officers must have sufficient knowledge and experience to understand, 
approve, and provide oversight for the derivatives activities 
commensurate with the complexity of the derivatives program. These 
individuals must have a comprehensive understanding of how derivatives 
fit into the credit union's business model and risk management process. 
A credit union must immediately notify NCUA (and, if applicable, the 
appropriate SSA) when a senior executive officer position as defined in 
this rule becomes vacant. A credit union must also immediately provide 
NCUA (and, if applicable, the appropriate SSA) with documentation 
evidencing knowledge and experience for any person who becomes a senior 
executive officer as defined in this rule while the credit union has 
derivatives authority.
    (3) Qualified derivatives personnel. To engage in derivatives 
transactions with Level I authority, a credit union must have 
knowledgeable and experienced employees that, except as provided in 
Sec.  703.110(f) of this subpart for Level II authority, have at least 
three years of direct transactional experience in the trading, 
structuring, analyzing, monitoring, or auditing of financial 
derivatives transactions at a financial institution, a risk management 
advisory practice, or a financial regulatory organization. Staff must 
also have the demonstrated expertise in the statement of financial 
condition analysis described in Sec.  703.107(d) of this subpart. These 
employees must, at a minimum, accomplish the following:
    (i) Asset/liability risk management. Staff must be qualified to 
understand and oversee asset/liability risk management including the 
appropriate role of derivatives. This includes identifying and 
assessing risk in transactions, developing asset/liability risk 
management strategies, testing the effectiveness of asset/liability 
risk management, determining the effectiveness of managing interest 
rate risk under a range of stressed rate and statement of financial 
condition scenarios, and evaluating the relative effectiveness of 
alternative strategies;
    (ii) Accounting and financial reporting. Staff must be qualified to 
understand and oversee appropriate accounting and financial reporting 
for derivatives transactions in accordance with GAAP;
    (iii) Trade execution and oversight. Staff must be qualified to 
undertake or oversee trade executions; and
    (iv) Credit, collateral, and liquidity management. Staff must be 
qualified to evaluate credit risk, manage collateral, and evaluate 
liquidity risk, as described in Sec. Sec.  703.105 and 703.106 of 
subpart B of this part.
    (b) Required management and internal controls structure. To 
effectively manage its derivatives activities, a credit union must 
allocate resources sufficient to support the scope and complexity of 
its derivatives activities. An effective management and internal 
controls structure includes, at a minimum, the following:
    (1) Separation of duties. A credit union's process, whether 
conducted internally or by an external service provider, must have 
appropriate separation of duties for the following functions:
    (i) Derivatives execution and oversight;
    (ii) Accounting for and confirmation of the derivatives 
transactions;
    (iii) Asset/liability risk management; and
    (iv) Credit, collateral, and liquidity management.
    (2) Process and responsibility framework. A credit union must 
maintain, in its derivatives policies and procedures, a written and 
schematic (e.g. flow chart or organizational chart) description of the 
derivatives decision process. The process must include the roles of 
staff, external advisors, senior executive officers, the board of 
directors, and any others involved in the derivatives program and 
demonstrate separation of duties, independent risk management, and 
effective oversight.
    (3) Internal controls review. A credit union must have an internal 
controls audit at least annually that ensures the timely identification 
of weaknesses in internal controls, modeling methodologies, and the 
risk oversight process. This internal controls review must be performed 
by external individuals qualified to evaluate the attributes of a 
derivatives program. An internal controls audit must incorporate an 
evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls relevant to 
measuring, monitoring, reporting, and limiting risks. The scope of the 
internal controls review must also include coverage of the accounting, 
legal, operating, and risk controls.
    (4) Financial statement audit. A credit union must obtain an annual 
financial statement audit, as defined in Sec.  715.2(d) of this 
chapter, by an independent state-licensed certified public accountant 
with at least two years of experience evaluating derivatives 
transactions.
    (5) Legal review. Before executing any transactions under this 
subpart, a credit union must receive a legal opinion from qualified 
counsel stating that the credit union's ISDA agreements are enforceable 
and that the credit union is complying with applicable laws and 
regulations relating to operating a derivatives program. Qualified 
counsel means an attorney with at least five years of experience 
reviewing derivatives transactions. A credit union must also ensure any 
counterparty is authorized to enter into such transactions.
    (6) Hedge review. Before executing any derivatives transaction, a 
credit union must identify and document the circumstances leading to 
the decision to hedge, specify the derivatives strategy the credit 
union will employ, and demonstrate the economic effectiveness of the 
hedge.
    (c) Transactions management. A credit union must have support 
systems in place to provide accurate and timely transaction processing.
    (d) Asset/liability risk management. A credit union must have the 
systems and operational capacity to derive net economic value and 
understand interest rate risk.
    (e) Use of external service providers. As specified in Sec.  
703.109 and Sec.  703.110, as applicable, a credit union may use 
external service providers to support or conduct certain aspects of its 
derivatives program, provided:
    (1) The external service provider, including affiliates, cannot:
    (i) Be a counterparty to any derivatives transactions involving the 
credit union;
    (ii) Be a principal or agent in any derivatives transaction 
involving the credit union; or
    (iii) Have discretionary authority to execute any of the credit 
union's derivatives transactions.
    (2) The credit union has the internal capacity, experience, and 
skills to oversee and manage any external service providers it uses; 
and
    (3) The credit union documents the specific uses of external 
service providers in its process and responsibility framework, as 
described in Sec.  703.108(b)(2) of this subpart.


Sec.  703.109  Specific Level I limits and requirements.

    A credit union with Level I derivatives authority must comply with 
the following specific limits and requirements:
    (a) A credit union approved only to enter into interest rate swaps 
must

[[Page 32210]]

restrict the aggregate notional amount of its interest rate swap 
transactions to 100 percent of net worth.
    (b) A credit union approved only to purchase interest rate caps 
must restrict the aggregate book value of its interest rate cap 
transactions to 10 percent of net worth.
    (c) A credit union approved to transact interest rate swaps and 
purchase interest rate caps may not exceed a combined limit of 100 
percent of the aggregate amount of each limit the credit union used 
under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. For example, a credit 
union may hold 80 percent of the limit for interest rate caps and 20 
percent of the limit for interest rate swaps, but cannot hold 100 
percent of the limit for each. This combined limit can be represented 
as:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP29MY13.001

    (d) The aggregate fair value loss of all swap positions into which 
the credit union has entered cannot exceed 10 percent of net worth.
    (e) The maximum permissible weighted average life on all 
derivatives positions may not exceed five years and the maximum 
permissible maturity for any single derivatives position may not exceed 
seven years.
    (f) Use of external service providers. A credit union may use 
external service providers to support or conduct certain processes, 
subject to the following restrictions:
    (1) Support. A credit union must internally and independently carry 
out and conduct the following functions, but may obtain assistance and 
input from an external service provider, provided the external service 
provider does not conduct the functions in lieu of the credit union:
    (i) Evaluating credit risk management;
    (ii) Evaluating liquidity risk; and
    (iii) Asset/liability management.
    (2) Conduct. Provided a credit union maintains responsibility for 
the following activities and an understanding of all of an external 
service provider's activities and work product, a credit union may 
contract with an external service provider to conduct these functions 
in lieu of the credit union:
    (i) Accounting and financial reporting;
    (ii) Counterparty exposure management;
    (iii) Trade execution;
    (iv) Transaction management;
    (v) Legal services;
    (vi) Collateral management; and
    (vii) Financial statement audit.


Sec.  703.110  Specific Level II limits and requirements.

    A credit union with Level II derivatives authority must comply with 
the following specific limits and requirements:
    (a) For a credit union approved only to enter into interest rate 
swaps, NCUA will establish the aggregate notional amount of its 
interest rate swap transactions at an amount not to exceed 250 percent 
of net worth.
    (b) For a credit union approved only to purchase interest rate 
caps, NCUA will establish the aggregate book value of its interest rate 
cap transactions at an amount not to exceed 25 percent of net worth.
    (c) For a credit union approved to transact interest rate swaps and 
interest rate caps, NCUA will establish the appropriate cumulative 
limit not to exceed individual limits in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section.
    (d) The aggregate fair value loss of all swap positions into which 
the credit union has entered cannot exceed 25 percent of net worth.
    (e) The maximum permissible weighted average life on all 
derivatives positions may not exceed seven years and the maximum 
permissible maturity for any single derivatives position may not exceed 
ten years.
    (f) The qualified derivatives personnel described in Sec.  
703.108(a)(3) must have at least five years of direct transactional 
experience in the trading, structuring, analyzing, monitoring, or 
auditing of financial derivatives transactions at a financial 
institution, a risk management advisory practice, or a financial 
regulatory organization. In addition to the activities the qualified 
derivatives personnel are required to conduct in Sec.  703.108(a)(3), 
they must also price options and undertake statement of financial 
condition simulations under multiple interest rate scenarios.
    (g) The exposure by notional amount to any single derivatives 
counterparty cannot exceed 100 percent of net worth for interest rate 
swaps and the book value may not exceed ten percent of net worth for 
interest rate caps.
    (h) Use of external service providers. A credit union may use 
external service providers to support or conduct certain processes, 
subject to the following restrictions:
    (1) Support. A credit union must internally and independently carry 
out and conduct the following functions, but may obtain assistance and 
input from an external service provider, provided the external service 
provider does not conduct the functions in lieu of the credit union:
    (i) Asset/liability risk management;
    (ii) Evaluating credit risk;
    (iii) Counterparty exposure management;
    (iv) Evaluating liquidity risk;
    (v) Collateral management; and
    (vi) Transaction management.
    (2) Conduct. Provided a credit union maintains responsibility for 
the following activities and an understanding of all of an external 
service provider's activities and work product, the credit union may 
contract with an external service provider to conduct these functions 
in lieu of the credit union:
    (i) Accounting and financial reporting;
    (ii) Trade execution;
    (iii) Financial statement audit; and
    (iv) Legal services.


Sec.  703.111  Applying for Level I or Level II authority.

    An eligible credit union must submit a request for Level I or Level 
II authority and a detailed application, consistent with this subpart, 
before engaging in any derivatives transactions. The application must 
include draft policies and procedures, the process and responsibility 
framework, and the proposed systems and personnel needed to efficiently 
and effectively manage the credit union's derivatives activities. A 
credit union must submit its application to:
    (a) The applicable Field Director, in the case of an FCU; or
    (b) The applicable state supervisory authority, in the case of a 
FISCU.


Sec.  703.112  Application content.

    A credit union applying for derivatives authority must demonstrate 
all of the following in its application:

[[Page 32211]]

    (a) An interest rate risk mitigation plan, which includes 
derivatives and shows how derivatives are one aspect of its overall 
interest rate risk mitigation strategy. A credit union applying for 
Level II authority must also show why the limits under Level I 
authority are not sufficient for it to mitigate interest rate risk.
    (b) How it plans to acquire, employ, and/or create the resources, 
policies, processes, systems, internal controls, modeling, and 
competencies to meet the requirements of this subpart. A credit union 
applying for Level II authority must have the systems and personnel 
required under this subpart in place before submitting its application.
    (c) That it has senior executive officers and a board of directors 
that understand the role derivatives play in the credit union's 
interest rate risk management and the risk inherent in derivatives 
activities.
    (d) How it intends to use external service providers as part of its 
derivatives program.


Sec.  703.113  Application review by regulators.

    (a) State supervisory authority review. A state supervisory 
authority will review an application submitted under this subpart and 
forward its decision to the applicable Field Director for concurrence.
    (b) NCUA review. After receiving an FCU's application or a state 
supervisory authority's decision, within 30 days from the date of its 
receipt, the Field Director will determine if the application is 
complete and meets the requirements of this subpart. The Field Director 
will notify the credit union within the following time frames if NCUA 
has approved or denied its application and the reason(s) for any 
denial:
    (1) Level I. 90 days from the date the appropriate Field Director 
determines a credit union's application is complete or, in the case of 
a FISCU, receives a decision from the applicable SSA; or
    (2) Level II. 120 days from the date the appropriate Field Director 
determines a credit union's application is complete or, in the case of 
a FISCU, receives a decision from the applicable SSA.
    (c) Right to appeal. Within 60 days from the date of denial by the 
Field Director, a credit union may submit a written appeal to NCUA's 
Supervisory Review Committee.


Sec.  703.114  Pilot program participants and FISCUs with active 
derivatives positions.

    (a) A credit union that, as of January 1, 2013, is holding 
derivatives under NCUA's derivatives pilot program or applicable state 
law must comply with the requirements of this subpart, including the 
application procedures, within 12 months from the effective date of 
this subpart. During the 12-month interim period, the credit union may 
continue to operate its derivatives program in accordance with its 
pilot program terms and conditions or applicable state law.
    (b) A credit union holding derivatives under NCUA's derivatives 
pilot program or state law that does not comply with the requirements 
of this subpart within 12 months or does not want to continue engaging 
in derivatives transactions must:
    (1) Stop entering into new derivatives transactions; and
    (2) Within 30 days, present a corrective action plan to the 
appropriate Field Director (and SSA in the case of a FISCU) describing 
how it will cure any deficiencies or unwind its derivatives program.
    (c) A credit union that is otherwise compliant with this subpart 
except that it is holding impermissible active derivatives positions it 
entered into before January 1, 2013, may enter into new derivatives 
transactions in accordance with this subpart, provided it provides NCUA 
(or NCUA and the SSA, in the case of a FISCU) with a plan accounting 
for the active positions in violation of this subpart.


Sec.  703.115  Regulatory violation.

    (a) A credit union engaging in derivatives transactions that no 
longer meets the requirements of subpart B of this part; fails to fully 
comply with its approved strategy, including employing the resources, 
policies, processes, and competencies that formed the basis for the 
approval; or has safety and soundness concerns identified by NCUA:
    (1) Must present a corrective action plan to the appropriate Field 
Director (and state supervisory authority in the case of a FISCU) 
within 30 days of the determination of the violation; and
    (2) May not enter into any new derivatives transactions until the 
Field Director (and state supervisory authority in the case of a FISCU) 
approves the corrective action plan.
    (b) NCUA may revoke a credit union's derivatives authority at any 
time for failure to comply with the requirements of this section or for 
any other safety and soundness reasons. Revocation will prohibit a 
credit union from entering into any new derivatives transactions. 
Revocation will not require the credit union to terminate existing 
derivatives transactions if, at the discretion of the Field Director 
(and state supervisory authority in the case of a FISCU), doing so 
would not be practicable or deemed unsafe or unsound. The Field 
Director (and state supervisory authority in the case of a FISCU) may 
require a credit union to terminate existing derivatives transactions 
if doing so would not pose a safety and soundness concern.
    (c) Within 60 days of NCUA's written notice of revocation of a 
credit union's derivatives authority, a credit union may appeal this 
decision to the NCUA Board. During the appeals process, the credit 
union does not have to terminate existing derivatives transactions, but 
it may not enter into any new derivatives transactions.

PART 715--SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE AUDITS AND VERIFICATIONS

0
7. The authority citation for part 715 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1761(b), 1761(d), 1782(a)(6).

0
8. Revise paragraph (a) of Sec.  715.5 to read as follows:


Sec.  715.5  Audit of Federal Credit Unions.

    (a) Total assets of $500 million or greater. To fulfill its 
Supervisory Committee audit responsibility, a federal credit union 
having total assets of $500 million or greater, except as provided in 
Sec.  703.108(b)(4) of this chapter, must obtain an annual audit of its 
financial statements performed in accordance with Generally Accepted 
Auditing Standards by an independent person who is licensed to do so by 
the State or jurisdiction in which the credit union is principally 
located.
* * * * *

PART 741--REQUIREMENTS FOR INSURANCE

0
9. The authority citation for part 741 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1757, 1766(a), 1781-1790, .31 U.S.C. 3717.

0
10. Revise Sec.  741.219 to read as follows:


Sec.  741.219  Investment requirements.

    (a) Any credit union which is insured pursuant to title II of the 
Act must adhere to the requirements stated in part 703 of this chapter 
concerning transacting business with corporate credit unions.
    (b) Derivatives. Any credit union which is insured pursuant to 
Title II of the Act and permitted by its state law to engage in 
derivatives must follow the

[[Page 32212]]

requirements of subpart B of part 703 of this chapter.
[FR Doc. 2013-12638 Filed 5-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P