Integration of National Bank and Federal Savings Association Regulations: Licensing Rules, 33259-33387 [2014-11473]

Download as PDF Vol. 79 Tuesday, No. 111 June 10, 2014 Part II Department of the Treasury emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 12 CFR Parts 4, 5, 7, et al. Integration of National Bank and Federal Savings Association Regulations: Licensing Rules; Proposed Rule VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33260 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 12 CFR Parts 4, 5, 7, 14, 32, 34, 100, 116, 143, 144, 145, 146, 150, 152, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 174, 192, 193 [Docket ID OCC–2014–0007] RIN 1557–AD80 Integration of National Bank and Federal Savings Association Regulations: Licensing Rules Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is proposing to integrate its rules relating to policies and procedures for corporate activities and transactions involving national banks and Federal savings associations, to revise some of these rules in order to eliminate unnecessary requirements consistent with safety and soundness, and to make other technical and conforming changes. The OCC also is proposing amendments to update its rules for agency organization and function. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 11, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to the OCC by any of the methods set forth below. Paper mail in Washington, DC and at the OCC may be subject to delay, however, and the OCC encourages commenters to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by email. For comments submitted to the OCC, please use the title ‘‘Integration of National Bank and Savings Association Regulations: Licensing Rules’’ to facilitate the organization and distribution of these comments. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov, enter ‘‘Docket ID OCC–2014–0007’’ in the Search Box, and click ‘‘Search’’. You can filter results by using the filtering tools on the left side of the screen. Click on ‘‘Comment Now’’ to submit public comments. Alternatively, click on the ‘‘Help’’ tab on the site’s home page to get information on using this site, including instructions for submitting public comments. • Email: Submit comments at regs.comments@occ.treas.gov. • Paper Mail: Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW., Suite 3E–218, Mail Stop 9W–11, Washington, DC 20219. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 • Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th Street SW., Suite 3E–218, Mail Stop 9W–11, Washington, DC 20219. • Fax: (571) 465–4326. Instructions: Include ‘‘OCC’’ as the agency name and ‘‘Docket ID OCC– 2014–0007’’ in each comment. In general, the OCC will enter each comment received into the docket and publish each comment on the Regulations.gov Web site without change, including any business or personal information, name and address, email addresses, and phone numbers. Comments received, including attachments and other supporting material, are part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. Do not enclose any information in a comment or supporting material that is confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure. You may review all comments received by the OCC and related materials by the following methods: • Viewing Comments Electronically: Go to www.regulations.gov, enter ‘‘Docket ID OCC–2014–0007’’ in the Search box, and click ‘‘Search’’. Comments can be filtered using the filtering tools on the left side of the screen. Alternatively, click on the ‘‘Help’’ tab on the site’s home page to get information on using this site, including instructions for viewing public comments, other supporting and related material, and the complete docket after the close of the comment period. • Viewing Comments in Person: You may inspect and photocopy comments in person at the OCC, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. For security reasons, you first must call (202) 649–6700 to make an appointment. Upon arrival at the OCC, you must present a valid governmentissued photo identification and submit to a security screening. • Docket: You may also view or request available background documents and project summaries using the methods described above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact Heidi Thomas, Special Counsel; Melissa Lisenbee, Law Clerk; or Stuart Feldstein, Director, Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, (202) 649–5490, for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649–5597; or Kevin Corcoran, Assistant Director, or Richard Cleva, Senior Counsel, Bank Activities and Structure, (202) 649–5500, or Stephen Lybarger, Deputy Comptroller for Licensing, (202) 649–6319, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Title III of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010), transferred to the OCC all functions of the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the Director of the OTS relating to Federal savings associations. As a result, the OCC is now responsible for the ongoing examination, supervision, and regulation of Federal savings associations, in addition to national banks and Federal branches and agencies. With a few exceptions, the OCC has one set of rules applicable to national banks and another set of rules applicable to Federal savings associations, or, where appropriate, to all savings associations.1 The OCC is now reviewing its rules to determine whether it is appropriate to integrate them into a single set of rules for both national banks and savings associations, taking into account consistency with the underlying statutes that apply to each type of institution. The key objectives of this review are to reduce regulatory duplication, promote fairness in supervision, eliminate unnecessary burden consistent with safety and soundness, and create efficiencies for both national banks and savings associations, as well as the OCC.2 In 1 Title III of the Dodd-Frank Act transferred the functions of the former OTS relating to state savings associations to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Dodd-Frank Act, section 312(b)(2)(C), 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(C). The Act also transferred to the OCC the rulemaking authority of the OTS relating to all savings associations, both State and Federal, unless rulemaking authority is provided to another agency by a specific statute. See Dodd-Frank Act, section 312(b)(2)(B)(i)(II), 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(B)(i)(II). On July 21, 2011, the OCC issued an interim final rule and request for comments that restated the former OTS regulations as 12 CFR parts 100 through 197, with nomenclature and other technical changes. See 76 FR 48950 (Aug. 9, 2011). The FDIC has identified a number of independent bases for rulemaking authority for State savings associations in some cases. Where there is no such independent rulemaking authority, the FDIC will enforce applicable OCC regulations for State savings associations. 2 Concurrent with our integration of national bank and Federal savings association rules, the OCC also is reviewing OTS-issued supervisory policies to integrate them into the OCC’s policy framework and to rescind any issuances that are duplicative, outdated, or replaced by other supervisory guidance. Our goal is to produce uniform policies for national banks and Federal savings associations, while recognizing differences that exist in statute. This policy review is occurring in conjunction with this integration rulemaking project. Many OTSissued supervisory policies already have been integrated, rescinded, or replaced by new or existing OCC guidance. We will update this policy guidance, as appropriate, to reflect the integration of OCC rules as of the effective date of the final rules. Until that time, the Dodd-Frank Act provides E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules addition, the OCC is in the latter stages of developing an electronic applications filing system capable of handling applications and other filings from both national banks and Federal savings associations. Accordingly, another important objective of this proposal is to complete the integration of our licensing rules expeditiously so that we can include these integrated rules in this new applications system. Based on this review of our national bank and savings association rules, the OCC is proposing to integrate its rules relating to corporate activities and transactions involving national banks and Federal savings associations (licensing rules).3 This integration would create, where possible, filing parity for all activities and transactions addressed in the OCC’s licensing rules. The OCC believes that it is more equitable and efficient to have a single filing and review process for corporate activities and transactions of national banks and Federal savings associations. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 II. Review Pursuant to the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 The OCC also will be participating in an interagency review of regulations pursuant to section 2222 of the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 (EGRPRA).4 EGRPRA requires the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) and the OCC, the FDIC, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) (collectively, the Agencies) to conduct a review of all their regulations to identify outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome regulations applicable to that all such OTS issuances continue in effect until modified, terminated, set aside, or superseded. See Dodd-Frank Act section 316(b)(2) (12 U.S.C. 5414(b)(2)); OCC Bulletins 2011–47 (Dec. 11, 2011), 2012–2 (Jan. 06, 2012), 2012–3 (Jan. 06, 2012), 2012–15 (May 17, 2012), and 2013–34 (Nov. 20); and www.occ.gov/publications/publications-bytype/comptrollers-handbook/index-comptrollershandbook.html. 3 The OCC previously has issued rulemakings that integrated, or proposed to integrate, its rules for national banks and Federal savings associations relating to lending limits, capital, flood insurance, and safety and soundness standards. See 78 FR 37930 (June 25, 2013); 78 FR 62018 (Oct. 11, 2013), 78 FR 65108 (October 30, 2013), and 79 FR 4282 (Jan. 27, 2014), respectively. Furthermore, the OCC recently issued a final rule that integrates its rules relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. See 79 FR 28393 (May 16, 2014). Because the OCC and the OTS adopted these rules on an interagency basis with other Federal regulators, the OCC did not make any substantive changes to these rules. 4 12 U.S.C. 3311. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 insured depository institutions. The FFIEC and the Agencies must conduct this review at least once every 10 years, and the next review must be completed by December 31, 2016. Over the next two years the OCC, FDIC and Federal Reserve Board will issue joint notices requesting comments on their rules pursuant to EGRPRA. The EGRPRA contemplates that the Agencies will initiate appropriate rulemakings to change or eliminate outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome rules, as appropriate, based on the comments received. The Agencies published the first EGRPRA notice on June 4, 2014.5 This interagency notice requests comments on three categories of rules, including the Agencies’ licensing rules. Thus, the timing of the OCC’s licensing integration review and the EGRPRA review of licensing rules overlaps. To ensure that the OCC’s final licensing rules take account of all comments we receive, the OCC will consider comments received on both this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and this first EGRPRA notice when finalizing its licensing integration rule. To minimize the potential for overlap and confusion going forward, and to afford the OCC the benefit of public comment through the EGRPRA process on potential ways to streamline and reduce burden for all of our rules, the OCC does not intend to publish further integration-specific proposals until the Agencies have completed the EGRPRA notice process. However, as has been the practice since the OCC assumed supervisory oversight of Federal savings associations, the OCC will continue to evaluate whether to integrate rules as they are otherwise revised (for example, as we did when amending the OCC’s lending limits rules to conform to the Dodd-Frank Act).6 III. Overview of the Proposal Part 5 sets forth the OCC’s rules, policies and procedures for national bank corporate activities and transactions. Subpart A sets forth the generally applicable rules and procedures, while subparts B through D contain the rules for national bank initial activities, the expansion of activities, and other changes in activities and operations. Subpart E addresses a national bank’s payment of dividends, and subpart F addresses Federal branches and agencies. The OCC’s equivalent rules, policies and procedures for Federal savings associations are dispersed throughout 5 79 FR 32172. 78 FR 37930 (June 25, 2013). 6 See PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33261 parts 100–199, with the generally applicable rules and procedures in part 116. The OCC proposes to revise part 5 to include the rules applicable to Federal savings associations and, to the extent appropriate, to delete the corresponding provisions found in parts 100 through 199. The proposal would consolidate most licensing provisions for Federal savings associations into the existing national bank rule in part 5 of the OCC’s regulations and would eliminate parts 116, 146, 152, 159, 174 and the corresponding provision in parts 143, 144, 145, 150, 160, and 163. These combined rules would be as follows: • Rules of general applicability (subpart A) • Organizing a national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.20) • Conversion from a national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.25) • Fiduciary powers of national banks or Federal savings associations (§ 5.26) • Business combinations involving a national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.33) • Bank service company investments of a national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.35) • Investment in national bank or Federal savings association premises (§ 5.37) • Change in location of a main office of a national bank or home office of Federal savings association (§ 5.40) • Corporate title of a national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.42) • Voluntary liquidation of a national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.48) • Change in control of a national bank or Federal savings association; reporting of stock loans (§ 5.50) • Changes in directors and senior executive officers of a national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.51) • Change of address of national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.52) • Substantial asset change by a national bank or Federal savings association (§ 5.53) In other cases, we propose separate rules for national banks and Federal savings association in part 5 because the rules do not apply to both charters, are better organized as separate rules, or because their differences and complexity make integration difficult. The new Federal savings association rules would be as follows: • Federal mutual savings association charters and bylaws (§ 5.21) • Federal stock savings association charters and bylaws (§ 5.22) • Conversion to become a Federal savings association (§ 5.23) E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33262 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules • Establishment, acquisition, and relocation of a branch of a Federal savings association (§ 5.31) • Operating subsidiaries of a Federal savings association (§ 5.38) • Increases in permanent capital of a Federal savings association (§ 5.45) • Capital distributions by a Federal savings association (§ 5.55) • Inclusion of subordinated debt securities and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock as supplementary (tier 2) capital (§ 5.56) • Pass-through investments by a Federal savings association (§ 5.58) • Service corporations of a Federal savings association (§ 5.59) The remaining rules in part 5 would continue to be applicable only to national banks, with the exception of subpart E. (Subpart E applies only to Federal branches and agencies, and we do not propose to amend it in this proposal.) We propose to revise some of these rules to be consistent with the changes proposed for Federal savings associations, revise the titles of some of these rules to reflect the inclusion of rules applicable to Federal savings associations in part 5, and to make other technical changes. These national bankonly rules would be as follows: • Establishment, acquisition, and relocation of a branch of a national bank (§ 5.30) • Expedited procedures for certain reorganizations of a national bank (§ 5.32) • Operating subsidiaries of a national bank (§ 5.34) • Other equity investments by a national bank (§ 5.36) • Financial subsidiaries of a national bank (§ 5.39) • Changes in permanent capital of a national bank (§ 5.46) • National bank subordinated debt as capital (§ 5.47) • Conversion to become a national bank (§ 5.24) • Payment of Dividends by National Banks, Subpart E In addition to the placement and integration of Federal savings association rules, this proposal would make substantive changes to the OCC’s licensing rules in order to eliminate unnecessary requirements or further the safe and sound operation of the institutions the OCC supervises. Furthermore, the proposal would make conforming and technical changes to the rules in parts 5, 7, and 34 and in various provisions of parts 100 through 199 to reflect the movement of the licensing rules for savings associations to part 5, to adjust section titles, and to conform cross-references. In particular, the OCC is proposing to replace, where VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 appropriate, references to ‘‘bank’’ with ‘‘national bank,’’ the term that parallels ‘‘Federal savings association.’’ Finally, the proposal would amend the OCC’s licensing rules to make consistent the OCC office to which a national bank or Federal savings association must file its notice or application. Specifically, the proposal would amend each rule in part 5 to direct such filings to the institution’s appropriate OCC licensing office or appropriate OCC supervisory office, as applicable, and, in clarifying amendments, would update the description of the OCC’s supervisory structure in part 4. A detailed description of each amendment in this NPRM is set forth below in Section IV of the preamble. Section V of the preamble summarizes the significant changes for national banks and Federal savings associations that would result from this NPRM. Section VIII of the preamble contains a redesignation table that indicates changes in the numbering of the rules as proposed. Sections V and VIII may be used as a quick-reference guide to our rulemaking and are intended to assist national banks and Federal savings associations, especially community institutions, in understanding the changes we propose. IV. Description of the Proposed Rule A. Part 4—District Offices (§ 4.5) Part 4 comprises regulations on a range of topics, including regulations pertaining to the OCC’s organizational structure. Section 4.4 describes the role of the OCC’s Washington office. Section 4.5 describes the role of the OCC’s district and field offices and sets forth the address of, and the geographical area covered by, each district office. However, § 4.4 and § 4.5 do not completely describe all of the OCC’s supervisory offices. The OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR part 4 by restructuring 12 CFR 4.5 to reflect more accurately the current supervisory structure for national banks and Federal savings associations. Specifically, the proposal revises § 4.5 to include a description and address of the OCC’s Midsize Bank Supervision program, and to provide that the district offices supervise community banks not otherwise supervised by the Washington office or Midsize Bank Supervision. The proposal also replaces the outdated reference to ‘‘duty stations’’ with the currently used ‘‘field office satellite offices.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 B. Part 5—Rules, Policies, and Procedures for Corporate Activities Rules of General Applicability (Part 5, Subpart A) Twelve CFR part 5, subpart A, and 12 CFR part 116 set forth the OCC’s generally applicable rules and procedures for processing filings 7 related to corporate activities and transactions of national banks and Federal savings associations, respectively. Both sets of regulations include filing requirements and explain where and how to file. The OCC believes that it is more efficient to have a single filing process for national banks and Federal savings associations, where possible, and proposes to amend subpart A to apply to both sets of institutions and to remove part 116. The OCC also proposes additional substantive and technical subpart A changes, as explained below. § 5.2 Rules of General Applicability. Current rules differ with respect to the scope and applicability of the generally applicable licensing procedures for national banks and Federal savings associations. The national bank rule at 12 CFR 5.2(a) states that the subpart A procedures apply to all part 5 filings, unless otherwise stated.8 Section 5.2(b) states that the OCC may adopt materially different procedures if it provides notice to affected parties. In contrast, the Federal savings association rule at § 116.1 states that the part 116 prefiling and filing procedures and the rules on OCC review apply to all required filings related to Federal savings associations, but that the publication requirements and the comment and meeting procedures apply only when an OCC regulation specifically incorporates these procedures or the OCC otherwise requires. Section 116.1(b) also specifies that part 116 does not apply to filings related to transactions under sections 13(c) or (k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDI Act); 9 certain final agency action requests; certain requests related to litigation, enforcement proceedings, or supervisory directives or agreements; or applications filed 7 Current rules use slightly different terminology for national banks and Federal savings associations. Under 12 CFR 5.3(i), a ‘‘filing’’ is an application or notice submitted under part 5. Twelve CFR 116.1(a) uses the word ‘‘application’’ to mean an application, notice or filing related to a Federal savings association. In this preamble, when it is not necessary to distinguish among the three, we use the word ‘‘filing’’ to refer to an application, notice, or filing. 8 Certain substantive activity or transaction rules in part 5 specify that one or more of the procedures in subpart A do not apply. In some cases, the rule specifies other procedures. 9 12 U.S.C. 1823(c) and (k). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules under an OCC regulation that prescribes other application processing procedures and time frames. As proposed, all subpart A procedures would apply to all part 5 OCC filings, unless the substantive rule specifically exempts the filing or the OCC states otherwise. This change would create filing parity for all national banks and Federal savings association activities and transactions addressed in proposed part 5. The effect of this change on a specific activity or transaction is discussed below, in the context of that activity or transaction. Section 5.2(c) also states that the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual (Manual) provides additional filing information and is available on-line and, for a fee, in print. The OCC proposes to revise this provision to state only that the Manual is available online. This proposed revision reflects the OCC’s decision to stop printing the Manual in hard copy, in order to reduce paper consumption and to ensure that the public receives only the most up-todate information. The OCC also is in the process of updating the Manual, as well as filing forms, to contain information on both national bank and Federal savings association filings. As indicated earlier in this preamble discussion, we also anticipate updating our electronic filing system so that a single system can receive filings from both national banks and Federal savings associations. Finally, § 5.2(d) states that the OCC may permit electronic filing for any class of filings. In order to reflect the agency’s move toward the more efficient and less costly electronic filings, we propose to revise this provision to state that the OCC encourages all filings to be made electronically. § 5.3 Definitions. Section 5.3 contains definitions of terms used throughout part 5. The OCC is proposing amendments to this section as part of the proposal to address both national bank and Federal savings association filings in part 5. For example, we propose to amend the definition of ‘‘capital and surplus’’ to include reference to Federal savings associations.10 The OCC also proposes to amend the § 5.3 definition of ‘‘eligible bank’’ to add ‘‘eligible savings associations.’’ Currently, an ‘‘eligible bank’’ is a 10 We note that the OCC issued a final rule on October 11, 2013 that, among other things, integrates the OCC’s national bank and Federal savings association capital rules. This integration has a two-tier effective date, with the integration complete for all savings associations on January 1, 2015. See 78 FR 62018. The OCC issued an interim final rule on February 28, 2014 that amends the OCC’s rules, including part 5, to reflect this integration. 79 FR 11300. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 national bank that (1) is well capitalized under the OCC’s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) regulations, (2) has a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (CAMELS), (3) has an ‘‘Outstanding’’ or ‘‘Satisfactory’’ CRA rating, and (4) is not subject to a cease and desist order, consent order, formal written agreement, or PCA directive, or, if it is, the OCC has informed the bank that it may nonetheless be treated as an ‘‘eligible bank.’’ Under certain of the substantive activity or transaction rules in part 5, an eligible bank may receive expedited review of a filing in the manner set out in the rule. Section 5.13(a)(2) sets out additional information about the expedited review process. Part 116 also has an expedited review process for certain filings. Specifically, § 116.5 provides that a Federal savings association filing will receive expedited treatment unless: (1) It has a composite or compliance rating below 2 or a CRA rating of Needs to Improve or Substantial Noncompliance, (2) it fails any part 3 or 167 capital requirement, as applicable, and has been notified that it is in troubled condition,11 (3) it does not have a composite, compliance, or CRA rating, or (4) the applicable regulation does not specifically state that expedited treatment is available. The OCC proposes to amend § 5.3 by defining ‘‘eligible bank or eligible savings association’’ (instead of ‘‘eligible bank’’) and by adding an OCC compliance rating of 1 or 2 to the eligibility requirements for all institutions. This proposal will create parity for all OCC filings with respect to the criteria that a filing must satisfy to receive expedited processing. Furthermore, because some limited purpose banks, such as trust banks, are not subject to the CRA, the proposal also would clarify that the CRA rating component applies only if the CRA is applicable to the institution. The addition of the OCC compliance rating would be a change for national banks, but not for Federal savings associations. The OCC believes that a bank’s compliance with statutes and regulations, particularly consumerrelated laws, should be a factor imposed by regulation in determining whether a bank may qualify for expedited treatment. Furthermore, as explained in greater detail below, because § 5.13(a)(2) permits the OCC to remove a filing from expedited review if it raises certain issues, including compliance 11 ‘‘Troubled condition’’ is currently defined at 12 CFR 163.555. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33263 concerns,12 this proposal would not be a significant change for national banks and would in fact provide more certainty regarding their eligibility for expedited review. With respect to Federal savings associations, the proposal may result in changes for some filings because the criteria in §§ 5.3 and 116.5 are not identical. Under the current rules, the two tests are similar in that they both require a composite CAMELS rating of 1 or 2 and a CRA rating of outstanding or satisfactory. In addition, if an institution has not received a rating, it is not eligible for expedited treatment under either set of current rules and would remain ineligible under the proposed rule. However, there are some differences. The first difference involves the capital requirement. Under the current savings association rule, both well and adequately capitalized institutions are eligible for expedited treatment. Under the proposal, only savings associations that are well capitalized would qualify for expedited review. The OCC proposes to apply the well capitalized requirement to savings associations because, in the OCC’s experience, national banks and Federal savings associations that are less than well capitalized are more likely than other institutions to present supervisory concerns such that expedited review is not necessarily appropriate. This requirement may exclude some savings associations that qualify for expedited treatment under the current rule. A second difference involves the supervisory condition of the savings association. Under the current savings association rule, the institution must not have been notified it is in troubled condition, while under the proposal, an eligible savings association must not be subject to certain orders, agreements or directives. Although different, these supervisory condition tests generally should have similar outcomes. The OCC also proposes to amend the definition of ‘‘eligible depository institution’’ to address the fact that either a national bank or a Federal savings association may enter into a transaction with an eligible depository institution, consistent with the changes proposed to 12 CFR 5.33 and discussed elsewhere in this rulemaking. Another proposed change is to the § 5.3 definition of ‘‘notice.’’ Section 5.3 defines a notice as a submission informing the OCC that a national bank intends to engage in or has commenced certain corporate activities or 12 In addition, § 5.2(b) provides the OCC with the authority to make exceptions for particular filings, where appropriate. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33264 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules transactions. Under § 5.3, an ‘‘application’’ is a submission requesting prior OCC approval to engage in various corporate activities and transactions. The two definitions suggest that a ‘‘notice’’ does not require OCC approval. However, the rules use the term ‘‘notice’’ in several different ways. In some rules, a ‘‘notice’’ is the same as an application in that the filer must obtain prior OCC approval before engaging in the activity or transaction. In other rules, a ‘‘notice’’ is similar to an application in that, while the OCC does not ‘‘approve’’ the filing, the OCC may disapprove it. In still other rules, the notice only informs the OCC that the filer intends to engage in or has engaged in a transaction. The OCC may review the notice, but there is no requirement of prior OCC approval. Some of the latter notices can be filed after-the-fact. We propose to add provisions to § 5.3(j) to clarify the scope of ‘‘notice,’’ as well as adding Federal savings associations to § 5.3(j). The OCC also proposes to strike the § 5.3 definition of ‘‘appropriate district office’’ and, instead, to define ‘‘appropriate OCC licensing office’’ as described at OCC.gov and ‘‘appropriate OCC supervisory office’’ as described in subpart A of 12 CFR part 4. This change will eliminate confusion caused by the current definition with respect to where a filing should be made. Conforming changes are proposed throughout part 5. Another proposed change is to the current definition of ‘‘short-distance relocation,’’ a term that is used in current national bank branch and main office relocations regulations.13 The OCC proposes to amend this definition to reference both national bank main office relocations and Federal savings association home office relocations, consistent with the changes proposed in 12 CFR 5.40 and discussed elsewhere in this rulemaking.14 The current ‘‘short-distance relocation’’ definition also references whether a branch is located within a ‘‘central city of a MSA (metropolitan statistical area).’’ The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which designates MSAs, uses the term ‘‘principal city’’ in describing MSAs.15 The OCC proposes to amend its current rule to use the term ‘‘principal city,’’ thereby bringing the rule into conformity with the MSA terminology 13 See 12 CFR 5.30(h)(2) and 12 CFR 5.40(d)(5)(ii), respectively. 14 As explained in the discussion of the proposed changes to 12 CFR 5.40, the Federal savings association home office is the equivalent of a national bank main office. 15 See, e.g., www.ffiec.gov/Geocode/help1.aspx (referencing MSAs and principal cities). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 used by OMB. In addition, we propose to strike the § 5.3 definition of ‘‘central city’’ and add a definition of ‘‘principal city.’’ ‘‘Principal city’’ will be defined as an area designated as such by OMB. These changes have no material effect. Under this proposal, this definition will apply to Federal savings associations without any other change to the current regulatory language. The current Federal savings association regulation uses the term ‘‘principal city.’’ Under this proposal, other definitions also will apply to Federal savings association filings without any language changes. These include the definitions of ‘‘applicant,’’ ‘‘application,’’ ‘‘depository institution,’’ and ‘‘filing.’’ Other non-substantive and technical changes are proposed to § 5.3. As noted above, the effect, if any, of a proposed § 5.3 change is discussed in the context of the substantive provision at issue. § 5.4 Filing required. Section 5.4(a) directs a depository institution to file an application or notice with the OCC to engage in national bank activities and transactions described in part 5. As a result of the other proposed changes to part 5, this directive would apply to Federal savings associations with respect to part 5 transactions and activities. No change is needed to the regulatory language in § 5.4 to achieve this result. Section 5.4(b) states that forms and instructions for filings are available in the Manual or from an OCC district office. The OCC proposes to revise this section to reflect the fact that the Manual is now available only on-line. As noted above, the OCC will be updating this Manual and it will contain information on both national bank and Federal savings association filings. Section 5.4(c) states that, at a filer’s request, the OCC may accept another agency’s form or filing if it contains substantially the same information required by the OCC. Section 116.25(c), which allows the OCC to waive certain filing requirements, has been used for this same purpose with respect to Federal savings association filings. Under proposed § 5.4(c), this option will remain available for both national banks and Federal savings associations with no changes to the regulatory text. Section 5.4(d) directs a filer to submit a filing or other submission to the OCC’s Director for District Licensing at the appropriate district office, unless directed otherwise in a pre-filing communication. For Federal savings associations, § 116.40(a) directs filings to the Director for District Licensing at the appropriate OCC licensing office or the OCC licensing office at OCC headquarters. In addition, under PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 § 116.40(b), if a filing involves significant issues of law or policy, or if the applicable regulation or form so directs, the applicant must also file copies at the OCC headquarters licensing office. As proposed, § 5.4(d) directs that part 5 filings and related submissions be addressed to the appropriate OCC licensing or appropriate OCC supervisory office (unless the OCC advises otherwise through a pre-filing communication) and states that the relevant addresses are on the OCC’s Internet Web page, www.OCC.gov. Furthermore, the OCC’s current rules do not specify the number of copies of a filing that must be provided to the OCC. This information generally is stated on the form itself or in the Manual. In contrast, § 116.40(a) states that Federal savings association filers must submit to the appropriate licensing office or the OCC licensing office at headquarters the original form plus the number of copies specified on the application. If none is specified, § 116.40(a) directs applicants to submit the original plus two copies. The OCC is removing this requirement and, instead, directs Federal savings association filers to consult the appropriate form and the Manual for information on the number of required copies. Section 5.4(e) permits an applicant to incorporate by reference relevant, current information contained in another OCC application or filing, provided that the material (1) is attached to the application, (2) is current, and (3) is responsive to the requested information. The filing must clearly indicate that the information is incorporated and include a crossreference to the incorporated information. With respect to Federal savings association filings, § 116.25(c), which allows the OCC to waive certain filing requirements, is currently used to allow incorporation by reference. Moreover, the Federal savings association filing forms themselves typically provide for incorporating by reference other documents. As proposed, § 5.4(e) would apply to all filings with the OCC, without any change to the regulatory language and with no material change to affected institutions or persons. Finally, § 116.15(b)(2) encourages all applicants to contact the appropriate OCC licensing office to determine whether the applicant must attend a prefiling meeting or whether the submission of a draft business plan or other information would expedite the application review process. Section 116.20 describes the required contents E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 of a draft business plan.16 In contrast, part 5, subpart A does not include rules on prefiling meetings, although specific activity or transaction rules may address these meetings,17 and the OCC may request such a meeting on a case-by-case basis under § 5.2(b). Subpart A also does not address the submission of business plans to the OCC. The OCC has found that prefiling meetings, as well as the submission of business plans or other information before such meetings, often result in a more efficient review process. In order to highlight this opportunity, the OCC proposes to revise subpart A by adding a new § 5.4(f) that encourages application filers to contact the OCC to determine the need for a prefiling meeting, regardless of whether a prefiling meeting is specifically required by another regulation. This new provision also states that the OCC will decide on a case-by-case basis whether a meeting is necessary and states that the prior submission of a draft business plan or other relevant information may expedite the process. Unlike part 116, however, the proposal does not specify what must be included in a draft business plan because the OCC does not believe that this level of detail is necessary in regulatory text. The proposed rule does note, however, that information on model business plans can be found in the Manual. § 5.5 Filing fees. Section § 5.5 states that an applicant shall submit filing fees in the form of a check made payable to the OCC. The rule also states that the OCC publishes a fee schedule annually and does not generally refund filing fees. Section 116.45(a)(3) addresses the payment of Federal savings association filings fees, directing applicants to submit fees to the appropriate OCC licensing office and permitting fees to be paid by check, money order, cashier’s check, or wire transfer. Under this proposal, § 5.5 will apply to all fees paid to the OCC and will be revised to state that fees may be paid by check, money order, cashier’s check, or wire transfer. This statement is consistent with both the current Federal savings association rule and the OCC’s ability to accept these forms of payment from all filers. The section also will state that additional filing fee 16 Certain Federal savings association activity and transaction rules also address these meetings. See, e.g., 12 CFR 116.15(a)(1) (discussing prefiling meetings when organizing a Federal savings association). 17 See, e.g., 12 CFR 5.20(i) (discussing prefiling meetings when organizing a national bank); 12 CFR 5.24(d)(2) (discussing prefiling meetings when converting to a national bank); and 12 CFR 116.15(a)(1) (discussing prefiling meetings when organizing a Federal savings association). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 information, including where to submit the fee, can be found in the Manual. Finally, as a technical amendment, the OCC proposes to remove the word ‘‘annually’’ from the § 5.5 description of when it publishes a fee schedule, to clarify that, as stated in 12 CFR 8.8, the OCC may publish an interim or amended filing fee schedule, in addition to its annual publication. § 5.7 Investigations. Section 5.7 states that the OCC may examine or investigate and evaluate facts related to a filing to the extent necessary to reach an informed decision. Section 116.230 has a somewhat narrower scope and time frame, providing that the OCC may conduct an eligibility examination at any time before it deems an application complete. As proposed, § 5.7 would apply to all filings received by the OCC, including those related to Federal savings associations, because the OCC believes that the more flexible approach in § 5.7 is preferable. Section 5.7 also states that, as described in 12 CFR 8.6, the OCC has the authority to assess fees for special examinations and investigations. Section 8.6 is currently applicable to both national banks and Federal savings associations and related filings, as a result of the July 21, 2011 final rule,18 discussed above. As a result, the application of § 5.7 under this proposal to Federal savings association filings will be a technical change only. § 5.8 Public notice. Under § 5.8(a), on the date of filing or as soon as practicable before or after filing, a national bank applicant shall publish a public notice in a general circulation newspaper in the community in which the applicant proposes to engage in business. The rules do not specify the language in which the notice must be published. Under § 116.60, a Federal savings association applicant shall publish notice no earlier than seven days before and no later than the date of the filing. Under § 116.80, this notice must be published in an English-language newspaper unless the OCC determines that the primary language of a significant number of adult residents of the community is not English, in which case the agency may require the applicant simultaneously to publish one or more additional notices in the appropriate language or languages. Under this proposal, § 5.8(a) would apply to all applicants. As a result, Federal savings associations would no longer have to publish a public notice within the seven days before the filing date but may publish as soon as 18 76 PO 00000 FR 43549. Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33265 practicable before or after filing, unless otherwise required.19 This change would provide Federal savings association filers with the same flexibility that national bank filers have with respect to when to publish a public notice while still providing the public with timely notice. In addition, the OCC proposes to add to § 5.8(a) the requirements in § 116.80 that notices must be published in English and, if the OCC determines it is necessary, also in other languages. As a result, national bank filers would be required to publish their notices in English and may be required simultaneously to publish in languages other than English, as is currently the case for Federal savings associations. This change will further ensure that interested persons have meaningful access to the § 5.8(a) notice. Section 5.8(b) now states that a public notice must include: (1) A statement that a filing is being made, (2) the date of the filing, (3) the applicant’s name, (4) the subject matter of the filing, (5) a statement that the public may submit comments to the OCC and where such comments should be sent, (6) the comment period closing date, and (7) any other information that the OCC requires. Section § 116.55 requires that similar, but not identical, information be included in a public notice. The OCC proposes to revise § 5.8(b) to include Federal savings associations and to add some requirements to the notice included in § 116.55. As a result, in addition to what § 5.8(b) currently requires, a public notice related to a national bank filing also would be required to include (1) the name of the institution that is the subject of the filing, (2) a statement that the public portion of the filing is available on request, and (3) the address of the applicant. The public notice also would need to state that the public may submit comments to the appropriate OCC licensing office and provide the address of this office. A public notice related to a Federal savings association filing, in addition to the information currently required under § 116.55, also would need to include a specific statement that a filing is being made and the date of the filing. The OCC believes that proposed § 5.8(b) would provide the public with the full range of helpful information and treat all part 5 filings consistently, while requiring negligible additional work from filers. We also propose other minor technical changes to § 5.8(b). 19 Certain activities and transactions are exempt from the § 5.8 notice requirements and subject to other notice requirements. See, e.g., 12 CFR 5.50(g) (notice of change in bank control). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33266 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Section 5.8(c) currently requires a filer to confirm that the § 5.8(a) notice has been published by delivering to the OCC a statement of the date of publication, the name and address of the paper in which notice was published, and a copy of the notice. Federal savings association filers are required to do the same, although this requirement is set forth on the application itself and not included in the regulatory text. The OCC proposes to apply § 5.8(c) to both national bank and Federal savings association filings pursuant to part 5. Section 5.8(d) currently states that the OCC may consider more than one transaction, or a series of transactions, to be a single filing for purposes of the publication requirements of this section. When filing a single public notice for multiple transactions, the filer shall explain in the notice how the transactions are related. Although this is not specifically permitted under part 116, it has been an accepted practice for Federal savings association filings. Under this rulemaking, both national banks and Federal savings associations may continue to engage in this practice, which eliminates unnecessary publications while ensuring that the public’s need for notice is met. Under § 5.8(e), upon the request of an applicant for a transaction subject to a public notice requirement of both the OCC and another Federal agency, the OCC may accept publication of a single joint notice containing the information required by both the OCC and the other Federal agency, provided that the notice states that comments must be submitted to both the OCC and, if applicable, the other Federal agency. For example, a merger filing where there is an application to the OCC for approval of the merger and a filing with the FDIC for approval under the Bank Merger Act when the merger is between an insured national bank and an entity that is not FDIC-insured. Although there is no specific part 116 provision addressing this practice, the OCC has permitted such joint notices for Federal savings associations. As part of the integration of Federal savings associations into part 5, the OCC also will accept joint public notices for both national bank and Federal savings association transaction or activity applications. This provision would benefit filers and serve the public’s needs. Section 5.8(f) allows the OCC to require or give public notice and request comment on any filing and in any manner that it determines is appropriate for a particular filing. There is no specific equivalent to this provision in part 116. As part of this proposal, this VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 provision would apply to both national banks and Federal savings association filings, allowing the OCC to ensure that the notice provided to the public is appropriate for each filing. Finally, § 116.240(b) provides that, prior to the end of the applicable review period, if the OCC determines that an issue of law or change in circumstances has arisen that will substantially affect an application, it may require an applicant to publish, among other things, a new public notice. Although no specific national bank rule provides for this result, the OCC has a similar practice for national bank filings. In order to codify and clarify this practice, the OCC proposes to add a new § 5.8(g) that states that the OCC, at its discretion, may require an applicant to publish a new public notice if (1) the applicant submits either a revised filing or new or additional information related to a filing, (2) there is a major issue of law or a change in circumstances arises after a filing, or (3) the agency determines that a new public notice is appropriate. This provision does not represent a material change for either national bank or Federal savings association filers. § 5.9 Public availability. Section 5.9 addresses both access to the public portion of a filing and the confidential treatment that may be provided to certain information in a filing. Specifically, § 5.9(a) states that the OCC will provide a copy of the public portion of a pending filing in response to a written request made to the appropriate district office. A person may submit a written request to the OCC’s Communication’s Division for a copy of the public portion of a decided or closed application. In either case, the OCC may impose a fee for the copy. Section 5.9(b) explains that a public file consists of the portions of the filing, supporting data, supplementary information, and information submitted by interested persons to the extent that these items have not been afforded confidential treatment. Section 5.9(c) addresses the confidential treatment of information included in a filing, explaining both that an applicant and an interested person submitting information may request that specific information be treated as confidential under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552) and how to make this request. The provision also states that if the OCC does not consider the information to be confidential, the agency may include that information in the public portion of a filing after providing notice to the submitter. It also permits the OCC to determine, on its own initiative, that PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 certain information should be treated as confidential and to withhold that information from the public file. Section 116.35 addresses the public and confidential aspects of a Federal savings association filing. Paragraph (a) states that the OCC generally makes part 116 submissions available to the public but may keep portions confidential. Section 116.35(b) provides that an applicant may request confidential treatment of certain portions of a filing and explains specifically how to make this request. It also states that the OCC will not treat as confidential the portion of a filing that describes how an applicant plans to meet its CRA objectives and notes that the agency will advise an applicant before it makes information designated as confidential available to the public. Under this proposal, § 5.9 would apply to all filings made pursuant to part 5, as revised. This revision is not intended to result in material changes for either national bank or Federal savings association filings. It should be noted that although § 5.9 does not explicitly address the OCC’s treatment of filing information about how a filer plans to meet its CRA objectives, the OCC does not treat this information as confidential. The proposal contains other minor changes to §§ 5.9(a) and (c), including which OCC office a request should be submitted either to obtain the public portion of a decided or closed application or to withhold information from a public file. § 5.10 Comments. Section 5.10(a) provides that during the comment period, any person may submit a comment to the appropriate district office. Section 5.10(b)(1) provides that, unless otherwise stated, the comment period runs for 30 days after publication of the § 5.8(a) public notice. Under § 5.10(b)(2), the OCC may extend the comment period if an applicant either fails to file in a timely manner all required publicly available information or makes a request for confidential treatment that is not granted by the OCC and that delays the public availability of information. The comment period also may be extended to develop factual information needed to consider the application or if the OCC determines that other extenuating circumstances exist. In addition, the rule provides that the OCC may give an applicant an opportunity to respond to comments received during the comment period. The Federal savings association rules are much more detailed, particularly with respect to application comments. Section 116.110 provides that any person may comment on a filing and § 116.120(a) states that a comment E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules should include all relevant facts supporting the commenter’s position. It further provides that a comment should address at least one reason why the OCC may deny the application under relevant law, recite facts and data supporting these reasons, and discuss how the approval could harm the commenter or any community. Under § 116.120(b), any request for a meeting must be included with the comment. Section 116.130 states that a commenter must file with the appropriate OCC licensing office and further directs that a copy of any written comment shall simultaneously be provided to the applicant. Under § 116.140, a commenter must file a comment within 30 days after publication of the initial public notice and further states that the OCC may consider later filed comments if the comment will assist in the disposition of the application. The OCC has found that the less detailed and prescriptive approach in the current part 5 rules works well for both filers and the public and proposes to apply § 5.10 to all filings received by the OCC, with one clarification. This application would result in two changes with respect to Federal savings association filings. First, the proposal does not specify what information should be included in a comment. Second, a commenter on a Federal savings association filing would not be required to provide a copy of the comment to the Federal savings association. Instead, the Federal savings association would obtain a copy of the public portion of any comment from the OCC. The proposal would clarify that comments relating to either a national bank or a Federal savings association should be submitted to the appropriate OCC licensing office, as provided in the current Federal savings association rule. As both sets of current rules include a 30-day comment period that begins when the public notice is published, the proposal generally does not affect the length of the comment period. In addition, although neither current nor proposed § 5.10(b) expressly states that the OCC can consider late-filed comments, as is stated in § 116.140, the OCC’s practice generally has been to consider all comments, including latefiled comments. The OCC proposes other changes to § 5.10 that would affect both national banks and Federal savings associations. First, as revised, § 5.10(b)(1) would provide that the OCC may require a new comment period of up to 30 days if a new public notice is required under proposed § 5.8(g). This change is necessary to provide interested parties with an opportunity to comment when VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 a new notice is published, which, as explained in the discussion of proposed § 5.8(g), may be required in certain circumstances. Finally, a minor change is proposed to § 5.10(b)(2) to clarify that the OCC can extend any comment period, either an original or a new comment period. § 5.11 Hearings and other meetings. Pursuant to § 5.11(a), any person can request a hearing on a filing by submitting to the appropriate district office a description of the issues or facts to be presented and explaining why a written submission is not adequate. The requestor must simultaneously provide the request to the applicant. As noted above, under § 116.120(b), a request for a meeting must be included in a comment and explain why written submissions are insufficient. Also under § 116.130, this comment and hearing request must be filed with the appropriate OCC licensing office, with a copy to the applicant. As proposed, § 5.11(a) would apply to all OCC hearing requests. Therefore, a person seeking a hearing on a filing pertaining to a Federal savings association would no longer be required to request a hearing as part of a comment submission, and a hearing request would be submitted to the appropriate OCC office. This revision would provide added flexibility to those requesting hearings related to Federal savings association filings. Section 5.11(b) states that the OCC may grant or deny a hearing request, limit the issues to those it deems relevant or material, and order a hearing in the public’s interest. Under § 5.11(c), if the OCC denies a hearing request, the agency will notify the requestor of the reason for the denial. Sections 116.170(a) and (b) are substantively the same as §§ 5.11(b) and (c). Under this proposal, §§ 5.11(b) and (c) would apply to all hearings with no substantive change for affected parties. Section § 5.11(d) describes the OCC’s pre-hearing procedures. Specifically, under § 5.11(d)(1), if the OCC decides to hold a hearing, it sends a Notice of Hearing to the applicant, the person requesting the hearing, and anyone else who requests a copy. The Notice states the subject and date of the filing, the time and place of the hearing, and the issues to be addressed at the hearing. Section 5.11(d)(2) states that the OCC appoints a presiding officer to conduct a hearing. There are no equivalent provisions in the Federal savings association regulations. Instead, § 116.170(a) states that the OCC may either grant a meeting request or hold one on its own initiative, and it may limit the issues PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33267 considered at a meeting to those it deems relevant or material. Under this proposal, § 5.11(d)(1) will apply to all part 5 OCC hearings and all interested persons will receive a Notice of Hearing when a hearing is scheduled. This revision ensures that all interested parties are notified of an upcoming hearing. The OCC also proposes to amend § 5.11(d)(1) to state, as in § 116.170(a), that the agency may limit the issues considered at a hearing to those it determines are relevant or material. Section 5.11(e) states that a person who wishes to appear at a hearing shall notify the appropriate district office within 10 days of when the OCC issues a Notice of Hearing. It also requires, at least five days before the hearing, that each participant submit the names of witnesses and one copy of each exhibit to be presented, to the OCC, the applicant, and any other person the OCC requires. There are no equivalent rules in the Federal savings association regulations. As proposed, § 5.11(e) would be applicable to all persons who wish to appear at an OCC hearing. Section 5.11(e) allows the OCC and other persons to prepare for a hearing and yields a more efficient and productive hearing. Section 5.11(f) explains that the OCC arranges for a hearing transcript and states that the person requesting a hearing generally bears the cost of one copy of the transcript. There is no equivalent part 116 provision. The OCC proposes to apply this provision to all OCC hearings and also to replace the ‘‘generally bears’’ phrase with ‘‘may be required to bear.’’ This change reflects the fact that the OCC generally has not passed this cost onto a hearing requestor but, in certain cases, may find it appropriate to do so. Although this is a technical change with respect to national bank filers, a person requesting a hearing on a filing pertaining to a Federal savings association should be aware that, under this proposal, a hearing transcript will be prepared and that the requestor may be required to pay its cost. Section 5.11(g) explains how a part 5 hearing is conducted, providing generally that the applicant and participants may make opening statements and present witnesses, material, and data. It also requires a copy of any documentary material to be provided to the OCC, the applicant, and each participant. In contrast, the § 116.180 procedures for Federal savings association hearings provide that the OCC may conduct a meeting in any format, including telephone conferences, face-to-face meetings, or E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33268 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules formal meeting. In addition, both §§ 5.11(g) and 116.180 provide that the Administrative Procedure Act, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the OCC’s relevant rules of practice and procedure (12 CFR part 19 and part 109, respectively) do not apply to these hearings. Under this proposal, § 5.11(g) would apply to all subpart A hearings. As a result, all applicants and hearing participants may be permitted to make opening statements and to present witnesses, material, and data. Any person presenting documentary material at a hearing must furnish a copy to the OCC, the applicant, and each participant. The OCC also proposes to add a new paragraph § 5.11(g)(4), stating that the OCC may conduct a meeting in any format that it determines is appropriate, including a telephone conference, a face-to-face meeting, or a more formal meeting. This new provision, which mirrors § 116.180(a), is not a change to what is permissible for the OCC, but rather highlights the options available to the agency. Under § 5.11(h), at an applicant’s or participant’s request, the OCC may keep the hearing record open for up to 14 days following its receipt of the hearing transcript. The agency resumes processing the filing after the record closes. Section 116.190 states that if the OCC conducts a meeting, it may suspend the applicable filing time frames. If suspended, the time period will resume when the OCC determines that the record has been sufficiently developed to support a determination on the issue(s) considered at the meeting. Under this proposal, § 5.11(h) will apply with respect to all filings on which a hearing is held. As a result, all applicants, commenters, and other interested persons should be aware that the hearing record may be kept open for up to 14 days following receipt of the transcript, after which the OCC will resume processing the filing. The OCC believes that the public and affected parties benefit from knowing how long the record will remain open, following a hearing. Finally, § 5.11(i) addresses meetings other than hearings that the OCC may hold in connection with an application. Section 5.11(i)(1) states that the OCC may hold a public meeting, either in response to a written request received during the comment period or on its own initiative. These public meetings are arranged and presided over by a presiding officer. Alternatively, under § 5.11(i)(2), the OCC may arrange a VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 private meeting with an applicant or other interested parties to clarify and narrow the issues and to facilitate the resolution of the issues. As noted above, § 116.180 states that the OCC may conduct meetings related to Federal savings association filings in any format. Under this proposal, § 5.11(i) would apply to all applications received by the OCC and does not represent a change from what is currently permitted for filings related to Federal savings associations. In addition, the OCC proposes to add paragraph (i)(3) to § 5.11, stating that the OCC may limit the issues considered at a meeting to those it determines to be relevant or material. This provision is substantively the same as the provision the agency proposes to add to § 5.11(d) (regarding hearings) and permits the agency to ensure that meetings are meaningful and efficient. The OCC also proposes minor, clarifying changes to § 5.11(i). Section 116.185 states that the OCC will not approve or deny an application at a meeting. Although no similar language is included in either current or proposed § 5.11, it is the OCC’s practice not to decide on applications at hearings or other meetings. While hearings and meetings provide an opportunity for interested persons to share information with the OCC, the OCC considers information obtained at a hearing together with other materials and information pertaining to the application, before rendering a decision. Decisions on filings are discussed in greater detail below. In addition, § 116.190 explains that if the OCC decides to conduct a meeting, it may suspend the application processing time frames. Although the part 5, subpart A, rules do not state this directly, current and proposed § 5.10(b)(2) allow the OCC to extend a comment period when necessary, current and proposed § 5.11(h) allow the OCC to keep a hearing record open for 14 days after a hearing and resume processing the filing only when the record closes, and proposed § 5.13(a)(2) allows the OCC to extend the expedited review period in certain circumstances or remove a filing from expedited review when necessary. These provisions provide the OCC with the tools it needs to adjust the processing time frames when appropriate, while balancing the need for interested persons to have a predictable set of procedures on which to rely. § 5.12 Computation of time. In computing the relevant time periods related to a national bank filing, the OCC includes the day of the act or event (e.g., the date an application is received by the OCC) and the last day of a time PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 period, regardless of whether that day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Under § 116.10, in computing the relevant time period with respect to a Federal savings association filing, the OCC does not include the day of the act or the event that commences the time period. When the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday, the time period runs until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday. Efficiency would be promoted by a single set of time computation rules for OCC filings. Accordingly, the OCC proposes to change § 5.12 to mirror the current Federal savings association rule. As a result, when computing time for national bank filings, the day of the act would no longer be included and the time period would no longer end on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday but would end on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday. It also should be noted that proposed § 5.12 replaces ‘‘legal holiday’’ with ‘‘Federal holiday,’’ consistent with the current Federal savings association rule, to eliminate confusion when a legal state holiday is not also a Federal holiday. § 5.13 Decisions. Under § 5.13(a), the OCC may approve or deny a national bank filing based on its review and consideration of the record, including the activities, resources, or condition of a filer’s affiliate to the extent relevant. Under § 5.13(a)(1), it may impose conditions on an approval, including to address significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concerns. Section 5.13(a)(2) explains the OCC expedited review process for filings concerning ‘‘eligible’’ banks, as defined in § 5.3. Specifically, these filings are deemed approved a certain number of days after the filing date or the close of the public comment period (or extension of the comment period under § 5.10), unless, prior to this date, the OCC notifies the filer otherwise. The number of days after which a particular filing is deemed approved varies depending on the activity or transaction at issue and is set out in the substantive part 5 rule for that particular activity or transaction.20 Under § 5.13(a)(2)(i), the OCC may extend the expedited review period for filings subject to CRA up to 10 days if the OCC receives comments containing certain assertions about the bank’s CRA 20 For example, § 5.20(j) provides that certain applications to establish a national bank are deemed preliminarily approved as of the 15th day after the close of the public comment period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC, whichever is later, unless the OCC takes certain action to remove the filing from expedited review. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules performance. Section 5.13(a)(2)(ii) states that the OCC will remove a filing from expedited review if a filing or a comment raises a significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), compliance, legal, or policy concern or issue. If this removal happens, the OCC will provide a written explanation. Section 5.13(a)(2)(iii) explains that not all adverse comments cause the OCC to extend the expedited review period or remove a filing from expedited review. Finally, § 5.13(a)(2)(iv) provides that if a filing is dependent upon the approval of another filing, or if multiple requests for approval are combined in a single application, none of the filings is deemed approved unless all of the applications are subject to expedited review procedures and the longest time period expires without the OCC issuing a decision or notifying the bank that the filings are not eligible for expedited review. Filings that are not eligible for or do not receive expedited review are considered under the standard review process. The process and timeframes associated with the standard review process vary depending on the nature and circumstances of a filing and are set forth in the applicable substantive activity or transaction rule. Section 5.13(b) explains that the OCC may deny a filing if a significant supervisory, CRA, compliance, legal, or policy concern exists or if an applicant fails to provide the OCC with information that it requests. Pursuant to § 5.13(c), a filing must contain the information required in the applicable substantive part 5 activity or transaction rule, and the OCC may require additional information as well. Section 5.13(c) further provides that the OCC may deem a filing abandoned if information that is required or requested is not provided within a specified time period and may return a filing found to be materially deficient. Section 5.13(d) explains that the OCC will notify a filer and other interested party (or parties) of the final disposition of a filing, including a notification confirming expedited review. If a filing is denied, the OCC will explain why. Under § 5.13(e), the OCC will make a decision public if it represents new or changed policy or issues of general interest. In rendering decisions, the OCC also may elect not to disclose information that it deems to be private or confidential. Section 5.13(f) explains that a filer can appeal a decision by writing to the Deputy Comptroller for Licensing or the OCC Ombudsman (or, in some cases, to the Chief Counsel). Section § 5.13(g) explains that when the OCC approves or VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 conditionally approves a filing, the agency generally gives the filer a specified period of time in which to commence the activity and generally does not grant extensions. Finally, § 5.13(h) states that the OCC can nullify a filing decision if, for example, it discovers a misrepresentation or omission in a filing or supporting material after it renders a filing decision. A person responsible for a material misrepresentation or omission may be subject to various sanctions, including criminal penalties. The OCC also may nullify a filing decision that is contrary to law, regulation, or OCC policy or that was granted due to clerical or administrative error or a material mistake of law or fact. Pursuant to part 116, a savings association filing may receive either expedited treatment or standard treatment. If a filer is eligible for expedited treatment, as determined under § 116.5, it may file its application in the form of a notice. Pursuant to § 116.200, 30 days after filing a notice, the filer may engage in the proposed activity or transaction unless the OCC (1) requests additional information,21 (2) determines that standard treatment is appropriate, (3) suspends the applicable time frame under § 116.190, or (4) disapproves the notice. Pursuant to § 116.25, a filer files a standard application if it is not eligible for expedited treatment. Under § 116.210, within 30 calendar days after receiving a standard application, the OCC will (1) notify the applicant that the application is complete and review will commence, (2) request more information, or (3) determine that the application is materially deficient, in which case, the OCC will not process the filing. If the OCC takes no action, an application is deemed complete and the review period begins. Under § 116.270, this review period is generally 60 calendar days after an application is complete but may be extended. For example, under § 116.270(c), the OCC may extend the review period for up to 30 days for any reason or for as long as needed if the application presents a significant issue of law or policy requiring additional time to resolve. In either situation, the OCC must provide a written notification of any extension. Section 116.280 explains that the OCC will approve or deny an application before the end of the applicable review period and will notify applicants of the decision. If the OCC fails to notify an 21 Section 116.200(a) explains the sequence of events and timing when the OCC requests additional information about a notice. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33269 applicant, under § 116.280(b), the application is approved. Section 116.220 provides a detailed explanation of how the OCC will process an application if it requests more information to complete a filing, including the time frames within which certain actions must be taken. Section 116.240(a) explains that even if an application is deemed complete under § 116.210, the OCC may still require the filer to provide additional information to resolve or clarify an issue presented by the application. Or, if the OCC determines that a major issue or law or change of circumstances has arisen, it may notify the filer that the application is now incomplete and require a new public notice to be filed under § 116.250. Under § 116.290, an application that is not approved or denied within two calendar years of filing is deemed withdrawn, subject to certain exceptions. As is clear, the OCC has two different, albeit similar, sets of application processing procedures. In order to gain the efficiencies inherent in administering a single set of procedures and to create parity for OCC-regulated institutions, the OCC proposes to apply § 5.13 to all OCC filings. As a result, Federal savings association filers will need to determine whether a filing is eligible for expedited review under subpart A based on the proposed § 5.3(h) definition of ‘‘eligible bank or eligible savings association.’’ The OCC does not anticipate that there will be a significant difference in which filings are eligible for expedited review under the current and proposed rules because, as explained above, the criteria in § 5.3 and § 116.5 are substantively similar. Unlike § 116.200, part 5, subpart A, does not state the applicable expedited review time frames. These time frames are unique to the type of activity or transaction and set out in the relevant part 5 section detailing that activity or transaction. If a filing is not eligible for expedited review, the filer will have to follow the standard review procedures set out in the rules applicable to the particular activity or transaction at issue. In addition, as part of this rulemaking, the OCC is proposing other changes to § 5.13, which would apply to filings related to both national banks and Federal savings associations. Specifically, it proposes to add a statement to the § 5.13(a) introductory language providing that when reviewing a filing, the OCC may consider information available from any source, including any comments submitted by interested parties or views expressed by E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33270 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules interested parties at meetings with the OCC. With respect to § 5.13(a)(2) concerning expedited review, the OCC proposes to strike the § 5.13(a)(2) clause that states that the OCC grants eligible banks expedited review within a specified time, ‘‘including any extension of the comment period granted pursuant to § 5.10.’’ This change reflects the fact that when the OCC grants an extension of the comment period under § 5.10, a filing is no longer considered under the expedited review procedures. The circumstances that lead to an extended comment period are generally not compatible with expedited review. In addition, as discussed above, § 5.13(a)(2)(i) provides that the OCC may extend the expedited review period for a filing subject to CRA for up to 10 days if a comment makes certain assertions about CRA and § 5.13(a)(2)(ii) provides that the OCC will remove a filing from expedited review if the filing presents significant supervisory, CRA, compliance, legal or policy concerns or issues and explains specifically what constitutes a significant CRA concern in this context. The OCC proposes to combine §§ 5.13(a)(2)(i) and (ii) into proposed § 5.13(a)(2)(i) that addresses both extending the expedited review period and removing a filing from expedited review and to strike the description of CRA-related assertions in comments and what constitutes a significant CRA concern. These changes would simplify § 5.13(a)(2) and are not intended to have a substantive effect on expedited review procedures. Comments and concerns about CRA will continue to be given the same weight. Other minor, technical, or conforming changes are also proposed to § 5.13. Finally, as part of this rulemaking, the OCC proposes to delete part 116 in its entirety. Organizing a National Bank or Federal Savings Association; Federal Savings Association Charters and Bylaws (§ 5.20, new § 5.21, new § 5.22) Twelve CFR 5.20 sets forth the requirements and procedures involved in organizing a de novo national bank. Specifically, § 5.20(e) provides that the OCC will verify that organizers have fulfilled certain statutory requirements such as filing articles of association with the OCC, § 5.20(f) sets forth policy considerations that the OCC considers in evaluating an application, § 5.20(g) discusses the OCC’s requirements with respect to the organizing group, § 5.20(h) lists requirements for the organizers’ business plan or operating plan, § 5.20(i) lists the procedures that the organizers must follow, § 5.20(j) specifies the requirements for expedited VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 review of an application, and § 5.20(l) lists requirements for the establishment of special purpose banks. Corresponding rules applicable to organizing Federal savings associations are set forth in three CFR parts: Part 143, Federal Mutual Savings Associations— Incorporation, Organization, and Conversion; part 144, Federal Mutual Savings Associations—Charter and Bylaws; and part 152, Federal Stock Associations—Incorporation, Organization, and Conversion. In addition, § 163.1 imposes certain rules concerning a Federal savings association’s charter and bylaws. Part 143 sets forth the requirements and procedures for organizing a Federal mutual savings association. For example, §§ 143.2 and 143.3 describe the requirements for applying for a Federal mutual savings association charter and the factors the OCC will consider in such an application. Section 143.4 provides that the OCC’s approval of the application constitutes the issuance of a charter and § 143.5 specifies the initial steps the organizers must undertake after issuance of the charter. Certain provisions of part 143 set forth rules and prohibitions, such as § 143.1(a), which prohibits a Federal savings association from adopting a title that misrepresents the nature of the institution or the services it offers, and § 143.6, which prohibits a Federal savings association from transacting any business other than as provided in part 143. Finally, § 143.7 clarifies that part 143 does not apply to a Federal savings association chartered in connection with a Federal savings association in default or in danger of default. Part 144 covers the charter and bylaws of Federal mutual savings associations. Section 144.1 sets forth the form and required provisions of the charter, § 144.2 lists the requirements for amending a charter, and § 144.4 states that the issuance of a Federal mutual savings association charter constitutes the incorporation of that association. Section 144.5 sets forth the required provisions of the bylaws and §§ 144.6 and 144.7 set forth rules with respect to the effect of a change to a charter or bylaws subsequent to a Federal mutual savings association’s transaction; and the availability of the charter and bylaws. Part 152 sets forth the requirements and procedures for organizing a Federal stock savings association and also contains the requirements for the charter and bylaws of Federal stock savings associations, as well as related matters including shareholders, board of directors, and officers. More specifically, § 152.1 describes the initial PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 steps organizers must take in establishing a Federal stock savings association and also indicates the factors the OCC will consider in such an application; § 152.3 sets forth the form and required provisions of the charter; § 152.4 lists the requirements for amending a charter; § 152.5 covers the bylaws of Federal stock savings associations; §§ 152.6, 152.7 and 152.8 address shareholders, the board of directors, and officers, respectively; and § 152.9 covers certificates for shares and their transfer. Section 163.1 requires a de novo Federal savings association to file its charter and bylaws with the OCC prior to commencing operations and requires a Federal savings association to make its charter and bylaws available to accountholders. Many of the procedures organizers must follow to charter a national bank or Federal savings association are substantively similar, with only minor differences. With respect to many of these regulations, the OCC believes these rules should be coordinated and harmonized in order to promote consistency and equal treatment between the two types of institutions and to remove unnecessary regulatory burden where possible. These goals are accomplished by amending § 5.20 to include Federal savings associations, adding to § 5.20 some provisions that address the organizing process currently in parts 143 and 152, and removing other provisions in part 143, 152, and 163 that address the organizing process (§§ 143.2 through 143.7, 152.1 and 152.2, and 163.1). The regulations for national banks and those for Federal savings associations treat the provisions related to ‘‘organizing documents’’ (organization certificate and articles of association for national banks, charter for Federal savings associations, and bylaws) differently.22 For national banks, there are several applicable statutes, but few regulations.23 For 22 It may be helpful to clarify terminology. For national banks, the term ‘‘charter’’ is used to refer to the certificate of authority to commence banking issued by the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 27. A national bank’s ‘‘articles of association’’ is similar to a business corporation’s articles of incorporation setting out the general features of the business’s organizational structure and purpose. A Federal savings association’s ‘‘charter’’ issued by the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1464(a)(2) is the agency’s authorization to engage in business as a savings association, but it also contains provisions comparable to a national bank’s articles of association. 23 Additional guidance for national banks is provided by sample articles and bylaws in the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual (www.occ.gov/ publications/publications-by-type/licensingmanuals/index-licensing-manuals.html#sd) and by E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Federal savings associations, there are no statutory requirements, but §§ 144.1 and 152.3 contain specific language and requirements to be used for the charter of Federal mutual savings associations and Federal stock savings associations, respectively, and §§ 144.2 and 152.4 contain specific requirements for the bylaws of Federal mutual savings associations and Federal stock savings associations, respectively. Also, the charter provisions for Federal mutual savings associations are substantially different from national banks and Federal stock savings associations. These differences stem from the unique characteristics of Federal mutual charters, such as the inability of members to communicate directly with each other (because membership is based on the depository relationship) under § 144.8, the use of ‘‘running proxies,’’ and the potential that certain charter or bylaw provisions could later affect a mutual-to-stock conversion by the association. These characteristics require a need to place greater controls over changes to the Federal mutual charter in order to prevent the inappropriate transfer of the association’s equity and to prevent the introduction of provisions that may impede a mutual-to-stock conversion. In order to preserve the enforceability of the Federal savings association charter and bylaw requirements and to ensure the necessary controls unique to the Federal mutual savings association charter, the OCC believes it is necessary and appropriate to continue to include separate provisions concerning a Federal savings association’s charter and bylaws. Therefore, the OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR part 5, subpart B, by: (1) Revising § 5.20 to apply to both national banks and Federal savings associations and to make certain other changes as described below; (2) adding a new § 5.21 (based on part 144) to specify the language and requirements for the Federal mutual savings association charter, bylaws, and charter amendments and to require a Federal mutual savings association to make its charter and bylaws available to accountholders; and (3) adding a new § 5.22 (based on §§ 152.3 through 152.11) to specify the language and requirements for the Federal stock savings association charter, bylaws, charter amendments, and related matters. In addition, the OCC proposes to amend parts 143, 144, 152, and 163 by rescinding various provisions in review of the proposed documents during the application process. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 those parts concerning charters and bylaws. As a result of this rulemaking, organizers of de novo Federal savings associations and national banks and existing Federal savings associations and national banks should be aware of the proposed changes that are detailed below. Applying Existing National Bank Requirements to Federal Savings Associations. The majority of the proposed changes to § 5.20 apply existing requirements for organizing a national bank to organizing a Federal savings association by inserting ‘‘Federal savings association’’ where appropriate. Most of these amendments will result in little or no change to existing practices concerning an application to charter a Federal savings association. However, potential organizers should carefully review the following amendments that would change the current process. First, under the proposal, an application to charter a Federal savings association would be subject to the twopart approval process contained in § 5.20(i)(5). Based on statute and longstanding practice, the OCC uses a two-part approval process for de novo national bank charters. After an application is filed, if the OCC determines it meets the applicable standards, the OCC issues a ‘‘preliminary approval.’’ Once it has received this approval, the national bank in organization proceeds to take the steps needed to organize, raise capital, obtain any other regulatory approvals, and generally become ready to commence business. Many of these steps are not specified in § 5.20 but instead are provided in the OCC’s preliminary approval and in the Charters Booklet of the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. The OCC issues a ‘‘final approval’’ and the national bank’s charter only after all these steps are concluded, including compliance with any conditions imposed in the preliminary approval. Under the current Federal savings association rule, the OCC issues only one approval before it issues the charter but this approval is subject to the institution completing various post-approval organizational steps and other requirements before it can commence business. These steps and requirements are specified in §§ 143.4, 143.5, 143.6, and 152.1(c) through 152.1(i). We propose to remove these provisions because they will no longer be necessary since final approval will be granted only after all organizational steps and other requirements are met. The two processes in practice may not be PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33271 different, but use of a formal two-part approval framework provides more certainty and reduces any risk of an institution inadvertently operating before it has completed all required steps. Applying the bank rule’s two-step approval process to savings associations also will enhance consistency between the chartering application process for national banks and Federal savings associations. Second, § 5.20(i)(5)(iv) provides that preliminary approval expires if the national bank has not raised the required capital within twelve months or has not commenced business within eighteen months. Sections 143.5(d) and 152.1(i) provide that a Federal savings association’s charter becomes void if organization is not completed within six months after approval. The proposal would amend § 5.20(i)(5)(iv) to apply the same twelve- and eighteen-month expiration periods to Federal savings associations, rather than the six-month period. Third, the OCC proposes to amend § 5.20(j), which allows for expedited review of an application to establish a full-service national bank filed by a bank holding company with a lead depository institution that is an eligible depository institution. We propose to add Federal savings associations and savings and loan holding companies. The current regulations for chartering a de novo Federal savings association do not have a comparable expedited review process. We also propose to limit the availability of this expedited review to applications to charter a national bank or Federal savings association where the existing lead depository institution is an eligible national bank or eligible Federal savings association. In those cases, the OCC will have knowledge and experience of the holding company’s and lead institution’s operations. In cases where a state institution is the lead depository institution, the OCC would not have that knowledge and experience, and we believe expedited review would not be appropriate. Fourth, the proposal would add Federal savings associations to § 5.20(k)(3), which addresses investments in bankers’ banks and § 5.20(l), which addresses chartering special purpose institutions. These provisions reflect authority that national banks and Federal savings associations possess. Fifth, parts 143, 144, 152, and 163 contain various filing procedural matters. As discussed above, this proposed rule amends part 5, subpart A, rules of general applicability, to include filing rules and procedures for Federal savings associations for all matters E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33272 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules covered by part 5. Thus, once Federal savings associations are included in § 5.20 and new §§ 5.21 and 5.22 are added to part 5, filings related to the organizing process and to charters and bylaws will be governed by the filing provisions in subpart A. We therefore have not included the filing procedures provisions in parts 143, 144, 152, and 163 in the amendments to § 5.20, or in new §§ 5.21 and 5.22. Amendments that Specifically Cover Federal Savings Association Matters. The OCC is proposing to incorporate certain provisions contained in parts 143 and 152 into § 5.20. Specifically, with respect to an application to organize a Federal savings association, section 5(e) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (HOLA) 24 requires the OCC to consider whether: (1) The applicants are of good character and responsibility; (2) there is a need for the association in the community to be served; (3) there is a reasonable probability of usefulness and success; and (4) there will be undue injury to existing local thrift and home financing institutions. These criteria are included in § 143.2(g)(1) and § 152.1(b)(1), and this proposed rule adds them to § 5.20(e). Sections 143.2(g)(2)(i) and 152.1(b)(3)(i) provide that approval of an application to organize a Federal mutual or stock savings association, respectively, is conditioned on OCC receipt of written confirmation from the FDIC that accounts will be insured. Similar requirements appear in §§ 143.5(c) and 152.1(f) (when a charter is issued, a Federal savings association, or a Federal stock savings association, respectively, must promptly meet all requirements necessary to obtain FDIC insurance of its accounts), as well as §§ 143.5(d) and 152.1(h)(1) (organization of a Federal savings association, or a Federal stock savings association, respectively, is complete when, among other things, the OCC receives confirmation of FDIC insurance). For these reasons, the OCC is proposing in § 5.20(e)(3) to retain the requirement that all Federal savings associations be insured by the FDIC. Nonetheless, we invite further comment on this matter. Proposals to Apply Federal Savings Association Application Requirements to National Bank Applications. The OCC is proposing to amend § 5.20 to apply certain requirements applicable to Federal savings associations to both national banks and Federal savings associations. First, § 143.1(a) prohibits a Federal savings association from adopting a title that misrepresents the 24 12 U.S.C. 1464(e). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 nature of the institution or the services it offers. The OCC believes that incorporating such a provision in a regulation is good public policy because it protects both customers and the institution. Therefore, the OCC proposes to amend § 5.20(e)(1) to apply this requirement to both Federal savings associations and national banks. Second, § 143.3(b)(1) requires that all securities of a particular class in an initial offering must be sold at the same price. The proposal would amend § 5.20(i)(5)(iii) to apply this requirement to both Federal savings associations and national banks. Such a requirement promotes fairness and uniformity, does not allow insiders to gain an unfair advantage over other shareholders, and discourages the formation of an institution for speculative purposes. Moreover, the FDIC also imposes this requirement in determining whether to approve an application for deposit insurance.25 Third, §§ 143.5(d) and § 152.1(i) require that, in the event the organization of a Federal savings association is not completed, all cash collected on subscriptions shall be returned. The proposal would amend § 5.20(i)(5)(iv) to apply this requirement to both Federal savings associations and national banks. Proposals to Eliminate Certain Federal Savings Association Approval Criteria. Sections 143.2(g)(1) and 152.1(b)(1) require the OCC to consider whether the Federal savings association will provide credit for housing in a safe and sound manner and whether the factors in § 143.3 (regarding capitalization, business and investment plans, the board of directors, management) will be met. These approval criteria are not statutorily required. In most cases, these factors are similar to factors the OCC currently considers either under § 5.20 or as a matter of practice. Moreover, provision of housing credit also is addressed by the lending and investment provisions of 12 U.S.C. 1464(c) and the qualified thrift lender test of 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m). Therefore, the OCC is not proposing to include these provisions in § 5.20. The OCC is proposing to rescind provisions of parts 143 and 152 that are redundant, unnecessary, or no longer appropriate. For example, the OCC is proposing to rescind §§ 143.7 and 152.17, which exempt from the requirements of parts 143 and 157 Federal stock associations created in connection with an association in 25 FDIC Statement of Policy on Applications for Deposit Insurance. 63 FR 44752, 44757 (August 20, 1998). PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 default or in danger of default. These provisions are not necessary in light of the FDIC’s authority, as part of the resolution process, to create new and bridge Federal savings associations under 12 U.S.C. 1821(m) and (n). Similarly, the OCC proposes to rescind § 143.3(f), which provides that the normal requirements that apply to an application to charter a Federal savings association do not apply to a supervisory transaction. This provision is not necessary because the OCC has the ability to waive such requirements under 12 CFR 5.2(b). Also, the OCC proposes to rescind the requirements in §§ 143.5(c) and 152.1(f) for a proposed Federal savings association to promptly qualify as a member of a Federal Home Loan Bank. The HOLA no longer requires such membership. Proposals to Reflect Current OCC Policy or Practice. The OCC is proposing several amendments that would update § 5.20 to reflect current OCC policy or practice. Specifically, the proposal would amend § 5.20(f)(1) to update the OCC’s general policy in making determinations regarding charter applications to reflect the OCC’s statutory mission as amended in section 314 of the Dodd-Frank Act.26 Second, § 5.20(g)(2) notes that, as a condition of a charter approval, the OCC retains the right to object to the hiring of any officer or appointment or election of any director for a two-year period from the date the institution commences business. We propose to clarify that, in appropriate instances, the OCC may impose this condition for a longer period. This regulatory change reflects current authority and practice. Third, § 5.20(g)(3)(ii) requires a proposed director to be able to supply or have a realistic plan to enable the institution to obtain capital when needed. The OCC is proposing to clarify that this requirement applies to the proposed directors as a group, rather than each director individually. Federal Mutual Savings Association Charter, Bylaws and Related Provisions. As discussed above, the OCC believes it is necessary and appropriate to continue to include separate regulations setting forth the provisions concerning a Federal savings association’s charter and bylaws. With respect to Federal mutual savings associations, these provisions are currently in part 144. The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.21, ‘‘Federal Mutual Savings Associations Charters and Bylaws,’’ which will incorporate most of part 144. Proposed § 5.21(d) sets forth exceptions to the rules of general 26 12 E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM U.S.C. 1. 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules applicability. More specifically, it provides that §§ 5.8 through 5.11 do not apply to this section. These sections provide for public notice, public availability, comments and hearings on an application. The OCC believes it is not appropriate to subject the charter and bylaws requirements to these provisions. This belief is consistent with current requirements for Federal mutual savings associations as well as national banks. Proposed § 5.21(e) prescribes the language and requirements for a Federal mutual savings association charter and is substantively identical to § 144.1. Proposed §§ 5.21(f) through (h) cover matters related to charter amendments and are substantively identical to § 144.2. Proposed § 5.21(i) requires a Federal mutual savings association to make its charter, bylaws, and all amendments available to accountholders at all times in each savings association office, and to deliver to any accountholders a copy of the charter, bylaws or amendments, upon request. This provision is substantively identical to § 144.7.27 Proposed § 5.21(j) would specify the language and requirements for Federal mutual savings association bylaws. This proposed new paragraph reflects the provisions in § 144.5. Section 144.5(b)(11) provides that directors may only be removed ‘‘for cause’’ as defined in § 163.39 of this chapter, by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors,’’ and § 144.5(b)(10) provides that ‘‘[a]ny officer may be removed by the board of directors with or without cause, but such removal, other than for cause, shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any of the person so removed.’’ For ease of use, the OCC is proposing to include the definition of ‘‘for cause’’ in proposed § 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B), the first time it appears in § 5.21, rather than crossreferencing § 163.39. Where the term ‘‘cause’’ is used elsewhere in § 5.21, and in § 5.22, for Federal stock savings associations, the regulation references the definition at § 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B). The OCC believes that many of the bylaw provisions in § 144.5 are unnecessarily detailed or self-evident. Therefore, the proposal does not include the following provisions.28 Section 144.5(b)(1) discusses the annual meeting of members. It provides, among other things, that the meeting be 27 See related discussion concerning 12 CFR 163.1(b) infra. 28 Federal mutual savings associations would not be required to amend existing bylaws to conform to these changes. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 held ‘‘as designated by its board of directors, at a location within the state that constitutes the principal place of business of the association, or at any other any convenient place the board of directors may designate.’’ Proposed § 5.21(j)(1)(i) does not include the requirement that the meeting be held in the state that constitutes the principal place of business of the association. The OCC believes that this requirement introduces unnecessary detail into the regulation, and that in certain cases there may be locations outside the state constituting the association’s principal place of business at which the annual meeting may be held that are appropriately convenient to members. Section 144.5(b)(2) provides, among other things, that the subject matter of a special shareholder meeting must be established in the notice for such meeting. The OCC believes this provision is self-evident and unnecessarily detailed and proposes not to include this requirement in § 5.21(j). Section 144.5(b)(3) covers the requirements for providing notice of meetings to members. Among other things, it provides that notice must be provided at a member’s last address appearing on the books of the association. The OCC believes this provision merely states the obvious and proposes not to include this requirement in § 5.21(j)(1)(iii). Section 144.5(b)(4) states that the purpose of determining the record date is to determine the ‘‘members entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of members or any adjournment thereof, or in order to make a determination of members for any other proper purpose.’’ The OCC believes this provision is selfevident and proposes not to include this requirement in § 5.21(j)(1)(iv). Section 144.5(b)(6) provides that procedures must be established for voting by proxy pursuant to the rules and regulations of the OCC, ‘‘including the placing of such proxies on file with the secretary of the association, for verification, prior to the convening of such meeting.’’ The OCC believes the inclusion language is self-evident and unnecessarily detailed and proposes not to include this requirement in § 5.21(j)(1)(vi). Section 144.5(b)(9) provides that board of director meetings ‘‘shall be under the direction of a chairman, appointed annually by the board; or in the absence of the chairman, the meetings shall be under the direction of the president.’’ The OCC believes this provision is unnecessarily detailed and proposes not to include this requirement in § 5.21(j)(1)(ix). PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33273 Section 144.5(b)(10) provides, among other things, that ‘‘[a]ll officers and agents of the association, as between themselves and the association, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the association as may be provided in the bylaws, or as may be determined by resolution of the board of directors not inconsistent with the bylaws. In the absence of any such provision, officers shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices.’’ The OCC believes this provision is unnecessary and selfevident and proposes not to include this requirement in § 5.21(j)(1)(x). Section 144.5(b)(11) covers vacancies, resignation, and removal of directors. Proposed § 5.21(j)(1)(xi) does not include the requirements in § 144.5(b)(11) that directors be elected by ballot and that resignation of a director be by written notice. The OCC believes that these provisions are selfevident. Section 144.5(b)(12) covers the powers of the board of directors. It provides, among other things, that a board may, by resolution, ‘‘appoint from among its members and remove an executive committee and one or more other committees, which committee[s] shall have and may exercise all the powers of the board between the meetings or the board; but no such committee shall have the authority of the board to amend the charter or bylaws, adopt a plan of merger, consolidation, dissolution, or provide for the disposition of all or substantially all the property and assets of the association. Such committee shall not operate to relieve the board, or any member thereof, of any responsibility imposed by law.’’ This section further provides that a board may fix the compensation of directors, officers, and employees. The OCC believes these provisions are self-evident and unnecessarily detailed and therefore proposes not to include these requirements in § 5.21(j)(1)(xii). Section 144.5(b)(14) provides in part that procedures for the introduction of new business at the annual meeting may require that such new business be stated in writing and filed with the secretary prior to the annual meeting at least 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. The OCC believes this provision is overly detailed and unnecessary. Accordingly, the OCC is proposing not to include this provision in § 5.21(j)(1)(xiv). Finally, § 144.5(b)(16) provides that the bylaws may address age limitations for directors or officers as long as they are consistent with applicable Federal E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33274 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules law, rules or regulations. The OCC believes this provision is self-evident and unnecessary and therefore is proposing not to include this provision in § 5.21(j)(1)(xvi). Federal Stock Savings Association Charter, Bylaws and Related Provisions. The provisions concerning the charter and bylaws of a Federal stock savings association, as well as related provisions, are currently in §§ 152.3 through 152.9. The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.22, ‘‘Federal Stock Savings Associations Charters and Bylaws,’’ which will incorporate most of §§ 152.3 through 152.9. Proposed § 5.22(d) sets forth exceptions to the rules of general applicability. More specifically, it provides that §§ 5.8 through 5.11 do not apply to this section. These sections provide for public notice, public availability, comments and hearings on an application. The OCC believes it is not appropriate to subject the charter and bylaws requirements to these provisions. This belief is consistent with current requirements for Federal savings associations as well as national banks. Proposed § 5.22(e) prescribes the language and requirements for a Federal stock savings association charter and is substantively identical to § 152.3. Proposed §§ 5.22 (f) through (i) cover matters related to charter amendments and are substantively identical to § 152.4, with the addition of one provision. Section 152.4(b)(8) provides that a Federal stock savings association may amend its charter by adding certain anti-takeover provisions following mutual to stock conversions. One such provision is a prohibition on a person acquiring more than 10 percent of any class of equity securities of the association, unless ‘‘the purchase of shares [is] by a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan which is exempt from the approval requirements under § 174.3(c)(2)(i)(D) of the OCC’s regulations.’’ The OCC proposes to eliminate the cross-reference and include the appropriate language in § 5.22(g)(8). The OCC does not intend for this amendment to have any substantive effect. Proposed § 5.22(j) would specify the requirements for adopting and filing Federal stock savings association bylaws. This proposed new paragraph reflects the provisions in § 152.5 with two exceptions. The first sentence of § 152.5(a) provides that ‘‘[a]t its first organizational meeting, the board of directors of a Federal stock association shall adopt a set of bylaws for the administration and regulation of its affairs.’’ The third sentence requires the bylaws to contain sufficient provisions VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 to govern the association in accordance with the requirements of other sections of part 152 and prohibits the bylaws from containing a provision that is inconsistent with those sections or with applicable laws, rules, regulations or the association’s charter. The OCC believes that these two provisions are unnecessarily detailed and self-evident and is therefore proposing not to include these provisions in proposed § 5.22(i). The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.22(k) to address shareholder meetings and related matters. This proposed new paragraph reflects the provisions in § 152.6 with two exceptions. Section 152.6(a) provides, among other things, that shareholder meetings must be held in the state in which the association has its principal place of business. With respect to shareholder voting by proxy, § 152.6(f) provides, in part, that a ‘‘proxy may designate as holder a corporation, partnership or company as defined in part 174 of this chapter, or other person.’’ Proposed § 5.22(k) does not include these provisions because the OCC believes they are unnecessary.29 The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.22(l) addressing matters involving a Federal stock savings association’s board of directors. This proposed new paragraph reflects the provisions in § 152.7, with certain exceptions. Section 152.7(b) sets forth the permissible number and terms of directors to be included in an association’s bylaws. It provides, among other things, that in ‘‘the case of a converting or newly chartered association where all directors shall be elected at the first election of directors, if a staggered board is chosen, the terms shall be staggered in length from one to three years.’’ Section 152.7(g) addresses matters concerning executive and other committees of a board of directors. It provides in pertinent part that each committee, to the extent provided in the resolution or bylaws of the association, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the board of directors, subject to certain exceptions. The OCC believes these provisions are overly detailed and unnecessary. Accordingly, proposed §§ 5.22(l)(2) and (7), respectively, do not include these provisions. The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.22(m) addressing matters involving a Federal stock savings association’s officers. This proposed new paragraph is substantively identical to § 152.8, with one exception. Section 152.8 29 Federal stock savings associations would not be required to amend their existing bylaws to conform to these changes. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 mandates that a Federal stock savings association have certain officers. It further provides that the ‘‘board of directors may also elect or authorize the appointment of such other officers as the business of the association may require. The officers shall have such authority and perform such duties as the board of directors may from time to time authorize or determine. In the absence of action by the board of directors, the officers shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices.’’ The OCC believes that the quoted provision is self-evident and unnecessary and therefore is not including it in new § 5.22(m). The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.22(n) concerning stock certificates. This proposed new paragraph is substantively identical to § 152.9, with one exception. Section 152.9(a) provides in pertinent part that the ‘‘certificates shall be signed by the chief executive officer or by any other officer of the association authorized by the board of directors, attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary, and sealed with the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof. The signatures of such officers upon a certificate may be facsimiles if the certificate is manually signed on behalf of a transfer agent or a registrar other than the association itself or one of its employees. Each certificate for shares of capital stock shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified.’’ The OCC believes this provision is overly detailed and is proposing not to include it in new § 5.22(n)(1). Federal Savings Association Charter and Bylaws Availability Requirement. Section 163.1(b) requires each Federal savings association to cause a true copy of its charter and bylaws and all amendments thereto to be available to accountholders at all times in each office of the savings association, and to deliver to any accountholders a copy of such charter and bylaws or amendments thereto, upon request. As discussed above, § 144.7 imposes the same requirement, but is applicable only to Federal mutual savings associations. There is no comparable requirement for national banks and the OCC believes this provision is no longer necessary for Federal stock savings associations, as this information is relatively easy for accountholders of these types of institutions to obtain. Conversely, accountholders of Federal mutual savings associations may not have easy access to these documents in light of the inability of accountholders to communicate directly with each other under § 144.8. Accordingly, the proposal would continue applying this requirement only with respect to E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal mutual savings associations under new § 5.21(i). Disposition of current Federal savings association organization, charter, and bylaws provisions. The proposed amendments discussed above would remove from Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations §§ 143.2 through 143.7, all of part 144 except § 144.8, § 152.1(b)(1), §§ 152.1(c) through 152.1(i), §§ 152.2 through 152.9, § 152.17, § 163.1(b), and §§ 163.22(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2). Section 144.8, which addresses communication between members of a Federal mutual savings association, is not a licensing regulation and does not involve an application process. The OCC proposes leaving it unchanged. Because it will be the only section that remains in part 144, the OCC proposes renaming part 144 as part 144—Federal mutual savings associations— communication between members. Other provisions of § 152.2, which provides procedures for the organization of interim Federal savings associations, are addressed in revisions to the business combinations regulation— § 5.33, described below. The remaining provisions of part 143, part 152, and part 163 contain other provisions applicable to Federal mutual and stock savings associations. The OCC is proposing to rescind some of these provisions elsewhere in this proposal. Charter Conversions (New § 5.23, § 5.24, New § 5.25) Twelve CFR 5.24 sets forth the rules and procedures that a state bank, state savings association, or Federal savings association must follow to convert to a national bank and for a national bank to convert to a state bank or Federal or state savings association. The OCC’s rules for a mutual depository institution to convert to a Federal mutual savings association are at 12 CFR 143.8 through 143.14 and the rules for a stock form depository institution to convert to a Federal stock savings association are at 12 CFR 152.18. The rules for a Federal savings association to convert to a national bank or state bank are set forth at 12 CFR 152.19 and 163.22(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2). While there are some differences in procedures, as discussed below, the rules for national banks and Federal savings associations are substantively similar. The OCC proposes to simplify this regulatory framework by (1) revising § 5.24 to include only rules for converting into a national bank, (2) placing all rules for converting into a Federal savings association (either stock or mutual) in new § 5.23, and (3) placing rules for conversion from national bank VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 and Federal savings association charters in new § 5.25. The agency also proposes additional substantive and technical changes to these rules. The substantive changes include provisions implementing section 612 of the DoddFrank Act, which prohibits conversions from state to Federal charter, or Federal to state charter, in certain circumstances and adds requirements to the conversion process. The changes to the OCC’s regulations implementing section 612 are discussed as a group later in the preamble. Conversion to a national bank charter. As part of the reorganization of the conversion rules, the OCC proposes to move the rules governing a national bank converting to a state bank or Federal savings association from § 5.24 to a new § 5.25. As a result, § 5.24 would apply only to conversions to become a national bank. The OCC also proposes to make several other changes in § 5.24. Specifically, the proposal adds ‘‘stock state savings associations’’ to the description of the types of institutions that can apply to convert to a national bank and the word ‘‘stock’’ before the phrase ‘‘Federal savings associations’’ throughout revised § 5.24. Stock state savings associations currently are included in the rule because they are within the definition of ‘‘state bank’’ incorporated from 12 U.S.C. 214(a). We are proposing to add the express term both in the interest of eliminating any confusion and because section 612 added the term ‘‘state savings association’’ to 12 U.S.C. 35. We are adding the term ‘‘stock’’ to Federal savings association for clarity as well. National banks are corporate bodies, and so a mutual institution cannot become a national bank unless it has first changed into corporate form under other law. These changes merely clarify the existing regulation and would have no substantive impact. In § 5.24(d), which states the OCC’s policy for approving and disapproving conversions to national bank charters, the proposal adds a statement that the institution seeking to convert to a national bank charter must obtain all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals. Although this requirement is not new, it was not previously stated in § 5.24. There is a similar provision in the current Federal savings association regulation, § 143.8(a)(2). The OCC is continuing it for Federal savings associations in proposed § 5.23, and has determined it would be helpful to include it for national banks as well. The proposal also clarifies the information the applicant must include in the application. First, proposed PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33275 § 5.24(e)(2)(vii) would add bank service company investments and other equity investments to the current requirement to identify subsidiaries. This requirement reflects the current practice of the OCC to review the legal permissibility for the converted national bank to continue to hold these other investments when evaluating a conversion application. Second, proposed § 5.24(e)(2)(ix) would require the application to include a business plan if the converting institution has been operating for less than three years, plans to make significant changes to its business after the conversion, or at the request of the OCC. The OCC currently requests this information on a case-bycase basis. However, the OCC believes this requirement should be applied to all such applications, as it would provide valuable information about the financial institution’s safety and soundness, thereby allowing the OCC to make a more informed decision as to whether to grant the application. Appendix G of the ‘‘Charters’’ booklet of the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual (Significant Deviations after Opening) contains a discussion of what constitutes a ‘‘significant change.’’ Section 5.24 currently addresses the OCC’s authority to permit a national bank to retain nonconforming assets of a converting state bank, subject to the requirements in 12 U.S.C. 35. The proposal would add language to this provision (which would be paragraph (e)(4) in the revised regulation) clarifying that a converted national bank also may be permitted to retain nonconforming activities of a state bank or stock state savings association and nonconforming assets or activities of a Federal stock savings association for a transition period after conversion. The OCC believes such retention is appropriate to facilitate the transition from a state institution or Federal savings association to a national bank. These additions also reflect current OCC practice. The OCC also proposes to amend § 5.24(g) which allows for expedited review of a conversion application filed by an eligible depository institution. We propose to limit the availability of expedited review to applications by institutions already supervised by the OCC (i.e., conversions from a Federal savings association to a national bank or from a national bank to a Federal savings association). In those cases, the OCC is already familiar with the institution. In cases where a state institution is the applicant, the OCC would require more time to review the institution’s condition and proposal, and we believe expedited review would E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33276 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules not be appropriate. We are also proposing to extend the expedited review period from 30 days to 60 days. The expedited review provision in proposed § 5.23(d)(4) is similar. In addition, the proposal adds a new paragraph (h) to § 5.24 codifying that the resulting national bank after a conversion is the same business and corporate entity as the converting institution, and all assets, rights, liabilities, obligations, and other business of the converting institution continue in the resulting national bank by operation of law. This paragraph reflects longstanding case law under 12 U.S.C. 35 and is similar to statutory provisions in 12 U.S.C. 214b (continuation in conversion of national bank to state bank or merger of national bank into state bank) and 12 U.S.C. 215(e) and 215a(e) (continuation in consolidation or merger of national or state bank into national bank). The specific language is based on 12 U.S.C. 214b and on current provisions governing Federal savings associations at §§ 146.14 (Federal mutual savings associations) and 152.18(b) (Federal stock savings associations). Finally, the proposal adds provisions to § 5.24 to implement section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which are discussed below, and makes several technical or housekeeping changes to § 5.24 to make it easier to read. Conversion to a Federal savings association charter. As noted above, the OCC proposes to create a new § 5.23 to address conversions of a mutual depository institution to a Federal mutual savings association or of a stock depository institution to a Federal stock savings association. This new section is similar to the proposed § 5.24 rules applicable to converting to a national bank, except that references to national banking laws are replaced by references to the HOLA, including the statutory criteria in section 5(e) of the HOLA for granting a Federal savings association charter. The requirements of proposed § 5.23 include many of the requirements in the current Federal savings association conversion regulations. However, the OCC is proposing not to continue certain provisions in parts 143 and 152 for which there is no statutory requirement in the HOLA. These include the confidentiality provisions set forth at § 143.8, which the OCC believes are addressed under its general confidentiality regulations, 12 CFR part 4, and the public notice and inspection requirements set forth at § 143.9(a)(2) (incorporating § 143.2(d)), which the OCC believes generally are unnecessary in the case of conversions. We note that if there are instances where the OCC VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 believes publication is warranted, the OCC could require publication under § 5.2(b), which allows the OCC to require materially different procedures for a particular filing. We also are not continuing in the regulation a number of provisions included in § 143.9 that advise applicants of the various steps in the process. Instead, the OCC addresses this information through its guidance to applicants in the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual, application forms, and the application process. There are four significant differences between proposed § 5.24 and proposed § 5.23. First, the definition of ‘‘depository institution’’ for purposes of § 5.23, which is based on the definition in §§ 143.8(a) and 152.13, includes credit unions, unlike the definition in § 5.3(f) applicable to § 5.24. Second, as included in the §§ 143.8(a)(1) and 152.18(a) and because all Federal savings associations are required to be FDIC-insured, paragraph (c) of proposed § 5.23 provides that the converting institution must have deposits insured by the FDIC or, if it is not so insured, must obtain insurance before converting. Third, proposed paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(K) of § 5.23, would require a converting institution that does not meet the qualified thrift lender test of 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m) to include a plan to achieve compliance within a reasonable period of time and to request an exception from the OCC in the application. This requirement reflects agency practice but is not expressly included in the current regulation. Fourth, paragraph (e) of § 5.23 includes certain provisions contained in § 143.10 that are unique to conversions of a mutual depository institution to a Federal mutual savings association. These provisions reflect the unique organizational structure of mutual depository institutions, which are largely member based. Finally, the proposal includes provisions in § 5.23 to implement section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, as discussed below. Conversion from a national bank or Federal savings association charter. Proposed § 5.25 sets forth a new provision that addresses conversions from a national bank or Federal savings association to another charter. Specifically, paragraph (d) covers conversions from a national bank or Federal savings association to a state bank or state savings association charter, while paragraph (e) covers conversions between a national bank and a Federal savings association. The provisions concerning a national bank conversion to a different charter mostly reflect current provisions in § 5.24(e) that are PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 being moved to § 5.25. Because section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act applies to conversions from Federal to state charters, but does not apply to conversions between different Federal charters, § 5.25 applies different provisions for these different transactions. Consistent with § 5.24(e), proposed § 5.25(d) provides that converting from a Federal charter does not require prior OCC approval.30 Instead, the institution must file only a notice with the OCC. This process would be a change for some Federal savings associations. Under the current regulations, Federal savings associations that are not eligible for expedited treatment must file an application to convert to a national bank or state bank.31 Under the proposal, this notice must contain a copy of its conversion application to the regulator to which it is applying for approval to convert (as required by section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act), a showing of its compliance with applicable requirements for converting from the charter, and a discussion of any issues regarding the permissibility of the conversion under section 612 of DoddFrank Act. This section also would require the institution to file a copy of its conversion application with the Federal banking agency that would become its appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion, pursuant to section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, as discussed below. For conversions between a national bank and a Federal savings association, proposed § 5.25(e) requires the institution planning to convert to file a notice for the conversion-out aspect of the transaction with the OCC. Currently, Federal savings associations must file an application, unless they qualify for expedited review. This notice must contain a showing of its compliance with applicable requirements for converting from the Federal charter. As discussed in footnote 29 of this preamble, the applicable ‘‘convertingin’’ regulation (§§ 5.24 or 5.23) would require the institution to file an application with the OCC with respect 30 If it is a conversion between a national bank and a Federal savings association, the institution would require OCC approval for the ‘‘convertingin’’ perspective of the transaction under § 5.24 or § 5.25, as applicable. In essence, the institution must satisfy the requirements, and receive OCC approval, to convert in under the statutes and regulations governing conversions in. It must also satisfy the requirements under other laws to ‘‘convert out’’ and notify the OCC it has done so. The OCC believes having the requirements in separate regulations makes it easier to follow them and will help ensure that a converting institution is mindful of meeting the requirements of both ‘‘sides’’ of the transaction. 31 See 12 CFR 152.19 and 163.22(b)(2). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 to the ‘‘converting-in’’ aspect of the transaction. Implementation of section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act added several provisions to Federal law regarding conversions. First, section 612(b) amended 12 U.S.C. 35 to provide that the OCC may not approve an application by a state bank or a state savings association to convert to a national bank or Federal savings association during any period in which the state bank or state savings association is subject to a cease and desist order (or other formal enforcement order) issued by, or a memorandum of understanding entered into with, a state banking supervisor or the appropriate Federal banking agency with respect to a significant supervisory matter or a final enforcement action by a state Attorney General. The OCC does not need to amend its regulations to implement this basic prohibition; the current and proposed regulations already include compliance with applicable law among the criteria for approval or denial.32 Proposed §§ 5.24(e)(2)(x) and 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(J) require the conversion application to include information about enforcement actions and other supervisory criticisms and the applicant’s analysis of whether conversion is permissible under 12 U.S.C. 35, as amended by section 612. The OCC would use this information to assess the permissibility of the proposed conversion under section 35, including the possibility of using the exception to the prohibition on conversions provided in section 612.33 The information also 32 See proposed §§ 5.24(d) and 5.25(d)(1) (each incorporating § 5.13(b)). 33 Subsection (d) of section 612 provides for an exception to the prohibition. Specifically, the prohibition on conversion does not apply if: (1) The Federal banking agency that would be the appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion (the OCC in conversions of a statechartered institution to a national bank or Federal savings association) gives written notice of the proposed conversion to the current Federal appropriate banking agency or state bank supervisor that issued the enforcement action, including a plan to address the significant supervisory matter in a manner that is consistent with the safe and sound operation of the institution; (2) the current Federal appropriate banking agency or state bank supervisor that issued the enforcement action does not object to the conversion or the plan; (3) after conversion, the plan is implemented; and (4) in the case of a final enforcement action by a state Attorney General, approval of the conversion is conditioned on the institution’s compliance with the terms of such final enforcement action. Section 612(d) is codified as a note attached to 12 U.S.C. 35. Applicants should be aware that the Agencies have issued interagency guidance stating the Agencies’ position that such exceptions would be rare, and generally would occur only when the institution already has substantially addressed the matters in the enforcement action or there are substantial changes in circumstances. See Interagency VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 will assist in making the OCC aware of the condition of the applicant. Second, section 612(b) added a new section 12 U.S.C. 214d prohibiting a national bank from converting to a state bank or state savings association during any period in which the national bank is subject to a cease and desist order (or other formal enforcement order) issued by, or a memorandum of understanding entered into with, the OCC with respect to a significant supervisory matter. Section 612(c) similarly added a new paragraph (6) to the end of the HOLA 34 prohibiting a Federal savings association from converting to a state bank or state savings association during any period in which the Federal savings association is subject to a cease and desist order (or other formal enforcement order) issued by, or a memorandum of understanding entered into with, the OTS or the OCC with respect to a significant supervisory matter. The exception to the prohibitions on conversions in section 612(d), discussed above, applies to the prohibitions in sections 214d and 1464(i)(6). Proposed § 5.25(d)(3) would require that the information that must be submitted to the OCC when a national bank or Federal savings association plans to convert to a state bank or state savings association must include a discussion of the impact of any enforcement action on the permissibility of the conversion under 12 U.S.C. 214d or 1464(i)(6). This discussion will assist the OCC in monitoring compliance with these statutes. Third, paragraph (e)(1) of section 612 requires that at the time an insured depository institution files a conversion application, it must transmit a copy of the conversion application to both the appropriate Federal banking agency for the institution and the Federal banking agency that would become the appropriate Federal banking agency for the institution after the proposed conversion. Reflecting this statutory requirement, as noted above, the proposal adds to our regulations at §§ 5.24(e)(2), 5.23(d)(2)(ii), 5.25(d)(3)(i)(last sentence), and 5.25(d)(3)(ii)(A) a requirement to send a copy of the conversion application to the appropriate Federal banking agencies. Including the requirement in our regulations will help ensure applicants are aware of this requirement. Statement on Section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act: Restrictions on Conversions of Troubled Banks (November 26, 2012), available at www.occ.gov/ news-issuances/bulletins/2012/bulletin-201239a.pdf. 34 Section 5(i), 12 U.S.C. 1464(i)(6). PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33277 Disposition of current Federal savings association conversion regulations. Sections 5.23 and 5.25 will replace most of the current Federal savings association regulations on conversions. Accordingly, this proposal removes §§ 143.8, 143.9, 143.10, 143.14, 152.18, and 152.19.35 We also propose to remove § 143.11, which provides for an organizational plan for governance during the first six years after a state mutual savings bank converts to a Federal charter. The OCC believes it can provide this oversight of the process for the converting institution to come into compliance with the requirements for Federal mutual savings banks through the application process. Question 1: The OCC requests comment on the benefit to converting institutions of retaining this organizational governance provision in § 143.11 as a regulation. Section 143.12, which implements section 5(i)(4) of the HOLA,36 addresses grandfathered authority of certain Federal savings associations. It is not a licensing regulation and does not involve an application process. The OCC proposes leaving it unchanged. As a result of other changes in this rulemaking, it will be the only section that remains in part 143. Therefore, the OCC proposes renaming part 143 as part 143—Federal Savings Associations— Grandfathered Authority. Fiduciary Powers (§ 5.26) Twelve 12 CFR 5.26 contains the application requirements and processes for national banks that wish to engage in the exercise of fiduciary powers. Twelve CFR part 150, subpart A (§§ 150.70 through 150.125) addresses the application requirements and processes for Federal savings associations that wish to engage in the exercise of fiduciary powers. We propose to consolidate the application and notice filing procedures for fiduciary powers for national banks and Federal savings associations by revising § 5.26 to cover Federal savings associations, incorporating certain provisions from part 150 in § 5.26, amending § 150.70 to remove the current language regarding filing requirements and direct Federal savings associations to § 5.26 for the application and notice procedures they should 35 This preamble discusses the removal of § 163.22(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2) in the discussion of amendments to the OCC’s rules regarding the organization a national bank or Federal savings association and Federal savings association charters and bylaws, above. Other provisions of this proposal would remove the remaining provisions of part 143 (except for § 143.12), part 152 and § 163.22. 36 12 U.S.C. 1464(i)(4). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33278 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules follow, and deleting §§ 150.80 through 150.125, which contain additional current Federal savings association filing requirements. In general, the proposal would revise § 5.26 by adding language that will make it applicable to both national banks and Federal savings associations. The proposal also would make the following revisions to the application requirements in § 5.26. First, we propose to add § 5.26(e)(2)(iii) that would provide examples of factors the OCC will consider when reviewing an application to exercise fiduciary powers. These factors include financial condition, adequacy of capital, character and ability of proposed trust management, the adequacy of any proposed business plan, and the needs of the community served. These factors will help clarify the standard of review that will be used by the OCC. Three of the factors are requirements found in both the National Bank Act 37 and the HOLA: 38 capital adequacy, requiring that the needs of the community be served, and providing that the OCC may consider any other factors or circumstances that the agency considers proper. A review of the financial condition of the national bank or Federal savings association, the experience and character of the management of the institution, and the adequacy of any proposed business plan are all factors that the OCC already takes into account when reviewing an application submitted by a national bank or Federal savings association to conduct fiduciary powers. In addition, the Federal savings association rule, § 150.100, includes the factors requiring assessment of the financial condition, the overall performance, and the proposed supervision of the Federal savings association. Second, we propose to add a new paragraph (e)(5) to § 5.26. This amendment would require a national bank or a Federal savings association that has not conducted previously approved fiduciary powers for 18 consecutive months to provide a notice to the OCC containing the information required by § 5.26 (e)(2)(i) 60 days in advance of commencing the activities. This amendment is similar to the requirement in the Federal savings association rule at § 150.560, which requires filing a notice if the savings association has not conducted the fiduciary activity for five years after it was approved to engage in the activity. We have determined, however, that 18 37 12 38 12 U.S.C. 92a(i). U.S.C. 1464(n)(8). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 months is a more appropriate timeframe for this notice because the management and condition of a national bank or Federal savings association may change in a shorter period of time. This amendment will ensure that both a national bank and a Federal savings association previously granted fiduciary powers would still have the financial ability and managerial expertise necessary to conduct fiduciary activities in a safe and sound manner. This transfer also is consistent with the National Bank Act 39 and the HOLA,40 which provide that if a national bank or Federal savings association, respectively, has not exercised previously granted fiduciary powers, the OCC may use specified procedures to revoke the authorized fiduciary powers. The OCC also believes this notification is important because it will enable the agency to allocate supervisory resources needed to evaluate the institution when it resumes fiduciary activities it has not engaged in for a long period of time. Third, we propose adding a new § 5.26(e)(1)(iv) that specifies that a national bank or Federal savings association that has received approval from the OCC to offer limited fiduciary services and desires to offer full fiduciary services must apply to the OCC. This reflects current practice for national banks. An applicant can apply for approval for limited powers (authority for one or more specific type of fiduciary powers described in the application) or for full powers (authority to exercise all powers authorized under the law). If an institution that had previously been approved only for certain powers planned to begin exercising others, it would need to apply. However, an institution that had applied, and been approved, for full powers could add to the activities it engages in without additional application. In addition, incorporating Federal savings associations in the application framework of § 5.26 also results in some other minor changes or clarifications of requirements for Federal savings associations. New paragraphs (b)(2) and (4) of § 5.26 set out circumstances in which a Federal savings association does not need to apply for fiduciary powers in connection with certain mergers. The new provision in § 5.26(e)(1)(iv), discussed above, requiring an application when an institution previously approved only to exercise specified limited powers planned to exercise more powers would replace a current provision requiring a 39 12 40 12 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 U.S.C. 92a(k). U.S.C. 1464(n)(10). Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Federal savings association to apply if it planned to conduct fiduciary activities that are ‘‘materially different’’ from those previously approved, regardless of whether the prior approval had been for limited or full powers. Section 5.26(e)(3) provides for expedited review of applications by eligible national banks and eligible Federal savings associations. Part 150 does not provide for expedited treatment of fiduciary powers applications by Federal savings associations. Establishment, Acquisition, and Relocation of a Branch (§ 5.30 and § 5.31) Overview. Section 5.30 of the OCC’s rules addresses the establishment, acquisition, and relocation of branch offices of national banks. Sections 145.92, 145.93, 145.95 and 145.96 address these subjects, as well as agency offices, for Federal savings associations.41 While these national bank and Federal savings association rules address a common subject there are two important differences between them, namely the definition of ‘‘branch’’ (and many provisions related to the definition) and the scope of the requirement for prior OCC approval.42 As discussed below, these differences stem from the statutes applicable to national banks and Federal savings associations. At this time, the OCC is proposing to retain these differences. Accordingly, we are not proposing to add Federal savings associations to 12 CFR 5.30. Instead, we propose to add a new § 5.31 to part 5 in order to bring the establishment and relocation of branches by a Federal savings association within the licensing procedures of part 5. Section 5.31 would be similar in format to § 5.30, but would include provisions based on §§ 145.92 and 145.93 regarding the definition of ‘‘branch’’ and the scope of the application requirements. Section 5.31 also would include the provisions of § 145.96 regarding agency offices. We then also propose to remove 12 CFR 145.93, 145.95 and 145.96, and make a conforming change to § 145.92. Under this proposal, national banks and 41 An agency office is an office of a Federal savings association that services, originates, or approves loans and contracts; manages or sells real estate owned by the savings association; or conducts fiduciary activities or activities ancillary to the savings association’s fiduciary business, or, with the approval of the OCC, provides other services. See 12 CFR 145.96. 42 There are also differences in the locations at which a national bank or a Federal savings association may establish a branch. Generally, Federal savings associations have somewhat broader branching authority than national banks. The relevant application procedure regulations do not address this subject. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Federal savings associations generally would continue to be subject to different branching application provisions and requirements. As an alternative to this proposal, the OCC is considering whether to harmonize the treatment of the branch licensing regulations of national banks and Federal savings associations in order to simplify our licensing procedures and provide for comparable treatment of national banks and Federal savings associations. As a second alternative approach, we also are considering whether to adopt an afterthe-fact branch notice requirement for Federal savings associations. These alternatives are discussed below, and the OCC invites comment on the desirability of adopting one of them rather than the proposal. For national banks, the term ‘‘branch’’ is defined by statute. The McFadden Act defines a ‘‘branch’’ as an office ‘‘at which deposits are received, or checks paid, or money lent.’’ 43 Over the years, the meaning of the term in various contexts has been addressed extensively in case law and regulatory interpretation. The OCC codified much of that interpretive explanation in § 5.30 and in a number of provisions in part 7 that specify what constitutes a branching activity and what does not. For Federal savings associations, the HOLA does not have a general definition of ‘‘branch.’’ 44 Consideration of whether an office of a Federal savings association is a branch office has focused only on activities involving deposit accounts, not lending. Furthermore, there is little in the regulations specifying which activities are branching activities and which are not. The proposal retains this difference between national banks and Federal savings associations. In the alternative, harmonized approach, discussed below, the regulation would apply the national bank definition to Federal savings associations, and Federal savings associations would be added to all the provisions in § 5.30 and part 7 that address branching. In addition, the statutes authorizing a national bank to establish a branch require that it obtain approval from the OCC.45 Accordingly, the OCC licensing regulations at 12 CFR 5.30 require national banks to file an application and 43 Section 5155 of the Revised Statutes, 12 U.S.C. 36(j). 44 There is a definition in section 5(m) of the HOLA, 12 U.S.C. 1464(m), but it addresses branching only in the District of Columbia. In that subsection, branch is defined as an office ‘‘at which accounts are opened or payments are received or withdrawals are made.’’ 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(2). 45 See 12 U.S.C. 36(b), 36(c), 36(g). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 obtain OCC approval for every branch. The HOLA does not have a general provision requiring approval for a Federal savings association to establish a branch.46 By regulation, at § 145.93, the OCC (continuing a provision originally adopted by the OTS) requires an application for a Federal savings association to establish or relocate a branch, but this rule also provides certain exceptions. The proposal also retains this difference between national banks and Federal savings associations. In the first alternative approach below, the regulation would require Federal savings associations to file applications to establish or relocate a branch without exceptions. The second alternative approach would require Federal savings to file an after-the-fact notice instead of an application. Branches of national banks (§ 5.30). We are proposing several minor substantive clarifications in § 5.30. First, the proposal would revise § 5.30(c), the scope section, to divide it into paragraphs. Second, § 5.30(c)(2) (formerly part of § 5.30(c)) would continue to provide that the standards of § 5.30 (governing review and approval of applications by the OCC) and, as applicable, 12 U.S.C. 36(b), would apply to branches acquired or retained in a conversion approved under § 5.24 or a business combination approved under § 5.33, but such branches would be subject only to the application procedures set forth in §§ 5.24 or 5.33. The addition of branches acquired or retained in a conversion under § 5.24 to this section reflects current practice. Third, the OCC is proposing revisions to portions of the definition of ‘‘branch.’’ Section 5.30(d)(1)(ii)(B), which currently excepts from the definition of ‘‘branch’’ a facility that is located at the site of, or is an extension of, an approved main office or branch office of the national bank, would be amended to state that the OCC will consider a drive-in or pedestrian facility located within 500 feet of a public entrance to an existing main office or branch office to be such an extension, provided the functions performed at the drive-in or pedestrian facility are limited to functions ordinarily performed at a teller window. This ‘‘bright-line’’ 500-foot test for national banks that a facility is an extension of an existing branch rather than a new, separate branch is consistent with § 145.93(b)(1), which provides an exception to the application 46 However, the provision regarding branching in the District of Columbia does require prior regulatory approval. 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1). PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33279 requirement for branches for such a facility for Federal savings associations. The proposal also adds new § 5.30(d)(1)(iii) to describe more clearly what is not a branch, including ATMs and remote service units,47 as well as loan production offices, deposit production offices, administrative offices, and any other office that does not engage in any of the activities set out in paragraph (d)(1). Fourth, the proposal updates § 5.30(e), relating to the principles that guide the OCC in making determinations on applications under this section, to reflect the OCC’s statutory mission as amended in section 314 of the DoddFrank Act.48 Finally, the proposal amends § 5.30(f)(6), which sets forth the procedures for expedited review of applications by eligible national banks, to clarify that the time period for review of an application for a short-distance relocation is the 15th day after the close of the comment period or the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC, whichever is later, to be consistent with the shorter comment period for applications for short-distance relocations (15 days rather than the standard 30 days). Branches and agency offices of Federal savings associations (§ 5.31). The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.31 to address the establishment or relocation of branches, or the establishment of agency offices, by Federal savings associations. Its format follows that of § 5.30, but it does not include provisions from § 5.30 that apply only to national banks. Section 5.31(a) recites the statutory authority under which the rule is issued. Section 5.31(b) sets out the basic requirement that a Federal savings association must file an application to establish or relocate a branch, unless the transaction would qualify for one of the exceptions in the rule. Section 5.31(c), the scope section, generally describes what the section covers—namely, the procedures and standards for review and approval of applications to establish or relocate a branch, the circumstances in which an application is not required, and the authority to establish agency offices. Section 5.31(c)(2) (similar to proposed § 5.30(c)(2) and part of current § 5.30(c)) provides that the standards of § 5.31 47 We also are proposing to amend § 7.4003 (establishment and operation of a remote service unit) to add a number of additional examples of remote service units. The proposal expands this illustrative list in order to modernize the regulation to capture new technology with similar functional capability. 48 12 U.S.C. 1(a). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33280 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (governing review and approval of applications by the OCC) would apply to branches acquired or retained in a conversion approved under § 5.23 or a business combination approved under § 5.33, but that such branches would be subject only to the application procedures set forth in §§ 5.23 or 5.33. Section 5.31(c)(3) says that § 5.31 also implements section 5(m) of the HOLA,49 which addresses branching by Federal and state savings associations in the District of Columbia. In § 5.31(d), we are proposing to add a definition of ‘‘branch office’’ for Federal savings associations for purposes of § 5.31 by referring to the definition in 12 CFR 145.92(a). We are also proposing to include a definition of ‘‘home state’’—the state in which the association’s home office is located. In § 5.31(e) we are proposing the policy principles that guide the OCC’s review of an application to establish or relocate a branch. These principles reflect the OCC’s statutory mission as amended in section 314 of the DoddFrank Act, and are identical to those principles set forth in § 5.30(e) for the OCC’s review of a national bank branch application or relocation.50 Paragraph (f)(1) of § 5.31 sets out the general requirement that each Federal savings association that wants to establish or relocate a branch must submit a separate application for each proposed branch, unless the transaction qualifies for one of the exceptions in paragraph (f)(2). Sections 145.93 and 145.95 contain a number of provisions regarding the filing of notices and applications with the OCC as well as notices to the public. These provisions will no longer be necessary once Federal savings association branch filings are subject to part 5 and part 5’s corresponding procedural provisions. One of the provisions in § 145.93— paragraph (e)—does not have an analogue in § 5.30, and the OCC does not propose to include it in § 5.31. Under § 145.93(e), a Federal savings association may not file an application or notice, or use any of the exceptions, to establish a branch if the association has filed an application to merge or otherwise surrender its charter and the application has been pending for less than six months. Paragraph (f)(2) of § 5.31 would carry forward three of the exceptions to the requirement to file an application that are now included in § 145.93(b).51 49 12 U.S.C. 1464(m). U.S.C. 1(a). 51 We are proposing to replace the fourth exception (which provides that a Federal savings association may re-designate an existing branch 50 12 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Paragraph (f)(2)(i) continues the exception for the establishment of a drive-in or pedestrian office that is located within 500 feet of an existing home or branch office. Paragraph (f)(2)(ii) continues the exception for a short-distance relocation of a branch. Paragraph (f)(2)(iii) continues the exception for the establishment or relocation of a branch by highly-rated Federal savings associations. Under § 145.93(b)(3), certain highly-rated Federal savings associations are not required to file an application to change the permanent location of an existing branch or to establish a new branch if it meets certain requirements. Those requirements are: (1) The Federal savings association is eligible for expedited treatment, (2) it publishes notice, at a time period specified in the rule, of its intent to establish or relocate a branch, (3) in the case of a relocation, it posts notice of its intent to relocate the branch at the existing branch, and (4) no person files a comment opposing the action, or if a comment is filed, the OCC determines the comment raises issues that are not relevant to the standards for approving a branch application. The proposal continues this exception and these requirements except that, as with other sections in part 5, the condition for qualifying is that the Federal savings association is an ‘‘eligible savings association’’ rather than eligible for expedited treatment. As discussed earlier in this preamble, there are some differences in these tests. Paragraph (d) of § 145.93 addresses maintenance of branches following a conversion or business combination and provides that such branches may be maintained after the conversion or combination unless the approval of the transaction specifies otherwise. The proposal does not retain this provision in § 5.31. In part 5, retention of branches in a conversion or business combination is addressed in the conversion and business combination regulations (in this proposal, § 5.23 for conversions to become a Federal savings association and § 5.33 for business combinations resulting in a Federal savings association). Paragraph (g) of § 5.31 would set out exceptions to the rules of general applicability for applications by a office as a home office at the same time that it redesignates its existing home office as a branch office) with provisions in § 5.40. Section 5.40 would govern changes in the locations of a national bank’s main office or a Federal savings association’s home office. Changes in the location of a home office, including to an existing branch office, are subject to § 5.40. If the Federal savings association proposes to establish a branch at its former home office location, paragraph (c)(3) of § 5.40 directs the association to follow § 5.31. PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Federal savings association to establish or relocate a branch. Specifically, the OCC would be able to waive or reduce the public notice and comment period in certain emergency situations or with respect to certain temporary branches. Paragraph (h) of § 5.31 would provide that the OCC’s approval of a branch expires if the branch has not commenced business within 18 months, unless the OCC grants an extension. This period is longer than the current twelve month expiration period for branch approvals for Federal savings associations under § 145.95(c). Paragraph (i) of § 5.31 would provide that Federal savings associations must comply with the portions of 12 U.S.C. 1831r–1 that apply to Federal savings associations with respect to branch closings. The proposal would add § 5.31(j) to implement section 5(m)(1) of the HOLA.52 Section 5(m)(1), which applies to both Federal and state savings associations, provides that no savings association incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia or organized in the District or doing business in the District shall establish any branch or move its principal office or any branch without the Comptroller’s prior written approval and that no savings association shall establish any branch in the District or move its principal office or any branch in the District without the Comptroller’s prior written approval. Section 145.93(c) currently provides prior approval for any savings association branch that would be subject to section 5(m)(1), if the association meets the requirements of § 145.93(b) for an exception to the branch application filing requirement. After reconsideration, the OCC believes requiring an application and issuing a prior written approval for each application is more consistent with the statutory language of section 5(m)(1). Accordingly, we are changing the provisions implementing section 5(m)(1) of the HOLA to require an application. The proposal provides a short paraphrase of the statutory provision and instructs savings associations requiring approval under section 5(m)(1) to follow the application procedures of 12 CFR 5.31. Question 2: The OCC invites commenters’ views on whether section 5(m) is outdated. Finally, we are proposing to add paragraph (k) to § 5.31, which would include provisions currently in § 145.96 regarding agency offices. Alternative approaches to harmonize licensing rules for branching. As 52 12 E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM U.S.C. 1464(m)(1). 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules mentioned above, the OCC also is considering whether it would be preferable to integrate the licensing rules for establishing branches by adding Federal savings associations to § 5.30. Under this approach, both national banks and Federal savings associations would be required to file an application and obtain prior OCC approval to establish or relocate a branch. This requirement would be a change from the current rule for Federal savings associations, which provides that certain highly-rated Federal savings associations are not required to file an application to change the permanent location of an existing branch or to establish a new branch if it meets certain requirements and no person files a relevant comment opposing the action. We note, however, that under this alternative approach even though these highly-rated institutions would have to file an application, they most likely would qualify for expedited review of their applications. Moreover, the alternative approach would grandfather branches in existence as of the date the final rule would be published in the Federal Register. The alternative approach also would apply the definition of ‘‘branch’’ in § 5.30(d) to both national banks and Federal savings associations.53 As a result of this change, Federal savings associations would be subject to all the provisions in § 5.30 that interpret, explain, or apply the definition of ‘‘branch’’ or that address when various activities are or are not branching activities. In addition, because this definition of ‘‘branch’’ (an office at which deposits are received, checks paid, or money lent) is established by statute,54 the meaning of ‘‘branch’’ has an extensive case law and regulatory history that also may apply to Federal savings associations. This alternative proposal also would describe more clearly what is not a branch, including ATMs, electronic means or facilities used in providing financial services, loan production offices, deposit production offices, administrative offices, and any other office that does not engage in any of the activities set out in § 5.30(d)(1). Because of the application of the branch definition to Federal savings associations, a Federal savings 53 However, under this alternative, while the OCC would adopt the same definition for both national banks and Federal savings associations, we would clarify that the locations at which each type of institution may maintain a branch are governed by the separate and different legal authorities applicable to each type of institution, as indicated in the scope paragraph. 54 12 U.S.C. 36(j). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 association agency office at which loan proceeds are disbursed in the manner described in 12 CFR 7.1003(a) would be a branch,55 but an agency office that conducts its lending related activities in such a manner as to be a loan production office would not be a branch. However, this alternative would grandfather existing agency offices that were in existence on the date the final rule would be published in the Federal Register and that engaged in the disbursal of loan proceeds in the manner described in 12 CFR 7.1003(a) as of that date and continue to do so, provided they do not engage in any other branching activity. (We note that such an office could alter the manner in which it conducts business so that it would be a loan production office rather than a grandfathered Federal savings association agency office or a branch.) If a Federal savings association with a grandfathered Federal savings association agency office were to convert to or merge into a national bank or be acquired by or merge into another Federal savings association, or if the grandfathered Federal savings association agency office itself were acquired by a national bank or another Federal savings association, the agency office would lose its grandfathered status. The alternative proposal also would remove § 145.96 so that Federal savings associations would not be required to obtain OCC approval for offices to conduct permitted activities that are not considered branching activities, unless approval is required under some other provision. Finally, this alternative proposal would amend §§ 7.1003, 7.1004, 7.1005, 7.1012, 7.1014, 7.4003, 7.4004, and 7.4005, which interpret, explain, or apply the definition of ‘‘branch,’’ or that address when various activities are or are not branching activities, to apply them to Federal savings associations as well as national banks. These activities currently are permitted in Federal savings association agency offices. The OCC notes that the additional application requirement of the alternative approach described above could strengthen the ability of the OCC to monitor Federal savings association branching activity. In particular, branch applications could allow the OCC to identify emerging issues that have not yet affected the institution’s rating and allow the OCC to put into place appropriate safeguards that address those risks before they might be 55 Under § 7.1003(a), for purposes of what constitutes a branch, ‘‘ ‘money’ is deemed to be ‘lent’ only at the place, if any, where the borrower in-person receives loan proceeds directly from bank funds.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33281 exacerbated by the establishment of the branch. Moreover, a branch application requirement would mean the proposed establishment of a branch would be an application listed in the OCC’s Weekly Bulletin. This would provide those who may be interested in commenting on a proposal to establish a branch another form of notice in addition to the publication of notice by the association. A branch application requirement also would enable the OCC to maintain comprehensive supervisory and structural data for Federal savings associations, in addition to national banks. Because the current rule requires Federal savings associations to comply with a public notice process for each new branch, the OCC believes that filing an application with the OCC at the time of this notice may add only incremental time and burden to the process of opening a new branch, especially for the majority of Federal savings associations that would qualify for expedited review of the application. However, there is no statutory requirement that Federal savings associations seek approval from the OCC to open a new branch, and the OCC is mindful that the imposition of this requirement on Federal savings associations could be perceived as unnecessary and burdensome, especially given the fact that the last EGRPRA review of savings association rules resulted in the elimination of the branch application requirement for 1and 2-rated savings associations.56 Furthermore, the OCC is able to obtain some branch information through other sources, such as through the examination process and from the FDIC’s annual Summary of Deposits.57 In addition, the OCC notes that CRA rules require institutions to maintain a list of their branches, their street addresses, and geographies, as well as a list of branches opened or closed during the current year and each of the prior two calendar years.58 Question 3: The OCC specifically requests comment on whether the alternative integrated rule approach should be adopted as the final rule. As a second alternative approach, the OCC could require Federal savings associations to submit an after-the-fact notice, either as an amendment to § 5.31 as proposed in this rulemaking or in lieu of an application in the alternative approach of an integrated rule, described above. Under this after-the56 The OTS published an interim final rule on November 24, 2004 modifying application and reporting requirements as part of its review under EGRPRA. (69 FR 68239). 57 See www2.fdic.gov/idasp/main.asp. 58 See 12 CFR 195.43(a)(3) and (4). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33282 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules fact notice alternative, a Federal savings association would be required to provide a written notice to the OCC no later than 10 days after the opening or relocation of a branch. The written notice would identify the address of the branch, the date of opening the branch, and the type of branch. Such a notice would enable the OCC to obtain timely information on Federal savings association branching activity without requiring a 1- or 2-rated Federal savings association to obtain prior OCC approval to engage in an activity that they now may do without approval. Question 4: The OCC specifically requests comment on whether the final rule should include in § 5.31 an afterthe-fact notice for Federal savings associations, or, if the alternative integrated rule approach is adopted, whether such an after-the-fact notice should be required in lieu of an application requirement for savings associations. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Expedited Procedures for Certain Reorganizations (§ 5.32) Twelve CFR 5.32 provides the procedures for OCC review and approval of a national bank’s reorganization to become a subsidiary of a bank holding company or a company that will, upon consummation of such reorganization, become a bank holding company. Section 5.32 currently does not expressly exempt such reorganizations from the general procedures in part 5 for public notice, public availability, and hearings and other meetings (§§ 5.8, 5.9, and 5.11). When originally adopted, it was not the OCC’s intent to apply these procedures to these reorganizations, and, in general, the OCC has not required national banks to comply with these procedures. The proposal would amend § 5.32 to make clear in the regulation that these procedural requirements do not apply unless the OCC concludes that an application presents significant and novel policy, supervisory, or other legal issues. This is consistent with procedural exceptions for conversions (§ 5.23), fiduciary powers (§ 5.26), operating subsidiaries (§ 5.34), bank service companies (§ 5.35), and change in asset composition (§ 5.53). Business Combinations (§ 5.33) Business combinations include mergers and consolidations, as well as certain purchase and assumption transactions. The OCC’s regulations governing the application requirements and procedures for national banks engaging in business combinations are contained in 12 CFR 5.33. The regulations governing the application VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 requirements and procedures for Federal savings associations engaging in business combinations are contained in 12 CFR 163.22. The statutes governing mergers and consolidations by national banks contain extensive specifications for their authority, the procedures the bank must follow, and the effect of the merger or consolidation.59 Thus, there are few OCC regulations on these matters. By contrast, the statutes governing mergers and consolidations by Federal savings associations contain few provisions addressing these matters.60 Accordingly, the OCC (and its predecessor regulators of Federal savings associations) has adopted extensive regulations addressing the authority of Federal savings associations to engage in mergers and consolidations, the procedures the savings association must follow, and the effect of the merger or consolidation. These rules are contained in 12 CFR part 146 for Federal mutual savings associations and in 12 CFR 152.13, 152.14, and 152.15 for Federal stock savings associations. While these rules address a common subject there are a number of differences between them. We are proposing to harmonize the treatment of the business combination activities of national banks and Federal savings associations where consistent with the underlying statutory authorities of each type of institution and to consolidate our regulations by amending 12 CFR 5.33 to apply to Federal savings associations and by removing 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13, 152.14, 152.15, and 163.22.61 This harmonization is intended to reduce regulatory duplication and promote fairness in supervision. We also propose to include in § 5.33 some provisions from the Federal savings association application requirements and procedures, to make several other substantive changes in § 5.33, and to make a number of clarifying or technical amendments. Under this proposal, as explained below, national banks and Federal savings associations generally would be subject to the same application requirements and procedures. In addition, we propose to add to § 5.33 new paragraphs, based on 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13 and 152.14, to continue to provide regulations addressing the authority of Federal savings associations to engage in mergers and consolidations, the procedures the savings association must 59 See 12 U.S.C. 214–214d, 215–215b, and 215c, respectively. 60 See 12 U.S.C. 1464(d)(3)(A) and 1467a(s). 61 The removal of part 146 and § 163.22 also is discussed elsewhere in this proposal. PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 follow, and the effect of the merger or consolidation. Specifically, we propose to modify the scope section, § 5.33(b), to remove the reference to a merger between a national bank and its nonbank affiliate, as those transactions are now covered in the revised definition of ‘‘business combination,’’ discussed below. We also propose to revise the language regarding notices to the OCC when a national bank or Federal savings association is not the resulting institution to address situations in which the merger is with an entity that is not a ‘‘depository institution’’ as defined for purposes of § 5.33.62 We also propose to add a footnote to the licensing requirements section indicating that some of the transactions that do not require an application under § 5.33 may require an application under 12 CFR 5.53 for a substantial asset change. Section 5.33(d) contains definitions. The OCC is proposing to revise the definition of ‘‘business combination’’ in several ways. First, we propose to include consolidations and mergers of Federal savings associations with state trust companies in the definition. A consolidation or merger of a state trust company with a national bank is included in current § 5.33(g)(1) because 5.33(g)(1) covers merger and consolidations with a state bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 215b, and that definition includes state trust companies. Second, new § 5.33(d)(2)(ii) includes mergers and consolidations between a Federal savings association and a credit union in the definition of business combinations. Federal savings associations have this authority, but national banks do not. Third, new § 5.33(d)(2)(iii) includes mergers between a national bank and its nonbank affiliate. National banks have this authority, but Federal savings associations do not. Fourth, new § 5.33(d)(2)(v) revises an existing provision in § 5.33(d)(2), which currently includes in the definition only the assumption of deposit liabilities from another depository institution, to also include the assumption, from a credit union or any other institution that is not FDIC-insured, of deposit accounts or other liabilities that will become deposits at the assuming national bank or Federal savings association. Section 163.22(c) requires an application by a Federal savings association in such cases.63 We propose to keep the requirement and extend it to national 62 Under § 5.3(f), ‘‘depository institution’’ means any bank or savings association. 63 Section 163.22(c) also is discussed elsewhere in this preamble in connection with 12 CFR 5.53. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules banks. This requirement will assist the OCC in monitoring acquisitions of deposit liabilities from outside the FDIC-insured system. Fifth, new § 5.33(d)(2)(vi) includes in the definition purchase and assumption transactions which involve the acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings association of all or substantially all, of the assets, or the assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities, of companies in addition to depository institutions, including credit unions, nonbank affiliates, or any other company (a ‘‘whole entity purchase and assumption’’). This definition is intended to cover a whole entity purchase and assumption with an entity other than a depository institution (which is covered by proposed § 5.33(d)(2)(iv), continuing a provision in the current rule). Currently, a Federal savings association has authority to engage in such transactions only with an entity with which it could engage in a consolidation or merger (i.e., a bank, savings association, or credit union), not a nonbank affiliate or other company. A Federal savings association is required to file an application for such transactions. A national bank has authority to engage in a whole entity purchase and assumption transaction without regard to whether it has authority to consolidate or merge with the counterparty. The purchase and assumption of bank-permissible assets and liabilities is an exercise of a bank’s power to engage in the business of banking under 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh), not the power to combine organically with another institution, as in a merger. The OCC proposes to adopt the same position regarding the power of a Federal savings association to engage in purchase and assumption transactions. Thus, a Federal savings association would have the authority to engage in a whole entity purchase and assumption without regard to whether it has authority to consolidate or merge with the counterparty. While national banks have had this authority, there has not been a requirement to apply to the OCC for approval of a whole entity purchase and assumption other than one with a depository institution. The OCC believes such transactions with parties other than depository institutions can have an impact on the acquiring national bank or Federal savings association if they are material, and so should have regulatory review. The OCC proposes to require an application if the whole entity purchase and assumption would result in an increase in the asset size of the bank or savings association of 25 percent or more. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Question 5: The OCC requests comment on whether an increase in asset size of 25 percent or more is the appropriate threshold for materiality for whole entity purchase and assumption transactions or whether there are there other possible measures of materiality. We are proposing to add a new term ‘‘other combination’’ in § 5.33(d)(10). It would be used in § 5.33 to refer to those combinations that do not require application to the OCC under § 5.33 (i.e., those in which a national bank or Federal savings association is not the resulting institution). The OCC also is proposing to add definitions of ‘‘credit union,’’ ‘‘savings association’’ and ‘‘state savings association,’’ and ‘‘state trust company’’ in § 5.33(d)(6), (11), and (12), respectively. The OCC is proposing expressly to include in § 5.33(e)(1)(i) the factors the OCC uses to evaluate all business combination applications, including both those the OCC reviews under the Bank Merger Act and those the OCC does not. These factors are: The institution’s capital level; the conformity of the transaction to applicable law, regulation, and supervisory policies; the purpose of the transaction; the impact of the transaction on safety and soundness; and the effect of the transaction on the institution’s shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and customers. These factors all reflect current practice. Some of them are included in § 5.33(g)(4) and (5) now for a merger with a nonbank affiliate, in which the OCC does not have Bank Merger Act review. Others are included in the Federal savings association regulations at § 163.22(d). Section 163.22(d)(1)(vi) also has a factor relating to the fairness of the transaction, disclosure regarding the transaction, and equitable treatment that includes a detailed presentation of considerations involved in assessing the factor. The OCC believes it is not necessary to include this detailed material in the regulation. We believe the factor in § 5.33(e)(1)(i)(E) regarding the effect of the transaction on the institution’s shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and customers is sufficient to provide a basis to review such matters in appropriate cases. We are proposing to include three additional factors in § 5.33(e)(1)(ii) for applications in which the OCC reviews the transaction under the Bank Merger Act. First, we are moving the money laundering factor included in current § 5.33(e)(1)(iii) to the Bank Merger Act paragraph because it is a factor in the Bank Merger Act. We are adding the other two factors, financial stability and deposit concentration limit, because the PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33283 Dodd-Frank Act added these factors to the Bank Merger Act.64 The proposal also would clarify the information the applicant must include in the application. Section 5.33(e)(2) currently requires an applicant to disclose the location of any branch it will acquire and retain in a business combination. We propose to amend this requirement to clarify that this disclosure include the location of any branches that are approved but not yet opened. Proposed § 5.33(e)(3) would add a financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, and other equity investment to the current requirement to identify subsidiaries and provide an analysis of the permissibility for the national bank or Federal savings association to hold the subsidiary or investment. This requirement reflects the current practice of the OCC to review the legal permissibility for the resulting national bank or Federal savings association to continue to hold these other investments when evaluating a business combination application. In the provision regarding retention of nonconforming assets for a limited period of time after consummation of a business combination, § 5.33(e)(5), we propose to add Federal savings associations to the current provision and to add a new paragraph (e)(5)(ii) applicable to Federal savings associations to address provisions in the HOLA regarding certain nonconforming assets. In the provision regarding the exercise of fiduciary powers by the resulting national bank or Federal savings association, § 5.33(e)(6), we propose to add a new paragraph (e)(6)(ii) clarifying that if the applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, it must include in the business combination application the information required in § 5.26 for a request for fiduciary powers. This requirement reflects current practice. In the provision regarding the expiration of approval, § 5.33(e)(7), we propose to shorten the time within which an approval expires if the transaction has not been consummated from one year to six months and add a provision under which the OCC can extend the six month period. Section 5.33(f) contains the exceptions to the rules of general applicability for filings under § 5.33. Paragraph (f)(1) addresses filings in which a national bank (and, as 64 Public Law 111–203, sections 604(f) and 623(a), 124 Stat. 1376, 1602 and 1634 (2010). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33284 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 proposed, a Federal savings association) is the applicant. We propose to amend paragraph (f)(1) to clarify that the requirement of public notice and comment would apply only when the application is subject to a public notice requirement under the Bank Merger Act or other applicable statute that requires notice to the public. In such cases, the statutory requirements apply. In other cases, the public notice and comment provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10 and 5.11 would not apply unless the OCC concludes a particular application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues.65 This publication requirement would not be a change for national banks or Federal savings associations. In addition, another change for Federal savings associations would be the frequency and timing of publication for transactions that are subject to the Bank Merger Act. Section 163.22(e)(1)(i) requires an initial publication and then publication on a weekly basis during the public comment period. For national banks, the OCC requires an initial publication and two subsequent publications at intervals during the standard 30 day public comment period. Paragraph (f)(1)(ii) continues the current provisions under which a merger between a national bank and its nonbank affiliate is excepted from public notice and comment. Such mergers are merely internal reorganizations of the company’s existing operations. Section 5.33(f)(3) addresses filings in which a national bank (and as revised, a Federal savings association) is the target company and will not be the resulting institution. We are clarifying this provision so that it no longer includes a Federal savings association as a resulting institution, as Federal savings associations now apply to the OCC under proposed § 5.33(g)(3). We also are adding credit unions, as a merger or consolidation of a Federal savings association into a credit union will be within the scope of § 5.33. In addition, we propose to remove § 5.2 (rules of general applicability) and § 5.5 (fees) from the list of sections excepted. They include provisions that may be useful to apply in some situations. 65 Section 5.33(f) currently includes a list of several other statutory or regulatory requirements for publication in connection with certain mergers or consolidations that also except those transactions from the one-time publication of notice requirement of § 5.8(a). However, those provisions concern publication of notice of the shareholders’ meeting being called to vote on the proposed merger or consolidation. They are not notices to the public inviting comment on the merger or consolidation application. The OCC is proposing to remove them in revised § 5.33(f)(1)(i). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 We are proposing to amend § 5.33(g)(1) (merger or consolidation of a national bank or a state bank into a national bank) to require that a national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a merger or consolidation with another national bank must file a notice to the OCC under § 5.33(k). This notice, which would also be required whenever a national bank or Federal savings association merges or consolidates into another institution, provides the OCC information about the target national bank’s compliance with requirements to ‘‘merge-out’’ and sets in motion the steps for the disappearing national bank to end its separate existence. Section 5.33(k) is discussed further below. We are proposing to amend § 5.33(g)(2) (merger or consolidation of a Federal savings association into a national bank) to reflect the fact that the OCC now is the regulator of Federal savings associations. First, requirements similar to those in 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13 and 163.22 would now be required in § 5.33(g)(2)(i)(B) (referring to §§ 5.33(n) and (o)), replacing current § 5.33(g)(2)(i)(B). In addition, proposed § 5.33(g)(2)(i)(B) also would include a provision under which a whole purchase and assumption of the target Federal savings association would be treated as a consolidation for the Federal savings association, so that the procedural requirements in paragraph (o) would apply. The current regulations, at 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13, apply these requirements to such transactions now through the definition of ‘‘combination’’ in § 152.13(b)(1), which includes a whole purchase and assumption transaction between depository institutions, in addition to a consolidation and a merger. Second, the provision in § 5.33(g)(2)(ii), under which the OCC may conduct an appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a national bank involved in a consolidation with a Federal savings association if all the parties agree, would be changed in proposed § 5.33(g)(2)(ii)(A) from a voluntary to a required process, as the OCC has regulatory authority over both the national bank and the Federal savings association. Third, proposed § 5.33(g)(2)(ii)(B) and (C) would set out the process for appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a Federal stock savings association involved in a consolidation or merger into a national bank. Mergers and consolidations of Federal savings associations into national banks are authorized under 12 U.S.C. 215c, but the statute has no provisions addressing dissenters’ rights. The OCC is proposing to apply the PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 statutory provisions governing national bank dissenters’ rights in 12 U.S.C. 215 and 215a to transactions in which a Federal savings association is merging or consolidating into a national bank, rather than continuing the regulatory dissenters’ rights provision in 12 CFR 152.14. Applications in which there are dissenting shareholders and the appraisal process is used are rare. The basic frameworks of the national bank and Federal savings association processes are similar. In the interest of simplicity of administration and similar treatment for each type of institution, the OCC prefers to use only one dissenters’ rights process. We propose to use the process for national banks because it is mandated by statutes for the transactions covered by those statutes. However, since we would be applying the dissenters’ rights process based on regulation, not statute, to the transactions covered by § 5.33(g)(2), we propose to include one element from § 152.14 that is different from the national bank statutes. Under the statutes, the bank is required to bear all costs.66 Under § 152.14(c)(9), the OCC may apportion costs. When we apply the national bank process to transactions to which it is not applicable by statute, we propose to include the authority to apportion costs for both participating Federal savings associations and participating national banks. Thus, in proposed § 5.33(g)(2)(ii)(C), we propose to do so for the type of consolidation or merger subject to § 5.33(g)(2). In § 5.33(g)(2)(iii), we propose to include a requirement that the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by the resulting institution. This requirement is based on provisions in §§ 146.2(b)(9) and 152.13(f)(9). Although not currently in § 5.33, it is a requirement for national banks as discussed in the OCC Licensing Manual. We propose to add a new § 5.33(g)(3) addressing consolidations and mergers of other institutions into a Federal savings association.67 The proposed section would require application to the OCC and, in § 5.33(g)(3)(i)(A) (referring to §§ 5.33(n) and (o)), would require the 66 See 12 U.S.C. 214a(b), 215(d), and 215a(d). proposal would move the provisions in current § 5.33(g)(3) that address a consolidation or merger of a national bank into a state chartered depository institution to become § 5.33(g)(6). The provisions in current § 5.33(g)(3) that address a consolidation or merger of a national bank into a Federal savings association would remain here in new § 5.33(g)(3) with modifications, as discussed in the text. 67 The E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Federal savings association to comply with requirements and procedures similar to those in 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13 and 163.22. Proposed § 5.33(g)(3)(i)(A) also would provide that if a combination involves a whole purchase and assumption of a Federal savings association, then the combination would be treated as a consolidation for participating Federal savings associations, so that the procedural requirements in paragraph (o) would apply. As discussed above, the current regulations, at 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13, apply these requirements to such transactions now through the definition of ‘‘combination’’ in § 152.13(b)(1), which includes a whole purchase and assumption transaction between depository institutions, in addition to a consolidations and a merger. Section 5.33(g)(3)(i)(B)(1) would continue the provisions in current § 5.33(g)(3)(iii)(A) requiring a target national bank to follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a and 12 U.S.C. 214c, as if the Federal savings association were a state bank. Section 5.33(g)(3)(i)(B)(2) would continue the provisions in current § 5.33(g)(3)(iii)(B), under which the OCC may conduct an appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a target national bank involved in a merger or consolidation with a Federal savings association if all the parties agree. However, the proposal would make the appraisal of dissenters’ rights in proposed § 5.33(g)(3)(i)(B)(2) a required process, as the OCC has regulatory authority over both the national bank and the Federal savings association as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act. As above, because we are applying this process by regulation to types of transactions that do not have statutory dissenters’ rights provisions, we propose to include a cost allocation provision for both national banks and Federal savings associations. Section 5.33(g)(3)(i)(C) would set out the process for appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a Federal stock savings association involved in a consolidation or merger into another Federal savings association. In applications in which a Federal savings association is merging into another Federal savings association, the OCC is proposing to apply the statutory provisions governing national bank dissenters’ rights in 12 U.S.C. 214a to Federal savings associations, as if the Federal savings association were a national bank merging into a state bank under section 214a. We are proposing to use the national bank dissenters’ right process rather than continuing the regulatory dissenters’ rights provision in VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 12 CFR 152.14 for the reasons discussed above. As above, because the process is being applied in these situations by regulation, not statute, we propose to include a cost allocation provision. We are also proposing to include the requirement from 12 U.S.C. 214a(b) that the plan of merger or consolidation must provide the manner of disposing of the shares of the resulting Federal savings association not taken by the dissenting shareholders. This requirement is a change from § 152.14(c)(11), under which such shares shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the resulting association. The plan of merger or consolidation could still provide such status for these shares, but such status no longer would be mandatory. In § 5.33(g)(3)(i)(D), we propose to provide that a state bank, state savings association or credit union that engages in a consolidation or merger into a Federal savings association would follow the procedures and dissenters’ rights process set out for such transactions in the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which it is organized. This provision is similar to the current provisions in § 5.33(g)(4) and (g)(5) for mergers between a national bank and its nonbank affiliate. In § 5.33(g)(3)(ii), we propose to include a requirement that the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by the resulting institution. This is based on provisions in §§ 146.2(b)(9) and 152.13(f)(9). Although not currently in § 5.33, it is a requirement for national banks as discussed in the OCC Licensing Manual. Sections 5.33(g)(4) and (g)(5) address mergers between a national bank and its nonbank subsidiary or affiliate. Section 5.33(g)(4) covers mergers into the national bank; § 5.33(g)(5) covers mergers into the nonbank subsidiary or affiliate. They implement a statute applicable only to national banks, not Federal savings associations.68 In § 5.33(g)(4), we propose to add a clarification that the transaction is subject to review by the FDIC under the Bank Merger Act only when the national bank is insured. We also are removing the factors the OCC considers in reviewing these applications from § 5.33(g)(4)(i) and § 5.33(g)(5)(i). These factors would no longer be needed in these provisions as we have included them in proposed § 5.33(e)(1)(i) and 68 See PO 00000 12 U.S.C. 215a–3. Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33285 applied them to all business combinations. Proposed § 5.33(g)(6) addresses a consolidation or merger under 12 U.S.C. 214a of a national bank with a state bank resulting in a state bank (as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a)). This new paragraph is based on the portions of current § 5.33(g)(3) that address a consolidation or merger of a national bank into a state bank.69 We also propose to add express provisions on procedures and dissenters’ rights. These requirements are statutory and were implied in current § 5.33(g)(3)(i). We propose to move the provisions on termination of charter and notice to the OCC in current § 5.33(g)(3)(i) and (ii) to new § 5.33(k). In § 5.33(g)(6)(iv), we propose to include a requirement that the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by the resulting institution. This requirement is based on provisions in §§ 146.2(b)(9) and 152.13(f)(9). Although not currently in § 5.33, it is a requirement for national banks as discussed in the OCC Licensing Manual. We propose to add a new § 5.33(g)(7), similar to proposed § 5.33(g)(6), that would address a consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association into a state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union. Under proposed § 5.33(g)(7)(i), such transactions would require only a notice to the OCC, not application and approval. This requirement is a change for Federal savings associations because, under § 163.22(c), an application is required for a combination with an uninsured bank, savings association or trust company or a credit union. Proposed § 5.33(g)(7)(ii) would address the procedures Federal savings association must follow to engage in the consolidation or merger and would require the association to follow the provisions of § 5.33(n) and (o), which are based on provisions in 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13 and 163.22. In addition, proposed § 5.33(g)(7)(ii) would include a provision under which a whole purchase and assumption of the target Federal savings association would be treated as a consolidation for the Federal savings association, so that the procedural requirements in paragraph (o) would apply. The current regulations, at 12 CFR part 146 and 12 69 The portions of current § 5.33(g)(3) that address a consolidation or merger of a national bank into a Federal savings association would remain in revised § 5.33(g)(3). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33286 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules CFR 152.13, apply these requirements to such transactions now through the definition of ‘‘combination’’ in § 152.13(b)(1), which includes a whole purchase and assumption transaction between depository institutions, in addition to a consolidation and a merger. Proposed § 5.33(g)(7)(iii) would set out the process for appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a Federal stock savings association involved in a consolidation or merger into a state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union. The process is similar to the process included in § 5.33(g)(3)(C), described above, for appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a Federal stock savings association involved in a consolidation or merger into a another Federal savings association. In § 5.33(g)(7)(iv), we propose to include a requirement that the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by the resulting institution. This requirement is based on provisions in §§ 146.2(b)(9) and 152.13(f)(9). Although not currently in § 5.33, it is a requirement for national banks as discussed in the OCC Licensing Manual. Section 5.33(i) provides for expedited review of business reorganizations (defined in § 5.33(d)(3)) and streamlined applications (described in § 5.33(j)). We propose to add Federal savings associations to § 5.33(d)(3) and § 5.33(j), so that Federal savings association applications that meet the requirements would be eligible for expedited review. Under expedited review, an application is deemed approved as of the later of the 45th day after the application was filed or the 15th day after the close of the comment period, unless the OCC notifies the applicant that the application is not eligible for expedited review or the expedited review process is extended. Business reorganizations are (1) a business combination between eligible depository institutions owned by the same holding company or (2) a business combination between an eligible bank or savings association and an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association that is being effected to form a holding company that would own the eligible bank or savings association. For both business reorganizations and streamlined applications, the acquiring bank must be an eligible bank and the resulting institution must be well capitalized. There are several types of streamlined applications. The different types of streamlined applications vary VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 depending on the other institutions’ status as eligible institutions, the amount by which the resulting institution would grow in size, and, in some cases, a pre-filing approval from the OCC to use a streamlined application. Under the proposal, expedited review under § 5.33(j) would replace the automatic approval provision in § 163.22(f) for Federal savings associations. Under § 163.22(f), an application is deemed to be approved automatically 30 days after the OCC sends the applicant a written notice that the application is complete. An application would fall out of the automatic approval process in a number of specified circumstances. Many of these circumstances are the same as those that would cause an application not to be eligible for expedited review under § 5.33(j). However, the size-based limit included in § 163.22(f) is more restrictive than eligibility for expedited review as a business reorganization or streamlined application in § 5.33. Specifically, under § 163.22(f)(10), an application does not qualify for the automatic approval process if the acquiring institution has assets of $1 billion or more and proposes to acquire assets of $1 billion or more. Business reorganizations have no size limit. Streamlined applications under § 5.33(j) have limits based on the relative size of the acquiring institution and the assets to be acquired but do not have a fixed maximum dollar amount limit on the size. In addition, under § 163.22(f) a number of the other disqualifying conditions are based on the competitive impact of the proposed combination, creating safe harbors that the proposal must meet in order qualify for the automatic approval process. The OCC believes it is not necessary to include competitive impact thresholds in the regulation. When a streamlined application is filed, the OCC would review it, and if it raised potential competitive concerns, the OCC would notify the applicant that the application is not eligible for expedited review. Accordingly, the OCC proposes not to include the automatic approval process of § 163.22(f), but to add one of the disqualifying factors set forth in § 163.22(f) to the streamlined application provision. Specifically, under proposed § 5.33(j)(2), an applicant would not qualify for a streamlined business combination application if the transaction is part of a mutual to stock conversion under 12 CFR part 192. We are proposing to add a new § 5.33(k) regarding notices to be filed when a national bank or Federal savings association is consolidating or merging PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 with another national bank or Federal savings association or with a state chartered institution or credit union and the target national bank or Federal savings association is not the resulting institution. It also includes provisions regarding the steps to be taken to terminate the institution’s status as a national bank or Federal savings association. This new provision gathers in one place material from current §§ 5.33(g)(3), 163.22(b) and 163.22(h)(1)(i) on filing the notice and the timing of the filing, material from § 163.22(h)(1)(i) and (ii) on the content of the notice, and material from §§ 5.33(g)(3), 146.2(g) and 152.13(k) on termination of the institution’s status as a national bank or Federal savings association. There would be no change for Federal savings associations. However, national banks would be required to include more information in the notice than currently required in § 5.33. This additional information would include a short description of the transaction or a copy of the filing made by the acquiring institution to its regulators for approval of the transaction and information showing the target national bank or Federal savings association has complied with the requirements to engage in the transaction (e.g., board and shareholder approval). The OCC is adding the requirement to include the information in order to monitor the transaction to ensure the national bank or Federal savings association complies with applicable law. The information involved is information the institution already would have compiled. Finally, under proposed § 5.33(k)(5), if the business combination contemplated by the notice has not occurred within six months after receipt of the notice, a new notice must be submitted, unless the OCC grants an extension of time. This requirement is in § 163.22(h)(1)(ii), except that the time period is shortened from one year to be consistent with the expiration period for OCC approvals under § 5.33(e)(7). This expiration provision would be new for national banks. After six months the information in the original notice could be out of date. Moreover, such a delay in consummation of the transaction may indicate changes in the condition or circumstances of the parties. Treating the notice as having expired and requiring a new one is similar to the requirement in various sections of part 5 that an approval expires after the passage of a specified amount of time. The OCC is proposing to add new § 5.33(l) addressing the transfer of assets, liabilities, rights, franchises, E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules interests, and fiduciary appointments to the resulting national bank or Federal savings association and its status as the continuation of each participating institution, sometimes referred to as corporate succession. It reflects the corporate succession provisions in national bank statutes 70 and continues the substance of current regulations providing succession for a Federal savings associations when it is the resulting institution in a consolidation or merger.71 The OCC is proposing to add new § 5.33(m) addressing certification of a consolidation or merger and documentation of its effective date. Specifically, proposed § 5.33(m) would require the applicant to submit information showing that all steps needed to complete the transaction have been met and to notify the OCC of the planned consummation date. The OCC would then issue a certification letter documenting that the consolidation or merger occurred and specifying the effective date. This new section reflects current OCC practice for national banks. The new section accomplishes through an applicant notification letter and issuance of an OCC certification letter what § 152.13(j) does in requiring the applicant to submit two sets of ‘‘Articles of Combination’’ that are filed with the OCC, and then endorsed by the OCC, with one set returned to the applicant with a specification of the effective date. The difference in forms and terminology would not represent a change in substance for Federal savings associations. The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.33(n). It would include provisions in § 146.2 and § 152.13 that set out the authority for Federal savings associations to engage in various types of business combinations and limitations on that authority. Section 5.33(n)(1) is based on § 152.13(a). Section 5.33(n)(2) is based on § 146.2(a) and § 152.13(c). However, we propose to add authority to engage in other business combinations listed in current § 5.33(d)(2), including the authority to enter whole entity purchase and assumptions with any entity (by the cross-reference to 5.33(d)(2)(vi)) and the other combinations listed in § 5.33(d)(10). We also propose to omit the requirement to meet the requirements for Federal Home Loan Bank membership, since membership in a Federal Home Loan Bank is no longer mandatory. Section 5.33(n)(3) is based 70 12 U.S.C. 214b, 215(e) and 215a(e). CFR 146.3 (Federal mutual savings associations); 12 CFR 152.13(l) (stock Federal savings associations). 71 12 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 on § 146.2(d). Section 5.33(n)(4) is based on § 163.22(e)(2). The OCC is proposing to add a new § 5.33(o). It would include various provisions in § 146.2 and § 152.13 that set out the procedural requirements for board, shareholder (in the case of stock savings associations), and, if required by the OCC, voting member (in the case of mutual savings associations) approval of business combinations involving the Federal savings association. As noted earlier, § 146.2 and § 152.13 use the term ‘‘combination’’ to include a whole purchase and assumption transaction, as well as a consolidation or merger, and therefore apply these procedural requirements to those transactions. Section 5.33 uses the term business combination more broadly. In order to avoid applying the requirements to a broader set of transactions and achieve the same result as § 146.2 and § 152.13, we propose to use ‘‘consolidation or merger’’ instead of ‘‘combination’’ in § 5.33(o), and require in § 5.33(g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(7) that a whole purchase and assumption transaction be treated as a consolidation by a Federal savings association for purposes of applying the requirements of § 5.33(o). Section 5.33(o)(1) is based on § 146.2(b) and 152.13(e), except that we propose to reduce the required majority for the board of directors approval for Federal stock savings associations from two-thirds to a majority. We are not proposing to reduce the requirement for Federal mutual savings associations, since the board of directors vote is the principal vote; there typically is not a vote of the voting members, unless the OCC requires it as provided in proposed § 5.33(o)(4). Section 5.33(o)(2) is based on § 146.2(g). Section 5.33(o)(3) is based on § 152.13(h). Section 5.33(o)(4) is based on § 146.2(e). We are not proposing to include in § 5.33 the requirements in § 146.2(b)(1) and 152.13(f) that require the savings association to include all terms regarding the combination in a combination agreement and set out in some detail provisions that the agreement must contain. OCC practice with respect to national banks has not been to include these requirements in detailed regulations, as the drafting of a merger agreement is a business matter for the participating parties. However, we note that the OCC Licensing Manual includes sample agreements. Operating Subsidiaries of a National Bank (§ 5.34) The proposal would make a number of changes to the provisions governing operating subsidiaries of national banks set forth at 12 CFR 5.34. Some of these PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33287 changes would incorporate elements of the Federal savings association operating subsidiary regulations currently contained in 12 CFR 159 in order to promote consistency between the regulations for operating subsidiaries for both charters.72 We also are proposing a number of other changes to clarify existing provisions in § 5.34. Specifically, the OCC is proposing to amend the scope section in § 5.34(c) by including language from § 159.1(a) that provides that the OCC may, at any time, limit a national bank’s investment in an operating subsidiary, or may limit or refuse to permit any activities in an operating subsidiary, for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness reasons. While the OCC currently has this authority, we are proposing to clarify the regulation by explicitly including this language. The proposal would add a new § 5.34(e)(1)(ii), which would provide that before beginning business, an operating subsidiary must comply with other laws applicable to it, including applicable licensing or registration requirements. This is not a new requirement for national banks. We are adding the language to clarify that compliance with § 5.34 and approval of an operating subsidiary by the OCC are not the only requirements that must be met. Section 5.34(e)(2) provides the criteria for a subsidiary to qualify as a national bank operating subsidiary. Section 5.34(e)(2)(i)(A) currently states that the national bank must have the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary. The proposal would clarify this provision by adding that no other person or entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the subsidiary. This reflects OCC practice regarding national bank operating subsidiaries. The language is based on a provision in § 159.3(c)(1) and we have added it to be consistent with that provision and the new Federal savings association operating subsidiary regulation. Section 5.34(e)(5)(ii)(A)(3), as redesignated in the proposal, would also include this language. The redesignation is discussed below. The OCC also is proposing to revise § 5.34(e)(2)(i)(B) to clarify that, in 72 Elsewhere in this proposal we are proposing to add a new § 5.38 to part 5 of our regulations to address Federal savings association operating subsidiaries. The proposed new § 5.38 is based on § 5.34, and many of its provisions are nearly identical or very similar. However, there are differences that reflect some differences between national bank operating subsidiaries and Federal savings association operating subsidiaries based on certain statutory provisions. The similarities and differences are discussed in the § 5.38 portion of the preamble. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33288 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules instances where the bank owns less than 50 percent of an operating subsidiary (but still controls it), no other party can own a greater percentage than the bank. This reflects current OCC practice, as set out in the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. We also are proposing a new § 5.34(e)(2)(iii) to clarify that the national bank must have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the bank and its operating subsidiaries. This provision has been adapted from § 159.10 and would be consistent with the new operating subsidiary rule for Federal savings associations. It clarifies that the requirement that the bank must control the operating subsidiary does not mean they should be treated as a single entity. The OCC also is proposing to revise § 5.34(e)(3) to clarify that there are other instances where different treatment of the operating subsidiary and the parent national bank may occur in addition to those regarding the application of state law addressed by the Dodd-Frank Act. Section 5.34(e)(5)(i) provides that national banks meeting certain requirements are not required to file a prior application but may give after-thefact notice when establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary or performing a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. Section 5.34(e)(5)(ii) requires a prior application and OCC approval in other instances and sets out the information that must be included in the filing. We are proposing to reverse the order of the application and notice provisions so that the application provision is first. The change in order simplifies and clarifies the opening language of each paragraph. It also will make the order of these provisions the same as that of the similar provisions in the regulation for operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations. The proposal would make technical revisions in § 5.34(e)(5)(ii)(A)(3), as redesignated in the proposal (current § 5.34(e)(5)(i)(A)(3)), to account for instances in which the operating subsidiary is a limited liability company. We also propose other clarifying and technical changes in redesignated § 5.34(e)(5)(i) through (v). Section 5.34(e)(5)(vi) provides that no application or notice is required for a national bank that is well managed and adequately capitalized or well capitalized to acquire or establish an operating subsidiary or perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, if the activities of the new subsidiary are limited to those previously reported to the OCC in connection with a prior operating subsidiary and certain other VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 requirements are met. We are proposing to change the requirement from adequately capitalized to well capitalized. This is consistent with the well capitalized requirement to be eligible for the after-the-fact notice procedure. The proposal also would amend § 5.34(e)(5)(vii) by codifying the OCC’s position that when a national bank operating subsidiary wishes to act as a fiduciary, its national bank parent must have fiduciary powers and the operating subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. The operating subsidiary may not rely on the national bank’s fiduciary powers. Further, this provision also would explicitly provide that when an operating subsidiary that exercises investment discretion on behalf of customers or provides investment advice for a fee is a registered investment adviser, it is not necessary for its national bank parent to have fiduciary powers. These provisions reflect OCC practice as set out in the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. Finally, a new § 5.34(e)(5)(viii) would be added, providing that OCC approvals granted under § 5.34 expire within 12 months if a national bank has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary or commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, unless the OCC shortens or extends the time period. This is similar to provisions in other sections of part 5 regarding the expiration of an OCC approval. National Bank and Federal Savings Association Investments in Service Companies (§ 5.35) Twelve CFR 5.35 addresses national bank investments in bank service companies pursuant to the Bank Service Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1861–1867. The Bank Service Company Act was amended in 2006 to permit Federal savings associations to invest in bank service companies.73 The OTS did not adopt implementing regulations. The OCC is proposing to amend § 5.35 to make it applicable to Federal savings associations, to state explicitly certain authority of the OCC, to conform definitions to Dodd-Frank Act changes, and to make a number of technical changes. The changes for Federal savings associations are not likely to be very significant because Federal savings associations are already subject to the 73 Public Law 109–351, section 602, 120 Stat. 1965 (2006). PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 statute and the filing procedures in § 5.35 follow the statute. The authority of Federal savings associations to invest in bank service companies under the Bank Service Company Act is separate from the authority to invest in service corporations under section 5(c)(4)(B) of the HOLA.74 Accordingly, a Federal savings association’s investments in bank service companies are not included in the investment limits for service corporations in section 5(c)(4)(B). They instead are subject to the separate limits of the Bank Service Company Act, codified at 12 U.S.C. 1862. The OCC is proposing to amend the scope section in § 5.35(c) by including language, based on 12 CFR 159.1(a), that provides that the OCC may, for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness reasons, limit at any time a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s investment in a bank service company or limit or refuse to permit any activities of any bank service company for which a national bank or Federal savings association is the principal investor. In addition, the OCC is proposing a technical amendment to the definition of the term ‘‘depository institution’’ in § 5.35(d)(3) to conform it to 12 U.S.C. 1861(b)(4) as amended by section 357 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Section 357 of the Dodd-Frank Act also amended 12 U.S.C. 1861(b)(5) by striking the definition of ‘‘insured depository institution’’ and adding in its place a second definition of ‘‘depository institution’’ that refers to section 3 of the FDI Act. The OCC believes that the deletion of the term ‘‘insured depository institution’’ was inadvertent and not intended to effect a change because the statute continues to use this term throughout. Therefore, we have not changed the definition of ‘‘insured depository institution’’ in § 5.35(d)(4). The OCC is also proposing to change the filing and review process of § 5.35(f)(2). It provides for an after-thefact notice with no requirement for OCC approval before the bank makes the investment if specified eligibility conditions are met. We are proposing to change it to a prior notice with OCC approval through an expedited review process, under which the notice is deemed approved on the 30th day after filing unless the OCC notifies the filer otherwise. We believe this process follows the statutory provisions more directly. Along with this change we are adding some of the provisions in § 5.35(f)(2) regarding what must be 74 12 E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B). 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules included in the notice to the general provision covering the required information in paragraph (g) of § 5.35, since paragraph (g) will now apply to all filings, and eliminating duplication between current § 5.35(f)(2) and (g). Finally, we are proposing to make a number of technical changes in §§ 5.35(c), (d)(3), (d)(4), (d)(6), (e), (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(5) and (i). emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Investment in National Bank or Federal Savings Association Premises (§§ 5.37, 7.1000, 7.3001) Under 12 U.S.C. 29, a national bank can purchase and hold real property necessary to transact business and may hold real estate in exchange for debts previously contracted subject to certain divestiture requirements. Under 12 U.S.C. 371d, a national bank is required to obtain prior OCC approval to invest in bank premises, unless its aggregate investment and related indebtedness is less than or equal to either the bank’s capital stock or 150 percent of the bank’s capital and surplus (and the bank meets certain other criteria, as described below). National banks are subject to several regulations that further delineate the parameters of their investment in and use of real property. Specifically, 12 CFR 7.1000 details the types of real estate that are necessary, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 29, for a national bank’s transaction of business, including premises owned and occupied by the bank, its branches, and its subsidiaries; property intended to be used for future bank expansion; and other property to be used by bank customers and employees. Section 7.1000 crossreferences 12 CFR 5.37, which contains the quantitative limitations based on a national bank’s capital that are specified in 12 U.S.C. 371d. Section 5.37 also prescribes the OCC premises approval process. Twelve CFR 7.3001 sets forth the rules that apply when a national bank shares its space and employees with other entities. Finally, 12 CFR 34.84 sets forth specific requirements for property held for future bank expansion. No statute specifically addresses a Federal savings association’s investment in banking premises.75 However, regulatory provisions governing banking premises are issued pursuant to the OCC’s general supervisory and rulemaking authority under the HOLA. Specifically, 12 CFR 160.37 permits a Federal savings association to invest in 75 The OCC is using the term ‘‘banking premises’’ instead of ‘‘bank premises’’ in revised §§ 5.37, 7.1000, and 7.3001 to alleviate any confusion with respect to Federal savings associations. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 real estate, whether improved or unimproved, to be used for office and related facilities of the association if such investment is made and maintained under a prudent program of property acquisition to meet the association’s present needs for office and related facilities and the outstanding book value of these investments does not exceed the association’s total capital. In addition, OCC regulations at 12 CFR part 159 recognize certain real estate-related activities as permissible for a Federal savings association service corporation, including real estate development and the acquisition of real estate for use by a stockholder of the service corporation. OCC guidance provides that a Federal savings association ordinarily must obtain prior OCC approval if such investments would exceed the amount of its total capital.76 Currently, a Federal savings association seeking to exceed the total capital limitation would request a waiver under 12 CFR 100.2. The OCC proposes numerous changes to these regulations, including applying the national bank regulations to Federal savings associations, rescinding 12 CFR 160.37, and making clarifying amendments. The details of these proposed changes are set forth below. National bank ownership of property (12 CFR 7.1000). The OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR 7.1000 to make it applicable to Federal savings associations and to make other changes described below. While we do not believe that there are significant substantive differences between § 7.1000 and § 160.37 and related OTS guidance, § 7.1000 provides additional detailed regulatory guidance that we believe, as a supervisory matter, is appropriate to apply to both national banks and Federal savings associations. Under proposed § 7.1000(a), a Federal savings association would be permitted to invest in real estate necessary to transact its business. Proposed § 7.1000(a)(2) would provide a nonexclusive list of permissible real estate investments for Federal savings associations. These investments are generally permitted for Federal savings associations under § 160.37, with the addition of lodging for customers, officers, or employees of the Federal savings association, its branches or consolidated subsidiaries in areas where suitable commercial lodging is not readily available, which is currently permissible for national banks. Under § 7.1000(a)(3), a national bank is permitted to hold premises through 76 OTS Handbook, Section 252, Fixed Assets, April 1999. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33289 any reasonable and prudent means, including fee ownership, leasehold estate, and interest in a cooperative. It also is permitted to hold such premises directly or through one or more subsidiaries and to organize a premises subsidiary as a corporation, partnership, or similar entity, such as a limited liability company. Section 160.37 permits a Federal savings association to invest in real estate, whether improved or unimproved, to be used for office and related facilities of the association under certain conditions, though it does not address how a Federal savings association may hold such premises. By adding Federal savings associations to proposed § 7.1000(a)(3), the OCC is making clear that a Federal savings association may hold its premises in any of the means set forth in that section. In addition, the proposal adds a new paragraph to recognize a Federal savings association’s separate authority under part 159, as proposed to be amended and redesignated as 12 CFR 5.59 in this rulemaking, to acquire and hold banking premises in a service corporation. In paragraph (c)(1) of § 7.1000, we propose to delete the reference to 12 U.S.C. 371d and replace it with language to clarify that the quantitative limitations in § 5.37(d)(1)(i) and (d)(3)(i) govern when OCC approval is required to invest in banking premises, in order to encompass Federal savings associations. We propose to amend § 7.1000(c)(2) by dividing it into two separate paragraphs. Proposed paragraph (c)(2)(i) would clarify that a national bank or Federal savings association must seek approval to invest in banking premises in accordance with § 5.37(d). New paragraph (c)(2)(ii) would clarify that a Federal savings association that invests in banking premises through a service corporation must comply with the quantitative limitations in § 5.37(d), and, to the extent applicable, § 5.59. As described below, proposed amendments to § 5.37(d) would clarify which requirements in § 5.37(d) would apply to service corporations. Under redesignated § 7.1000(c)(3), a national bank must receive OCC approval to exercise an option to purchase banking premises or stock in a corporation holding banking premises if the price of the option and the bank’s other investments in banking premises exceed the amount of the bank’s capital stock. We propose to simplify paragraph (c)(3) by removing the unnecessary language explaining when approval is required and replacing it with a statement that the national bank or Federal savings association must comply with the requirements in E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33290 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules § 5.37(d). The procedures in § 5.37(d) are discussed below. In addition, we propose to make other nonsubstantive, clarifying changes. Section 160.37 does not address an option to purchase banking premises or stock in a corporation holding banking premises; therefore, this would be a new requirement for a Federal savings association. We propose to delete § 7.1000(d), Other real property, because the two examples provided are based on wellestablished precedent and we believe it is unnecessary to include them in § 7.1000. Section 7.1000(d) was not intended to be a limitation on ownership of real property, and deleting it would eliminate the need to add clarifying language stating that national banks and Federal savings associations may have other sources of authority. Furthermore, deleting § 7.1000(d) would simplify § 7.1000 by limiting it to real estate necessary for the transaction of business. Section 34.84 provides rules for a national bank’s investment in future banking premises and is contained in the OCC’s rules on ‘‘other real estate owned’’ (OREO). Specifically, this section provides that a national bank normally should use real estate acquired for future expansion within five years and, after holding such real estate for one year, must state, by resolution of the board of directors or an appropriate authorized bank official or a subcommittee of the board of directors, definite plans for use of such real estate.77 This resolution or other official action must be available for inspection by bank examiners. We propose to move § 34.84 from part 34, subpart E, Other real estate owned, to § 7.1000 as paragraph (d) because it relates to banking premises, not other real estate owned, and amend it to include Federal savings associations. The revised ‘‘Other Real Estate Owned’’ booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook applies this 5year timeframe for the use of real estate acquired for future premises to Federal savings associations. Thus, the regulatory requirements regarding future banking premises under proposed § 7.1000(d) would codify existing OCC policy for Federal savings associations. To minimize practical difficulties that may arise as a result of these changes, 77 National banks and Federal savings associations should be aware that if they decide not to use real estate acquired for future banking premises, the investment would be considered other real estate owned and subject to applicable OREO requirements. For savings associations, see Comptroller’s Handbook, ‘‘Other Real Estate Owned’’ (Sept. 2013) (‘‘OREO Handbook’’), and for national banks, see 12 CFR part 34, subpart E and the OREO Handbook. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 we propose to add a transition provision, § 7.1000(e), that would grandfather Federal savings associations’ existing premises investments, provided the investment complies with the legal requirements in effect prior to the publication date of this proposal and continues to comply with those requirements. However, modifying, expanding, or improving such investments, with the exception of routine maintenance, would require prior approval of the appropriate OCC supervisory office. We believe it is appropriate to require prior approval in such circumstances to ensure safety and soundness concerns are satisfied and to apply consistent standards to national banks and Federal savings associations. Sharing space and employees (§ 7.3001). The OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR 7.3001 to make it applicable to Federal savings associations. While § 7.3001 is more detailed than OTS guidance, as described below, we do not believe that there are substantive differences in the way in which savings associations share offices and employees. Section 7.3001 provides additional guidance on how to share offices and employees in a manner that protects customers and is consistent with safe and sound banking practices. The OCC believes that, as a supervisory matter, it is appropriate to apply similar specific safety and soundness restrictions to both national banks and Federal savings associations. Specifically, section 7.3001 provides for the sharing of office space and employees. Section 160.37 does not specifically provide for such sharing arrangements; however, through guidance a Federal savings association is authorized to share space in a manner similar to that provided in § 7.3001, and the safety and soundness requirements imposed are substantially similar, though not identical, to those imposed by § 7.3001(c). For example, both the guidance and § 7.3001(c) prohibit joint ventures but the methods to determine what constitutes a joint venture are different. Under § 7.3001(c)(3), what constitutes a joint venture or partnership is determined by applicable state law. In addition, under proposed § 7.3001(a), a Federal savings association would be permitted to: (1) Lease excess space on banking premises to one or more other businesses (including other banks, Federal or state savings institutions, or financial institutions); (2) share space jointly held with one or more other businesses; or (3) offer its services in space owned or leased to other businesses. Under proposed § 7.3001(b), as part of such a sharing arrangement, a Federal savings PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 association may, pursuant to a written agreement, agree that its employee may act as an agent for the other business, or an employee of the other business may act as an agent for the savings association. Under proposed § 7.3001(c), a Federal savings association sharing office space would be required to satisfy eight requirements intended to ensure that the practice of sharing space was conducted in a safe and sound manner and also provides customer protections. This treatment is substantially similar to that in OCC guidance for Federal savings associations.78 To minimize practical difficulties that may arise as a result of these changes, we propose to add a transition provision, § 7.3001(e), that would grandfather existing sharing arrangements, provided such sharing arrangements comply with the legal requirements in effect prior to the publication date of this proposal and continue to comply with those requirements. However, the association may not amend or renew the agreement, or extend the agreement beyond its current term, without the prior approval of the appropriate OCC supervisory office. We believe it is appropriate to require prior approval in such circumstances to ensure customers are protected and safety and soundness concerns are satisfied and to apply consistent standards to national banks and Federal savings associations. Investment in banking premises (§ 5.37). The OCC proposes to amend § 5.37 to make it applicable to Federal savings associations and to make other changes as described below. The OCC believes that, for safety and soundness purposes, it would be prudent to apply the procedures and quantitative investment limitations in § 5.37 to both national banks and Federal savings associations. In addition, we believe that consistent standards should be applied to national banks and Federal savings associations. Specifically, § 5.37(d)(1)(i) requires a national bank to submit an application to the appropriate supervisory office to make an investment in banking premises, or to make loans to or upon the security of the stock of such a corporation, if the aggregate of all such investments and loans, together with the indebtedness incurred by any such corporation that is an affiliate of the national bank, will exceed the amount of its capital stock. Section 5.37(c) defines ‘‘bank premises’’ as including (but not limited to): (1) Premises that are owned and occupied (or to be occupied, 78 OTS Handbook, Section 252, Fixed Assets, p. 3. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules if under construction) by the bank, its branches, or its consolidated subsidiaries; (2) capitalized leases and leasehold improvements, vaults, and fixed machinery and equipment; (3) remodeling costs to existing premises; (4) real estate acquired and intended, in good faith, for use in future expansion, or (5) parking facilities that are used by customers or employees of the bank, its branches, and its consolidated subsidiaries. In contrast, § 160.37 does not contain such a detailed definition and states, in general, that real estate may be used for office and related facilities for the association’s current and future use. Section 5.37(d)(1)(ii) requires the application to include a description of the bank’s present investment in banking premises, the investment in such premises that the bank intends to make, the business reason for the investment, and the amount by which the national bank’s aggregate investment will exceed the amount of its capital stock. Section 5.37(d)(2) provides information regarding the approval process, including that an application is deemed approved on the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the national bank prior to that date that the filing presents a significant supervisory or compliance concern, or raises a significant legal or policy issue. We propose to make these provisions applicable to a Federal savings association and to make other nonsubstantive, clarifying changes. Section 5.37(d)(3) provides an alternative, after-the-fact notice process if a national bank satisfies certain requirements. Specifically, a national bank may make an aggregate investment in banking premises up to 150 percent of its capital and surplus without the OCC’s prior approval and instead may provide the OCC with after-the-fact notice, provided the national bank has a 1 or 2 CAMELS rating, is well capitalized as defined in 12 CFR part 6, and will continue to be well capitalized after the investment or loan is made. The proposal makes these provisions applicable to Federal savings associations. However, a Federal savings association may not be eligible for afterthe-fact notice if 12 U.S.C. 1828(m)(1) applies to the transaction. Twelve U.S.C. 1828(m)(1) requires a Federal savings association to file a 30-day prior notice when it establishes or acquires a subsidiary or when it conducts a new activity in a subsidiary. Thus, a Federal savings association would not be eligible for the after-the-fact notice process described in 5.37(d)(3)(i) if it proposes to establish or acquire a subsidiary to make an investment in VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 banking premises, or if investing in banking premises would be a new activity for such a subsidiary. In those circumstances, the Federal savings association would be required to comply with the provisions of § 5.38 in the case of an operating subsidiary or § 5.59 in the case of a service corporation. Accordingly, we propose to reorganize current § 5.37(d)(3) by redesignating it § 5.37(d)(3)(i), General rule, and adding a new paragraph (d)(3)(ii), Exception, to describe the circumstances under which a Federal savings association would not be eligible for the after-the-fact notice process and to identify what requirements would apply. Furthermore, a Federal savings association’s investments in banking premises through a service corporation would not be subject to the premises application and notice requirements of § 5.37(d); instead, a Federal savings association wound need to comply with the requirements in proposed § 5.59. However, the amount of such an investment must be included when calculating the quantitative limitations in paragraph (d). Therefore, we propose to redesignate current § 5.37(d)(4), Exceptions to rules of general applicability, as proposed paragraph (d)(5), and add a new paragraph (d)(4) to clarify the treatment of an investment in banking premises through a service corporation. As indicated above, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 29 and 371d, § 5.37 provides that the quantitative limitations on a national bank’s investment in banking premises are expressed as a percentage of ‘‘capital stock’’ or ‘‘capital and surplus.’’ Under § 160.37, the sole quantitative limit on a Federal savings association’s investment in banking premises is based on ‘‘total capital.’’ 79 79 As mentioned previously in this preamble, the OCC issued a final rule on October 11, 2013 that, among other things, amends the OCC’s risk-based and leverage capital rules and integrates the OCC’s national bank and Federal savings association capital rules. 78 FR 62018 (Oct. 11, 2013). This final rule has a two-tier effective date, however, with the rule applicable for all banks and savings associations on January 1, 2015. Until that time, for a savings association that is not subject to the advanced approaches rule, the OCC’s capital rule at 12 CFR part 167 will apply. This rules defines the term ‘‘total capital’’ to mean the sum of a savings association’s core capital and supplementary capital (to the extent that such supplementary capital does not exceed 100% of its core capital), minus assets required to be deducted from core capital, reciprocal holdings of depository institution capital instruments, and all equity investments. The rule for national banks that are not subject to the advanced approaches rule defines the term ‘‘capital stock’’ to mean the amount of common stock outstanding and unimpaired plus the amount of perpetual preferred stock outstanding and unimpaired, and the term ‘‘capital and surplus’’ to mean a bank’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital calculated PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33291 We propose to apply the quantitative investment limitations currently applicable to national banks to Federal savings associations, with the exception of Federal mutual savings associations, as discussed more fully below. To avoid confusion, we also propose to add definitions for the terms ‘‘capital stock’’ and ‘‘capital and surplus’’ in paragraph (c). Because the vast majority of national banks and Federal savings associations have a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2,80 we believe the relevant limit for a Federal savings association generally would be ‘‘capital and surplus,’’ which is not materially different from ‘‘total capital.’’ In addition, for a Federal savings association that satisfies the criteria in proposed § 5.37(d)(3)(i), the quantitative limitation would be 150 percent of capital and surplus, which would be a greater amount than 100 percent of ‘‘total capital.’’ Thus, we expect that under the proposal, the amount that a Federal savings association could invest in banking premises without OCC approval would be increased, thereby reducing burden on those Federal savings associations. For Federal savings associations that do not have a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2 and are not well capitalized, the relevant limitation would be ‘‘capital stock,’’ which is a significantly lower threshold than ‘‘total capital’’ in § 160.37. While we are aware that this new lower threshold likely would increase the burden on low-rated Federal savings associations, we believe that additional scrutiny of investments in banking premises by such Federal savings associations is warranted for safety and soundness purposes. In the case of a Federal mutual savings association, which by definition does not issue stock, a limit based on capital stock cannot apply to such associations. However, we believe it is important, wherever possible, to apply consistent standards to national banks under the OCC’s risk-based capital standards set forth in appendix A to 12 CFR part 3, as reported in the bank’s Call Reports, plus the balance of a bank’s allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) not included in the bank’s Tier 2 capital. These definitions of ‘‘total capital and ‘‘capital and surplus’’ are substantially similar, except that ‘‘capital and surplus’’ includes the ALLL excluded from Tier 2 capital and ‘‘total capital’’ includes certain deductions described above. However, the definition of ‘‘capital stock’’ is significantly more stringent than ‘‘total capital’’ because capital stock does not include undivided profits. As of January 1, 2015, all national banks and savings associations will be subject to a new definition of capital. 80 According to the OCC’s 2013 Annual Report, in the fiscal year 2013, 80 percent of national banks and Federal savings associations had a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2013, at 72, available at www.occ.gov/publications/ publications-by-type/annual-reports/index-annualreports.html. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33292 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules and Federal savings associations, both from a safety and soundness perspective and an administrative perspective. Accordingly, because a Federal mutual savings association’s equity capital consists primarily of retained earnings, we propose to use retained earnings as a proxy for capital stock for purposes of the quantitative limitations on investments in banking premises by Federal mutual savings associations. Such a limitation based on retained earnings would not be a significant change for a Federal mutual savings association since generally ‘‘total capital’’ of a Federal mutual savings association mostly consists of retained earnings. Moreover, under the proposal, a Federal mutual savings association that is CAMELS 1- or 2-rated would have a higher limit of 150 percent of retained earnings. Question 6: We request comments on whether a limit based on the amount of retained earnings for a Federal mutual savings association’s investment in bank premises provides a basis of measurement that is most comparable to capital stock for Federal stock savings associations. Finally, we propose to amend § 5.37 by adding a new paragraph (e) to provide an appropriate transition provision that would grandfather existing banking premises investments, provided the investment complies with the legal requirements in effect prior to the publication date of this proposal, and continues to comply with those requirements. However, modifying, expanding, or improving such an investment, with the exception of routine maintenance, would require prior approval of the appropriate OCC supervisory office. We believe it is appropriate to require prior approval in such circumstances to ensure safety and soundness concerns are satisfied and to apply consistent standards to national banks and Federal savings associations. Question 7: Because of the differences in corporate organization between a Federal stock savings association and a Federal mutual savings association, we request comments on whether it would be more appropriate and less burdensome to both types of savings associations to retain separate banking premises rules for national banks and Federal savings associations. Operating Subsidiaries of Federal Savings Associations (New § 5.38) Twelve CFR part 159 addresses subordinate organizations of Federal savings associations. This part covers both operating subsidiaries and other subsidiaries of Federal savings associations such as service VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 corporations. The OCC is proposing to create a new § 5.38 to address only operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations 81 and to remove those provisions of part 159 that address Federal savings association operating subsidiaries.82 In order to harmonize the regulations applicable to Federal savings associations with those that apply to national banks, § 5.38 is based on current OCC regulations at 12 CFR 5.34. Many of the provisions in proposed § 5.38 and § 5.34 are nearly identical. Many of the requirements in proposed § 5.38 are similar to those in part 159. There are some differences between the proposal and provisions in part 159, as well as differences between § 5.38 and § 5.34. These differences are described below. Paragraph (b) of § 5.38 mirrors paragraph (b) of § 5.34 and would require a Federal savings association to file an application to acquire or establish any operating subsidiary or to commence a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. Under §§ 159.1(a) and 159.11, Federal savings associations must give 30 days’ notice 83 to the OCC prior to establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary or commencing a new activity in an operating subsidiary. Section 159.11 requires a filing when it is required under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), and section 1828(m) does not require a filing if the subsidiary is an insured depository institution.84 Proposed § 5.38(b) would require an application to acquire an insured depository institution as an operating subsidiary,85 in order to provide the OCC with an appropriate opportunity to review the proposed transaction. Section 159.3(a)(1) also provides that any finance subsidiary that existed on January 1, 1997 is deemed to be an operating subsidiary without further 81 In addition, as described elsewhere in this issuance, the OCC is proposing to create a new separate section for service corporations of Federal savings associations. The OCC is proposing to separate the regulations for Federal savings association operating subsidiaries and service corporations in order to better organize our rules and to have consistent parallel provisions for operating subsidiaries of national banks and Federal savings associations. 82 As stated elsewhere in this rulemaking, the OCC proposes to create a new § 5.59 that would address Federal savings association service corporations. As a result, all of part 159 would be removed. 83 Under these provisions in part 159, the OCC treats the notice as an application that is eligible for expedited treatment. 84 See 12 U.S.C. 1828(m)(1) and (4). 85 Section 159.3(e)(1) explicitly provides that a Federal savings association may have an insured depository institution as an operating subsidiary. While this proposition would remain the case under the proposal, it is not explicitly set out in the proposal. PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 action by the savings association. The OCC is proposing to omit this provision from § 5.38 as not needed and without intent to make any change in substance. Question 8: The OCC requests comment on whether the provision should be retained from any Federal savings associations that may still have a finance subsidiary that existed on January 1, 1997. Paragraph (c) of § 5.38 addresses the scope of this section. This paragraph mirrors proposed paragraph (c) of § 5.34, including the additional language currently contained in § 159.1(a) that would permit the OCC to limit a Federal savings association’s investment in an operating subsidiary or limit or refuse to permit any activities of an operating subsidiary for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness reasons. While the OCC currently has this authority, we are proposing to clarify the regulation by explicitly including this language. Paragraph (d) of § 5.38 sets out definitions for ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed,’’ which will be used as part of the determination of which applications are eligible for expedited review by the OCC. These definitions are the same as those in § 5.34(d), and the OCC uses these terms as criteria to permit national banks to make an afterthe-fact notice filing pursuant to § 5.34(e)(5). They are used similarly in proposed § 5.38 to determine if an application by a Federal savings association is eligible for expedited review. Like §§ 159.3(e)(1) and 5.34(e)(1)(i), paragraph (e)(1)(i) of § 5.38 provides that a Federal savings association may conduct in an operating subsidiary activities that are permissible for the savings association to engage in directly. The proposal also would add a new § 5.34(e)(1)(ii), which would provide that before beginning business, an operating subsidiary must comply with other laws applicable to it, including applicable licensing or registration requirements. This requirement is not new for Federal savings associations. The language is being added to clarify that compliance with § 5.38 and approval of an operating subsidiary by the OCC are not the only requirements that must be met. The proposal would add a similar provision to § 5.34 for national banks. Pursuant to § 159.3(c)(1), a Federal savings association must own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the voting shares of an operating subsidiary and no one else may exercise effective operating control. Proposed § 5.38(e)(2) describes what entities are ‘‘qualifying subsidiaries’’ for purposes of § 5.38. This provision mirrors E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules § 5.34(e)(2). Unlike § 159.3(c)(1), the proposal includes as a qualifying subsidiary one in which the savings association owns less than 50 percent of the voting shares. Specifically, under the proposal, a qualifying subsidiary is one in which: (1) The savings association has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary and no other person or entity has the ability to do so, and (2) the savings association owns and controls more than 50 percent of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the operating subsidiary, or the parent savings association otherwise controls the operating subsidiary and no other party controls a greater percentage of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the operating subsidiary than the Federal savings association. In addition, as is currently the case under part 159, the operating subsidiary would need to be consolidated with the savings association under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Proposed § 5.38(e)(2)(iii), adapted from § 159.10, would expressly require the savings association to have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the savings association and its operating subsidiaries. Furthermore, it clarifies that the requirement that the savings association must control the operating subsidiary does not mean they should be treated as a single entity. Proposed paragraph (e)(3) of § 5.38 mirrors proposed § 5.34(e)(3). Similar to § 159.3(h)(1), paragraph (e)(3) generally provides that an operating subsidiary of a Federal savings association conducts activities pursuant to the same authorization, terms, and conditions that apply to the parent savings association, unless otherwise specifically provided by statute, regulation or published OCC policy. It also includes reference to the provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act regarding the application of state law, the subject of which is currently addressed in § 159.3(n)(1), and language to clarify that there are other instances in which different treatment of the operating subsidiary and the parent Federal savings association may occur, in addition to those regarding the application of state law addressed by the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition, this paragraph provides that, subject to certain statutory limitations, if the OCC determines that an operating subsidiary is in violation of law, regulation, or written condition, or in an unsafe or unsound manner or otherwise threatens the safety or soundness of the bank, the OCC will direct the savings association VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 or operating subsidiary to take appropriate remedial action, which may include requiring the savings association to divest or liquidate the operating subsidiary, or discontinue specified activities. This is similar to provisions in § 159.3(q)(1). Proposed § 5.38(e)(4) addresses consolidation of figures and provides that the savings association and its operating subsidiaries shall be combined for purposes of applying statutory or regulatory limitations when the combination is needed to effect the intent of the statute or regulation. Twelve U.S.C. 1467a(m)(5) governs consolidation for purposes of calculating portfolio assets and the qualified thrift lender test. These provisions are consistent with §§ 159.3(i)(1), (j)(1), (k)(1), and (m)(1). Section § 159.11 provides that when required by 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), Federal savings associations must file a notice at least 30 days prior to establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary or conducting a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. The OCC processes this notice in a manner similar to the OCC’s expedited review for applications and notices of national banks.86 Proposed paragraph (e)(5) of § 5.38 sets out the detailed procedures a Federal savings association must follow when filing applications required under § 5.38.87 Paragraph (e)(5)(i)(B) of § 5.38 describes the contents of the application and mirrors § 5.34(e)(5)(i)(B), as redesignated in this proposal, currently at § 5.34(e)(5)(ii)(B). Paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(A) of § 5.38 also mirrors § 5.34 and provides for expedited review of applications to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. These applications would be deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the filing is received, unless the OCC notifies the savings association otherwise during the 30-day period.88 In order to be eligible for expedited review, proposed § 5.38(e)(5)(ii)(B) provides that the savings association must be ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed,’’ the 86 If the OCC determines that the notice presents supervisory concerns or raises significant issues of law or policy, a Federal savings association must apply for approval under standard treatment processing procedures in part 116. 87 Applications filed pursuant to § 5.38 also serve to satisfy the requirement for notice under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m). 88 This differs from the national bank regulation. Under § 5.34(e)(5)(ii), as redesignated in this proposal, national banks may provide after-the-fact notice in certain circumstances. After-the-fact notice is not available to Federal savings associations due to a statutory requirement for prior notice. See 12 U.S.C. 1828(m). PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33293 activities to be performed by the operating subsidiary must be listed in § 5.38(e)(5)(v), and the operating subsidiary must be a corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership. In addition, the savings association must clearly demonstrate control over the operating subsidiary, i.e., the savings association: (1) Must have the ability to control the management and operations of the operating subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary’s board and to select and terminate senior management; (2) must hold more than 50 percent of the voting, or equivalent, interests in the operating subsidiary, and, in the case of a limited partnership or limited liability company, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof must be the sole general partner of the limited partnership or the sole managing member of the limited liability company; and (3) must be required to consolidate its financial statements with those of the operating subsidiary under GAAP. The proposed expedited review process would operate much like the process in § 159.11. As indicated above, under § 159.11 all Federal savings associations that wish to establish or obtain an interest in an operating subsidiary file a notice with the OCC when required under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m). Then, unless the OCC notifies the savings association within 30 days that the notice presents supervisory concerns or raises significant issues of law or policy, in which case the savings association must apply for approval under standard treatment processing procedures under part 116, the savings association may proceed with the operating subsidiary. Under § 159.11, all filings begin and are processed in this manner. Under the proposed § 5.38 expedited review process, only filings that meet the eligibility requirements can begin as an expedited review application. However, we do not believe this change will make a large difference for savings associations in practice. A filing that would not meet the eligibility requirements (clear showing of control, clearly permissible activity, a Federal savings association that is well managed and well capitalized) under the proposal would have a high likelihood of presenting supervisory concerns or raising significant issues of law or policy that would require an application under part 159. Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(iii) of § 5.38 provides that the rules of general applicability at 12 CFR 5.8 (requiring public notice), 5.10 (addressing public E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33294 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules comments received), and 5.11 (addressing requests for hearings or other meetings) do not apply to § 5.38, but the OCC may determine that any of these rules apply if the OCC concludes that the application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues. Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(v) of § 5.38 sets out a list of activities that are eligible for expedited review. This list is based on the list of activities eligible for notice for national banks in § 5.34(e)(5)(v), but has been adapted for Federal savings associations, removing activities that are not permissible for Federal savings associations to conduct directly and listing only those activities that have been approved for operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations in the past. Question 9: The OCC requests comments and suggestions for other activities that should be added to the list of activities that are eligible for expedited review, and on other changes to the list. Commenters proposing an activity should include reference to the precedent approving the activity to be conducted directly by a Federal savings association or in an operating subsidiary. An approval to conduct an activity in a service corporation is not sufficient unless the precedent’s analysis states the activity is one that could be conducted directly in a Federal savings association. Section 159.3(p)(1) provides that a Federal savings association must consult with the appropriate OCC licensing office prior to redesignating a service corporation as an operating subsidiary. It also requires the Federal savings association to make available for examination adequate internal records demonstrating that the redesignated office meets all of the requirements for an operating subsidiary and that the board of directors has approved of the redesignation. Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(vi) of § 5.38 would require a Federal savings association to provide 30 days’ prior notice to the OCC when the savings association wants to redesignate a service corporation as an operating subsidiary. Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(vii) of § 5.38 mirrors proposed § 5.34(e)(5)(vii) and provides that when a Federal savings association operating subsidiary wishes to act as a fiduciary, its savings association parent must have fiduciary powers and the operating subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. The operating subsidiary may not rely on the savings association’s fiduciary powers. Further, this provision also would explicitly VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 provide that when an operating subsidiary that exercises investment discretion on behalf of customers or provides investment advice for a fee is a registered investment adviser, it is not necessary for its savings association parent to have fiduciary powers. These provisions reflect OCC practice for national banks as set out in the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(viii) of § 5.38 would provide that an OCC approval granted under § 5.38 expires within 12 months if a Federal savings association has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary or commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, unless the OCC shortens, or extends the time period. We also are adding this provision to § 5.34 for national banks. As previously indicated, this provision is similar to others in part 5 regarding the expiration of an OCC approval. Proposed paragraph (e)(6) of § 5.38 contains provisions regarding grandfathered Federal savings association operating subsidiaries. It is modeled on § 5.34(e)(6) and provides that, notwithstanding the requirements for a qualifying operating subsidiary in § 5.38(e)(2) and unless otherwise notified by the OCC with respect to a particular operating subsidiary, an operating subsidiary that a Federal savings association lawfully acquired or established before June 10, 2014 may continue to operate as a Federal savings association operating subsidiary, provided that the savings association and the operating subsidiary were, and continue to be, conducting authorized activities in compliance with the standards and requirements applicable when the operating subsidiary was established or acquired. Proposed paragraph (e)(7) addresses the issuance of securities by an operating subsidiary. It is based on portions of § 159.12(a) and (c). Proposed paragraph (e)(8) of § 5.38 requires Federal savings associations to file an annual report on operating subsidiaries that do business directly with consumers in the United States and are not functionally regulated subsidiaries, which the OCC will make available to the public at www.OCC.gov. This provision mirrors § 5.34(e)(7) as well as the proposed provision in § 5.59 with respect to service corporations. There is no similar provision in part 159. This report enables the public to be aware of when they are dealing with an operating subsidiary of a Federal savings association. This report also provides information to the OCC on which Federal savings association PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 operating subsidiaries are currently active. Finally, a chart in § 159.3 provides a detailed side-by-side comparison of operating subsidiaries and service corporations. The proposal includes some of this information from this chart in various provisions of § 5.38, such as the specific items that are necessary to set out qualifying requirements and licensing requirements. Furthermore, proposed § 5.38(e)(4), consolidation of figures, covers provisions included in the chart at §§ 159.3(i)(1), (k)(1), (l)(1), and (m)(1).89 Other provisions of the chart are not necessary to include in a regulation as they merely repeat applicable law and are in the chart for purposes of the comparison with service corporations. These provisions include §§ 159.3(b)(1), (d)(1), (f)(1), (g)(1), and (j)(1). While the OCC is proposing to remove the chart from its regulations, we are considering including a similar chart in the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual as a reference. Change in Location of Main Office/ Home Office (§ 5.40) Twelve CFR 5.40 addresses changes in location of a national bank’s main office. Twelve CFR 145.91, 145.93 and 145.95 address changes in location of a Federal savings association’s home office.90 While these rules address a common subject there are a number of differences between them. We are proposing to harmonize the procedures for national banks and Federal savings associations and to consolidate our regulations by amending 12 CFR 5.40 to apply to Federal savings associations and to remove 12 CFR 145.91, 145.93 and 145.95.91 As described below, as a result of this proposal, Federal savings associations would be subject to certain additional notices and applications to assist the OCC in monitoring these institutions’ activities. Although these procedures are different from those that savings associations currently follow when taking certain actions with respect to their home offices, we expect those institutions that would qualify for treatment as highly-rated savings associations under the current regulation will also qualify for expedited treatment under the proposed 89 Part 32, lending limits, currently provides the information that had been included in § 159.3(k)(1). See 78 FR 37930 (June 25, 2013). 90 The terms ‘‘main office’’ and ‘‘home office’’ are functionally the same. However, both terms are used in our regulations in order to be consistent with the relevant statutes that govern national banks and Federal savings associations, respectively. 91 Sections 145.93 and 145.95 also address branch offices. The preamble discusses these provisions with respect to branch offices, above. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules regulation, resulting in only minimal additional requirements. Pursuant to § 145.93(a), a Federal savings association must file an application or notice with the OCC and receive approval or non-objection prior to changing the permanent location of its home office or prior to establishing a new home office. However, § 145.93(b) provides that an application or notice is not required for a Federal savings association to: (i) Establish a drive-in or pedestrian office within 500 feet of a public entrance to its existing home office; (ii) make a short-distance relocation of its home office; or (iii) redesignate an existing branch office as a home office when redesignating the existing home office as a branch office. In addition, § 145.93(b) permits certain highly-rated Federal savings associations to change the permanent location of their home office or establish a new home office if the associations meet certain requirements without filing a notice or application. Section 145.95 contains processing procedures that apply to the aforementioned transactions. The proposal would reorganize § 5.40 slightly and apply it to Federal savings associations, discontinuing the exceptions to filing applications or notices under § 145.93(b) and replacing the applicable processing procedures contained in § 145.95 with those contained in part 5 of our regulations. Currently, § 5.40(b) generally sets out the licensing requirements for national banks to relocate their main office and § 5.40(c) sets out the scope of the rule. Section 5.40(d)(1) provides that national banks may relocate their main office to an authorized branch location within the same city, town, or village limits by giving prior notice to the OCC and § 5.40(d)(2) provides that a national bank may relocate its main office to any other location, by filing an application with the OCC. Section 5.40(d)(3) requires national banks to obtain OCC approval pursuant to the standards in § 5.30 in order to establish a branch at the site of a former main office. Section 5.40(d)(4) provides that an application submitted by an eligible national bank to move its main office to a location other than an authorized branch location will be approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the public comment period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC, whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the bank prior to that time that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review period is extended under § 5.13(a)(2). Section 5.40(d)(5) provides for exceptions to rules of general applicability in part 5 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 for relocations to an authorized branch location within the same city, town, or village limits. Finally, § 5.40(e) provides that an OCC approval of a main office relocation shall expire if the national bank has not opened its main office at the relocated site within 18 months of the date of the approval. The proposal would redesignate the scope section as § 5.40(b) and would combine former paragraphs (b) and (d), which address licensing requirements and procedures, into a redesignated § 5.40(c). The proposal also generally would amend these newly redesignated provisions to apply to Federal savings associations. Proposed § 5.40(c)(1) would require national banks and Federal savings associations to give prior notice to the OCC when relocating a main office or home office, as applicable, to an authorized branch location within city, town, or village limits. Propose § 5.40(c)(2)(i) would require national banks to submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office in order to relocate a main office to any location other than an authorized branch location in the city, town, or village in which the main office of the bank is located or to any other location within 30 miles of the limits of such city, town, or village. As in the current rule, if a national bank is relocating its main office outside the limits of its city, town, or village, the national bank also would be required to obtain the approval of shareholders owning two-thirds of the voting stock of the bank and to amend its articles of association. Proposed § 5.40(c)(2)(ii) would require a Federal savings association to submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office and obtain prior OCC approval to relocate its home office to any location other than an authorized branch location within the city, town, or village in which the home office of the savings association is located. As with a national bank, a Federal savings association relocating the home office outside the limits of its city, town, or village would be required to amend its charter. Proposed § 5.40(c)(3) would require a national bank or Federal savings association to follow the provisions of § 5.30 or § 5.31, respectively, in order to establish a branch at the site of a former main office or home office. Proposed § 5.40(c)(4) would provide expedited review for applications submitted under paragraph (c)(2) (relocations of a main office or home office to any location other than an authorized branch location) for eligible Federal savings associations as well as eligible national banks. The PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33295 proposal also would revise the expedited review time for short-distance relocations of a main office or home office so that they would be deemed approved 15 days after the close of the comment period or 30 days after the date the notice is filed, whichever is later. This change would reflect the shorter 15-day comment period for short-distance relocations. Proposed § 5.40(c)(5) would provide exceptions to the OCC’s rules of general applicability in part 5 of the OCC’s regulations for relocations of a main office or home office to an authorized branch location within city, town, or village limits under paragraph (c)(1) and applies these exceptions to Federal savings associations. Redesignated § 5.40(d) of the proposal would require Federal savings associations, like national banks, to open a relocated home office within 18 months from the date of OCC approval, unless the OCC grants an extension. Under § 145.95(c), Federal savings associations currently must open or relocate a home office for which they have received approval or non-objection from the OCC within 12 months. Corporate Title (§ 5.42) Sections 5.42 and 143.1 of Title 12 set forth applicable standards and procedures for when a national bank or Federal savings association, respectively, seeks to change its corporate title. Under § 5.42(c), a national bank may change its corporate title without prior notice to the OCC if the new title includes the word ‘‘national’’ and complies with other OCC guidance and Federal laws, including laws regarding false advertising and misuse of names. In addition, if the national bank’s articles of association specify the corporate title, § 5.42(d)(2) requires the bank to amend the articles in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 21a, which specifically addresses amendments to national bank articles of association. Pursuant to § 143.1(b), a Federal savings association must provide the OCC with prior notice of a change in corporate title. If the OCC does not object within 30 days, the Federal savings association may change its title by amending its charter in accordance with the Federal mutual savings association or Federal stock association charter amendment regulatory procedures in §§ 5.21 or 5.22, respectively. There is no specific statute addressing Federal savings association charter amendments. In addition, § 143.1(a) prohibits a Federal savings association from adopting a title that E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33296 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 misrepresents the nature of the institution or the services it offers. The OCC proposes to amend § 5.42 to include Federal savings associations. The primary substantive effect of this proposal is to eliminate the advance notice requirement currently applicable to Federal savings association corporate title changes. Instead, Federal savings associations would be required promptly to provide a notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office subsequent to any change in its corporate title. The OCC believes that the advance notice of a change in corporate title is not necessary and that an after-the-fact notice will provide the OCC with adequate information for regulatory purposes and will reduce burden on Federal savings associations without affecting safety and soundness. The proposal does not incorporate the provision in § 143.1(a) that prohibits a Federal savings association from adopting a title that misrepresents the nature of the institution or the services it offers. This statement is implicit in the current national bank rule and would be implicit under the revised rule for both national banks and Federal savings associations. Furthermore, the issue addressed by the savings association provision is not an area of concern in the current banking environment, and, if necessary, can be addressed through the supervisory process. For these reasons, we find it unnecessary to include a similar prohibition in § 5.42. The OCC also proposes a number of conforming edits. Specifically, the proposal would add to § 5.42 a crossreference to §§ 5.21(g) or 5.22(g), the regulatory charter amendment procedures that a Federal mutual savings association or Federal stock association must follow when amending its charter to reflect a corporate title change. This cross-reference simply transfers these requirements from the current Federal savings association rule to the proposed integrated rule. In addition, the OCC proposes to remove the word ‘‘Federal’’ in § 5.42(c)(1) to clarify that the new title must comply with all applicable laws, whether Federal or state. Increases in Permanent Capital by a Federal Stock Savings Association (New § 5.45) Twelve CFR 5.46 sets out the OCC’s rules addressing changes in permanent capital by national banks. These rules implement statutory provisions that establish the processes and requirements for a national bank to increase or decrease its permanent capital (i.e., capital stock and capital VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 surplus), including 12 U.S.C. 51a, 51b, 51b–1, 52, 56, 57, 59, and 60. The statutes require OCC approval for all increases and decreases in permanent capital at a national bank. The OCC has established a streamlined approval process for most increases in permanent capital by national banks. However, in certain specified instances, the OCC requires a full application and prior approval. These instances, listed below, involve situations in which there are supervisory concerns with the institution or the capital contribution is not in cash, raising issues of proper valuation of the capital increase. These statutes do not apply to Federal savings association, and there are not comparable provisions in the HOLA requiring a savings association to receive prior approval for any increase in permanent capital. Accordingly, the OCC is not proposing to add Federal savings associations to § 5.46. However, we are proposing to add a new § 5.45 to require a Federal stock savings association to apply to the OCC and obtain prior approval in the same circumstances in which a national bank would be required to file a full application under § 5.46. Those circumstances are: (1) When the savings association is required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order, directive, written agreement or otherwise, (2) when the savings association is selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than cash, or (3) when the savings association is receiving a material noncash contribution to capital surplus. We propose to base this new section on the provisions in § 5.46 that address increases in permanent capital, except that provisions that are required by statute for national banks, but are not needed for the OCC’s supervisory objectives regarding Federal savings associations, are not included. We are limiting the requirement to Federal stock savings associations. Federal mutual savings associations generally do not raise additional capital, other than through retained earnings, by methods comparable to Federal stock savings associations and national banks. The OCC will review any proposed capital increases at Federal mutual savings associations on a case-by-case basis. Changes in Permanent Capital by a National Bank (§ 5.46) Twelve CFR 5.46 sets out the OCC’s rules addressing changes in permanent capital by national banks. These rules implement statutory provisions that establish the processes and PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 requirements for a national bank to increase or decrease its permanent capital (i.e., capital stock and capital surplus), including 12 U.S.C. 51a, 51b, 51b–1, 52, 56, 57, 59, and 60. The statutes require OCC approval for increases and decreases in permanent capital. These statutes do not apply to Federal savings association, and there are not comparable provisions in the HOLA. Accordingly, the OCC is not proposing to add Federal savings associations to § 5.46.92 We propose to clarify existing provisions in § 5.46 regarding increases in capital. Specifically, we propose to revise paragraph (g)(1) to describe more fully those increases for which an application and prior approval are not required and when such increases are considered approved by the OCC. Portions of this provision are currently in paragraph (i)(3) which principally deals with the bank’s notification to the OCC that the increase has occurred and the certification of the increase by the OCC. In the proposed revision, all of the discussion of the approval process would be in paragraph (g)(1), and paragraph (i)(3) would cover only the bank’s notice of increase and OCC certification We also propose to revise paragraph (i)(3) to divide it into separate provisions, one about the bank’s notice of increase, and the other about OCC certification. This layout makes the paragraph easier to follow. We also propose to describe more fully the certification process and clarify that the effective date of a capital increase is the date the increase occurred, not the date on which the OCC issues its certification. No changes in substance are intended in these clarifications. We also propose to make a small number of technical changes, including revising the section’s title to indicate it applies only to national banks. Voluntary Liquidation (§ 5.48) Twelve U.S.C. 181 and 182 establish liquidation standards and procedures for national banks, including requirements for public notice of liquidation plans.93 Twelve CFR 5.48 92 Reductions in capital are included in the regulations governing capital distributions by Federal savings associations, 12 CFR part 163, subpart E (which is proposed to become new § 5.55 in this rulemaking), discussed elsewhere in this preamble. Those regulations treat a reduction in capital by a Federal savings association that is comparable to a reduction in capital that would be subject to § 5.46 for a national bank (i.e., a reduction other than a dividend from undivided profits) in a similar manner, requiring an application to the OCC. 93 Twelve U.S.C. 181 sets forth the liquidation standards and procedures with respect to shareholder approval, liquidating agents, progress reports, and OCC examination of a liquidating bank. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 implements these statutes, setting forth the standards and procedures for voluntary liquidation by a national bank. Specifically, § 5.48 provides that a national bank: (1) May liquidate in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 181; (2) must notify the OCC when it is considering voluntary liquidation; (3) must provide the public notice required by 12 U.S.C. 182, as well as notice to the OCC, after its shareholders have voted to voluntarily liquidate; and (4) must file reports of both condition and progress with the OCC. In addition, § 5.48(f) contains provisions for expedited voluntary liquidations in connection with certain acquisitions and § 5.48(g) addresses a national bank as the acquirer of a liquidating national bank. There are no statutory requirements similar to 12 U.S.C. 181 and 182 that apply to Federal savings associations. However, § 146.4 contains standards and procedures for a Federal savings association to dissolve voluntarily. Under these rules, a Federal savings association’s board of directors may propose a dissolution plan, which must be submitted to the OCC for approval. The OCC may approve the plan, make recommendations concerning the plan, or disapprove the plan. Once approved by both the board of directors and the OCC, the Federal savings association must submit the plan to the savings association’s members for a vote. If approved by a majority of the members, the plan becomes effective. After dissolution, the savings association must provide a certificate evidencing such dissolution to the OCC, after which the OCC will cancel the savings association’s charter.94 The OCC proposes to amend § 5.48 to incorporate certain provisions from § 146.4, to make § 5.48 applicable to both Federal savings associations and national banks, and to rescind § 146.4. These changes would provide the OCC with additional methods by which to ensure the safety and soundness of national banks and Federal savings associations. These changes also would streamline and improve the process by which an OCC-regulated institution may liquidate, thereby reducing regulatory burden for the institution. The proposal It requires, inter alia, that two-thirds of a national bank’s shareholders vote to liquidate in order for a liquidation to proceed. Twelve U.S.C. 182 requires, inter alia, that a liquidating national bank’s board of directors publish for two months a notice of liquidation in every newspaper published where the bank is located (or nearby, if no paper is published in that city or town). The notice must state that the bank is closing up its affairs and notify creditors to present their claims for payment. 94 These rules do not apply to transactions such as mergers or consolidations, which are governed by 12 CFR 163.22. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 would result in changes to the liquidation procedures for both types of institutions. Specifically, under proposed § 5.48(b), a Federal savings association would be required to provide preliminary notice to the OCC when it is considering voluntary liquidation and again when its liquidation plan is definite. These requirements currently apply only to national banks. The OCC has found that these advance notices are helpful to the agency in ensuring the liquidations are planned and executed in a safe and sound manner and in anticipating any issues that may arise as liquidation commences. Also under proposed § 5.48(b), neither a national bank nor a Federal savings association may commence liquidation until the OCC has notified it that the agency does not object to the liquidation plan. Although this requirement is included only in the current Federal savings association regulation, it is consistent with the OCC’s current supervisory practice for national banks. The OCC has found that it can identify and communicate supervisory concerns in a timely manner if it reviews liquidation plans prior to the commencement of liquidation and believes that it is appropriate to include this requirement in the proposal. Proposed § 5.48(d) specifies the factors the OCC will consider when reviewing a proposed liquidation plan. Neither § 5.48 nor § 146.4 currently sets out these factors; however, the OCC believes that the additional specificity provided by the proposed amendment will aid filers in the efficient preparation of liquidation plans and, accordingly, finds that it is appropriate to provide notice of what the OCC will consider in reviewing a proposed plan. Specifically, proposed § 5.48(d)(1) states that in reviewing a liquidation plan, the OCC will consider the purpose of the liquidation, its impact on the liquidating institution’s safety and soundness, and its impact on the institution’s depositors, other creditors, and customers. These factors are similar to those that the OCC currently considers when reviewing the merger of a national bank with a nonbank affiliate and substantial changes in the composition of a national bank’s assets.95 Furthermore, the OCC currently uses similar considerations in reviewing voluntary dissolutions of Federal savings associations and bulk transfers by Federal savings associations.96 These factors provide the OCC with a clear understanding of a 95 See 96 See PO 00000 12 CFR 5.33(g) and 5.53. 12 CFR 146.4(b) and 163.22(c). Frm 00039 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33297 plan’s potential effect and help to ensure that liquidations are carried out in a safe and sound manner. Proposed § 5.48(d)(2) states that the OCC also will review a national bank’s liquidation plan for compliance with 12 U.S.C. 181 and 182. These statutory requirements do not apply to Federal savings associations and the OCC does not believe it is necessary to extend them to these institutions by regulation. Finally, because of the unique structure of mutual savings associations, proposed § 5.48(d)(3) states that the OCC will assess the advisability and effect of liquidation, as well as any alternatives to such action, when a mutual savings association plans to liquidate. As stated above, the OCC believes it must consider these factors in assessing a plan and that it is appropriate to provide affected parties with notice that these factors will be considered. Proposed §§ 5.48(e)(1) and (e)(2) describe the procedures that apply to the proposed requirements to provide notice of consideration of a plan, to submit a plan, and to receive OCC nonobjection before proceeding with a plan. Proposed § 5.48(e)(3) provides that a national bank or Federal savings association’s board of directors and its shareholders (or, in the case of a Federal mutual savings association, directors and members) must vote to approve a voluntary liquidation plan. While this requirement is included in § 146.4, only shareholders are required to vote on a liquidation plan under § 5.48(e). The OCC believes that it is prudent and appropriate for a national bank’s board of directors also to vote to liquidate because of its direct role in governing the operation of the institution and its role in liquidation, and that the addition of this requirement reflects existing practices of boards of directors in voluntary liquidations. Currently, only a national bank is required to notify the OCC of a vote to liquidate. The OCC believes that each institution that it regulates should inform the OCC of such a vote so that the OCC knows the status of the liquidation process. Therefore, proposed § 5.48 (e)(3)(A) states that a national bank or Federal savings association must file a notice with the OCC once the specified parties vote to liquidate. In addition, proposed § 5.48(e)(3)(A) requires the bank or savings association to provide notice to depositors, other known creditors, and known claimants. Currently, § 146.4 has no specific notice requirement and, as noted above, § 5.48(e)(1) simply directs a bank to publish notice in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 182. The OCC believes that the E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33298 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules public will be best served when notice to depositors, creditors, and claimants is provided and, therefore, the OCC has drafted the proposal to require this notice. Proposed § 5.48(e)(3)(B) makes clear, however, that the statutory vote and notice requirements of 12 U.S.C. 181 and 182 are applicable only to national banks. The OCC also proposes to extend to Federal savings associations the § 5.48(e)(4) and (e)(5) requirements to submit reports of condition and progress to the OCC. The OCC has found these reports useful in determining whether a national bank is following its plan of liquidation and conducting the liquidation in a safe and sound manner. The OCC believes that it would be useful to have this same information for a liquidating Federal savings association. In addition, the proposal would require the bank’s or savings association’s liquidating agent or committee to submit to the OCC a report at the start of liquidation showing the bank’s current balance sheet. Proposed § 5.48(e)(6) would require a national bank and Federal savings association to submit a final report of the liquidation to the OCC. This requirement currently exists only for Federal savings associations. However, the OCC believes that this report allows the agency to confirm that the liquidation was accomplished in accordance with the liquidation plan. Furthermore, this requirement is consistent with the OCC’s current supervisory practice. Both national banks and Federal savings associations also would be specifically required to return the charter certificate to the OCC. Both §§ 5.48(f) and 146.4(b) contain substantively similar provisions for expedited liquidations, and the OCC proposes to consolidate the two provisions by applying § 5.48(f) to Federal stock savings associations. The § 146.4(b) provision excepting from the voluntary liquidation requirements the transfer of a Federal savings association’s assets to a national bank remains in effect under proposed § 5.48(f). Consistent with § 146.4(b), however, the proposal does not extend paragraph (f) to Federal mutual savings associations because of the unique ownership structure of those savings associations. The OCC also proposes to eliminate § 5.48(g), concerning a national bank as an acquirer of a liquidating national bank, because it does not impose requirements beyond those stated in current law. Finally, the OCC proposes other technical changes to clarify the rule where necessary. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Change in Control (§ 5.50) Twelve CFR 5.50, Change in bank control; Reporting of stock loans, and 12 CFR part 174, Acquisition of control of Federal savings associations, set forth the policy and establish the process for acquisitions of control of national banks and Federal savings associations, respectively. These rules provide the framework with which prospective acquirers are required to comply when they seek to acquire control of a national bank or Federal savings association. Specifically, § 5.50 and part 174 describe the application process and the factors the OCC considers in reviewing the qualifications of the prospective acquirer, and address the factors that prospective acquirers should consider when exploring possible acquisitions. While both § 5.50 and part 174 implement the Change in Bank Control Act 97 and many of the substantive requirements are the same, part 174 includes certain substantive requirements that are not included in § 5.50. For example, the rules for Federal savings associations contain many of the same thresholds and control concepts included in § 5.50, but part 174 includes rebuttable control presumptions and rebuttable presumptions of concerted action that are absent in § 5.50. We propose to amend 12 CFR 5.50 by making it applicable to both national banks and Federal savings associations and to rescind 12 CFR part 174. The amendments to § 5.50 would make uniform the treatment of ownership interests held in all Federally chartered depository institutions and provide the market and its participants with clarity as to what the OCC considers important when the agency reviews an application for change in control, whether for a national bank or a Federal savings association. The proposal also would give additional guidance to investors contemplating purchasing shares in a national bank or Federal savings association by providing information about what transactions would be covered by the requirements and when a notice would be necessary. The proposed amendments would clarify the OCC’s supervisory expectations for these transactions. Specifically, we propose to amend § 5.50 to include a number of the definitions and substantive provisions found in part 174. In some instances, these amendments would be codifying substantive differences, as described below. Therefore, national banks, Federal savings associations and 97 12 PO 00000 U.S.C. 1817(j). Frm 00040 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 prospective acquirers of national banks and Federal savings associations should be aware of the following proposed changes to the rule. We are proposing to amend the definition section in § 5.50 and to add a number of definitions from part 174. The proposed additional definitions would provide clarity since the terms are used in the proposed substantive provisions. They include ‘‘controlling shareholder,’’ ‘‘management official,’’ ‘‘company,’’ and several definitions that are necessary because the proposed rule would be applicable to Federal savings associations. We also propose to replace the definition of ‘‘acquisition’’ with that of ‘‘acquire’’ from part 174, which contains a more detailed description of transactions that would be covered by the proposed rule. ‘‘Acquire’’ is defined as obtaining ownership, control, power to vote, or sole power of disposition of stock, directly or indirectly or through one or more transactions or subsidiaries, through purchase, assignment, transfer, pledge, exchange, succession, or other disposition of voting stock, and includes specific examples. The proposed definition is more detailed than the current definition of ‘‘acquisition’’ included in § 5.50, and thereby provides a clearer description of what would be covered by the proposal. Finally, the proposal retains and applies to Federal savings associations the current definition of ‘‘voting securities,’’ which would replace the part 174 definition of ‘‘voting stock.’’ The use of this definition would affect the standard for convertible securities. Currently, part 174 includes as voting stock any security that, upon transfer or otherwise, is convertible into voting stock or exercisable to acquire voting stock where the holder of the convertible security has the preponderant economic risk in the underlying voting stock. Section 5.50, by contrast, defines voting securities to include securities that are immediately convertible into voting securities at the option of the owner or holder. The OCC believes the immediately convertible standard is simpler and easier to apply than the preponderant economic risk standard, and provides an appropriate standard for the treatment of securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, voting securities. The proposed amendments to § 5.50 would add several presumptions of concerted action. These additional presumptions of concerted action would provide clarity and guidance about how and when parties are presumed to be acting in concert for purposes of § 5.50, and help ensure compliance with the regulation. Currently, pursuant to § 5.50, E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules an acquirer that proposes to rebut control of a national bank cannot have a representative on the board. The proposed regulation would allow acquirers to rebut a presumption of control in cases where the acquirer will have a representative on the board of directors of the national bank or Federal savings association to be acquired. The proposal to allow a rebutting party to have a board seat provides greater flexibility for acquirers; in addition, these changes help harmonize the OCC’s proposed change in control regulations with the Federal Reserve System’s regulations addressing acquisitions of control of bank holding companies and savings association holding companies. Additionally, the proposal would establish specific limitations, in the rebuttal of control context, on the total equity invested, where an acquirer proposes to acquire more than fifteen percent of the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s voting stock. The proposed regulatory changes have the effect of eliminating most of the rebuttable presumptions of control with respect to Federal savings associations that are currently set forth in § 174.4(b) and (c). The proposed regulatory changes also remove certain of the rebuttable presumptions of concerted action currently set forth in § 174.4(d). The proposal does not include the detailed part 174 procedures for rebuttal of control and concerted action, retaining instead the provisions from § 5.50(f)(2)(vi) and applying them to Federal savings associations. The OCC believes that rebuttals are processed in a timely manner under § 5.50, and that the processing procedures established in part 174 are unnecessarily detailed. The amended § 5.50 will also exclude certain other provisions from part 174, resulting in changes for Federal savings associations. For instance, the proposed § 5.50 will retain the current prior notice exemption provisions for acquisition of control as a result of testate or intestate succession. Thus, both national banks and Federal savings associations would need to file a notice and pay the appropriate filing fee within 90 calendar days after the transaction occurs. Previously, persons who acquired control of a Federal savings association as a result of testate or intestate succession needed only to file a notification of acquisition to the OCC within 60 days of the acquisition and provide information requested by the OCC. The OCC believes this change is appropriate, because it enables the OCC to review acquisitions of control through testate or intestate succession under the standards set forth in § 5.50. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Likewise, the proposed § 5.50 does not include the presumptive disqualifiers from part 174—a list of factors, which, if present, may show a lack of integrity or lack of financial capability to proceed with a proposed transaction. While the OCC believes that the presumptive disqualifiers provide helpful guidance regarding circumstances in which the OCC might consider a change of control notice to be objectionable under the standards for disapproval, the OCC does not consider it necessary to include these detailed provisions in the regulation. The OCC intends to amend the Change in Bank Control Act booklet of the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual to address the situations described in the presumptive disqualifiers to the extent it considers appropriate. The proposed regulation retains the standards for disapproval set forth in the §§ 5.50(e)(5) and (6). Proposed § 5.50 also excludes the requirement at § 174.5(a) that acquirers of beneficial ownership exceeding 10 percent of any class of stock of a Federal savings association that does not file a control notice or control rebuttal file a certification of ownership. The OCC believes that the regulatory burden of these filings exceeds the benefits derived from them. These acquirers would no longer need to file a certification of ownership with the OCC. Finally, the proposal would eliminate Appendix A to 174—Rebuttal of Control Agreement. Question 10: Both the current and proposed rule provide that a person and the members of the person’s immediate family will be presumed to be acting in concert for purposes of § 5.50. It has been the practice of the OCC, as well as the former OTS, to apply this presumption only to immediate family members who own stock in the institution or are institution-affiliated parties, as defined in sections 3(u)(1), (2), or (3) of the FDI Act.98 We request comment on whether § 5.50 should be amended to provide this clarification. Change in Directors & Senior Executive Officers (§ 5.51) Twelve CFR 5.51, Changes in directors and senior executive officers, and 12 CFR part 163, subpart H, Notice of change of director or senior executive officer (§§ 163.550 through 163.590), implement 12 U.S.C. 1831i, which requires certain national banks and Federal savings associations to notify the OCC of a change in a director or senior executive officer. In order to harmonize the treatment of national banks and Federal savings associations, 98 12 PO 00000 U.S.C. 1813(u)(1), (2), or (3). Frm 00041 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33299 we propose to amend § 5.51 by adding language to make it applicable to both national banks and Federal savings associations and to rescind 12 CFR part 163, subpart H. In so doing, we also propose to amend § 5.51 by including certain requirements currently applicable only to Federal savings associations and by making various clarifying changes. As a result of this consolidation, Federal savings associations should be aware of the differences between § 5.51 and part 163, subpart H, and national banks should be aware of the proposed changes to § 5.51, as described below. Definitions. The definition in § 5.51(c)(1) of a ‘‘director’’ for a national bank is not as broad as the definition of the same term in § 163.555 for a Federal savings association. Specifically, the definition in the bank rule includes an advisory director who is authorized to vote on any matters before, or provides more than general advice to, the board of directors. The savings association rule includes an advisory director who votes or provides such advice to a committee of the board in addition to the board of directors. We propose to amend § 5.51(c)(1)(ii) to include this broader definition. As a result, an advisory director of a national bank who may vote on matters before, or provides more than general advice to, any committee of the board of directors would now be subject to the requirements of § 5.51. Section 5.51(c)(2) defines the term ‘‘national bank.’’ To provide parallel treatment, we propose to redesignate § 5.51(c)(2) as § 5.51(c)(3) and add a definition for the term ‘‘Federal savings association’’ at § 5.51(c)(2). ‘‘Senior executive officer’’ is defined in § 5.51(c)(3) for a national bank and in § 163.555 for a Federal savings association. In addition to minor differences in wording, the definitions have two primary differences. First, the definition in § 163.555 includes an individual serving as president of the institution, while § 5.51(c)(3) does not. To eliminate any ambiguity, this final rule adds ‘‘president’’ to the definition of senior executive officer and redesignates § 5.51(c)(3) as § 5.51(c)(4). Second, the definition in § 163.555 specifies that a ‘‘senior executive officer’’ also includes any other person identified by the OCC or the OTS in writing as an individual who exercises significant influence over, or participates in, major policymaking decisions, whether or not hired as an employee, while § 5.51(c)(3) does not specify that the notification by the OCC be in writing. We propose to amend E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33300 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules redesignated § 5.51(c)(4) to clarify that the notification must be in writing. Section 5.51(c)(4) defines the term ‘‘technically complete notice’’ for a national bank to mean a notice that includes all information required by § 5.51(e)(2), and includes information that may be requested by the OCC after the original submission of the notice. While § 163.555 does not include a specific definition of this term for a Federal savings association, the term ‘‘technically complete notice’’ as defined in the bank rule is generally consistent with the content requirements in § 163.570 and the procedures in § 163.575 governing review of a notice for completeness. We are proposing to amend this definition to delete the phrase ‘‘original submission of the notice’’ and replace it with ‘‘notice’’ to allow for subsequent OCC requests for additional information. Redesignated § 5.51(c)(6) defines the term ‘‘technically complete notice date’’ to mean the date on which the OCC has received a technically complete notice for a national bank or Federal savings association. A Federal savings association should be aware of this definition because it triggers the 90-day time period for OCC review and decision discussed below. ‘‘Troubled condition’’ is defined in § 5.51(c)(6) for a national bank and in § 163.555 for a Federal savings association. The definitions are substantially similar, and we believe the definition of troubled condition for a national bank encompasses all of the actions included in the definition for a Federal savings association. However, § 5.51(c)(6) provides that a national bank may be designated in troubled condition based on information obtained as a result of an examination, while § 163.555 provides that a Federal savings association may be designated in troubled condition based on information available to the OCC. The language in § 163.555 is broader and thus provides the OCC with greater ability to ensure the safety and soundness of the institutions we supervise. Accordingly, we propose to amend § 5.51(c)(6) by redesignating it § 5.51(c)(7) and by deleting the phrase ‘‘as a result of an examination’’ and replacing it with the phrase ‘‘based on information pertaining to such national bank or Federal savings association.’’ Prior Notice. Sections 5.51(d) and (e)(6)(ii) prescribe when a national bank must provide prior notice to the OCC, and §§ 163.560, 163.585(a)(2), and 163.590(b) are the corresponding provisions for a Federal savings association. The description of VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 circumstances requiring prior notice are similar in most respects, but there are differences in the timeframe for prior notice and the treatment of an individual seeking election to the board of directors who has not been nominated by management. Under § 5.51(d), a national bank must provide 90 days prior notice before adding or replacing any director or senior executive officer, or changing the position of a current senior executive officer, if the bank is not in compliance with minimum capital requirements, is otherwise in a troubled condition, or the OCC determines, under section 38 of the FDI Act,99 that prior notice is appropriate. Section 163.560 requires 30 days prior notice for a Federal savings association if similar prerequisites are met. The OCC may extend this review period under § 163.585(a)(2) for an additional period not to exceed 60 days. Furthermore, in lieu of following the procedures under § 163.590(b), this 30day notice requirement applies to an individual seeking election to the board of directors who has not been nominated by management. As a result of our proposed integration of savings associations into § 5.51, Federal savings associations would be required to provide 90 days prior notice of a new director or senior executive officer, instead of 30 days prior notice. We believe this longer prior notice is appropriate for both banks and savings associations and conforms with the review of these notices under current OCC practice pursuant to the notice period extension. In addition, under the revised rule, only a Federal savings association may file the notice with the OCC; an individual seeking election to the board of directors of a Federal savings association who has not been nominated by management would no longer be allowed to do so. We believe it would be a more judicious use of the agency’s resources to conduct the necessary review only after an individual has been elected to the board of directors. We also propose to require that if the OCC determines that prior notice is required based on review of an agency plan under section 38 of the FDI Act, such determination must be in writing. Exceptions to rules of general procedure. For a national bank, under § 5.51(e)(8), notices are not subject to public notice and comment, are not publicly available, and are excepted from certain other generally applicable application processing provisions of part 5. Under part 163, subpart H and the application processing regulations 99 12 PO 00000 U.S.C. 1831o. Frm 00042 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 applicable to Federal savings associations, notices pertaining to Federal savings associations are treated similarly. We propose to apply § 5.51(e)(8) to Federal savings associations. In addition, we propose to amend § 5.51(e)(8) to clarify that the procedures in § 5.13(c) regarding required information and abandonment of a filing apply to the extent provided for in proposed §§ 5.51(e)(3)(iii) and (e)(7). Content of Notice. Sections 5.51(e)(2) and 163.570 provide, respectively, the requirements governing the content of a notice for a national bank and a Federal savings association. Although § 5.51(e)(2) lists the specific items required and § 163.570 refers to 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(6)(A) and the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report (IBFR), these requirements are essentially the same, except that § 5.51(e)(2) currently does not require the financial portion of the IBFR for a national bank. Because the financial section of the IBFR provides information that is useful and relevant to the disapproval standards and may not be available to the OCC in the information currently required to be provided, we propose to revise § 5.51(e)(2) to require the submission of the financial portion of the IBFR, except when the OCC determines in writing that such information is not required. We also propose to add language to § 5.51(e)(2) that would permit the OCC to require additional information and to require or accept other information in place of the information required by this paragraph. This language, which provides valuable flexibility to the OCC, is currently included in §§ 163.570(a)(3) and 163.570(b). In addition, we propose to add language to § 5.51(e)(2) to clarify how to calculate the three-year exception for providing fingerprints. Request for additional information. We propose to amend § 5.51(e)(3), redesignated as § 5.51(e)(3)(i), to remove the qualification that the OCC’s request for information be in writing ‘‘where feasible’’ and instead require that the OCC’s request must always be in writing and that the OCC provide an explanation of why the information is needed. In addition, we propose adding new § 5.51(e)(3)(ii) to provide that a national bank or Federal savings association that cannot provide the requested information within the time specified by the OCC may request that the OCC suspend processing of the notice and that the OCC, in its discretion, may either grant or deny such request in writing, and if granted, specify the time period during which the information must be provided. This E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules provision is similar to what is included in § 163.575(b). We also propose to add new § 5.51(e)(3)(iii), which would provide that if a national bank or Federal savings association fails to provide the requested information within the time specified in § 5.51(e)(3)(i) or in the OCC’s grant of the suspension request pursuant to § 5.51(e)(3)(ii), the OCC may either deem the filing abandoned under § 5.13(c), or review the notice based on the information provided. This provision is included in § 163.575(b). Based on our supervisory experience, it is appropriate to apply these specific consequence for failing to provide such additional information to national banks in addition to Federal savings associations. Notice of disapproval/notice of intent not to disapprove. Sections 5.51(e)(4) and (5) describe the requirements governing a notice of disapproval and a notice of intent not to disapprove for a national bank, and §§ 163.580 and 163.585 are the equivalent provisions for a Federal savings association. Although there are minor differences in wording, they are substantively the same. Accordingly, we propose to amend §§ 5.51(e)(4) and (5) to include Federal savings associations. In addition, in §§ 5.51(e)(4) and (5), we propose to clarify that the notice of disapproval and the notice of intent not to disapprove must be in writing. We also propose to clarify in § 5.51(e)(5) that the OCC provide the notice of intent not to disapprove to the individual in addition to the institution. This change clarifies an ambiguity and makes this provision consistent with other provisions in § 5.51. Finally, we propose to revise § 5.51(e)(5) to require that all applicable legal requirements must be satisfied in order for the individual to begin service as a director or senior executive officer after receiving a notice of intent not to disapprove. Waiver. Section 5.51(e)(6) prescribes the waiver procedure that allows an individual to serve as a director or senior executive officer of a national bank prior to filing a notice, and § 163.590 prescribes corresponding procedures for a Federal savings association. Although these provisions are similar in terms of standards for granting a waiver and requiring that a notice be filed within a specified time period after the waiver has been granted, the savings association rule does not detail the length of service of such an interim position. We propose to apply § 5.51(e)(6) to savings associations, reorganize and renumber VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 § 5.51(e)(6), and make the changes described below. First, under redesignated § 5.51(e)(6)(i)(B), we propose to clarify that the OCC’s finding in support of the waiver must be in writing, which is our current practice and which is included in the savings association rule. Second, § 5.51(e)(6) provides that the OCC may waive the prior notice requirement if delay could harm the national bank or the public interest, or if other extraordinary circumstances justify waiving the requirement. Under § 163.590(a), the OCC may grant a waiver if delay would threaten the safety and soundness of the savings association, would not be in the public interest, or if there are other extraordinary circumstances. We propose revising § 5.51(e)(6) to incorporate the safety and soundness standard, modified slightly from what is included in the savings association rule. Specifically, as proposed, the OCC could grant a waiver if delay could adversely affect the safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings association, would not be in the public interest, or other extraordinary circumstances justify the waiver. Third, both § 5.51(e)(6) and § 163.590 provide that if the OCC grants a waiver, the national bank must file the required notice within the time period specified in the waiver. We propose to amend redesignated § 5.51(e)(6)(i)(C) to clarify that such notices must be technically complete within this specified time period. Fourth, we propose to amend redesignated § 5.51(e)(6)(i)(D) by amending the alternative outcomes that may occur after a waiver is granted and the proposed individual has assumed the position on an interim basis. Section 163.590 does not include similar provisions. Under the current rule, if a proposed director or senior executive officer who is serving under a waiver receives notice of disapproval, that person could continue to serve pending resolution of an appeal. We believe it is not in the best interest of the national bank or Federal savings association, and would be contrary to safe or sound practices, to allow an individual to continue to serve pending an appeal. Therefore, proposed § 5.51(e)(6)(i)(D)(2) would require an individual who is serving on an interim basis and receives a notice of disapproval to resign immediately from the board. This person may assume the position on a permanent basis only if the notice of disapproval is reversed on appeal and all other applicable legal requirements are satisfied. PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33301 Section 5.51(e)(6) also provides that if the required notice is not filed within the time period specified in the waiver, the proposed individual must resign his or her position. Thereafter, the individual may assume the position on a permanent basis only after the national bank receives a notice of intent not to disapprove, after the review period elapses, or after a notice of disapproval has been overturned on appeal. Section 163.590 does not include a similar provision. The rule also provides that a waiver does not affect the OCC’s authority to issue a notice of disapproval within 30 days of the expiration of such waiver. We propose in § 5.51(e)(6)(i)(E) to clarify that the individual may assume the position under these circumstances only after a technically complete notice has been filed and all other applicable requirements are satisfied. Furthermore, we also propose in § 5.51(e)(6)(i)(D)(3) to specify that the ‘‘elapse’’ of the review period occurs when the OCC fails to act within 90 calendar days after submission of a technically complete notice and the individual satisfies all other legal requirements. As a matter of practice, the OCC has taken the position that waiver of prior notice does not affect the general 90-day review period and this amendment codifies this position in our rule. We also propose in § 5.51(e)(6)(i)(D)(1) to clarify that following receipt of a notice of intent not to disapprove, the individual may assume the position on a permanent basis, provided all other applicable legal requirements are satisfied. Section 5.51(e)(6)(ii) prescribes the requirements for an automatic waiver for a national bank, and § 163.590(b) is the corresponding provision for a Federal savings association. Specifically, § 5.51(e)(6)(ii) provides that if a new director not proposed by management is elected at a shareholder meeting, a waiver of the prior notice requirement is granted automatically and the elected individual may begin service as a director. However, the national bank must file the required notice as soon as practical, and not later than seven days from the date the individual is notified of the election. This provision differs from § 163.590(b), which requires the individual, and not the institution, to file the notice. Federal savings associations should note this change. Commencement of Service. For a national bank, § 5.51(e)(7) prescribes when a proposed individual may assume the office. Section 163.585 is the corresponding provision for a Federal savings association. Under § 5.51(e)(7), E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33302 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules an individual may begin service at the end of the OCC’s review period unless the OCC issues a notice of disapproval or the OCC deems the notice to be abandoned because the bank does not provide additional requested information. Under § 163.585, an individual may begin service at the end of the 30-day review period (or, if extended, the 90-day review period) unless the OCC issues a notice of disapproval, or when the OCC notifies the bank in writing of its intent not to disapprove. We propose to add new § 5.51(e)(7)(i) to clarify that an individual may assume the office on a permanent basis prior to expiration of the review period only if the OCC notifies the national bank or Federal savings association in writing that the OCC does not disapprove the proposed director or senior executive officer. As indicated above, this provision is included in § 163.585(b). We also propose to add conforming language in § 5.51(e)(7)(i), redesignated as § 5.51(e)(7)(ii)(A), to provide that the OCC’s notice of disapproval must be in writing. We note that redesignated § 5.51(e)(7)(ii)(B) would specifically prohibit individuals from beginning service at a Federal savings association, in addition to national banks, if the OCC deems the application abandoned. While § 163.575 applies the concept of abandonment to a Federal savings association when a notice is not complete, § 163.585 does not specify this consequence. Appeal. Section 5.51(f) prescribes the applicable procedures for a national bank or a proposed individual to appeal a notice of disapproval. There is no equivalent rule in § 163, subpart H for a Federal savings association. Accordingly, under § 5.51(f) as amended by this final rule, this appeal process would be available to both a Federal savings association and the proposed individual. Technical changes. We propose to make minor technical changes throughout § 5.51. For example, § 5.51 uses the terms ‘‘individual’’ and ‘‘person’’ interchangeably and uses the terms ‘‘lapse,’’ ‘‘end,’’ and ‘‘expire’’ interchangeably. To promote consistency and conform to the language in 12 U.S.C. 1831i, we propose to replace the word ‘‘person’’ with ‘‘individual’’ and to use the word ‘‘expire’’ or ‘‘expiration.’’ To promote consistency and avoid confusion, we propose to add the word ‘‘calendar’’ before the word ‘‘days.’’ Finally, in the definition of ‘‘national bank’’ in § 5.51(c)(2), we propose to delete the reference to § 5.3(j) because it is obsolete. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Change in Address (§ 5.52) Twelve CFR 5.52 requires a national bank to submit a written notice to the OCC if its main office or post office box address changes. Twelve CFR 145.91(b) requires a Federal savings association to notify the appropriate OCC licensing office if it changes the permanent address of its home office, with certain exceptions. The rules are substantially similar. In order to consolidate and harmonize these rules, the OCC proposes to amend § 5.52 by making it applicable to both national banks and Federal savings associations and to rescind § 145.91(b). As previously discussed in this preamble with respect to proposed § 5.40, the OCC’s proposal uses the term ‘‘main office’’ when discussing a national bank and ‘‘home office’’ when discussing a Federal savings association. As noted above, the current national bank and Federal savings association notice requirements are subject to certain exceptions. Specifically, § 5.52(b) currently provides that a national bank is not required to provide notice of a main office or post office box address change if the change results from a transaction approved under part 5. Section 145.91(b) provides that a Federal savings association is not required to provide a change of address notice if the association submitted an application or notice to relocate or establish a new home or branch office pursuant to §§ 145.93 and 145.95. The proposal seeks to harmonize these provisions by providing that neither a national bank nor a Federal savings association would be required to file a notice if it submitted a notice under § 5.40(b), which, as proposed, addresses a relocation of a main office or home office. In addition, a Federal savings association would not be required to file a notice for a transaction approved under part 5, consistent with the current treatment for national banks. We note that under current Federal savings association rules, highly-rated savings associations are exempt from the §§ 145.93 and 145.95 provisions requiring an application or notice for the relocation or establishment of a new home or branch office, and therefore must file a change in address notice under 145.91. As a result of this proposal’s integration of §§ 145.93 and § 145.95 into § 5.40 and the concurrent removal of the exemption for highlyrated savings associations, all savings associations that file an application or notice for the relocation or establishment of a new home or branch office pursuant to proposed § 5.40 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 would be exempt from the change in address notice under proposed § 5.52. Finally, § 145.91(a) provides that all operations of a Federal savings association are subject to direction from the home office. There is no equivalent provision for national banks. The OCC believes this provision to be unnecessary and proposes to delete it. Change in Asset Composition (§ 5.53) Twelve CFR 5.53 sets out the OCC’s rules addressing changes in asset composition for national banks. It requires a national bank to apply to the OCC and obtain prior written approval before changing the composition of all, or substantially all, of its assets (1) through sales or other dispositions, or, (2) having sold or disposed of all or substantially all of its assets, through subsequent purchases or other acquisitions or other expansions of its operations. It contains exceptions for changes in asset composition that occur in connection with an enforcement action, a liquidation under 12 CFR 5.48, or a bank’s ordinary and ongoing business of originating and securitizing loans. Twelve CFR 163.22(c) and (h)(2) set out the OCC’s rules addressing changes in asset composition, as well as several other types of changes in business, for Federal savings associations. Section 163.22(c) requires a Federal savings association to file either an expedited treatment notice (which is a form of application) or a standard treatment application, as specified in § 163.22(h)(2), for transactions described in § 163.22(c). Section 163.22(c) includes: (1) Purchases or sales or other transfers of assets in bulk not made in the ordinary course of business, unless the transaction is a combination with, or the assumption of deposits from, another insured depository institution and is subject to the Bank Merger Act, (2) assumptions or sales or other transfers of savings account liabilities, deposit accounts, or other liabilities in bulk not made in the ordinary course of business, unless the transaction is a combination with, or the assumption of deposits from, another insured depository institution and is subject to the Bank Merger Act, and (3) combinations with a depository institution other than an insured depository institution.100 The OCC is proposing to combine these rules in an expanded § 5.53 by including some additional requirements for approval of asset transfers based on 100 Transfers and combinations with insured depository institutions that are subject to the Bank Merger Act are covered by other parts of § 163.22. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules § 163.22(c).101 We also propose to make clarifications in some of the existing provisions of § 5.53. In addition, we are revising the rule’s layout to make it easier to follow. Finally, as a result of these changes and others in this proposal, we propose to remove 12 CFR 163.22(c) and (h)(2).102 Specifically, we propose to revise § 5.53(b), the scope section, making it a single sentence and moving the extended description of covered transactions and exceptions into a new definition section. In § 5.53(c)(1)(i) of the definition section, we propose to amend an existing provision to clarify that a sale of all or substantially all assets in a series of transactions is covered, not only the sale of assets in a single transaction to one purchaser. We propose to add two provisions in the definition that will bring some of the asset transfers that are covered by § 163.22(c) within the scope of § 5.53. Section 163.22(c) includes all purchases or sales or other transfers of assets in bulk not made in the ordinary course of business, unless the transaction is a combination with, or the assumption of deposits from, another insured depository institution and is subject to the Bank Merger Act. We are proposing to add some, but not all, such transfers to § 5.53. The existing national bank rule at §§ 5.53(b)(second half of first sentence) and (c)(1)(ii) (which the proposal includes at § 5.53(c)(1)(ii)) includes asset purchases only after a prior asset sale. The first proposed addition, in § 5.53(c)(1)(iii), would include any other asset purchases or other expansions of business that are part of a plan to increase the size of the bank or savings association by more than 25 percent in one year. The second proposed addition, in § 5.53(c)(1)(iv), would include any other material increase or decrease in the size of the national bank or Federal savings association or a material alteration in the composition of the types of assets or liabilities of the national bank or Federal savings association (including the entry or exit of business lines), on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the OCC. The proposed rule advises banks and savings associations that are contemplating transactions that may constitute a material change to consult the appropriate OCC supervisory office and sets out factors the OCC would use in determining whether an application 101 We are proposing to address the provisions in § 163.22(c) regarding combinations and transfers of deposits and other liabilities in proposed revised 12 CFR 5.33 on business combinations, discussed elsewhere in the preamble. 102 Other provision of this proposal would remove the remaining provisions § 163.22. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 is required. The intent of this provision is to establish a mechanism for requiring prior approval of significant changes when the OCC considers it necessary for supervisory reasons without establishing specific application criteria in the rule that would require banks and savings associations to file applications in all other cases. Question 11: The OCC invites comment on other methods of accomplishing the OCC’s review of significant changes. The net effect of these proposed changes on national banks would be to require applications for approval in more situations than under current § 5.53, but these additional situations likely already would involve discussions between the bank and its supervisory office. The net effect of these changes on Federal savings associations would be fewer situations in which applications for approval are required than now required under current § 163.22(c). Section 5.53 has three exceptions to the requirement to file an application. An application under § 5.53 is not required if the bank is making the asset change in response to direction from the OCC (e.g., in an enforcement action), if the asset change is part of a voluntary liquidation under 12 U.S.C. 181 and 182 and 12 CFR 5.48 that will be completed within one year, or if the asset change occurs as a result of a bank’s ordinary and ongoing business of originating and securitizing loans. In the exception for asset changes that are part of a voluntary liquidation, we propose to add that the bank or savings association has received OCC approval of its plan of liquidation. Elsewhere in this rulemaking, we are proposing to add a requirement of OCC approval of the plan of liquidation to § 5.48 and to add liquidation of Federal savings associations to § 5.48. We also propose to add an exception for changes in assets that are subject to OCC approval under another application to the OCC. In such cases, an additional application under § 5.53 is not required. This exception is now only implied. Section 5.53 currently does not have a provision granting expedited review of applications by eligible banks. The OCC believes the transactions covered under the current rule and under the proposed rule would always be significant enough that expedited review is not appropriate. Section 163.22(c) covered a broader range of transactions than § 5.53, and §§ 163.22(c) and (h)(2) provided for expedited treatment of bulk transfer filings if all the participating Federal savings associations meet the conditions for expedited treatment. We are not PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33303 proposing to include expedited review in § 5.53. Finally, we propose to revise the approval requirement provision in § 5.53(d)(1) to eliminate language that is now covered by the use of the defined term ‘‘substantial asset change’’ and to revise the manner in which the review factors are set out in § 5.53(d)(2)(i) to be the same as the similar factors in 12 CFR 5.33. Capital Distributions by Federal Savings Associations (New § 5.55) Subpart E of part 163, Capital distributions, sets forth the procedures and standards for all capital distributions made by a Federal savings associations. Section 5.46, Changes in permanent capital, and part 5 of subpart E, Payment of dividends, describes the procedures and standards relating to a transaction resulting in a change in a national bank’s permanent capital and declaration and payment of national bank dividends, respectively. Although part 163, subpart E and § 5.46 and subpart E of part 5 cover similar transactions, they are structured differently and apply in different ways to Federal savings associations and national banks. Therefore, the OCC is not proposing to integrate these rules at this time. However, in order to include all OCC licensing-related rules in the same part of Chapter 12, we propose to move the provisions contained in subpart E of part 163 to part 5 as new 12 CFR 5.55; update the cross-references in §§ 192.510(c)(1) and 192.520(c) to reflect the new § 5.55; and make other conforming changes. In addition, we propose to include in new § 5.55 filing procedures based on provisions in part 5 regarding eligible savings associations and expedited review. Because the proposal would move this rule into part 5 and in part 5 a Federal savings association must be an ‘‘eligible savings association’’ in order to qualify for expedited review of applications and notices generally, the OCC believes it is appropriate to apply the eligibility criterion to Federal savings associations seeking expedited review of filings for capital distributions even though the regulation is not being integrated with its national bank counterpart. These part 5 procedures would result in filing requirements similar to those in subpart E of part 163. However, as described in the discussion of the part 5, subpart A, definition of ‘‘eligible bank or eligible savings association’’ elsewhere in this preamble, because the eligibility requirements in part 5 and in the current Federal savings association rules are not identical, the part 5 eligibility requirements for E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33304 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules expedited review could affect which savings associations qualify for the expedited process. We also have clarified the provisions regarding filing a notice with the OCC and Federal Reserve Board in proposed §§ 5.55(e)(2)(iii), (e)(2)(iv) and (4) to more precisely describe the requirements. We do not propose any other substantive changes to this rule. Subordinated Debt (New § 5.56) The OCC currently has separate rules for subordinated debt issued by national banks and Federal savings associations (12 CFR 5.47 and 12 CFR 163.81, respectively). Because of the differences and complexity of these rules, we are not proposing to integrate them in this rulemaking, although we may propose to do so at a later date. However, in order to include all OCC licensingrelated rules in the same part of Chapter 12, we propose to move § 163.81 to part 5 as new 12 CFR 5.56 and update the cross-reference in § 193.101(c) to reflect the new § 5.56. In addition, we propose to include in new § 5.56 filing procedures based on provisions in part 5 regarding eligible savings associations and expedited review that would result in filing requirements similar to those in § 163.81. However, as described in the discussion of the part 5, subpart A, definition of ‘‘eligible bank or eligible savings association’’ elsewhere in this preamble, because the eligibility requirements in part 5 and in the current Federal savings association rules are not identical, the part 5 eligibility requirements for expedited review could affect which savings associations qualify for the expedited process. We do not propose any other substantive changes to this rule. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Pass-Through Investments by Federal Savings Associations (New § 5.58) National banks and Federal savings associations may make, directly or through an operating subsidiary, noncontrolling investments (the national bank term) or pass-through investments (the Federal savings association term) in entities pursuant to their respective authority under 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh) (national banks) and 12 U.S.C. 1464(c) (Federal savings associations) and other statutes. Twelve CFR 5.36 describes the procedures for making these noncontrolling investments for national banks. Twelve CFR 160.32(a) addresses the authority of Federal savings associations to make pass-through investments, while § 160.32(b) and (c) describe the procedures for making VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 pass-through investments for Federal savings associations. With respect to Federal savings associations, § 160.32(a) codifies the authority of Federal savings associations to make pass-through investments in certain entities that hold only assets and engage only in activities permissible for Federal savings associations. When making the pass-through investment, a Federal savings association must comply with all the statutes and regulations that would apply if it were engaging in the activity directly. For example, a Federal savings association must aggregate a proportionate share of its pass-through investment in an entity with the assets the Federal savings association holds directly in calculating its investment limits.103 Section 160.32(b) provides that a Federal savings association may make certain qualifying pass-through investments without prior notice to the OCC (a ‘‘no-notice procedure’’) in any entity that is a limited partnership, an open-ended mutual fund, a closed-end investment trust, a limited liability company, or an entity in which the Federal savings association is investing primarily to use the company’s services. To qualify for this no-notice procedure the investment must satisfy the conditions set forth in § 160.32(b): (1) The investment is not more than 15 percent of the association’s total capital, (2) the book value of the association’s aggregate pass-through investments does not exceed 50 percent of the association’s total capital, (3) the investment does not give the association direct or indirect control of the company, and (4) the association’s liability is limited to the amount of the investment. Section 160.32(c) requires a Federal savings association to provide the OCC with 30 days advance written notice prior to making any pass-through investment that does not meet these nonotice standards. The notice is a form of application and may become a standard application if the OCC notifies the filer that the investment presents supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness concerns. Section 160.32 does not specify the content of the notice or application, as does § 5.36. The OCC proposes to harmonize its filing requirements for non-controlling and pass-through investments in order to have consistent review and oversight of such investments for national banks and Federal savings associations. The proposal would accomplish this by adding a new § 5.58 to part 5. Section 103 See 12 CFR 160.32(a) (noting, as an example, aggregation for purposes of the non-residential real estate loan limits under section 5(c) of the HOLA). PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 5.58 is based on § 5.36 and would subject Federal savings association passthrough investments to filing requirements very similar to those applicable to national banks. We are not proposing to add Federal savings associations to § 5.36 at this time because of differences in the respective statutory authorities, the regulations implementing them, and their interpretation. We plan to consider further harmonization of these filing rules, particularly in conjunction with any combination of the substantive regulations implementing the statutory authorities. The proposal also would amend § 160.32(b) to become a crossreference referring Federal savings associations to § 5.36, and remove § 160.32(c). We would retain § 160.32(a) without change. The scope section at proposed § 5.58(b) would refer to the authority of Federal savings associations to make equity investments, including passthrough investments, under 12 U.S.C. 1464 and other statutes. It also would reflect that the authority to make a passthrough investment subject to §§ 5.58(b) and 160.32(a) is in addition to authorities to make investments subject to §§ 5.35 and 5.37, as amended by this proposal to include Federal savings associations, and proposed new §§ 5.38 and 5.59. Proposed paragraph (c) of § 5.58 would require a Federal savings association to file a notice or application for a pass-through investment when required by § 5.58. Proposed § 5.58(d) contains definitions used in the section. The definitions are like those in § 5.36(c). Proposed paragraph (e) of § 5.58 mirrors § 5.36(e) and would provide that a well capitalized, well managed Federal savings association may make certain pass-through investments, directly or through its operating subsidiary, in certain entities 104 by filing a written notice with the OCC no later than 10 days after making the investment. This after-the-fact notice procedure is available if the activity conducted by the enterprise is on the list of activities eligible for a notice filing for operating subsidiaries under proposed § 5.38, or if it is substantially the same as an activity that has been previously approved for a Federal savings association (or its operating subsidiary) in published OCC precedent, including published former OTS precedent, and is conducted on the 104 Under proposed § 5.58(d)(1), a Federal savings association may invest in an ‘‘enterprise’’ that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or similar business entity. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules same terms and conditions that apply to the activity approved in that precedent. This notice must contain the information enumerated in § 5.58(e), including: (1) A description of the structure of the investment and the types of activities conducted by the enterprise in which the bank is investing, (2) how the activity comports with the activities listed in § 5.38 or OCC precedent, (3) a certification that the savings association is well managed and well capitalized at the time of the investment, (4) how the savings association will prevent the enterprise from engaging in impermissible activities, (5) a description of how the investment is convenient and useful to the savings association and not a passive investment, (6) a certification that the savings association’s loss exposure is limited and that it does not have unlimited liability for the obligations of the enterprise, and (7) a certification that the enterprise agrees to be subject to OCC supervision and examination as permitted under certain Federal statutes. If a Federal savings association is not well capitalized and well managed or if the activity conducted by the enterprise does not qualify for the after-the-fact notice procedure, the savings association would be required to apply to the OCC and receive prior approval for the non-controlling investment under § 5.58(f), which mirrors § 5.36(f). The application must satisfy the other conditions enumerated in proposed § 5.58(e). Proposed § 5.58(g)(1), based on § 5.36(g)(1), would provide for an expedited notice procedure for passthrough investments in entities holding assets in satisfaction of debts previously contracted. Under § 5.58(g)(2), based on § 5.36(g)(2), a Federal savings association would not be required to file a notice or application under § 5.58 when acquiring a non-controlling investment in shares of a company through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted. The proposal to require Federal savings associations to follow filing requirement for pass-through investments similar to the filing requirements for national bank noncontrolling investments, to amend § 160.32(b), and to remove § 160.32(c) would not affect the authority of Federal savings associations to make passthrough investments in entities that engage only in activities permissible for Federal savings associations. In addition, § 5.36 permits national banks to make non-controlling investments VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 greater than 25 percent of the company’s equity. Under § 5.58, Federal savings associations would be permitted to do the same. Such an investment, however, would constitute ‘‘control’’ under the definition used in 12 U.S.C. 1828(m) and applicable to Federal savings associations, making the enterprise a subsidiary of the association for purposes of section 1828(m) and triggering a filing with the OCC pursuant to section 1828(m).105 Accordingly, proposed § 5.58(f)(2) provides that, in all cases in which a Federal savings association proposes to invest in an enterprise that would be a subsidiary of the Federal savings association for purposes of section 1828(m) and would not be an operating subsidiary or service corporation, the Federal savings association must submit an application for approval to the OCC, similar to the application required under § 5.58(f)(1) for investments that do not qualify for the notice procedure. The application of § 5.58 to Federal savings associations also would change the filing requirements for Federal savings associations’ non-controlling investments. Some pass-through investments could meet the requirements for the after-the-fact notice procedure, and the Federal savings association would need to file only the after-the-fact notice, not an application as under § 160.32(c). However, some non-controlling investments that currently may qualify for the no-notice procedure under § 160.32(b) would require a filing under § 5.58. In this regard, we understand the no-notice procedure under § 160.32(b) was primarily used for investments in investment companies that held assets permissible for a Federal savings association to hold directly. Proposed § 5.58(h) would continue the no-notice procedure for such investments by Federal savings associations.106 In addition, some investments that may 105 A ‘‘non-controlling’’ investment is not defined in § 5.36. It is generally understood to mean an investment other than one that would constitute ‘‘control’’ under the OCC’s operating subsidiary regulation, § 5.34, which is a different standard than the one applicable for section 1828(m). Because of this general understanding, national banks’ noncontrolling investments have not, in general, exceeded 50 percent of an enterprise’s equity. 106 Currently, national banks similarly are not required to file under § 5.36 for such investments. The rule contains exceptions to the § 5.36 filing requirements when the bank is required to make the investment under another regulation implementing a specific statutory authority. One of those exceptions is for investments made under 12 CFR part 1. Investments by national banks in pooled investment vehicles are covered by 12 CFR 1.3(h). Thus, a national bank would not be required to file under § 5.36 for such investments. Proposed § 5.58(h) will provide the same exception to the filing requirement for Federal savings associations. PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33305 have qualified for the no-notice procedure may be eligible for the afterthe-fact notice of § 5.58(e). Thus, the OCC believes there should not be a substantial impact of this change on Federal savings associations, since the proposal would continue the most common exception to the application requirement in § 160.32, and other passthrough investments may qualify for after-the-fact filing. Service Corporations of Federal Savings Associations (New § 5.59) Section 5(c)(4)(B) of the HOLA 107 authorizes savings associations to invest in service corporations. There is no similar authority for national banks. OCC rules addressing service corporations of Federal savings associations (as well as operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations) are currently set forth at 12 CFR part 159 (Subordinate organizations). The OCC is proposing to remove these provisions of part 159 and create a new § 5.59 based on part 159 that would address only Federal savings association service corporations.108 This part would set forth the characteristics of Federal savings association service corporations, the requirements applicable to such service corporations, and the filing requirements that apply to a Federal savings association’s establishment or acquisition of a service corporation or its commencement of new activities in an existing service corporation. The current service corporation regulation provides that, when required by section 18(m) of the FDI Act, a Federal savings association must file a notice under 12 CFR part 116 at least 30 days before establishing or acquiring a subsidiary or engaging in a new activity in a subsidiary.109 The regulation defines a ‘‘subsidiary’’ as a subordinate organization directly or indirectly controlled by a Federal savings association.110 Accordingly, under the current regulation, a Federal savings association is not required to file a service corporation application if the association proposes to make a noncontrolling investment in a service corporation. The OCC proposes to amend the service corporation regulation to require that a Federal savings association file with the OCC before acquiring or 107 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B). stated elsewhere in this rulemaking, the OCC proposes to create a new § 5.38 that would address Federal savings association operating subsidiaries. As a result, all of part 159 would be removed. 109 12 CFR 159.11. 110 12 CFR 159.2. 108 As E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33306 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 establishing any service corporation, including one that it would not control. The OCC believes that this requirement is more consistent with the underlying statute, 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), and also is more prudent from a regulatory standpoint, because it enables the OCC to review the proposed establishment or acquisition of all service corporations, not merely ones the Federal savings association controls.111 This ability to review is particularly important because service corporations may engage in a broader range of activities than Federal savings associations, and because Federal savings associations may make sizable investments in service corporations (the aggregate statutory limit for all service corporation investments is three percent of assets). The OCC believes that the proposed amendment will not materially increase the regulatory burden on Federal savings associations, because, in most cases, the notice process is not lengthy, and information requirements are not extensive. The current service corporation regulation uses the definition of ‘‘control’’ in 12 CFR part 174. Section 5.59(d)(1), as proposed, states that ‘‘control’’ has the meaning set forth in the Bank Holding Company Act (BHC Act) and the Federal Reserve Board’s regulations thereunder. The term ‘‘control’’ as it relates to the filing requirement, is set forth in section 18(m)(1) of the FDI Act. The FDI Act defines control by cross-referencing the definition of the term in the BHC Act, at 12 U.S.C. 1841.112 Accordingly, the OCC believes that the appropriate definition of control is the BHC Act definition. The OCC does not believe that this definitional change will have a significant impact on Federal savings associations.113 Proposed § 5.59(e)(5) explicitly states that service corporations may be organized in any organizational form that provides the same protections as the corporate form of organization, 111 The OCC proposes to retain the requirement that, with respect to a service corporation that proposes to engage in new activities, a Federal savings association files with the OCC only if the association controls the service corporation. This requirement is also consistent with 12 U.S.C. 1828(m). 112 12 U.S.C. 1813(w)(5). 113 The primary differences between the definition of control in part 174 and the definition of control in the BHC Act at 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(2) and the Federal Reserve Board’s implementing regulations (BHC definition) are: (i) Part 174 includes certain rebuttable control presumptions that are not in the BHC definition; and (ii) the BHC definition provides that control exists if a company controls in any manner the election of a majority of directors or trustees of a bank or holding company. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 including limited liability. This provision is consistent with the OTS’s intent in promulgating 12 CFR part 559, the predecessor to part 159,114 and is consistent with OTS precedent. In amending the service corporation regulation to provide explicitly that service corporations were not required to be in the corporate form, the OTS stated that it was following its standard practice of interpreting the HOLA in a manner that does not elevate form over substance, and that the HOLA authorization to invest in service corporations should be read ‘‘to permit any organizational form that provides the same basic protections as the corporate form of organization.’’ 115 The current service corporation regulation provides that state law applies to a service corporation regardless of whether state law applies to the parent Federal savings association.116 The OCC previously has amended its regulations to reflect the preemption provisions of the DoddFrank Act.117 Accordingly, the proposal does not include this statement in proposed § 5.59. This result does not effect a substantive change from the current regulations. Twelve CFR 163.161 includes a requirement that service corporations must be well managed and operate safely and soundly. That section also provides that service corporations must pursue financial policies that are safe and consistent with the purposes of savings associations, and that service corporations must maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure their safe and sound operation. These requirements addressing service corporations are more appropriately included in the service corporation regulations, and are set forth in proposed § 5.59(e)(7). The proposed regulation would retain the provisions regarding separate corporate identity, with one exception. Proposed § 5.59(e)(8) does not include the provision in § 159.10(a)(3) that requires adequate financing as a separate unit in light of normal obligations reasonably foreseeable for a business of the service corporation’s size and character because the OCC believes that this provision may be unnecessarily burdensome. For a service 114 See 61 FR 66561, at 66564 (Dec. 18, 1996). The OTS noted that it would review any proposal to organize an LLC or limited partnership as a firsttier service corporation in the notice process to ascertain whether liability will in fact be limited and whether any other safety and soundness concerns are present. 115 Id. 116 12 CFR 159.3(n)(2). 117 76 FR 43549 at 43552, 43558, and 43565–66 (July 21, 2011). PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 corporation that the Federal savings association does not control, the savings association may not have the power to ensure that it is adequately financed at all times; and such lack of control may help demonstrate the service corporation’s separate corporate identity. Where the savings association controls the service corporation, the savings association may find it an ineffective use of resources to finance the entity far in advance; the proposed change helps provide a savings association with flexibility as to when it provides financing to the service corporation and reduces uncertainty regarding what the agency may consider adequate financing. Proposed § 5.59(f) would retain the list of preapproved activities currently in § 159.4, with minor changes. Section 159.4(h) addresses both community development and charitable activities. The proposal would divide this paragraph into two separate provisions, one addressing community development (paragraph (f)(8)), and the other addressing charitable activities (paragraph (f)(9)). In addition, the community development provision would be simplified by deleting the current list of examples of preapproved community development activities (which generally fall within the scope of the 12 CFR 24.3 description of public welfare investments), and revising the provision to include a reference to community development investments that are permissible under part 24. As a related matter, § 159.5(a) specifies several types of investments as serving primarily community, inner city, or community development purposes.118 Proposed § 5.59(g) would delete these examples, all of which are within the scope of § 24.6, and provide that such investments must be consistent with § 24.6. Proposed § 5.59(h)(1)(ii) includes an information requirement for service corporations with respect to insurance activities that is similar to the requirement for operating subsidiaries. This provision, which is intended to help the OCC carry out its statutory responsibilities,119 would require a Federal savings association to list for 118 See 12 CFR 159.5(a)(1) through (4). Any investment that would cause a savings association’s investment in service corporations to exceed two percent of assets must serve one of these purposes. 12 CFR 159.5(a). 119 Section 307(c) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Public Law 106–102, 113 Stat. 1416, codified at 15 U.S.C. 6716, requires the OCC to consult with the appropriate state insurance regulator, and take such regulator’s views into account, before making any determination relating to the initial affiliation of, or the continuing affiliation of, a depository institution with a company engaged in insurance activities. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 each state the lines of business for which the service corporation holds, or will hold, an insurance license, and each state in which the service corporation holds a resident license or charter. Proposed § 5.59(h)(2) would revise the circumstances under which a Federal savings association would receive expedited review for a service corporation filing. Currently, the criteria for expedited review are set forth in 12 CFR part 116. Pursuant to the proposal, a service corporation filing would be eligible for expedited review if the savings association is ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed,’’ and the service corporation engages only in one or more of the preapproved activities listed in § 5.59(f). Proposed § 5.59(k) would require each Federal savings association to file an annual report listing, for each service corporation subsidiary that is not functionally regulated and does business with consumers in the United States, certain information including the name and principal place of business of the service corporation, the lines of business in which the service corporation subsidiary engages directly with consumers, and the nature of the parent savings association’s interest in the service corporation subsidiary. This would be a new requirement. The OCC currently requires similar information to be filed regarding bank operating subsidiaries and is also proposing in this rulemaking to require this information with respect to operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations. The OCC makes publicly available a list of national bank operating subsidiaries that do business with the public, so that the public is aware when they are dealing with an operating subsidiary of a national bank. Adding Federal savings association operating subsidiaries and service corporation subsidiaries to this list will help ensure that the public is aware when they are dealing with an operating subsidiary or service corporation that is controlled by a Federal savings association. C. Conforming Amendments As indicated above, the proposal would make conforming and technical changes to both the rules in parts 5, 7, and 34 and in various provisions of parts 100 through 199 to reflect the movement of the licensing rules for savings association rules to part 5, to adjust section titles, and to conform cross-references. Specifically, the proposal would amend § 162.4 (audit of savings associations) to replace the cross-reference to the part 116 definition VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 of composite ratings with a reference to the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System, as referred to in other OCC rules. The proposal also would amend part 192 (conversions from mutual to stock form) to replace references to part 116, part 152 (Federal savings associations incorporation, organization and conversion), subpart E (capital distributions) and subpart H (notice of change in directors or senior executive officers) of part 163, and part 174 (change in control) with the appropriate cross-references in proposed part 5. In addition, the proposal would replace the reference to the standard treatment processing procedures of part 116 in § 160.35 (adjustments to home loans) with a statement that Federal savings associations must apply for and receive the OCC’s prior written approval. Part 32 (lending limits) also references the expedited and standard application processing procedures of part 116 at § 32.3(d) (loans by savings associations to develop domestic residential housing units). The proposal would replace this reference with a new paragraph that sets forth the application procedures for Federal savings associations for this activity. These procedures are based on those in § 32.7(b) with the addition of an expedited review process. With respect to state savings associations, the proposal would replace the citation to the FDIC application processing rule with a more general reference to the rules and procedures established by the appropriate Federal banking agency. In addition, the proposal would conform the cross-references to part 159 (service corporations) and § 163.81 (subordinated debt) to proposed §§ 5.59 and 5.56, respectively. Furthermore, the proposal would amend §§ 5.39, 5.47, and 5.64, which are not proposed to be integrated in this rulemaking, to clarify and make consistent the OCC office to which a national bank or Federal savings association must file a notice or application. Specifically, the proposal would direct such filings to the institution’s appropriate OCC licensing office or appropriate OCC supervisory office, as noted, instead of the appropriate district office. Finally, the proposal would amend §§ 100.1 (certain regulations superseded) and 100.2 (waiver authority) so that these provisions would continue to apply to rules pertaining to savings associations that would be included in parts other than parts 100 through 199 of Chapter 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as a result of this rulemaking. PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33307 V. Summary of Substantive Changes for National Banks and Federal Savings Associations A. Proposed Substantive Changes for National Banks The following is a summary of the substantive changes, listed by rule, proposed in this rulemaking for national banks. Rules of General Applicability (Proposed 12 CFR part 5, subpart A) • To qualify for expedited review as an ‘‘eligible bank,’’ a national bank would be required to have an OCC compliance rating of 1 or 2. Currently, a bank’s compliance rating is not a factor in the requirements for eligibility; however, § 5.13(a)(2) currently permits the OCC to remove a filing from expedited review if it raises certain issues, including compliance concerns. • A national bank would be required to publish its public notice of a filing in English and, if the OCC determines necessary, also in other languages. Currently, the rules do not specify the language in which the notice must be published. • In addition to what is currently required, a public notice related to a national bank filing would be required to state (1) the name of the institution that is the subject of the filing, (2) that the public portion of the filing is available on request, and (3) the address of the applicant. • The OCC, at its discretion, could require an applicant to publish a new public notice if (1) the applicant submits either a revised filing or new or additional information related to a filing, (2) there is a major issue of law or a change in circumstances arises after a filing, or (3) the agency determines that a new public notice is appropriate. (Although this is not specifically permitted under current rules, this has been the practice of the OCC.) • When computing time for national bank filings, the day of the filing would no longer be included and the time period would no longer end on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday but would end on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday. Articles of Association, Bylaws, Charters and Chartering Procedures (proposed 12 CFR 5.20, 5.21, 5.22) • National banks would be prohibited by regulation from adopting a title that misrepresents the nature of the institution or the services it offers. This reflects current practice. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33308 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 • National banks would be required to sell all securities of a particular class in an initial offering at the same price. • In the event the organization of a national bank is not completed, the organizers would be required to return all cash collected on subscriptions. • The OCC charter approval could include a condition that OCC would review proposed directors and officers for more than two years after the bank commences business. The regulation currently says two years, but a longer time is sometimes imposed in practice. • Expedited OCC review would be available for an application to establish a full-service national bank filed by a bank holding company or savings and loan holding company only when the lead depository institution is an eligible national bank or eligible Federal savings and loan associations. Currently, the lead depository institution can be an eligible state institution. Conversions (Proposed 12 CFR 5.24, 5.25) • Conversion to a National Bank Charter: Æ An institution seeking to convert to a national bank charter would be required by regulation to obtain all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals. (OCC policy currently requires these approvals.) Æ The application would be required to: D Identify bank service company investments and other equity investments, in addition to subsidiaries. (This requirement reflects current practice.) D Include a business plan if the converting institution has been operating for less than three years, plans to make significant changes to its business after the conversion, or at the request of the OCC. (The OCC currently requests this information on a case-bycase basis.) D Include information about enforcement actions and other supervisory criticisms and the applicant’s analysis of whether conversion is permissible under 12 U.S.C. 35, especially the provisions added to section 35 by section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Æ The OCC could permit a converted national bank to retain nonconforming activities of a state bank or stock state savings association and nonconforming assets or activities of a Federal stock savings association for a transition period after conversion. (This regulatory change reflects current OCC practice.) The regulation now provides that the OCC may only permit the retention of nonconforming assets of a converting VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 state bank, subject to requirements in 12 U.S.C. 35. Æ Expedited OCC review would be available only for conversion applications by Federal savings associations, because they are institutions the OCC already regulates. It would no longer be available for statechartered institutions. The time for expedited review is extended from 30 to 60 days. • Conversions from a national bank to a state-chartered institution: Æ As required by section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, a national bank must include a copy of its conversion application filed with the state regulator to which it is applying for approval to convert in its notice to the OCC to convert, and it must send a copy of the application to the Federal banking agency that would become its appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion. Æ It must also include a showing of its compliance with applicable requirements for converting. Fiduciary Powers Applications (Proposed 12 CFR 5.26) • When reviewing an application to exercise fiduciary powers, the OCC would by regulation consider the bank’s financial condition and capital adequacy, the character and ability of proposed trust management, the adequacy of any proposed business plan, and the needs of the community served. (Some of these factors are statutory and all reflect current OCC practice.) • A national bank that has not conducted previously approved fiduciary powers for 18 consecutive months would be required to provide a notice to the OCC 60 days in advance of commencing the activities. • A national bank that has received approval from the OCC to offer limited fiduciary services and desires to offer full fiduciary services would be required to apply to the OCC. (This requirement reflects current OCC practice.) Branching (Proposed 12 CFR 5.30 and Branching-Related Sections in Part 7) • A drive-in or pedestrian facility located within 500 feet of a branch always would be an extension of the branch, not a separate branch. Currently, this result depends on a caseby-case analysis. • Under the expedited approval process, short-distance relocations of branches would be deemed approved 15 days after the close of the comment period or 30 days after the date the notice is filed, whichever is later. PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Currently, short-distance relocations are deemed approved 15 days after the close of the comment period or 45 days after the date the notice is filed, whichever is later. Expedited Procedures For Certain Reorganizations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.32). • A national bank would not be required to comply with the public notice, public availability, and hearing requirements of part 5, subpart A (12 CFR 5.8, 5.9, and 5.11) for an application to reorganize to become a subsidiary of a bank holding company or a company that will, upon consummation of such reorganization, become a bank holding company unless the OCC concludes that an application presents significant and novel policy, supervisory, or other legal issues. Currently, such applications are subject to these subpart A requirements. Business Combinations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.33) • An application to the OCC would be required for the assumption of deposit liabilities or other liabilities from a credit union or any other institution that is not FDIC-insured that will become deposits at the assuming national bank. • An application to the OCC would be required for the acquisition by a national bank of all or substantially all of the assets, or the assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities, of companies in addition to depository institutions, including credit unions, nonbank affiliates, or any other company (a ‘‘whole entity purchase and assumption’’) if the whole entity purchase and assumption would result in an increase in the asset size of the bank of 25 percent or more. • In the application for a business combination, national banks would be required to identify a financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, and other equity investment in addition to the current requirement to identify subsidiaries and provide an analysis of the permissibility for the national bank to hold the subsidiary or investment. This regulatory change reflects current practice. • If the applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, the applicant would be required to include in the business combination application the information required in § 5.26 for a request for fiduciary powers. This regulatory change reflects current practice. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules • Filings in which a national bank is the target company and will not be the resulting institution will no longer be exempt from §§ 5.2 and 5.5. Section 5.2 (rules of general applicability) provides that the OCC may adopt different procedures for particular filings, in exceptional circumstances or for unusual transactions, and that the OCC permits electronic filing. Section 5.5 provides that an applicant must pay the applicable filing fee, if any. • If there are dissenting shareholders in a merger or consolidation between a national bank and Federal savings association, the OCC will conduct an appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock according to the statutory dissenters’ appraisal processes that apply to mergers between national banks and state banks. Under the current rule, the OCC may conduct such an appraisal if all the parties agree. Now that the OCC regulates both the national bank and the Federal savings association, the processes can be required. • The OCC would have the authority to apportion costs for the dissenters’ rights process for transactions to which 12 U.S.C. 214a or 215 and 215a are not applicable. (These statutes require the bank to bear all costs.) Under the current rule, in transactions that are not subject to those statutes, the parties must agree how costs are to be divided. Under the proposal, if the OCC regulates the institutions and the transaction is not subject to the statutes, then the OCC would have authority to apportion costs as the OCC determines. • A national bank’s consolidation or merger agreement would be required to address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution. Although not currently in § 5.33, a resulting national bank in such transactions is required to establish and maintain a liquidation account, as discussed in the OCC Licensing Manual. • The national bank applicant in a consolidation or merger would be required to submit information showing that all steps needed to complete the transaction have been met and to notify the OCC of the planned consummation date. The OCC would then issue a certification letter documenting that the consolidation or merger occurred and specifying the effective date. This process reflects current OCC practice for national banks. • The OCC’s approval of a transaction under § 5.33 would expire in six months instead of 12 months; the OCC could extend this six month period. • A national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a merger or VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 consolidation with another national bank would be required to file a notice to the OCC under § 5.33(k). This notice is discussed in the next item. • When a national bank is consolidating or merging with a Federal savings association or a state chartered institution or credit union and the national bank is not the resulting institution, it would be required to include more information in the notice than currently required in § 5.33. This additional information would include a short description of the transaction or a copy of the filing made by the acquiring institution to its regulators for approval of the transaction and information showing the target national bank or Federal savings association has complied with the requirements to engage in the transaction (e.g., board and shareholder approval). (The bank should already have compiled this information.) • If a consolidation or merger of a national bank in which the national bank is not the resulting institution has not occurred within six months after the OCC’s receipt of the notice of the transaction, the bank must submit a new notice with the OCC. Operating Subsidiaries (Proposed 12 CFR 5.34) • Before beginning business, an operating subsidiary would be required to comply with other laws applicable to it, including applicable licensing or registration requirements. This change would codify current OCC policy. • The proposal would make the following changes regarding a national bank’s control of an operating subsidiary: • Where a national bank has the ability to control the management and operations of an operating subsidiary, no other person or entity could have the ability to control the management or operations of the subsidiary. This change would codify current OCC policy. • Where a bank owns less than 50 percent of an operating subsidiary (but still controls it), no other party could own a greater percentage than the bank. This change would codify current OCC policy. • A national bank would be required to have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the bank and its operating subsidiaries. • Adequately capitalized banks would no longer be exempt from the application or notice requirements when acquiring or establishing an operating subsidiary or performing a new activity in an existing operating PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33309 subsidiary when the activities of the new subsidiary are limited to those previously reported to the OCC in connection with a prior operating subsidiary and certain other requirements are met. • If a national bank operating subsidiary wishes to act as a fiduciary, its national bank parent would be required to have fiduciary powers and the operating subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. The operating subsidiary no longer would be able to rely on the national bank’s fiduciary powers, except when the subsidiary exercises investment discretion on behalf of customers or provides investment advice for a fee as a registered investment adviser. This change would codify longstanding OCC practice. • OCC approvals granted under § 5.34 would expire within 12 months if a national bank has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary or commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, unless the OCC shortens or extends the time period. Investment in Bank Service Companies (Proposed 12 CFR 5.35) • To invest in a bank service company, a national bank would be required to file a prior notice for OCC approval through an expedited review process, under which the notice would be deemed approved on the 30th day after filing unless the OCC notifies otherwise. Under the current rule, a national bank files an after-the-fact notice with no requirement for OCC approval before the bank makes the investment, if specified eligibility conditions are met. Other Equity Investments (Proposed 12 CFR 5.36) • No substantive changes. Banking Premises (Proposed 12 CFR 5.37, 7.1000, 7.3001) • No substantive changes. Main Office and Home Office Relocations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.40) • Under the expedited approval process, short-distance relocations of main offices would be deemed approved 15 days after the close of the comment period or 30 days after the date the notice is filed, whichever is later. Currently, short-distance relocations are deemed approved 15 days after the close of the comment period or 45 days after the date the notice is filed, whichever is later. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33310 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Change in Corporate Title (Proposed 12 CFR 5.42) • No substantive changes. Changes in Permanent Capital (Proposed 12 CFR 5.46) • No substantive changes. Subordinated Debt as Capital (Proposed 12 CFR 5.47) • No substantive changes. Voluntary Liquidation (Proposed 12 CFR 5.48) • The following provisions in the proposal would codify existing OCC or national bank practice: Æ A national bank may not commence liquidation until the OCC has notified it that the agency does not object to the liquidation plan. Æ A national bank’s board of directors, in addition to its shareholders, must vote to approve a voluntary liquidation plan. Æ A national bank would be required to provide notice of the liquidation to depositors, other known creditors, and known claimants in addition to the current requirement to publish notice in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 182. Æ The national bank’s liquidating agent or committee would be required to submit to the OCC a report at the start of liquidation showing the bank’s current balance sheet and a final report of the liquidation. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Change in Control (Proposed 12 CFR 5.50) • The proposal would add several presumptions of concerted action. These additional presumptions would provide clarity and guidance about how and when parties are presumed to be acting in concert for purposes of § 5.50. • Acquirers would be permitted to rebut a presumption of control in cases where the acquirer will have a representative on the board of directors of the national bank to be acquired. Currently, an acquirer that proposes to rebut control of a national bank cannot have a representative on the board. • The proposal would establish specific limitations, in the rebuttal of control context, on the total equity invested, where an acquirer proposes to acquire more than fifteen percent of the national bank’s voting stock. Changes in Directors and Senior Executive Officers (Proposed 12 CFR 5.51) • An advisory director of a national bank who may vote on matters before, or provides more than general advice to, any committee of the board of directors, VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 in addition to the board itself, would be subject to the requirements of § 5.51. • The notice of a change in directors or senior executive officers for a national bank would need to include financial information on the individual, except when the OCC determines in writing that such information is not required. • If the OCC requests additional information regarding the notice, a national bank that cannot provide the requested information within the time specified by the OCC may request additional time to provide the information. • An individual who is serving on an interim basis pursuant to an OCCgranted waiver and receives a notice of disapproval would be required to resign immediately from the board, and would be able to assume the position on a permanent basis only if the notice of disapproval is reversed on appeal and all other applicable legal requirements are satisfied. Currently, the individual may continue on the board pending resolution of an appeal. Change in Address (Proposed 12 CFR 5.52) • A national bank would not be required to file a notice of a change in the permanent address of its home office if it submitted a notice under § 5.40(b) (relocation of a main office to a branch location in the same city, town or village). Change in Asset Composition (Proposed 12 CFR 5.53) • With regard to a change in asset composition, the national bank rule requires approval of only the sale of all or substantially all of a bank’s assets, and the subsequent purchase of assets or expansion of operations after such a sale. Under the proposal, the following additional transactions would require approval under § 5.53: Æ Any other asset purchases or other expansions of business that are part of a plan to increase the size of the bank by more than 25 percent in one year. Æ As determined by the OCC on a case-by-case basis, any other material increase or decrease in the size of the bank or a material alteration in the composition of the types of its assets or liabilities (including the entry or exit of business lines). The OCC would consider the size and nature of the transaction and the condition of the institutions in determining whether to require an application and believes the additional situations in which the OCC would require an application likely already would involve discussions PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 between the bank and its appropriate supervisory office. • The OCC would need to approve a bank’s plan of voluntary liquidation in order for asset changes that are part of such liquidation to be exempt from the approval requirements of § 5.53. (The proposal also would amend the regulation governing liquidations, § 5.48, to require OCC approval of the plan of liquidation.) • Asset changes that are subject to OCC approval under another application to the OCC would specifically be exempt from the approval requirements of § 5.53. This exception is now only implied. B. Proposed Substantive Changes for Federal Savings Associations The following is a summary of the substantive changes proposed by this rulemaking, listed by revised rule, for Federal savings associations. Rules of General Applicability (Proposed 12 CFR Part 5, Subpart A) • As a result of removing 12 CFR part 116 and applying 12 CFR part 5, subpart A, Federal savings associations would need to follow different procedural and processing provisions. While many of the underlying processes are similar, minor variations and different terminology is sometimes used. Federal savings associations would need to adjust to these variations and differences. • Adequately capitalized Federal savings associations would no longer qualify for expedited treatment; only well capitalized institutions would be eligible. • A Federal savings association would no longer have to publish a public notice within the seven days before a filing date but may publish as soon as practicable before or after filing, unless otherwise required. • In addition to what is currently required, a public notice related to a Federal savings association filing also would have to state that a filing is being made and the date of the filing. • A Federal savings association could publish a single public notice for multiple transactions or a single notice that would comply with the notice requirement of both the OCC and another Federal agency, if accepted by the OCC. (Although this is not specifically permitted under current rules, this has been an accepted practice for Federal savings association filings.) • Federal savings associations would obtain from the OCC the public comments made in response to a filing’s public notice. Currently, the commenter E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules is required to send comments directly to the institution. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Articles of Association, Bylaws, Charters and Chartering Procedures (Proposed 12 CFR 5.20, 5.21, 5.22) • All Federal savings associations: Æ An application to charter a Federal savings association would be subject to the same two-part approval process used for de novo national bank charters, whereby the OCC first issues a preliminary approval, followed by a final approval and charter issuance if the applicant completes all of the steps required by the preliminary approval and the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. Under the current Federal savings association rule, there is one approval before the OCC issues the charter but the approval is subject to the institution completing various postapproval organizational steps and other requirements before it can commence business, as specified in 12 CFR 143.4, 143.5, 143.6, and 152.1(c) through 152.1(i). Æ Expedited OCC review would be available for an application to establish a full-service Federal savings association filed by a bank holding company or savings and loan holding company when the lead depository institution is an eligible national bank or eligible Federal savings and loan association. The current regulations for chartering a de novo Federal savings association do not have a comparable expedited review process. Æ The OCC’s preliminary approval of an application for a new Federal savings association would expire if the savings association has not raised the required capital within twelve months or has not commenced business within eighteen months. Under current rules, a Federal savings association’s charter becomes void if organization is not completed within six months after approval. Æ The proposal rescinds de novo chartering approval criteria in §§ 143.2(g)(1) and 152.1(b)(1) that require the OCC to consider whether the Federal savings association will provide credit for housing in a safe and sound manner and approval considerations set forth in § 143.3 regarding the composition of board or directors. • Federal stock savings associations: Æ A Federal stock savings associations no longer would be required to cause a true copy of its charter and bylaws to be available to accountholders at all times in each office of the savings association, or to deliver to any accountholders a copy of such charter and bylaws or amendments upon request. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Æ The requirements for adopting and filing Federal stock savings association bylaws would no longer include the requirements that the adoption of bylaws be by the board of directors at its first organizational meeting. Æ Shareholder meetings no longer would be required to be held in the state in which the association has its principal place of business. Æ Staggered terms for certain directors would no longer be specified. Æ Stock certificates of a Federal savings association would no longer be required to be signed by the chief executive officer or by any other officer of the association authorized by the board of directors, attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary, and sealed with the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof. Furthermore, each certificate for shares of capital would not be required to be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. • Federal mutual savings associations: Æ Federal mutual savings association bylaws no longer would be required to provide some of the language or requirements specified in current § 144.5(b) regarding aspects of: The location of and notices for the annual meeting of members; reporting requirements at the annual meeting; record dates; proxy voting; annual meeting governance; duties of officers and agents of the association; director election and resignation; executive committees; director, officer and employee compensation and removal; and age limits for directors. Conversions (Proposed 12 CFR 5.23, 5.25) • Conversions to a Federal savings association charter: Æ The applicant would no longer be required to publish a public notice of the application, and the application would no longer be available for public inspection, unless specifically required by the OCC. Æ An applicant that does not meet the qualified thrift lender test would be required to include in its application a plan for achieving compliance and a request for an exception. This is agency practice but is not expressly mentioned in the regulation. Æ Many details of the application process would no longer be included in the regulations. Instead, this information would be found in the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual and other OCC guidance. Æ The applicant would be required to include in its conversion application information about enforcement actions and other supervisory criticisms and its PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33311 analysis of whether conversion is permissible under 12 U.S.C. 35, especially the provisions added to section 35 by section 612 of the DoddFrank Act. • Conversions from a Federal savings association to any another charter Æ Any Federal savings association converting from its charter would be required to file a notice with the OCC. Under current rules, Federal savings associations that are not eligible for expedited treatment must file an application to convert out. • Conversions from a Federal savings association to a state chartered institution Æ As required by section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, a Federal savings association must include a copy of its conversion application filed with the state regulator to which it is applying for approval to convert in its notice to the OCC, and it must file a copy of its conversion application with the Federal banking agency that would become its appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion. Æ It must also include a showing of its compliance with applicable requirements for converting. Fiduciary Powers Applications (Proposed 12 CFR 5.26 and Part 150, Subpart A) • The time period that triggers the need to re-notify the agency before beginning to exercise previously approved fiduciary powers that have not been exercised is shortened from 5 years to 18 months. • The trigger for requiring a new application for a Federal savings association would be whether the original approval for fiduciary activities is for limited or full fiduciary powers. Under the current rule, the trigger for a new application is whether the activity is ‘‘materially different’’ from what had been approved. • Eligible Federal savings associations would receive expedited review of applications for fiduciary powers. Branching (Proposed 12 CFR 5.31) • Only well capitalized Federal savings associations could be ‘‘eligible savings associations’’ as defined in part 5, and therefore exempt from the branch application requirement. Currently both well and adequately capitalized Federal savings associations are eligible for expedited treatment and therefore can be exempt from this requirement. • A Federal savings association would be required to obtain OCC approval in order to establish a branch at the site of a former home office unless E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33312 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 the branch establishment meets one of the exceptions in § 5.31. Under the current rule, no notice or application is required in all cases of home office and branch office re-designations. • The OCC’s approval of a branch expires after 18 months, unless the OCC grants an extension. Under the current rule, OCC approval expires after 12 months. • A state and Federal savings association would be required to file an application with the OCC to establish a branch in the District of Columbia. Business Combinations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.33) • A Federal savings association would be permitted to acquire all or substantially all of the assets, or to assume all or substantially all of the liabilities, of nonbank affiliates, or any other company that is not a depository institution, in addition to credit unions. Currently, such acquisitions are limited to banks, savings associations, and credit unions. • In the factors the OCC considers in reviewing a business combination, the factor covering the fairness of the transaction, equitable treatment, and disclosure would be replaced by a factor assessing the effect of the transaction on the association’s shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and customers. • In the application for a business combination, Federal savings associations would be required to identify a financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, and other equity investment in addition to the current requirement to identify subsidiaries and provide an analysis of the permissibility for the Federal savings association to hold the subsidiary or investment. This requirement reflects current practice. • If the applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, the applicant would be required to include in the business combination application the information required in proposed § 5.26 for a request for fiduciary powers. This requirement reflects current practice. • The OCC’s approval of a transaction under the proposal would expire in six months; the OCC could extend this sixmonth period. Under current OCC practice, transactions not involving an interim association must be consummated in 120 days. • A Federal savings association would be required to publish an initial public notice and two other public notices during the standard 30-day VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 public comment period. Currently, § 163.22(e)(1)(i) requires an initial publication and then publication on a weekly basis during the public comment period. • The statutory provisions governing national bank dissenters’ rights in 12 U.S.C. 215 and 215a would be applied to transactions in which a Federal savings association is merging or consolidating into a national bank, rather than the regulatory dissenters’ rights provision in 12 CFR 152.14, with one exception—the proposal includes authority for the OCC to apportion costs for the dissenters’ rights process. • In consolidation or merger of a state bank, state savings association, state trust company or a credit union into a Federal savings association, the institution would follow the procedures and dissenters’ rights process set out for such transactions in the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which it is organized. • For consolidations or mergers of a Federal stock savings association into a another Federal savings association, the plan of merger or consolidation would be required to provide the manner of disposing of the shares of the resulting Federal savings association not taken by dissenting shareholders. Under § 152.14(c)(11), such shares have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the resulting association. The plan of merger or consolidation could still provide such status for these shares, but under the proposal such status no longer would be mandatory. • A consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association into an uninsured bank, savings association, or trust company, or into a credit union would require only a notice to the OCC, not application and approval as required under § 163.22(c). • Federal savings association applications for business reorganizations (defined in § 5.33(d)(3)) and streamlined applications (described in § 5.33(j)) that meet the requirements would be eligible for expedited review, under which an application is deemed approved as of the later of the 45th day after the application was filed or the 15th day after the close of the comment period, unless the OCC notifies the applicant that the application is not eligible for expedited review or the expedited review process is extended. This process would replace the automatic approval provision in § 163.22(f), under which an application is deemed to be approved automatically 30 days after the OCC sends the applicant a written notice that the application is complete. PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Æ The size-based limit for expedited review of a business reorganization or streamlined application included in the proposal is less restrictive than the criteria for automatic approval under the current savings association rule, 12 CFR 163.22(f), which provides that an application does not qualify for the automatic approval process if the acquiring institution has assets of $1 billion or more and proposes to acquire assets of $1 billion or more. To qualify for expedited review under the proposal, business reorganizations would have no size limit and streamlined applications would have limits based on the relative size of the acquiring institution and the assets to be acquired but would not have a fixed maximum dollar amount limit on the size. Æ The expedited procedure in the proposal would not include competitive impact thresholds as a disqualifier, as in the current savings association rule. Æ However, as in the current savings association rule, an applicant would not qualify for a streamlined business combination application if the transaction is part of a mutual to stock conversion under 12 CFR part 192. • Federal savings associations would no longer be required by regulation to meet the requirements for Federal Home Loan Bank membership, as membership in a Federal Home Loan Bank is no longer mandatory. • The approval of a board of directors of a business combination involving a Federal stock savings association would be reduced from two-thirds to a majority of the directors. • For a Federal stock savings association, the execution and filing of Articles of Combination as the method of documenting shareholder approval of the combination, consummation of the combination, and its effective date would be replaced by a letter to the OCC followed by a certification issued by the OCC. • A Federal savings association would not be required to include all terms regarding the combination in a combination agreement nor include the specific provisions in the agreement that are required by the current savings association rule. • If a consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association in which the savings association is not the resulting institution has not occurred within six months after the OCC’s receipt of the notice of the transaction, the savings association must submit a new notice to the OCC. The current rule requires a new notice after 12 months. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Investment in Bank Service Companies (Proposed 12 CFR 5.35) • No substantive changes. There are no regulations addressing Federal savings association investment in bank service companies, and the proposed rule closely implements the statute. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Banking Premises (Proposed 12 CFR 5.37, 7.1000, 7.3001) • For Federal stock savings associations, the quantitative limitations on investment in banking premises would be based on the association’s capital stock or, if a 1 or 2 CAMELS rated, well capitalized association, 150 percent of capital and surplus. Currently, the sole quantitative limit on a Federal savings association’s investment in banking premises is total capital. Because 150 percent of capital and surplus would be a greater amount than 100 percent of total capital, we expect that under the proposal, the amount that a savings association could invest in banking premises without OCC approval would be increased. For Federal savings associations that do not have a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2 and are not well capitalized, the relevant limitation would be capital stock, which is a significantly lower threshold than total capital. • For Federal mutual savings associations, the quantitative investment limit in banking premises would be based on the amount of retained earnings, instead of total capital. • A Federal savings association would be required to follow the specific application requirements contained in proposed § 5.37. • The proposal would grandfather Federal savings associations’ existing premises investments and arrangements for sharing office space and employees, provided the investment complies with the legal requirements in effect prior to the effective date of the final rule, and continues to comply with those requirements. • The rule would specifically permit Federal savings associations to invest in lodging for customers, officers, or employees of the savings association, its branches, or consolidated subsidiaries in areas where suitable commercial lodging is not readily available. • A Federal savings association would need to obtain OCC approval or provide after-the-fact notice to exercise an option to purchase banking premises or stock in a corporation that holds banking premises. • A Federal savings association would be permitted by regulation to hold banking premises through an VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 operating subsidiary and to hold premises by any reasonable and prudent means. • A Federal savings association normally would need to use real estate acquired for future expansion within five years and, after holding such real estate for one year; would be required to state, by resolution of the board of directors or an appropriate authorized association official or a subcommittee of the board of directors, definite plans for use of such real estate. Currently, OCC guidance provides a Federal savings association with a one to three year timeframe for the use of real estate acquired for future premises. Operating Subsidiaries (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.38) • Before beginning business, an operating subsidiary of a Federal savings association would be required to comply with other laws applicable to it, including applicable licensing or registration requirements. This change would codify current OCC policy. • Under this proposal, a Federal savings association could control an entity in which it owns less than 50 percent of the voting shares of the entity, provided no other party owns a greater percentage than the savings association, the savings association otherwise controls the subsidiary, and no one else exercises effective operating control. Currently, for control to exist, a savings association must own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the voting shares of an operating subsidiary. • A Federal savings association would be required to have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the savings association and its operating subsidiaries. The detailed requirements for separate corporate identities for subsidiaries in 12 CFR 159.10 are removed. • A Federal savings association would need to file an application to acquire or establish an insured depository institution as an operating subsidiary. • A Federal savings association would need to file an application, and receive prior OCC approval, to acquire or establish an operating subsidiary or to commence a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. The current rule in § 159.11 requires filing a notice at least 30 days prior to establishing or acquiring a subsidiary or engaging in new activities in a subsidiary; this notice is treated like an application under § 159.1(b). • Some applications would qualify for the proposal’s expedited review of PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33313 applications process. This expedited review is similar to the current rule’s notice process: applications would be deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the filing is received, unless the OCC notifies the Federal savings association otherwise during the 30-day period. Æ For the application to qualify, the Federal savings association must be ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed,’’ the activities to be performed by the operating subsidiary must be listed in proposed § 5.38(e)(5)(v) (activities that have been approved for operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations in the past), the operating subsidiary must be a corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership, and the savings association must clearly demonstrate control over the operating subsidiary (it must meet a standard for control that is more stringent than the general standard for operating subsidiaries). Æ Under the current rule, all filings start as 30-day prior notices. They become standard treatment applications if the OCC notifies the applicant that the notice presents supervisory concerns or raises significant issues of law or policy. Æ While there is overlap between an application failing to meet the criteria to qualify for expedited review (and so requiring standard processing) and raising issues that would cause a filing to present supervisory concerns, or raises significant issues of law or policy (and so requiring standard processing), there may be instances in which a filing would have had to be processed under standard procedures under one test but not the other. • For a Federal savings association operating subsidiary to act as a fiduciary, its savings association parent would be required to have fiduciary powers and the operating subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. The operating subsidiary no longer would be able to rely on the savings association’s fiduciary powers, except when the subsidiary exercises investment discretion on behalf of customers or provides investment advice for a fee as a registered investment adviser. This change would codify OCC and OTS practice. • The regulation would no longer expressly state that any finance subsidiary of a Federal savings association that existed on January 1, 1997, is deemed to be an operating subsidiary without further action by the savings association. The pertinent provision is removed because it is thought no longer necessary. No change E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33314 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules • A Federal savings association would be required to open a relocated home office within 18 months from the date of OCC approval, unless the OCC grants an extension. Under the current rule, this office must be opened within 12 months of OCC approval or nonobjection. Main Office and Home Office Relocations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.40) emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 in substance is intended. The proposal asks if it needs to be retained. • OCC approvals granted under proposed § 5.38 would expire within 12 months if a Federal savings association has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary or commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, unless the OCC shortens or extends this time period. • Federal savings associations would be required to file an annual report on operating subsidiaries that do business directly with consumers in the United States and are not functionally regulated subsidiaries. Increases in Permanent Capital (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.45) • Under the current rule, no notice or application is required if the relocation is a short-distance relocation, if the Federal savings association redesignates an existing branch office as a home office when redesignating the existing home office as a branch office, or if the savings association is highly-rated and certain other requirements are met. If the relocation does not meet the above exceptions, a notice is required for savings associations that qualify for expedited treatment and OCC approval is required for all other savings associations. Under the proposal, all Federal savings associations would be required to: Æ Submit prior notice to the OCC for home office relocations to a branch site in the same city, town, or village of the current home office; and Æ Obtain prior OCC approval for home office relocations to a branch location other than a branch site in the same city, town, or village of the current home office. An application submitted by an eligible Federal savings association would be deemed approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the public comment period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC (or in the case of a shortdistance relocation, the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC), whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the bank or savings association prior to that time that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review period is extended. • A Federal savings association would be required to obtain OCC approval pursuant to § 5.31 (branching) in order to establish a branch at the site of a former home office unless the branch establishment meets one of the exceptions in § 5.31. Under the current rule, no notice or application is required in all cases of home office and branch office re-designations. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Change in Corporate Title (Proposed 12 CFR 5.42) • Federal savings associations would be required to submit an after-the-fact notice to the OCC instead of a 30-day prior notice for a change in corporate title. • Federal stock savings associations would be required to apply to the OCC and obtain prior approval for increases in capital in the following circumstances: (1) When the savings association is required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order, directive, written agreement or otherwise, (2) when the savings association is selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than cash, or (3) when the savings association is receiving a material noncash contribution to capital surplus. Currently, savings associations are not required to apply for increases in capital. Voluntary Liquidation (Proposed 12 CFR 5.48) • The Federal savings association’s liquidating agent or committee would be required to submit to the OCC: Æ At the start of liquidation, a report showing the association’s current balance sheet; Æ Quarterly Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call Reports); and Æ Annual reports on the progress of the liquidation. • The following provisions in the proposal would codify existing OCC practice: Æ A Federal savings association would be required to provide notice of the liquidation to depositors, other known creditors, and known claimants. Æ A Federal savings association would be required to publish public notice of its plan to liquidate if so directed by the OCC. Change in Control (Proposed 12 CFR 5.50) • The current definition of ‘‘voting securities’’ in § 5.50 would replace the part 174 definition of ‘‘voting stock.’’ This would affect the standard for convertible securities. Currently, part PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 174 includes as voting stock any security that, upon transfer or otherwise, is convertible into voting stock or exercisable to acquire voting stock where the holder of the convertible security has the preponderant economic risk in the underlying voting stock. Section 5.50, by contrast, defines voting securities to include securities that are immediately convertible into voting securities at the option of the owner or holder. • The proposal excludes part 174 procedures for rebuttal of control and concerted action, applying instead the provisions in § 5.50(f)(2)(vi). • Persons who acquire control of a Federal savings association as a result of testate or intestate succession would need to file a notice and pay the appropriate filing fee within 90 calendar days after the transaction occurs. Currently, such persons need only file a notification of acquisition to the OCC within 60 days of the acquisition and provide information requested by the OCC. • The proposal excludes the presumptive disqualifiers from part 174—a list of factors, which, if present, may show a lack of integrity or lack of financial capability to proceed with a proposed transaction. • The proposed regulatory changes have the effect of eliminating most of the rebuttable presumptions of control with respect to Federal savings associations that are currently set forth in 12 CFR 174.4(b) and (c). The proposed regulatory changes also remove certain of the rebuttable presumptions of concerted action currently set forth in § 174.4(d). • Acquirers of beneficial ownership exceeding 10 percent of any class of stock of a Federal savings association that do not file a control notice or control rebuttal would not be required to file a certification of ownership. Changes in Directors and Senior Executive Officers (Proposed 12 CFR 5.51) • A Federal savings association would be required to provide 90 days prior notice of a new director or senior executive officer if the association is not in compliance with minimum capital requirements, is otherwise in a troubled condition, or the OCC determines, under section 38 of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1831o), that prior notice is appropriate. Currently, such an association is required to provide 30 days prior notice, which the OCC may extend for an additional 60 days. • Only a Federal savings association would be permitted to file the notice with the OCC; an individual seeking E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules election to the board of directors who has not been nominated by management would no longer be allowed to do so. • A Federal savings association or a proposed individual would be able to appeal an OCC notice of disapproval. The current rule does not provide an appeal process, although the OCC has permitted appeals by Federal savings associations in practice. Change in Address (Proposed 12 CFR 5.52) • A Federal savings association no longer would be required to provide notice of a home office or post office box address change if the change results from any transaction approved under 12 CFR part 5. The current rule provides this exception only in cases of an application to relocate or establish a new home or branch office. • All Federal savings associations no longer would be required to provide notice of a home office or post office box address change if they have filed a notice for the relocation or establishment of a new home or branch office pursuant to proposed § 5.40 (main office and home office relocations). Under current rules, highly-rated savings associations are required to file a change in address notice because they are exempt from the relocation notice requirement. • Federal savings associations no longer would be subject to the requirement that all operations be directed from the home office. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Change in Asset Composition (Proposed 12 CFR 5.53) • The Federal savings association rule now requires approval of all purchases or sales or other transfers of assets in bulk not made in the ordinary course of business, unless the transaction is subject to the Bank Merger Act (in which case other parts of the rule apply). Under the proposal, Federal savings associations would be required to obtain OCC approval only for the following (unless one of the exceptions applies). Æ The sale or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the savings association’s assets in a transaction or a series of transactions. Æ After having sold or disposed of all, or substantially all, of its assets, subsequent purchases or other acquisitions or other expansions of the savings association’s operations. Æ Any other asset purchases or other expansions of business that are part of a plan to increase the size of the savings association by more than 25 percent in one year. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Æ As determined by the OCC on a case-by-case basis, any other material increase or decrease in the size of the savings association or a material alteration in the composition of the types of its assets or liabilities (including the entry or exit of business lines). The OCC would consider the size and nature of the transaction and the condition of the institutions in determining whether to require an application and believes the additional situations in which the OCC would require an application likely already would involve discussions with the bank’s appropriate supervisory office. • When an application is required, it would have standard processing. Currently, an application can qualify for expedited treatment if all participating Federal savings associations meet the conditions for expedited treatment. Capital Distributions (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.55) • The expedited review process in part 5 would apply to Federal savings associations seeking expedited review of filings for capital distributions instead of the expedited treatment process in part 116. Because the eligibility requirements for expedited review differ from the requirements for expedited treatment, this change could affect which savings associations qualify for the expedited process. Æ Under the current savings association rule, both well and adequately capitalized institutions are eligible for expedited treatment. Under the proposal, only savings associations that are well capitalized would qualify for expedited review. Æ Under the current savings association rule, the institution must not have been notified it is in troubled condition, while under the proposal an eligible savings association must not be subject to an enforcement action. (Although different, these supervisory condition tests generally should overlap.) Æ Under the current rule, a savings association that has not been assigned a CAMELS rating, a CRA rating and a compliance rating is not eligible for expedited treatment. This requirement is not a factor in the requirements for eligible bank or eligible savings association status in part 5. Subordinated Debt (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.56) • The expedited review process in part 5 would apply to Federal savings associations seeking expedited review of filings to issue subordinated debt instead of the expedited treatment process in part 116. Because the PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33315 eligibility requirements for expedited review differ from the requirements for expedited treatment, this change could affect which savings associations qualify for the expedited process, as described above for the capital distributions rule. Pass-Through Investments (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.58) • Federal savings associations would be allowed to make pass-through investments greater than 25 percent of the company’s equity, but because this investment would make the company a subsidiary under law applicable to the Federal savings associations, the association would be required to submit an application for approval as a subsidiary. • Federal savings associations may be subject to different filing requirements: Æ Some pass-through investments that currently may qualify for the nonotice procedure under § 160.32(b) would require a filing under § 5.58. (However, pass-through investments in investment companies that hold assets permissible for a Federal savings association to hold directly would continue not to require a filing.) Æ For pass-through investments that meet the requirements for the after-thefact notice procedure, the Federal savings association would need to file only the after-the-fact notice. This treatment would apply both to both investments that would have required a prior application under § 160.32(c) and investments that would have qualified for the no-notice procedure under § 160.32(b). • Federal savings associations would be subject to the notice content requirements of § 5.58. Section 160.32 does not specify the content of the notice or application. Service Corporations (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.59) • The corporate separateness requirements would be amended to eliminate the requirement that a Federal savings association’s service corporation be adequately financed as a separate unit in light of normal obligations reasonably foreseeable for a business of the service corporation’s size and character in order to maintain the requisite corporate separateness. • Consistent with 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), a Federal savings association would be required to file an application with the OCC before investing in any service corporation, including one that it would not control. Currently, the service corporation regulation requires a Federal savings association to file with the OCC only if it directly or indirectly controls the service corporation. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33316 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules • Applications to establish or acquire a service corporation would be required to list for each state the lines of business for which the service corporation holds, or will hold, an insurance license, and the state where the service corporation holds a resident license or charter. • Each Federal savings association would be required to file an annual report listing, for each service corporation subsidiary that is not functionally regulated and does business with consumers in the United States, certain information including the name and principal place of business of the service corporation, the lines of business in which the service corporation subsidiary engages directly with consumers, and the nature of the parent savings association. VI. Request for Comments The OCC encourages comment on any aspect of this proposal and especially on those issues specified in this preamble. If commenting on a specific question contained in the preamble, please refer to that question number in your comment letter. As noted above, the OCC will also consider comments received in response to the Agencies’ EGRPRA notice on licensing rules when finalizing this licensing integration rule. VII. Regulatory Analysis Regulatory Flexibility Act Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),120 an agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for all proposed and final rules that describe the impact of the rule on small entities, unless the head of an agency certifies that the rule will not have ‘‘a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.’’ The OCC currently supervises approximately 1,189 small entities (361 Federal savings associations, 801 national banks, and 21 trust companies).121 Because some of the NPRM’s provisions could impact any national bank and other provisions could impact any Federal savings association, the proposed rule could 120 Public Law 96–354, 5 U.S.C. 601–612 (1980). base our estimate of the number of small entities on the SBA’s size thresholds for commercial banks and savings institutions, and trust companies, which are $ 500 million and $ 35.5 million, respectively. 13 CFR 121.103(a). Consistent with the General Principles of Affiliation, 13 CFR 121.103(a), we count the assets of affiliated financial institutions when determining if we should classify a bank we supervise as a small entity. We use December 31, 2013, to determine size because a ‘‘financial institution’s assets are determined by averaging the assets reported on its four quarterly financial statements for the preceding year.’’ See footnote 8 of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Table of Size Standards. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 121 We VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 impact a substantial number of small institutions. We estimated that the monetized direct compliance cost would be approximately $14.7 thousand per institution. Using the average direct cost per institution we believe compliance with the proposed rule will have a significant economic impact on 24 small institutions (of which 10 are small Federal savings associations), which is not a substantial number. Furthermore, we conclude that the amendments to § 5.37, investment in national bank or Federal savings association premises, could have a significant impact on an additional five Federal savings associations.122 Therefore, we conclude that the proposed rule in total will have a significant economic impact on no more than 29 small institutions of the 1,189 small entities currently supervised by the OCC, which is not a substantial number (approximately 2.4 percent of small entities). Based on the information set forth above, and pursuant to section 605(b) of the RFA, the OCC hereby certifies that this proposal would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Accordingly, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 The OCC has analyzed the proposed rule under the factors in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA).123 Under this analysis, the OCC considered whether the proposed rule includes a Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year 122 Because the OCC will require some Federal savings associations to obtain approval, we assume that investments may be constrained for 15 small Federal savings associations with a positive return on assets (ROA) that are currently eligible to file an after-the fact notice for investments in premises that will not be able to do so under the proposal. (We assume that all small entities seek to maximize ROA and net income. Thus, we assume that those small Federal savings associations that currently have a negative ROA are not likely to seek approval to increase their investment in premises.) However, based on the recent behavior of these Federal savings associations, it is unlikely that all 15 would seek to increase their investments in premises in one year. (The number of these small Federal savings associations that increased their investment in premises during calendar years 2012 and 2013 were three and four, respectively.) For purposes of this analysis we estimate that no more than five Federal savings associations would seek to increase their investments in premises in one year. To test if a substantial number of small entities could be impacted by this provision, we assume that all of these requests will be declined and that the associated economic impact is significant. 123 Public Law 104–4, 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. (1995). PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (adjusted annually for inflation). The OCC finds that the proposed rule does not trigger the UMRA cost threshold. Accordingly, this proposal is not subject to section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Act. Paperwork Reduction Act Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995,124 the OCC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless the information collection displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OCC has submitted the information collection requirements imposed by this rule to OMB for review. The proposal contains both new and revised information collection requirements. Some of the revisions provide exceptions to existing requirements, which will result in a reduction in burden. Some of the requirements are currently in place for national banks and are being extended to cover both national banks and Federal savings associations. Some of the amendments impose new requirements on Federal savings associations and amend the requirements for national banks. A number of the revisions involve amendments to definitions, which, in some cases, would affect the respondent count for related provisions. For example, the change in the definition of ‘‘eligible bank’’ to include the compliance rating in addition to the CAMELS and CRA rating will affect respondent counts. The provisions are included the OCC’s information collection for the Comptroller’s Licensing Rules. The collection has been revised and submitted to OMB for review in connection with publication of the proposed rule. A number of the provisions being amended contain existing PRA requirements that have been previously approved by OMB.125 The amendments proposed today do not create any new information collection requirements and, therefore, require no PRA filings, other than non-material changes necessary due to the consolidation of the regulations. Rules of General Applicability Federal savings associations would be required to follow the procedure and processing provisions currently imposed on national banks (part 5, subpart A) instead of those in part 116, which they currently follow. Only well 124 Public Law 104–13, (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Control Nos. 1557–0106, 1557–0140, 1557–0190, 1557–0204, 1557–0221, 1557–0266, and 1557–0310. 125 OMB E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules capitalized Federal savings associations would qualify for expedited treatment and adequately capitalized institutions would no longer qualify. Public notices of filings would be required to be filed as soon as practicable after a filing date instead of seven days prior to the filing date. Public notice would have to state that a filing is being made and the date of the filing. A single public notice would be acceptable for multiple transactions or transactions filed with the OCC and another agency, under certain circumstances. Comments in response to a filing would have to be obtained from the OCC, as comments would no longer be sent directly to the institution. The requirement for publication of notice of a filing by national banks would be made more specific and require the notice: to be published in English; to specify the name of institution that is the subject of the filing; to indicate that the public portion is available on request; and to provide the address of the applicant. Under certain circumstances, the OCC could require the applicant to publish a new notice. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Fiduciary Powers In order to exercise fiduciary powers, Federal savings associations would be required to comply with the application requirements of § 5.26 in place of the requirements under current part 150. In addition, § 5.26 would be revised to require a national bank or Federal savings association that has not conducted previously approved fiduciary powers for 18 consecutive months to provide the OCC with 60 days’ advance notice before engaging in the activities. It would also require that a national bank or Federal savings association that has received approval to offer limited fiduciary services apply to the OCC to offer full fiduciary services. Eligible Federal savings associations would receive expedited review of applications. A provision would be added setting out the circumstances under which a Federal savings association does not need to apply for fiduciary powers in connection with certain mergers. Establishment, Acquisition, and Relocation of a Branch New § 5.31 would address the establishment and relocation of branches, or the establishment of agency offices, by Federal savings associations and would replace several provisions currently found in part 145. Section 5.31(f)(1) would set out the general requirement that each Federal savings association proposing to VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 establish or relocate a branch shall submit a separate application for each proposed branch, unless the transaction qualifies for an exception. The provision in § 145.93(e) stating that a Federal savings association may not file an application or notice, or use any of the exceptions, to establish a branch if the association has filed an application to merge or otherwise surrender its charter and the application has been pending for less than six months would not be carried over to § 5.31. Section 145.93(b)(3) provides that certain highly-rated Federal savings associations are not required to file an application to change the permanent location of an existing branch or to establish a new branch if it meets certain requirements, including that the Federal savings association meet the eligibility requirements for expedited treatment. The proposal would change this to require that the Federal savings association is an ‘‘eligible savings association,’’ as defined in 12 CFR 5.3(h), rather than eligible for expedited treatment. Section 5.31(g) would set out exceptions to the rules of general applicability for applications by a Federal savings association to establish or relocate a branch and specify that the OCC would be able to waive or reduce the public notice and comment period in certain emergency situations or with respect to certain temporary branches. Section 5.31(h) would provide that OCC’s approval of a branch expires if the branch has not commenced business within 18 months, unless the OCC grants an extension. This period is longer than the current twelve month expiration period for branch approvals for Federal savings associations under § 145.95(c). Section 145.93(c) currently requires prior approval for any savings association branch that would be subject to section 5(m)(1) of the HOLA (regarding District of Columbia savings associations), if the association meets the requirements of § 145.93(b) for an exception to the branch application filing requirement. New § 5.31(j) would require an application and prior written approval for each application. State and Federal savings associations would be required to file an application with the OCC to establish or move a branch in the District of Columbia. Investment in Bank Service Companies This section would be expanded to cover Federal savings associations. It would replace the after-the-fact notice before making an investment in the equity of a bank service company or performing new activities in an existing PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33317 bank service company with an expedited prior notice procedure. Investments in Premises This section would be expanded to cover Federal savings associations. In addition, an alternative, after-the-fact notice process would be added for both national banks and Federal savings associations and an exception to the premise application and notice requirements for investments in banking premises through a service corporation is provided for Federal savings associations. Amendments to the definitions of ‘‘capital stock’’ and ‘‘capital and surplus,’’ which would increase the amount that a Federal savings association could invest in banking premises without OCC approval, would result in a decrease in the number of requests for approval. A transition provision would be added for Federal savings associations to grandfather existing banking premises investments. Modifying, expanding, or approving such investments would require prior approval. A Federal savings association would be given a one to three year timeframe for the use of real estate acquired for future premises in place of the current requirement, which requires use of real estate acquired for future expansion within five years and, after holding the real estate for one year, requires a statement by resolution of the definite plans for use. Main Office and Home Office Relocations Federal savings associations would be required to submit prior notice to the OCC for home office relocations to a branch site in the same city, town, or village of the current home office and obtain prior approval for other relocations. They would also be required to obtain prior approval to establish a branch at the site of a former main or home office. Change in Corporate Title For change in corporate title, Federal savings associations would be required to submit an after-the-fact notice in place of the current 30-day prior notice. Voluntary Liquidation This section would be expanded to cover Federal savings associations. The liquidating agent or committee of the national bank or Federal savings association would be required to submit: A report to the appropriate OCC Licensing Office at the start of liquidation showing the bank’s or savings associations balance sheet as of the start of liquidation; quarterly Call E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33318 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Reports; a report of condition at the start of the liquidation; annual progress reports; and a final report of liquidation. National banks and Federal savings associations would be required to notify all depositors, other known creditors, and known claimants of the bank or savings association. Change in Control; Reporting of Stock Loans This section would be expanded to cover Federal savings associations. Procedures for rebuttal of control and concerted action under part 174 would no longer be applicable to Federal savings associations. Persons who acquire control of a Federal savings association as a result of testate or intestate succession would need to file a notice within 90 days of the transaction, while the current regulations require only a notification of the acquisition within 60 days. Under § 5.50, acquirers of beneficial ownership exceeding 10 percent of any class of stock of a Federal savings association that does not file a control notice or control rebuttal would not be required to file a certification of ownership. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Changes in Directors and Senior Executive Officers The notice of a change in directors or senior executive officers for a national bank would need to include financial information on the individual, except when the OCC determines it is not required. If the OCC requests additional information, a national bank may request a time extension to provide the information, if necessary. Federal savings associations would be required to provide 90 days prior notice of a new director or senior executive officer, under certain circumstances, in place of the current shorter notice period. Only a Federal savings association would be permitted to file the notice; nominees no longer will be able to file. Federal savings associations would be able to appeal an OCC notice of disapproval. Change in Address Under certain circumstances, national banks and Federal savings associations would no longer be required to file a notice of home office change of address and Federal savings associations would no longer be required to provide notice of a post office box address. Bank Activities and Operations A number of provisions in part 7 are being expanded to cover Federal savings associations. A transition period would be added to grandfather Federal savings associations’ existing premise VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 investments, provided they are not modified, expanded, or improved. A transition period would also be provided for Federal savings associations that share space or employees with another business under an agreement that complies with legal requirements previously in place that would violate this provision. They would be permitted to continue under the existing agreement, but would not be able to amend, renew, or extend the agreement without prior approval. The requirements in part 145 regarding the establishment of agency offices of Federal savings associations would be removed and agency offices of Federal savings associations that conduct non-branch activities would not be considered branches and would not be required to obtain OCC approval for these offices. Organizing a National Bank or Federal Savings Association In § 5.20, paragraph (h) specifies requirements for the organizers’ business plan or operating plan, paragraph (i) lists the procedures that the organizers must follow, paragraph (j) specifies the requirements for expedited review of an application, and paragraph (l) lists requirements for the establishment of special purpose banks. An application to charter a Federal savings association would be subject to the two-part approval process contained in paragraph (i)(5). The OCC uses a twopart approval process for de novo national bank charters. After an application is filed, if the OCC determines it meets the applicable standards, the application is given preliminary approval. The national bank in organization would then take the steps needed to organize itself, raise capital, obtain any other regulatory approvals, and generally become ready to commence business. Final approval is given and the national bank’s charter is issued only after all these steps are concluded, including compliance with any conditions imposed in the preliminary approval. Currently, the OCC issues only one approval before it issues the charter, but this approval is subject to the institution completing various post-approval organizational steps and other requirements before it can begin conducting business. Paragraph (j) currently provides for expedited review of an application to establish a full-service national bank filed by a bank holding company with a lead depository institution that is an eligible depository institution. Under the proposal, Federal savings associations and savings and loan holding companies would be added. PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 The corresponding rules applicable to organizing Federal savings associations are found in parts 143, 144, 152, and § 163.1. Sections 144.1 and 152.3 contain specific language and requirements to be used for the charter of Federal mutual savings associations and Federal stock savings associations, respectively, and §§ 144.2 and 152.4 contain specific requirements for the bylaws of Federal mutual savings associations and Federal stock savings associations, respectively. Sections 143.2(g)(2)(i) and 152.1(b)(3)(i) provide that approval of an application to organize a Federal mutual or stock savings association, respectively, is conditioned on OCC receipt of written confirmation from the FDIC that accounts will be insured. Section 152.2, which provides procedures for the organization of interim Federal savings associations, would be rescinded and addressed in the business combinations regulation at § 5.33. Proposed § 5.21(j) would specify the language and requirements for Federal mutual savings association bylaws. The provision reflects the requirements in § 144.5. Federal Stock Savings Association Charter, Bylaws and Related Provisions Proposed § 5.22(e) would specify the language and requirements for a Federal stock savings association charter. The provision reflects the requirements in § 152.3. Federal Savings Association Charter and Bylaws Availability Requirement Section 163.1(b), which requires each Federal savings association to cause a true copy of its charter and bylaws and all amendments thereto to be available to accountholders at all times in each office of the savings association, and to deliver to any accountholders a copy of such charter and bylaws or amendments thereto, upon request, is being rescinded and OCC will continue applying this requirement only with respect to Federal mutual savings associations under new § 5.21(i). Conversions to and From National Bank and Federal Savings Association Charters In § 5.24(d), regarding the policy for approving and disapproving conversions to national bank charters, a statement would be added that the institution seeking to convert to a national bank charter must obtain all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals. A parallel provision is found in § 143.8(a)(2), which would be now found in § 5.25. The public notice and inspection requirements at § 143.9(a)(2) E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules are being rescinded. If there are instances where the OCC believes publication is warranted, the OCC could require publication under § 5.2(b), which allows the OCC to require materially different procedures for a particular filing. Section 5.24(e)(2)(ix) would require the application for conversion to include a business plan if the converting institution has been operating for less than three years or plans to make significant changes to its business after the conversion, instead of the current policy of requesting it on a case-by-case basis. Section 5.24(g), which allows for expedited review of a conversion application filed by an eligible depository institution, would be limited to applications by institutions already supervised by the OCC. Proposed § 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(K) would require a converting institution that does not meet the qualified thrift lender test of 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m) to include a plan to achieve compliance within a reasonable period of time and to request an exception from the OCC in the application. Proposed § 5.25(d) provides that converting from a Federal charter does not require prior OCC approval. The institution must file only a notice with the OCC. Currently, Federal savings associations that are not eligible for expedited treatment must file an application to convert to a national bank or state bank. The notice must contain a copy of the conversion application to the regulator to which it is applying for approval to convert, and a discussion of any issues regarding the permissibility of the conversion under section 612 of Dodd-Frank Act. The institution would also be required to file a copy of its conversion application with the Federal banking agency that would become its appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion. For conversions between a national bank and a Federal savings association, proposed § 5.25(e) requires the institution planning to convert to file a notice for the conversion-out aspect of the transaction with the OCC. Federal savings associations currently must file an application, unless they qualify for expedited review. The notice must contain a showing of its compliance with applicable requirements for converting from the Federal charter. The applicable ‘‘converting-in’’ regulation (§ 5.23 or § 5.24) would require the institution to file an application with the OCC with respect to the ‘‘converting-in’’ aspect of the transaction. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Proposed § 5.24(e)(2)(x) and § 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(J) would require the conversion application to include information about enforcement actions and other supervisory criticisms and the applicant’s analysis of whether conversion is permissible under 12 U.S.C. 35, as amended by section 612. Proposed § 5.25(d)(3) would require that the information that must be submitted to the OCC when a national bank or Federal savings association plans to convert to a state bank or state savings association must include a discussion of the impact of any enforcement action on the permissibility of the conversion under 12 U.S.C. 214d or 1464(i)(6). Sections 5.24(e)(2), 5.23(d)(2)(ii), 5.25(d)(3)(i), and 5.25(d)(3)(ii)(A) require that, at the time an insured depository institution files a conversion application, it must transmit a copy of the conversion application to both the appropriate Federal banking agency for the institution and the Federal banking agency that would become the appropriate Federal banking agency for the institution after the proposed conversion. Service Corporations Under the current service corporation regulation, a Federal savings association must file a notice under part 116 at least 30 days before establishing or acquiring a subsidiary or engaging in a new activity in a subsidiary. A Federal savings association is not required to file a service corporation application if the association proposes to make a noncontrolling investment in a service corporation. The proposal would amend the service corporation regulation at § 5.59 to require that a Federal savings association file with the OCC before acquiring or establishing any service corporation, including one that it would not control. Section 5.59(h)(1)(ii) would require a Federal savings association to list for each state the lines of business for which the service corporation holds, or will hold, an insurance license, and each state in which the service corporation holds a resident license or charter. Section 5.59(h)(2) would change the circumstances under which a Federal savings association would receive expedited review for a service corporation filing, currently found in part 116. A service corporation filing would be eligible for expedited review if the savings association is ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed,’’ and the service corporation engages only in one or more of the preapproved activities listed in § 5.59(f). PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33319 A new requirement would be added in section 5.59(k) to require each Federal savings association to file an annual report that includes, for each service corporation subsidiary that is not functionally regulated and does business with consumers in the United States, certain information including the name and principal place of business of the service corporation, the lines of business in which the service corporation subsidiary engages directly with consumers, and the nature of the parent savings association’s interest in the service corporation subsidiary. Operating Subsidiaries; Subordinate Organizations New § 5.34(e)(2)(iii) would be added to clarify that a national bank must have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the bank and its operating subsidiaries. This requirement has been adapted from § 159.10 and would be consistent with the new operating subsidiary rule for Federal savings associations. Current § 5.34(e)(5)(i) provides that national banks meeting certain requirements are not required to file a prior application but may give after-thefact notice when establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary or performing a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. Paragraph (e)(5)(ii) requires a prior application and OCC approval in other instances and sets out the information that must be included in the filing. Current § 5.34(e)(5)(vi) provides that no application or notice is required for a national bank that is well managed and adequately capitalized or well capitalized to acquire or establish an operating subsidiary or perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, if the activities of the new subsidiary are limited to those previously reported to the OCC in connection with a prior operating subsidiary and certain other requirements are met. The proposal would change the criteria from adequately capitalized to well capitalized. This is consistent with the well capitalized requirement to be eligible for the after-the-fact notice procedure. Section 5.38(b) would require a Federal savings association to file an application to acquire or establish any operating subsidiary or to commence a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. Part 159 required Federal savings associations to give 30 days’ notice to the OCC prior to establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary or commencing a new activity in an operating subsidiary. Section 159.11 E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33320 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules required a filing when it is required under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), and section 1828(m) does not require a filing if the subsidiary is an insured depository institution. Proposed § 5.38(b) would require an application to acquire an insured depository institution as an operating subsidiary. A proposal for a Federal savings association to own an insured depository institution subsidiary that would cause the savings association to be a bank holding company or a savings and loan holding company raises issues of law and policy as well as supervisory concerns. The acquisition of other insured depository institutions as operating subsidiaries also requires agency review. Accordingly, the OCC believes an application is needed, even if not required under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m). Section 5.38(d) sets out definitions for ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed,’’ which will be used as part of the determination of which applications are eligible for expedited review by the OCC. These definitions are the same as those in § 5.34(d), and the OCC uses these terms as criteria to permit national banks to make an after-the-fact notice filing pursuant to § 5.34(e)(5). They are also used in proposed § 5.38 to determine if an application by a Federal savings association is eligible for expedited review. Section § 5.38(e)(1)(ii) would provide that if the activities performed at a location of an operating subsidiary (other than the home office of the savings association) include activities that would require the savings association to have approval for a branch office if the office were a direct office of the savings association, the savings association must obtain OCC approval for a branch office at that location, if it has not already been authorized as a branch. Existing offices would be grandfathered. This is requirement is new for Federal savings associations. Section 5.38(e)(2)(iii) (similar to § 159.10) would expressly require a savings association to have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the savings association and its operating subsidiaries. Section 159.11 specifies when Federal savings associations must file a notice at least 30 days prior to establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary or conducting a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. Section 5.38(e)(5) specifies the procedures a Federal savings association must follow when filing applications required under § 5.38. Section 5.38(e)(5)(ii)(A) provides for expedited review of applications to VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 establish or acquire an operating subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. The expedited review process is similar to that contained in § 159.11. Section 159.3(p)(1) provides that a Federal savings association must consult with the appropriate OCC licensing office prior to redesignating a service corporation as an operating subsidiary, and make available for examination adequate internal records demonstrating that the redesignated office meets all of the requirements for an operating subsidiary and that the board of directors has approved of the redesignation. Section 5.38(e)(vi) would require a Federal savings association to provide 30 days’ prior notice to the OCC when the savings association wants to redesignate a service corporation as an operating subsidiary. Section 5.38(e)(8) requires Federal savings associations to file an annual report on operating subsidiaries that do business directly with consumers in the United States and are not functionally regulated subsidiaries, which the OCC will make available to the public. Pass-Through Investments Section 160.32(b) currently provides that a Federal savings association may make certain qualifying pass-through investments without prior notice to the OCC in any entity that is a limited partnership, an open-ended mutual fund, a closed-end investment trust, a limited liability company, or an entity in which the Federal savings association is investing primarily to use the company’s services. Section 160.32(c) requires a Federal savings association to provide the OCC with written notice 30 days prior to making any pass-through investment that does not meet the nonotice standards. The notice is a form of application and may become a standard application if the OCC notifies the filer that the investment presents supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness concerns. The proposal would remove these provisions and cross-reference § 5.36. Proposed § 5.58(e) mirrors § 5.36(e) and would provide that a well capitalized, well managed Federal savings association may make certain pass-through investments, directly or through its operating subsidiary, in certain entities by filing a written afterthe-fact notice with the OCC no later than 10 days after making the investment if the activity conducted by the enterprise is on the list of activities eligible for a notice filing for operating subsidiaries, or if it is substantially the same as an activity that has been previously approved for a Federal PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 savings association (or its operating subsidiary). If a Federal savings association is not well capitalized and well managed or if the activity conducted by the enterprise does not qualify for the after-the-fact notice procedure, the savings association would be required to apply to the OCC and receive prior approval for the non-controlling investment. Section 5.58(g)(1) would provide for an expedited notice procedure for passthrough investments in entities holding assets in satisfaction of debts previously contracted. A Federal savings association would not be required to file a notice or application under § 5.58 when acquiring a non-controlling investment in shares of a company through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted. Under § 5.58, Federal savings associations would be permitted to make non-controlling investments greater than 25 percent of the company’s equity. The investment, however, would constitute ‘‘control,’’ making the enterprise a subsidiary of the association and triggering a filing. Section 5.58(f)(2) provides that a Federal savings association must submit an application for approval prior to investing in an enterprise that would be considered a subsidiary of the Federal savings association. Section 5.58 would change the filing requirements for Federal savings associations’ non-controlling investments. Some pass-through investments could meet the requirements for the after-the-fact notice procedure, and only the after-the-fact notice would be required. Some noncontrolling investments that qualify for the no-notice procedure under § 160.32(b) would require a filing under § 5.58. Section 5.58(h) would continue the no-notice procedure for investments by Federal savings associations in investment companies that held assets permissible to be held directly. Some investments that may have qualified for the no-notice procedure may be eligible for the after-the-fact notice of § 5.58(e). Change in Asset Composition The proposal would expand the requirements of § 5.53 and remove § 163.22 regarding change in asset composition. Institutions contemplating transactions that may constitute a material change would be advised to consult the appropriate OCC supervisory office. National banks would find more situations in which applications for approval would be required than under current § 5.53, but E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 these additional situations likely already would involve discussions between the bank and its supervisory office. Federal savings associations would find fewer situations in which applications for approval are required than now required under current § 163.22(c). Under the application exception for asset changes that are part of a voluntary liquidation, the proposal would add that the bank or savings association must have received OCC approval of its plan of liquidation. The expedited treatment under § 163.22(c) for of bulk transfer filings if all of the participating Federal savings associations meet the conditions for expedited treatment would not be carried over into § 5.53. Business Combinations Proposed § 5.33(d)(2)(v) expands the definition of ‘‘business combination’’ in § 5.33(d)(2), which currently includes only the assumption of deposit liabilities from another depository institution, to also include the assumption, from a credit union or any other institution that is not FDICinsured, of deposit accounts or other liabilities that will become deposits at the assuming national bank or Federal savings association. Federal savings associations are currently required to file an application under § 163.22(c). The proposal retains the requirement and expands it to cover national banks. Under the proposal, a Federal savings association would have the authority to engage in a whole entity purchase and assumption without regard to whether it has authority to consolidate or merge with the counterparty. National banks have had this authority but have not been required to apply to the OCC for approval of a whole entity purchase and assumption other than one with a depository institution. The proposal would require an application if the whole entity purchase and assumption would result in an increase in the asset size of the bank or savings association of twenty-five percent or more. Proposed § 5.33(e)(3) would amend the business combination application to add to the current requirement to identify subsidiaries and provide an analysis of the permissibility for the national bank or Federal savings association to hold the subsidiary or investment, a financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, and other equity investment. Under proposed § 5.33(e)(6), regarding the exercise of fiduciary powers by the resulting national bank or Federal VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 savings association, a clarification would be made that if the applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, it must include in the business combination application the information required in § 5.26 for a request for fiduciary powers. Section 5.33(f)(1) would be amended to clarify that the requirement of public notice and comment would apply only when the application is subject to a public notice requirement under the Bank Merger Act or other applicable statute that requires notice to the public. This publication requirement would not be a change for national banks or Federal savings associations. The frequency and timing of publication for transactions that are subject to the Bank Merger Act would be changed for Federal savings associations. Section 163.22(e)(1)(i) requires an initial publication and then publication on a weekly basis during the public comment period. Under proposed § 5.33(f)(1), the OCC would require the initial publication and two other publications during the standard 30-day public comment period. Section 5.33(g)(1), addressing the merger or consolidation of a national bank or a state bank into a national bank, would require that a national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a merger or consolidation with another national bank must file a notice to the OCC under § 5.33(k). This notice would also be required whenever a national bank or Federal savings association merges or consolidates into another institution. It provides the OCC information about the target national bank’s compliance with requirements to ‘‘merge-out’’ and sets in motion the steps for the disappearing national bank to end its separate existence. Section 5.33(g)(2)(ii), under which the OCC may conduct an appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a national bank involved in a consolidation with a Federal savings association if all the parties agree, would be changed from a voluntary to a required process. Section 5.33(g)(2)(ii)(B) and (C) would specify the process for appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a stock Federal savings association involved in a consolidation or merger into a national bank. Section 5.33(g)(2)(iii) would include a requirement that a consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by the resulting institution. New § 5.33(g)(3), addressing consolidations and mergers of other PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33321 institutions into a Federal savings association, would require application to the OCC and would require the Federal savings association to comply with requirements and procedures similar to those currently imposed on them. If a combination involves a whole purchase and assumption of a Federal savings association, then the combination would be treated as a consolidation for participating Federal savings associations, and the procedural requirements in § 5.33(o) would apply. Section 5.33(g)(3)(ii) would include a requirement that the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by the resulting institution. Section 5.33(g)(6)(iv) would include a requirement that the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by the resulting institution. This requirement is based on provisions in §§ 146.2(b)(9) and 152.13(f)(9). Section 5.33(g)(7) would address a consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association into a state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union and require only a notice to the OCC, not application and approval. This requirement is a change for Federal savings associations from § 163.22(c), under which an application is required for a combination with an uninsured bank, savings association or trust company or a credit union. Section 5.33(g)(7)(ii) would include a provision under which a whole purchase and assumption of the target Federal savings association would be treated as a consolidation for the Federal savings association, so that the procedural requirements in § 5.33(o) would apply. Section 5.33(g)(7)(iii) would set out the process for appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a stock Federal savings association involved in a consolidation or merger into a state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union. Section 5.33(g)(7)(iv) would require that the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by the resulting institution. Section 5.33(i), which would provide for expedited review of business reorganizations and streamlined applications, would be expanded to include Federal savings association applications. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33322 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Expedited review under § 5.33(j) would replace the automatic approval provision in § 163.22(f) for Federal savings associations, which provides that an application is deemed to be approved automatically 30 days after the OCC sends the applicant a written notice that the application is complete. New § 5.33(k) would address notices to be filed when a national bank or Federal savings association is consolidating or merging with another national bank or Federal savings association or with a state chartered institution or credit union and the target national bank or Federal savings association is not the resulting institution. It includes the steps to be taken to terminate the institution’s status as a national bank or Federal savings association. This consolidates requirements from §§ 5.33(g)(3), 146.2(g), 152.13(k), 163.22(b) and 163.22(h)(1)(i) and (ii). There would be no change for Federal savings associations, but national banks would be required to include more information in the notice than currently required. Section 5.33(m) would address certification of a consolidation or merger and documentation of its effective date. The applicant would be required to submit information showing that all steps needed to complete the transaction have been met and to notify the OCC of the planned consummation date. This reflects current OCC practice for national banks. It accomplishes through an applicant notification letter and issuance of an OCC certification letter what § 152.13(j) does in requiring the applicant to submit two sets of ‘‘Articles of Combination’’ that are filed with the OCC, and then endorsed by the OCC, with one set returned to the applicant with a specification of the effective date. New § 5.33(o) would include provisions from §§ 146.2 and 152.13 that set out the procedural requirements for board, shareholder (in the case of stock savings associations), and, if required by the OCC, voting member (in the case of mutual savings associations) approval of business combinations involving the Federal savings association. Changes in Permanent Capital Section 5.46(g)(1) would be amended to describe more fully those increases in permanent capital of a national bank for which an application and prior approval are not required and when such increases are considered approved by the OCC. Portions of this requirement are currently in paragraph (i)(3), which addresses the bank’s notification to the OCC that the increase has occurred and the certification of the increase by the OCC. Subordinated Debt The expedited treatment process in part 116 for savings associations would be replaced by the expedited review process in part 5 for Federal savings associations seeking expedited review of filings to issue subordinated debt. This could result in a change in which savings associations qualify for the expedited process, due to the difference between the eligibility requirements for expedited review and the requirements for expedited treatment. Capital Distributions New § 5.55 contains Federal savings association procedures and standards for capital distributions currently found in part 163 and filing procedures based on provisions in part 5 regarding eligible savings associations and expedited review. A Federal savings association must be an ‘‘eligible savings association’’ in order to qualify for expedited review of filings for capital distributions. Because the eligibility requirements in part 5 and in the current Federal savings association rules are not identical, the part 5 eligibility requirements for expedited review could affect which Federal savings associations qualify for the expedited process. Title of Information Collection: Comptroller’s Licensing Rules. OMB Control No: 1557–0014. Frequency of Response: Event generated. Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations. Current Burden for the Comptroller’s Licensing Rules: Number of Respondents: 3,831. Average Burden per Respondent: 3.18 hours. Total Burden: 12,174 hours. Burden Estimates for the Comptroller’s Licensing Rules as Amended by the proposal: Number of Respondents: 3,879. Average Burden per Respondent: 3.22 hours. Total Burden: 12,485 hours. The change in burden for the collection is an overall increase of 311 hours, or 2.6%. The change in number of respondents is due to an increase in the number of regulated entities involved in licensing activities and the revisions to certain definitions. The change in burden per respondent is an overall increase in .04 hours. This is a result of the combination of the expansion of national bank requirements to savings associations, the revision of requirements for both national banks and savings associations, the addition of exemptions, and the streamlining and elimination of unnecessary requirements. The OCC requests comment on: a. Whether the information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the OCC’s functions, and how the instructions can be clarified so that information gathered has more practical utility; b. The accuracy of the OCC’s estimates of the burdens of the information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; d. Ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and e. Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. VIII. Redesignation Table The following redesignation table is provided for reader reference. It lists the current savings association provision and identifies the provision in this final rule that would replace it. Subject Former section number/guidance New section No. Application Processing Procedures ........................................................ Part 116 ......................................... What does this part do? ................................................................... Do the same procedures apply to all applications under this part? How does the OCC compute time periods under this part? ........... Must I meet with the OCC before I file my application? ................. 116.1 .............................................. 116.5 .............................................. 116.10 ............................................ 116.15 ............................................ Part 5, subpart A. See also relevant activity or transaction rule in part 5. 5.1, 5.2. 5.2. 5.12. 5.4(f). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules 33323 Former section number/guidance New section No. What information must I include in my draft business plan? .......... What type of application must I file? ............................................... What information must I provide with my application? .................... May I keep portions of my application confidential? ....................... Where do I file my application? ....................................................... What is the filing date of my application?/Filing fees ...................... How do I amend or supplement my application? ............................ Public notice ..................................................................................... Comment procedures: What does this subpart do? ........................ Public comment ................................................................................ Meeting procedures: What does this subpart do? ........................... When will the OCC conduct a meeting on an application? ............. What procedures govern the conduct of a meeting? ...................... Will the OCC approve or disapprove an application at a meeting? Will a meeting affect application processing time frames? ............. 116.20 ............................................ 116.25 ............................................ 116.30 ............................................ 116.35 ............................................ 116.40 ............................................ 116.45 ............................................ 116.47 ............................................ 116.50–116.80 ............................... 116.100 .......................................... 116.110–116.140 ........................... 116.160 .......................................... 116.170 .......................................... 116.180 .......................................... 116.185 .......................................... 116.190 .......................................... If I file a notice under expedited treatment, when may I engage in the proposed activities? What will the OCC do after I file my application? ........................... If the OCC requests additional information to complete my application, how will it process my application? Will the OCC conduct an eligibility examination? ............................ What may the OCC require me to do after my application is deemed complete? Will the OCC require me to publish a new public notice? .............. May the OCC suspend processing of my application? ................... How long is the OCC review period? .............................................. 116.200 .......................................... 116.210 .......................................... 116.220 .......................................... See 5.4(f). See 5.4. See 5.4 (e). 5.9. 5.4(d). See 5.12. None. 5.8. None. 5.10. None. 5.11. 5.11. None. See 5.10(b)(2), 5.11(h), and 5.13(a)(2). See relevant activity or transaction rule in part 5. 5.13. 5.13. 116.230 .......................................... 116.240 .......................................... 5.7. 5.8(g), 5.13(c). 116.250 .......................................... 116.260 .......................................... 116.270 .......................................... 116.280 .......................................... 116.290 .......................................... 5.8(g). None. 5.13; See also relevant activity or transaction rule in part 5. 5.13(d). See 5.13(c). Part 143 ......................................... 5.20; 5.42. 143.1 143.2 143.3 143.4 143.5 143.6 143.7 5.20(f)(2(i)), 5.42. 5.20. 5.20. None. 5.20. None. None. Subject emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 How will I know if my application is approved? ............................... What will happen if the OCC does not approve or disapprove my application within two calendar years after the filing date? Federal Mutual Savings Associations—Incorporation, Organization, and Conversion. Corporate title ................................................................................... Application for permission to organize ............................................. ‘‘De novo’’ applications for a Federal savings association charter Issuance of charter .......................................................................... Completion of organization .............................................................. Limitations on transaction of business ............................................. Federal savings association created in connection with an association in default or in danger of default. Conversions ..................................................................................... Organization plan for governance during first years after issuance of Federal mutual savings bank charter. Continuity of existence ..................................................................... Federal Mutual Savings Associations—Charter and Bylaws .................. Federal mutual charter ..................................................................... Charter amendments ....................................................................... Issuance of charter .......................................................................... Federal mutual savings association bylaws .................................... Effect of subsequent charter of bylaw change ................................ Availability—in association offices ................................................... Communication between members of a Federal mutual savings association. Federal Savings Associations—Operations ............................................ Home office ...................................................................................... Branch offices .................................................................................. Application and notice requirements and processing procedures for branch and home offices. Agency office .................................................................................... Federal Mutual Savings Associations—Merger, Dissolution, Reorganization, and Conversion. Definitions, procedures, and transfer of assets upon merger or consolidation. Voluntary dissolution ........................................................................ Fiduciary Powers of Federal Savings Associations ................................ Obtaining fiduciary powers: Must I obtain OCC approval or file a notice before I exercise fiduciary powers? Obtaining fiduciary powers ............................................................... Federal Stock Associations—Incorporation, Organization, and Conversion. Procedure for organization of Federal stock association ................ VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4701 .............................................. .............................................. .............................................. .............................................. .............................................. .............................................. .............................................. 143.8–143.10 ................................. 143.11 ............................................ 5.23. None. 143.14 ............................................ 144 ................................................. 144.1 .............................................. 144.2 .............................................. 144.4 .............................................. 144.5 .............................................. 144.6 .............................................. 144.7 .............................................. 144.8 .............................................. 5.23. 5.21. 5.21(e). 5.21(f)–(h). None. See 5.21(j). 5.21(j)(4). 5.21(i). 144.8. Part 145 ......................................... 145.91(a) ....................................... 145.91(b) ....................................... 145.92 ............................................ 145.93, 145.95 ............................... 145.96 ............................................ Part 146 ......................................... 5.31, 5.40, 5.52. None. 5.52. 5.31. 5.31 (branch office). 5.40 (home office). 5.31(k). 5.33, 5.48. 146.1–146.3 ................................... 5.33. 146.4 .............................................. Part 150, subpart A ....................... 150.70 ............................................ 5.48. 5.26. 150.70 (revised), 5.26. 150.80–150.125 ............................. Part 152 ......................................... 5.26. 5.20, 5.22, 5.23, 5.24, 5.25, 5.33. 152.1 .............................................. 5.20. Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33324 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Former section number/guidance Subject New section No. Procedures for organization of interim Federal stock association .. Charters, bylaws, boards of directors and officers, share certificates, and books and records. Business combinations .................................................................... Effect of subsequent charter or bylaw change ................................ Federal stock association created in connection with an association in default or in danger of default. Conversion from stock form depository institution to Federal stock association. Conversion to National banking association or state bank ............. 152.2 .............................................. 152.3–152.11 ................................. 5.33(e)(4). 5.22. 152.13–152.15 ............................... 152.16 ............................................ 152.17 ............................................ 5.33. 5.22. None. 152.18 ............................................ 5.23. 152.19 ............................................ Subordinate organizations ....................................................................... 159 (159.1–159.13) ....................... 5.24 5.25 5.38 5.59 160.32, except: .............................. 160.32(a) ....................................... 160.32(b) ....................................... 160.37 ............................................ 5.58. 160.32(a) (same). 160.32(b) (revised). 5.37, 7.1000, 7.3001. 163.1(a) ......................................... 163.1(b) ......................................... 163.22 ............................................ See 5.20(e)(1)(iii)(A). None (Federal stock savings associations). 5.21(i) (Federal mutual savings associations). 5.33, 5.53. 163.22(b)(1)(ii) ............................... 163.22(b)(2) ................................... 163.81 ............................................ 5.25. 5.24. 5.56. 163.140–163.146 (subpart E) ........ 163.161 .......................................... 5.55. 5.59 (e)(7)(service only). 5.51. 5.50. None. Lending and investment Pass-through investments ................................................................ Real estate for office and related facilities ...................................... Savings Associations—Operations Submission for approval of chartering documents .......................... Availability of chartering documents ................................................ Merger, consolidation, purchase or sale of assets, or assumption of liabilities. Conversion to state bank ................................................................. Conversion to national bank ............................................................ Inclusion of subordinated debt securities and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock as supplementary capital. Capital Distributions ......................................................................... Management and financial policies .................................................. Notice of change of director or senior executive officer .................. Acquisition of Control of Federal Savings Associations ......................... 163.550–163.590 (subpart H). ...... 174.1–174.7 ................................... 174, Appendix A ............................ (to national bank). (to State bank). (operating subsidiaries). (service corporations). corporations List of Subjects 12 CFR Part 34 12 CFR Part 150 12 CFR Part 4 Mortgages, National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Administrative practice and procedure, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Trusts and trustees. Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information, Individuals with disabilities, Minority businesses, Organization and functions (Government agencies), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Women. 12 CFR Part 5 Administrative practice and procedure, National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities. 12 CFR Part 100 Savings associations. 12 CFR Part 152 12 CFR Part 116 Administrative practice and procedure, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations. 12 CFR Part 143 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; Savings associations. Computer technology, Credit, Insurance, Investments, National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities, Surety bonds. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 12 CFR Part 144 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations. 12 CFR Part 14 Banks, Banking, Consumer protection, Insurance, National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Consumer protection, Credit, Electronic funds transfers, Investments, Manufactured homes, Mortgages, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations. 12 CFR Part 32 12 CFR Part 146 National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations. 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 12 CFR Part 145 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4701 12 CFR Part 159 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Subsidiaries. 12 CFR Part 160 12 CFR Part 7 VerDate Mar<15>2010 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Securities. Sfmt 4702 Consumer protection, Investments, Manufactured homes, Mortgages, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Securities. 12 CFR Part 161 Administrative practice and procedure, Savings associations. 12 CFR Part 162 Accounting, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules 12 CFR Part 163 Accounting, Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Conflict of interests, Crime, Currency, Investments, Mortgages, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Securities, Surety bonds. 12 CFR Part 174 Administrative practice and procedure, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Securities. 12 CFR Part 192 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Securities. 12 CFR Part 193 Accounting, Savings associations, Securities. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, and under the authority of 12 U.S.C. 93a and 5412(b)(2)(B), chapter I of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 4—ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS, AVAILABILITY AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION, CONTRACTING OUTREACH PROGRAM, POST–EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS 1. The authority citation for part 4 is revised to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1, 12 U.S.C. 93a, 12 U.S.C. 5321, 12 U.S.C. 5412, and 12 U.S.C. 5414. Subpart A also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552. Subpart B also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552; E.O. 12600 (3 CFR 1987 Comp., p. 235). Subpart C also issued under 5 U.S.C. 301, 552; 12 U.S.C. 161, 481, 482, 484(a), 1442, 1462a, 1463, 1464 1817(a)(2) and (3), 1818(u) and (v), 1820(d)(6), 1820(k), 1821(c), 1821(o), 1821(t), 1831m, 1831p–1, 1831o, 1867, 1951 et seq., 2601 et seq., 2801 et seq., 2901 et seq., 3101 et seq., 3401 et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 77uu(b), 78q(c)(3); 18 U.S.C. 641, 1905, 1906; 29 U.S.C. 1204; 31 U.S.C. 5318(g)(2), 9701; 42 U.S.C. 3601; 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3510. Subpart D also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1833e. Subpart E is also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1820(k). ■ 2. Revise § 4.5 to read as follows: § 4.5 Other OCC supervisory offices. (a) Midsize Bank Supervision (MBS). Midsize Bank Supervision is 33325 responsible for supervising midsize national banks and Federal savings associations that present unique supervisory challenges based on size, complexity, and/or product line. MBS also supervises credit card and certain other special purpose banks. MBS is headquartered in Chicago, Il and located at 1 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606. (b) Community bank supervision. (1) District offices. Each district office of the OCC is responsible for the direct supervision of the national banks and Federal savings associations in its district, with the exception of the national banks and Federal savings associations supervised by the Washington office pursuant to § 4.4 of this part or Midsize Bank Supervision pursuant to § 4.5(a). The four district offices cover the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The geographical composition of each district follows: District Office location Geographical composition Northeastern District ........... Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 340 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor New York, NY 10173–0002. Central District .................... Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, One Financial Place, Suite 2700, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60605. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 500 North Akard Street, Suite 1600, Dallas, TX 75201. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 1225 17th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202. Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, northeast Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, the Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. Illinois, Indiana, central and southern Kentucky, Michigan, northern and eastern Minnesota, eastern Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Southern District ................. Western District .................. (2) Field offices and other supervisory offices. Field offices and field office satellite offices support the bank and savings association supervision responsibilities of the district offices. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 PART 5—RULES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES FOR CORPORATE ACTIVITIES 3. The authority citation for part 5 is revised to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 24a, 93a, 215a–2, 215a–3, 481, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 2901 et seq., 3907, and 5412(b)(2)(B). 4. Section 5.1 is revised to read as follows: ■ VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 § 5.1 Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, southwestern Minnesota, western Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Scope. This part establishes rules, policies and procedures of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for corporate activities and transactions involving national banks and Federal savings associations. It contains information on rules of general and specific applicability, where and how to file, and requirements and policies applicable to filings. This part also establishes the corporate filing procedures for Federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. ■ 5. Subpart A of part 5 is revised to read as follows: Subpart A—Rules of General Applicability Sec. 5.2 Rules of general applicability. PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 Definitions. Filing required. Fees. [Reserved] Investigations. Public notice. Public availability. Comments. Hearings and other meetings. Computation of time. Decisions. Subpart A—Rules of General Applicability § 5.2 Rules of general applicability. (a) General. The rules in this subpart apply to all sections in this part unless otherwise stated. (b) Exceptions. The OCC may adopt materially different procedures for a E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33326 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules particular filing, or class of filings, in exceptional circumstances or for unusual transactions, after providing notice of the change to the applicant and to any other party that the OCC determines should receive notice. (c) Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. The ‘‘Comptroller’s Licensing Manual’’ (Manual) provides additional filing guidance, including policies and procedures. The Manual and sample forms are available on the OCC’s Internet Web page at www.occ.gov. (d) Electronic filing. The OCC encourages electronic filing for all filings. The Manual describes the OCC’s electronic filing procedures. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 § 5.3 Definitions. (a) Applicant means a person or entity that submits a notice or application to the OCC under this part. (b) Application means a submission requesting OCC approval to engage in various corporate activities and transactions. (c) Appropriate OCC licensing office means the OCC office that is responsible for processing applications or notices to engage in various corporate activities or transactions, as described at www.OCC.gov. (d) Appropriate OCC supervisory office means the OCC office that is responsible for the supervision of a national bank or Federal savings association, as described in subpart A of 12 CFR part 4. (e) Capital and surplus means: (1) A bank’s or Federal savings association’s tier 1 and tier 2 capital calculated under the OCC’s risk-based capital standards set forth in 12 CFR part 3, as applicable, as reported in the bank’s or savings association’s Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call Reports) filed under 12 U.S.C. 161 or 12 U.S.C. 1464(v), respectively; plus (2) The balance of the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s allowance for loan and lease losses not included in the institution’s Tier 2 capital, for purposes of the calculation of risk-based capital reported in the institution’s Call Reports, described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section. (f) Depository institution means any bank or savings association. (g) Eligible bank or eligible savings association means a national bank or Federal savings association that: (1) Is well capitalized as defined in 12 CFR 6.4; (2) Has a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (CAMELS); (3) Has a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), 12 U.S.C. 2901 et seq., rating VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 of ‘‘Outstanding’’ or ‘‘Satisfactory,’’ if applicable; (4) Has an OCC compliance rating of 1 or 2; and (5) Is not subject to a cease and desist order, consent order, formal written agreement, or Prompt Corrective Action directive (see 12 CFR part 6, subpart B) or, if subject to any such order, agreement, or directive, is informed in writing by the OCC that the bank or savings association may be treated as an ‘‘eligible bank or eligible savings association’’ for purposes of this part. (h) Eligible depository institution means: (1) With respect to a national bank, a state bank or a Federal or state savings association that meets the criteria for an ‘‘eligible bank or eligible savings association’’ under § 5.3(g) and is FDICinsured; and (2) With respect to a Federal savings association, a state or national bank or a state savings association that meets the criteria for an ‘‘eligible bank or eligible savings association’’ under § 5.3(g) and is FDIC-insured. (i) Filing means an application or notice submitted to the OCC under this part. (j) Notice, in general, means a submission notifying the OCC that a national bank or Federal savings association intends to engage in or has commenced certain corporate activities or transactions. The specific meaning of notice depends on the context of the rule in which it is used and may require the filer to obtain prior OCC approval before engaging in the activity or transaction, may provide the OCC with authority to disapprove the notice, or may be informational requiring no official OCC action. (k) Principal city means an area designated as a ‘‘principal city’’ by the Office of Management and Budget. (l) Short-distance relocation means moving the premises of a branch or main office of a national bank or a branch or home office of a Federal savings association within a: (1) One thousand foot-radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is located within a principal city of an MSA; (2) One-mile radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is not located within a principal city, but is located within an MSA; or (3) Two-mile radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is not located within an MSA. § 5.4 Filing required. (a) Filing. A depository institution shall file an application or notice with the OCC to engage in corporate activities PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 and transactions as described in this part. (b) Availability of forms. Forms and instructions for filing are available on the OCC’s Internet Web page at www.occ.gov. (c) Other agency’s applications or filings. At the request of the applicant, the OCC may accept an application or other filing submitted to another Federal agency that covers the proposed action or transaction and contains substantially the same information as required by the OCC. The OCC also may require the applicant to submit supplemental information. (d) Where to file. An applicant should address a filing or other submission under this part to the appropriate OCC licensing office or appropriate OCC supervisory office, unless the OCC advises an applicant otherwise. Relevant addresses are listed on the OCC’s Internet Web page at www.occ.gov. (e) Incorporation of other material. An applicant may incorporate any material contained in any other application or filing filed with the OCC or other Federal agency by reference, provided that the material is attached to the application and is current and responsive to the information requested by the OCC. The filing must clearly indicate that the information is so incorporated and include a crossreference to the information incorporated. (f) Prefiling meeting. When submitting an application to the OCC, an applicant is encouraged to contact the appropriate OCC licensing office to determine the need for a prefiling meeting. The OCC decides whether to require a prefiling meeting on a case-by-case basis. Submission of a draft business plan or other relevant information before any prefiling meeting may expedite the filing review process. Information on model business plans can be found in the Manual. § 5.5 Filing fees. (a) Procedure. An applicant shall submit the appropriate filing fee, if any, in connection with its filing. Filing fees may be paid by check, money order, cashier’s check, or wire transfer. Additional information on filing fees, including where to file, can be found in the Manual. The OCC generally does not refund the filing fees. (b) Fee schedule. The OCC publishes a fee schedule in the ‘‘Notice of Comptroller of the Currency Fees,’’ as described in 12 CFR 8.8. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules § 5.6 [Reserved] § 5.7 Investigations. (a) Authority. The OCC may examine or investigate and evaluate facts related to a filing to the extent necessary to reach an informed decision. (b) Fees. As described in 12 CFR 8.6, the OCC may assess fees for investigations or examinations conducted under paragraph (a) of this section. The OCC publishes a fee schedule in the ‘‘Notice of Comptroller of the Currency Fees,’’ as described in 12 CFR 8.8. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 § 5.8 Public notice. (a) General. An applicant shall publish a public notice of its filing in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in which the applicant proposes to engage in business, on the date of filing, or as soon as practicable before or after the date of filing. This notice shall be published in the English language but if the OCC determines that the primary language of a significant number of adult residents of the community is a language other than English, the OCC may require that an additional notice(s) simultaneously be published in the community in the appropriate language(s). (b) Contents of the public notice. The public notice shall state that a filing is being made, the date of the filing, the name and address of the applicant, the subject matter of the filing (including the name of the institution that is the subject of the filing), that the public may submit comments to the appropriate OCC licensing office, the address of the appropriate OCC licensing office where comments should be sent, the closing date of the public comment period, that the public portion of the filing is available on request, and any other information that the OCC requires. (c) Confirmation of public notice. Promptly following publication, the applicant shall mail or otherwise deliver to the appropriate OCC licensing office a statement containing the date of publication, the name and address of the newspaper that published the public notice, a copy of the public notice, and any other information that the OCC requires. (d) Multiple transactions. The OCC may consider more than one transaction, or a series of transactions, to be a single filing for purposes of the publication requirements of this section. When filing a single public notice for multiple transactions, the applicant shall explain in the notice how the transactions are related. (e) Joint public notices accepted. Upon the request of an applicant, for a VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 transaction subject to a public notice requirement of both the OCC and another Federal agency, the OCC may accept publication of a single joint notice containing the information required by both the OCC and the other Federal agency, provided that the notice states that comments must be submitted to both the OCC and, if applicable, the other Federal agency. (f) Public notice by the OCC. In addition to the foregoing, the OCC may require or give public notice and request comment on any filing and in any manner the OCC determines appropriate for the particular filing. (g) New public notice. At the OCC’s discretion, an applicant may be required to publish a new public notice if: (1) The applicant submits either a revised filing or new or additional information related to a filing; (2) A major issue of law or change in circumstance arises after a filing; or (3) The OCC determines that a new public notice is appropriate. § 5.9 Public availability. (a) General. The OCC provides a copy of the public file to any person who requests it. A requestor should submit a written request for the public file concerning a pending filing to the appropriate OCC licensing office. A requestor should submit a written request for the public file concerning a decided or closed filing to the OCC’s Freedom of Information Act Officer, Communications Division, at the address listed on www.OCC.gov. The OCC may impose a fee in accordance with 12 CFR 4.17 and at the rate the OCC publishes in the ‘‘Notice of Comptroller of the Currency Fees,’’ described in 12 CFR 8.8. (b) Public file. A public file consists of the portions of the filing, supporting data, supplementary information, and information submitted by interested persons, to the extent that those documents have not been afforded confidential treatment. Applicants and other interested persons may request that confidential treatment be afforded information submitted to the OCC pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section. (c) Confidential treatment. The applicant or an interested person submitting information may request that specific information be treated as confidential under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552 (see 12 CFR 4.12(b)). A submitter should draft its request for confidential treatment narrowly to extend only to those portions of a document it considers confidential. If a submitter requests confidential treatment for information that the OCC does not consider to be PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33327 confidential, the OCC may include that information in the public file after providing notice to the submitter. Moreover, at its own initiative, the OCC may determine that certain information should be treated as confidential and withhold that information from the public file. A person requesting information withheld from the public file should submit the request to the OCC’s Freedom of Information Act Officer, Communications Division, under the procedures described in 12 CFR part 4, subpart B. That request may be subject to the predisclosure notice procedures of 12 CFR 4.16. § 5.10 Comments. (a) Submission of comments. During the comment period, any person may submit written comments on a filing to the appropriate OCC licensing office. (b) Comment period— (1) General. Unless otherwise stated, the comment period is 30 days after publication of the public notice required by § 5.8(a). If a new public notice is required under § 5.8(g), the OCC may require a new comment period of up to 30 days after publication of the new public notice. (2) Extension. The OCC may extend a comment period if: (i) The applicant fails to file all required publicly available information on a timely basis to permit review by interested persons or makes a request for confidential treatment not granted by the OCC that delays the public availability of that information; (ii) Any person requesting an extension of time satisfactorily demonstrates to the OCC that additional time is necessary to develop factual information that the OCC determines is necessary to consider the application; or (iii) The OCC determines that other extenuating circumstances exist. (3) Applicant response. The OCC may give the applicant an opportunity to respond to comments received. § 5.11 Hearings and other meetings. (a) Hearing requests. Prior to the end of the comment period, any person may submit to the appropriate OCC office a written request for a hearing on a filing. The request must describe the nature of the issues or facts to be presented and the reasons why written submissions would be insufficient to make an adequate presentation of those issues or facts to the OCC. A person requesting a hearing shall simultaneously submit a copy of the request to the applicant. (b) Action on a hearing request. The OCC may grant or deny a request for a hearing and may limit the issues to those it deems relevant or material. The OCC generally grants a hearing request E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33328 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules only if the OCC determines that written submissions would be insufficient or that a hearing would otherwise benefit the decision-making process. The OCC also may order a hearing if it concludes that a hearing would be in the public interest. (c) Denial of a hearing request. If the OCC denies a hearing request, it shall notify the person requesting the hearing of the reason for the denial. (d) OCC procedures prior to the hearing—(1) Notice of Hearing. The OCC issues a Notice of Hearing if it grants a request for a hearing or orders a hearing because it is in the public interest. The OCC sends a copy of the Notice of Hearing to the applicant, to the person requesting the hearing, and anyone else requesting a copy. The Notice of Hearing states the subject and date of the filing, the time and place of the hearing, and the issues to be addressed. The OCC may limit the issues considered at a hearing to those it determines are relevant or material. (2) Presiding officer. The OCC appoints a presiding officer to conduct the hearing. The presiding officer is responsible for all procedural questions not governed by this section. (e) Participation in the hearing. Any person who wishes to appear (participant) shall notify the appropriate OCC licensing office of his or her intent to participate in the hearing within ten days from the date the OCC issues the Notice of Hearing. At least five days before the hearing, each participant shall submit to the appropriate OCC licensing office, the applicant, and any other person the OCC requires, the names of witnesses and one copy of each exhibit the participant intends to present. (f) Hearing transcripts. The OCC arranges for a hearing transcript. The person requesting the hearing may be required to bear the cost of one copy of the transcript for his or her use. (g) Conduct of the hearing—(1) Presentations. Subject to the rulings of the presiding officer, the applicant and participants may make opening statements and present witnesses, material, and data. (2) Information submitted. A person presenting documentary material shall furnish one copy to the OCC and one copy to the applicant and each participant. (3) Laws not applicable to hearings. The Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.), the Federal Rules of Evidence (28 U.S.C. appendix), the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 U.S.C. Rule 1 et seq.), and the OCC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (12 CFR VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 part 19) do not apply to hearings under this section. (4) Meeting format. The OCC may conduct a meeting in the format that it determines is appropriate, including a telephone conference, a face-to-face meeting, or a more formal meeting. (h) Closing the hearing record. At the applicant’s or participant’s request, the OCC may keep the hearing record open for up to 14 days following the OCC’s receipt of the transcript. The OCC resumes processing the filing after the record closes. (i) Other meetings—(1) Public meetings. The OCC may arrange for a public meeting in connection with an application, either upon receipt during the comment period of a written request for such a meeting or upon the OCC’s own initiative, if the OCC finds that written submissions are insufficient to address facts or issues raised in the application or otherwise determines that a meeting will benefit the decisionmaking process. Public meetings will be arranged and presided over by a presiding officer. (2) Private meetings. The OCC may arrange a meeting with an applicant or other interested parties to clarify and narrow the issues and to facilitate the resolution of the issues. (3) Issues at meetings. The OCC may limit the issues considered at a meeting to those it determines are relevant or material. § 5.12 Computation of time. In computing the period of days, the OCC does not include the day of the act or event (e.g., the date an application is received by the OCC) from which the period begins to run. When the last day of a time period is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the time period runs until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday. § 5.13 Decisions. (a) General. The OCC may approve, conditionally approve, or deny a filing after appropriate review and consideration of the record. In reviewing a filing, the OCC may consider the activities, resources, or condition of an affiliate of the applicant that may reasonably reflect on or affect the applicant. It also may consider information available from any source, including any comments submitted by interested parties or views expressed by interested parties at meetings with the OCC. (1) Conditional approval. The OCC may impose conditions on any approval, including to address a significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern, if PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the OCC determines that the conditions are necessary or appropriate to ensure that approval is consistent with relevant statutory and regulatory standards and OCC policies thereunder and safe and sound banking practices. (2) Expedited review. The OCC grants eligible banks and eligible savings associations expedited review within a specified time after filing or commencement of the public comment period. (i) The OCC may extend the expedited review period or remove a filing from expedited review procedures if it concludes that the filing, or an adverse comment regarding the filing, presents a significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern, or raises a significant legal or policy issue, requiring additional OCC review. The OCC will provide the applicant with a written explanation if it decides not to process an application from an eligible bank or eligible savings association under expedited review pursuant to this paragraph. (ii) Adverse comments that the OCC determines do not raise a significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern, or a significant legal or policy issue, or are frivolous, filed primarily as a means of delaying action on the filing, or that raise a CRA concern that the OCC determines has been satisfactorily resolved, do not affect the OCC’s decision under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section. The OCC considers a CRA concern to have been satisfactorily resolved if the OCC previously reviewed (e.g., in an examination or an application) a concern presenting substantially the same issue in substantially the same assessment area during substantially the same time, and the OCC determines that the concern would not warrant denial or imposition of a condition on approval of the application. (iii) If a bank or savings association files an application for any activity or transaction that is dependent upon the approval of another application under this part, or if requests for approval for more than one activity or transaction are combined in a single application under applicable sections of this part, none of the subject applications may be deemed approved upon expiration of the applicable time periods, unless all of the applications are subject to expedited review procedures and the longest of the time periods expires without the OCC issuing a decision or notifying the bank or savings association that the filings are not eligible for expedited review under the standards in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (b) Denial. The OCC may deny a filing emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 if: (1) A significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern exists with respect to the applicant; (2) Approval of the filing is inconsistent with applicable law, regulation, or OCC policy thereunder; or (3) The applicant fails to provide information requested by the OCC that is necessary for the OCC to make an informed decision. (c) Required information and abandonment of filing. A filing must contain information required by the applicable section set forth in this part. To the extent necessary to evaluate an application, the OCC may require an applicant to provide additional information. The OCC may deem a filing abandoned if information required or requested by the OCC in connection with the filing is not furnished within the time period specified by the OCC. The OCC may return an application without a decision if it finds the filing to be materially deficient. A filing is materially deficient if it lacks sufficient information for the OCC to make a determination under the applicable statutory or regulatory criteria. (d) Notification of final disposition. The OCC notifies the applicant, and any person who makes a written request, of the final disposition of a filing, including confirmation of an expedited review under this part. If the OCC denies a filing, the OCC notifies the applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial. (e) Publication of decision. The OCC will issue a public decision when a decision represents a new or changed policy or presents issues of general interest to the public or the banking industry. In rendering its decisions, the OCC may elect not to disclose information that the OCC deems to be private or confidential. (f) Appeal. An applicant may file an appeal of an OCC decision in writing with the Deputy Comptroller for Licensing or with the Ombudsman at the address listed on www.OCC.gov. In the event that the Deputy Comptroller for Licensing was the deciding official of the matter appealed, or was involved personally and substantially in the matter, the appeal may be referred instead to the Chief Counsel or the Ombudsman. (g) Extension of time. When the OCC approves or conditionally approves a filing, the OCC generally gives the applicant a specified period of time to commence that new or expanded activity. The OCC does not generally grant an extension of the time specified to commence a new or expanded VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 corporate activity approved under this part, unless the OCC determines that the delay is beyond the applicant’s control. (h) Nullifying a decision—(1) Material misrepresentation or omission. An applicant shall certify that any filing or supporting material submitted to the OCC contains no material misrepresentations or omissions. The OCC may review and verify any information filed in connection with a notice or an application. If the OCC discovers a material misrepresentation or omission after the OCC has rendered a decision on the filing, the OCC may nullify its decision. Any person responsible for any material misrepresentation or omission in a filing or supporting materials may be subject to enforcement action and other penalties, including criminal penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001. (2) Other nullifications. The OCC may nullify any decision on a filing that is: (i) Contrary to law, regulation, or OCC policy thereunder; or (ii) Granted due to clerical or administrative error, or a material mistake of law or fact. ■ 6. Section 5.20 is revised to read as follows: § 5.20 Organizing a national bank or Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 21, 22, 24(Seventh), 26, 27, 92a, 93a, 1814(b), 1816, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 2903, and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. Any person desiring to establish a national bank or a Federal savings association shall submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval. (c) Scope. This section describes the procedures and requirements governing OCC review and approval of an application to establish a national bank or a Federal stock or mutual savings association, including a national bank or a Federal savings association with a special purpose. Information regarding an application to establish an interim national bank or an interim Federal savings association solely to facilitate a business combination is set forth in § 5.33. (d) Definitions. For purposes of this section: (1) Bankers’ bank means a bank owned exclusively (except to the extent directors’ qualifying shares are required by law) by other depository institutions or depository institution holding companies (as that term is defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813), the activities of which are limited by its articles of association exclusively to providing services to or for other PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33329 depository institutions, their holding companies, and the officers, directors, and employees of such institutions and companies, and to providing correspondent banking services at the request of other depository institutions or their holding companies. (2) Control means with respect to an application to establish a national bank, control as used in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(2), and with respect to an application to establish a Federal savings association, control as used in section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1467a(a)(2). (3) Final approval means the OCC action issuing a charter and authorizing a national bank or Federal savings association to open for business. (4) Holding company means any company that controls or proposes to control a national bank or a Federal savings association whether or not the company is a bank holding company under section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(1), or a savings and loan holding company under section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1467a. (5) Lead depository institution means the largest depository institution controlled by a bank holding company or savings and loan holding company based on a comparison of the average total assets controlled by each depository institution as reported in its Consolidated Report of Condition and Income required to be filed for the immediately preceding four calendar quarters. (6) Institution means either a national bank or Federal savings association. (7) Organizing group means five or more persons acting on their own behalf, or serving as representatives of a sponsoring holding company, who apply to the OCC for a national bank or Federal savings association charter. (8) Preliminary approval means a decision by the OCC permitting an organizing group to go forward with the organization of the proposed national bank or Federal savings association. A preliminary approval generally is subject to certain conditions that an applicant must satisfy before the OCC will grant final approval. (e) Requirements—(1) General. (i) The OCC charters a national bank under the authority of the National Bank Act of 1864, as amended, 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq. The bank may be a special purpose bank that limits its activities to fiduciary activities or to any other activities within the business of banking. A special purpose bank that conducts activities other than fiduciary activities must conduct at least one of the E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33330 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules following three core banking functions: receiving deposits; paying checks; or lending money. The name of a proposed national bank must include the word ‘‘national.’’ (ii) The OCC charters a Federal savings association under the authority of section 5 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1464, which in an application to establish a Federal savings association requires the OCC to consider: (A) Whether the applicants are persons of good character and responsibility; (B) Whether a necessity exists for the association in the community to be served; (C) Whether there is a reasonable probability of the association’s usefulness and success; and (D) Whether the association can be established without undue injury to properly conducted existing local savings associations and home financing institutions. (iii) In determining whether to approve an application to establish a national bank or Federal savings association, the OCC verifies that the proposed national bank or Federal savings association has complied with the following requirements. A national bank or a Federal savings association shall: (A) File either articles of association (for a national bank), or a charter and by-laws (for a Federal savings association) with the OCC; (B) In the case of an application to establish a national bank, file an organization certificate containing specified information with the OCC; (C) Ensure that all capital stock is paid in, or in the case of a Federal mutual savings association, ensure that at least a minimum amount of capital is paid in; and (D) Have at least five elected directors. (2) Community Reinvestment Act. (i) Twelve CFR part 25 requires the OCC to take into account a proposed insured national bank’s description of how it will meet its CRA objectives. (ii) Twelve CFR part 195 requires the OCC to take into account a proposed insured Federal savings association description of how it will meet its CRA objectives. (3) Federal Deposit Insurance. Preliminary approval for an application to establish a Federal savings association will be conditioned on the savings association applying for and receiving approval for deposit insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Final approval for an application to establish a Federal savings association will not be issued VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 until receipt by the OCC of written confirmation by the FDIC that the accounts of the Federal savings association will be insured by the FDIC. (f) Policy—(1) General. In determining whether to approve an application to establish a national bank or Federal savings association, the OCC is guided by the following principles: (i) Maintaining a safe and sound banking system; (ii) Encouraging a national bank or Federal savings association to provide fair access to financial services by helping to meet the credit needs of its entire community; (iii) Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations; and (iv) Promoting fair treatment of customers including efficiency and better service. (2) Policy considerations. (i) In evaluating an application to establish a national bank or Federal savings association, the OCC considers whether the proposed institution: (A) Has organizers who are familiar with national banking laws and regulations or Federal savings association laws and regulations, respectively; (B) Has competent management, including a board of directors, with ability and experience relevant to the types of services to be provided; (C) Has capital that is sufficient to support the projected volume and type of business; (D) Can reasonably be expected to achieve and maintain profitability; (E) Will be operated in a safe and sound manner; and (F) Does not have a title that misrepresents the nature of the institution or the services it offers. (ii) In evaluating an application to establish a Federal savings association, the OCC considers whether the proposed Federal savings association will be operated as a qualified thrift lender under section 10(m) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m). (iii) The OCC may also consider additional factors listed in section 6 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1816, including the risk to the Federal deposit insurance fund, and whether the proposed institution’s corporate powers are consistent with the purposes of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the National Bank Act, and the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as applicable. (3) OCC evaluation. The OCC evaluates a proposed institution’s organizing group and its business plan or operating plan together. The OCC’s judgment concerning one may affect the evaluation of the other. An organizing PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 group and its business plan or operating plan must be stronger in markets where economic conditions are marginal or competition is intense. (g) Organizing group— (1) General. Strong organizing groups generally include diverse business and financial interests and community involvement. An organizing group must have the experience, competence, willingness, and ability to be active in directing the proposed institution’s affairs in a safe and sound manner. The institution’s initial board of directors generally is comprised of many, if not all, of the organizers. The business plan or operating plan and other information supplied in the application must demonstrate an organizing group’s collective ability to establish and operate a successful national bank or Federal savings association in the economic and competitive conditions of the market to be served. Each organizer should be knowledgeable about the business plan or operating plan. A poor business plan or operating plan reflects adversely on the organizing group’s ability, and the OCC generally denies applications with poor business plans or operating plans. (2) Management selection. The initial board of directors must select competent senior executive officers before the OCC grants final approval. Early selection of executive officers, especially the chief executive officer, contributes favorably to the preparation and review of a business plan or operating plan that is accurate, complete, and appropriate for the type of national bank or Federal savings association proposed and its market, and reflects favorably upon an application. As a condition of the charter approval, the OCC retains the right to object to and preclude the hiring of any officer, or the appointment or election of any director, for a two-year period from the date the institution commences business, or longer as appropriate. (3) Financial resources. (i) Each organizer must have a history of responsibility, personal honesty, and integrity. Personal wealth is not a prerequisite to become an organizer or director of a national bank or Federal savings association. However, directors’ stock purchases, or, in the case of a Federal mutual savings association, capital contributions, individually and in the aggregate, should reflect a financial commitment to the success of the institution that is reasonable in relation to their individual and collective financial strength. A director should not have to depend on institution dividends, fees, or other E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules compensation to satisfy financial obligations. (ii) Because directors are often the primary source of additional capital for an institution not affiliated with a holding company, it is desirable that the proposed directors of the national bank or Federal savings association, as a group, be able to supply or have a realistic plan to enable the institution to obtain capital when needed. (iii) Any financial or other business arrangement, direct or indirect, between the organizing group or other insiders and the proposed national bank or Federal savings association must be on nonpreferential terms. (4) Organizational expenses. (i) Organizers are expected to contribute time and expertise to the organization of the national bank or Federal savings association. Organizers should not bill excessive charges to the institution for professional and consulting services or unduly rely upon these fees as a source of income. (ii) A proposed national bank or Federal savings association shall not pay any fee that is contingent upon an OCC decision. Such action generally is grounds for denial of the application or withdrawal of preliminary approval. Organizational expenses for denied applications are the sole responsibility of the organizing group. (5) Sponsor’s experience and support. A sponsor must be financially able to support the new institution’s operations and to provide or locate capital when needed. The OCC primarily considers the financial and managerial resources of the sponsor and the sponsor’s record of performance, rather than the financial and managerial resources of the organizing group, if an organizing group is sponsored by: (i) An existing holding company; (ii) Individuals currently affiliated with other depository institutions; or (iii) Individuals who, in the OCC’s view, are otherwise collectively experienced in banking and have demonstrated the ability to work together effectively. (h) Business plan or Operating plan— (1) General. (i) Organizers of a proposed national bank or Federal savings association shall submit a business plan or operating plan that adequately addresses the statutory and policy considerations set forth in paragraphs (e) and (f)(2) of this section. In the case of a proposed Federal savings association the plan must also specifically address meeting qualified thrift lender requirements. The plan must reflect sound banking principles and demonstrate realistic assessments of risk in light of economic and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 competitive conditions in the market to be served. (ii) The OCC may offset deficiencies in one factor by strengths in one or more other factors. However, deficiencies in some factors, such as unrealistic earnings prospects, may have a negative influence on the evaluation of other factors, such as capital adequacy, or may be serious enough by themselves to result in denial. The OCC considers inadequacies in a business plan or operating plan to reflect negatively on the organizing group’s ability to operate a successful institution. (2) Earnings prospects. The organizing group shall submit pro forma balance sheets and income statements as part of the business plan or operating plan. The OCC reviews all projections for reasonableness of assumptions and consistency with the business plan or operating plan. (3) Management. (i) The organizing group shall include in the business plan or operating plan information sufficient to permit the OCC to evaluate the overall management ability of the organizing group. If the organizing group has limited banking experience or community involvement, the senior executive officers must be able to compensate for such deficiencies. (ii) The organizing group may not hire an officer or elect or appoint a director if the OCC objects to that person at any time prior to the date the institution commences business. (4) Capital. A proposed bank or Federal savings association must have sufficient initial capital, net of any organizational expenses that will be charged to the institution’s capital after it begins operations, to support the institution’s projected volume and type of business. (5) Community service. (i) The business plan or operating plan must indicate the organizing group’s knowledge of and plans for serving the community. The organizing group shall evaluate the banking needs of the community, including its consumer, business, nonprofit, and government sectors. The business plan or operating plan must demonstrate how the proposed national bank or Federal savings association responds to those needs consistent with the safe and sound operation of the institution. The provisions of this paragraph may not apply to an application to organize an institution for a special purpose. (ii) As part of its business plan or operating plan, the organizing group shall submit a statement that demonstrates its plans to achieve CRA objectives. PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33331 (iii) Because community support is important to the long-term success of a national bank or Federal savings association, the organizing group shall include plans for attracting and maintaining community support. (6) Safety and soundness. The business plan or operating plan must demonstrate that the organizing group (and the sponsoring company, if any), is aware of, and understands, applicable depository institution laws and regulations, and safe and sound banking operations and practices. The OCC will deny an application that does not meet these safety and soundness requirements. (7) Fiduciary services. The business plan or operating plan must indicate if the proposed institution intends to offer fiduciary services. The information required by § 5.26 shall be filed with the charter application. A separate application is not required. (i) Procedures—(1) Prefiling meeting. The OCC normally requires a prefiling meeting with the organizers of a proposed national bank or Federal savings association before the organizers file an application. Organizers should be familiar with the OCC’s chartering policy and procedural requirements in the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual before the prefiling meeting. The prefiling meeting normally is held in the district office where the application will be filed but may be held at another location at the request of the applicant. (2) Business plan or operating plan. An organizing group shall file a business plan or operating plan that addresses the subjects discussed in paragraph (h) of this section. (3) Contact person. The organizing group shall designate a contact person to represent the organizing group in all contacts with the OCC. The contact person shall be an organizer and proposed director of the new national bank or Federal savings association, except a representative of the sponsor or sponsors may serve as contact person if an application is sponsored by an existing holding company, individuals currently affiliated with other depository institutions, or individuals who, in the OCC’s view, are otherwise collectively experienced in banking and have demonstrated the ability to work together effectively. (4) Decision notification. The OCC notifies the spokesperson and other interested persons in writing of its decision on an application. (5) Activities. (i) Before the OCC grants final approval, a proposed national bank or Federal savings association must be established as a legal entity. A national bank becomes a E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33332 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules legal entity after it has filed its organization certificate and articles of association with the OCC as required by law. A Federal savings association becomes a legal entity after it has filed its proposed charter and bylaws with the OCC. A proposed national bank may offer and sell securities prior to OCC preliminary approval of the proposed national bank’s charter application, provided that the proposed national bank has filed articles of association, an organization certificate, and a completed charter application and the bank complies with paragraph (i)(5)(iii) of this section. A proposed Federal stock savings association may offer and sell securities prior to OCC preliminary approval of the proposed Federal stock savings association’s charter application, provided that the proposed Federal stock savings association has filed a proposed charter, bylaws, and a completed charter application and the Federal stock savings association complies with paragraph (i)(5)(iii) of this section. (ii) (A) After the OCC grants preliminary approval, the organizing group shall elect a board of directors, take steps necessary to organize the proposed national bank or Federal savings association and prepare it for commencing business. (B) A proposed national bank may not conduct the business of banking until the OCC grants final approval and issues a charter. A proposed Federal savings association may not commence business until the OCC grants final approval and issues a charter, which shall be in the form provided in this part. (iii) For all capital obtained through a public offering a proposed national bank or Federal savings association shall use an offering circular that complies with the OCC’s securities offering regulations, 12 CFR part 16 or part 197, as applicable. All securities of a particular class in the initial offering shall be sold at the same price. (iv) A national bank or Federal savings association in organization shall raise its capital before it commences business. Preliminary approval expires if the proposed national bank or Federal savings association does not raise the required capital within 12 months from the date the OCC grants preliminary approval. Preliminary approval expires if the proposed national bank or Federal savings association does not commence business within 18 months from the date of preliminary approval, unless the OCC grants an extension. If preliminary approval expires, all cash collected on subscriptions shall be returned. (j) Expedited review. An application to establish a full-service national bank VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 or Federal savings association that is sponsored by a bank holding company or savings and loan holding company whose lead depository institution is an eligible bank or eligible savings association is deemed preliminarily approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the public comment period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC, whichever is later, unless the OCC: (1) Notifies the applicant prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2); or (2) Notifies the applicant prior to that date that the OCC has determined that the proposed bank will offer banking services that are materially different than those offered by the lead depository institution. (k) National bankers’ banks—(1) Activities and customers. In addition to the other requirements of this section, when an organizing group seeks to organize a national bankers’ bank, the organizing group shall list in the application the anticipated activities and customers or clients of the proposed national bankers’ bank. (2) Waiver of requirements. At the organizing group’s request, the OCC may waive requirements that are applicable to national banks in general if those requirements are inappropriate for a national bankers’ bank and would impede its ability to provide desired services to its market. An applicant must submit a request for a waiver with the application and must support the request with adequate justification and legal analysis. A national bankers’ bank that is already in operation may also request a waiver. The OCC cannot waive statutory provisions that specifically apply to national bankers’ banks pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 27(b)(1). (3) Investments. A national bank or Federal savings association may invest up to ten percent of its capital and surplus in a bankers’ bank and may own five percent or less of any class of a bankers’ bank’s voting securities. (l) Special purpose institutions. An applicant for a national bank or Federal savings association charter that will limit its activities to fiduciary activities, credit card operations, or another special purpose shall adhere to established charter procedures with modifications appropriate for the circumstances as determined by the OCC. An applicant for a national bank or Federal savings association charter that will have a community development focus shall also adhere to established charter procedures with modifications appropriate for the PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 circumstances as determined by the OCC. A national bank that seeks to invest in a bank or savings association with a community development focus must comply with applicable requirements of 12 CFR part 24. A Federal savings association that seeks to invest in a bank or savings association with a community development focus must comply with § 160.36 or any other applicable requirements. ■ 7. Section 5.21 is added to read as follows: § 5.21 Federal Mutual Savings Association Charter and Bylaws. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, and 2901 et seq. (b) Licensing requirements. A Federal mutual savings association must file an application, notice, or other filing as prescribed by this section when adopting or amending its charter or bylaws. (c) Scope. This section describes the procedures and requirements governing charters and bylaws for Federal mutual savings associations. (d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, §§ 5.8 through 5.11 shall not apply to this section. (e) Charter form. Except as provided in paragraphs (f) and (g), a Federal mutual savings association shall have a charter in the following form. A charter for a Federal mutual savings bank shall substitute the term ‘‘savings bank’’ for ‘‘association.’’ The term ‘‘trustee’’ may be substituted for the term ‘‘director.’’ Associations adopting this charter with existing borrower members must grandfather those borrower members who were members as of the date of issuance of the new charter by the OCC. Such borrowers shall have one vote for the period of time such borrowings are in existence. Federal Mutual Charter Section 1. Corporate title. The full corporate title of the Federal savings association is _. Section 2. Office. The home office shall be located in _ [city, state]. Section 3. Duration. The duration of the association is perpetual. Section 4. Purpose and powers. The purpose of the association is to pursue any or all of the lawful objectives of a Federal mutual savings association chartered under section 5 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act and to exercise all the express, implied, and incidental powers conferred thereby and by all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States as they are E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules now in effect, or as they may hereafter be amended, and subject to all lawful and applicable rules, regulations, and orders of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (‘‘OCC’’). Section 5. Capital. The association may raise capital by accepting payments on savings and demand accounts and by any other means authorized by the OCC. Section 6. Members. All holders of the association’s savings, demand, or other authorized accounts are members of the association. In the consideration of all questions requiring action by the members of the association, each holder of an account shall be permitted to cast one vote for each $100, or fraction thereof, of the withdrawal value of the member’s account. No member, however, shall cast more than 1000 votes. All accounts shall be nonassessable. Section 7. Directors. The association shall be under the direction of a board of directors. The authorized number of directors shall not be fewer than five nor more than fifteen persons, as fixed in the association’s bylaws, except that the number of directors may be decreased to a number less than five or increased to a number greater than fifteen with the prior approval of the OCC. Section 8. Capital, surplus, and distribution of earnings. The association shall maintain for the purpose of meeting losses the amount of capital required by section 5 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act and by regulations of the OCC. The association shall distribute net earnings on its accounts on such basis and in accordance with such terms and conditions as may from time to time be authorized by the OCC: Provided, That the association may establish minimum-balance requirements for accounts to be eligible for distribution of earnings. All holders of accounts of the association shall be entitled to equal distribution of assets, pro rata to the value of their accounts, in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association. Moreover, in any such event, or in any other situation in which the priority of such accounts is in controversy, all such accounts shall, to the extent of their withdrawal value, be debts of the association having the same priority as the claims of general creditors of the association not having priority (other than any priority arising or resulting from consensual subordination) over other general creditors of the association. Section 9. Amendment of charter. Adoption of any preapproved charter amendment shall be effective after such preapproved amendment has been VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 approved by the members at a legal meeting. Any other amendment, addition, change, or repeal of this charter must be approved by the OCC prior to approval by the members at a legal meeting, and shall be effective upon filing with the OCC in accordance with regulatory procedures. Attest: lllllllllllllll Secretary of the Association By: llllllllllllllll President or Chief Executive Officer of the Association Attest: lllllllllllllll Deputy Comptroller for Licensing By: llllllllllllllll Comptroller of the Currency Effective Date: lllllllllll (f) Charter amendments. In order to adopt a charter amendment, a Federal mutual savings association must comply with the following requirements: (1) Board of directors approval. The board of directors of the association must adopt a resolution proposing the charter amendment that states the text of such amendment; (2) Form of filing—(i) Application requirement. If the proposed charter amendment would: render more difficult or discourage a merger, proxy contest, the assumption of control by a mutual account holder of the association, or the removal of incumbent management; or involve a significant issue of law or policy; then, the association shall file the proposed amendment and obtain the prior approval of the OCC. (ii) Notice requirement. If the proposed charter amendment does not involve a provision that would be covered by paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section and is permissible under all applicable laws, rules and regulations, then the association shall submit the proposed amendment to the appropriate OCC licensing office, at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the proposed charter amendment. (g) Approval. Any charter amendment filed pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section shall automatically be approved 30 days from the date of filing of such amendment, provided that the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting such amendment. This automatic approval does not apply if, prior to the expiration of such 30-day period, the OCC notifies the association that such amendment is rejected or that such amendment is deemed to be filed under the provisions of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section. In addition, notwithstanding anything in paragraph (f) of this section to the contrary, the following charter amendments, PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33333 including the adoption of the Federal mutual charter as set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, shall be effective and deemed approved at the time of adoption, if adopted without change and filed with the OCC, within 30 days after adoption, provided the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting such amendments: (1) Purpose and powers. Add a second paragraph to section 4, as follows: Section 4. Purpose and powers. * * * The association shall have the express power: (i) To act as fiscal agent of the United States when designated for that purpose by the Secretary of the Treasury, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, to perform all such reasonable duties as fiscal agent of the United States as may be required, and to act as agent for any other instrumentality of the United States when designated for that purpose by any such instrumentality; (ii) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any court of law or equity; (iii) To have a corporate seal, affixed by imprint, facsimile or otherwise; (iv) To appoint officers and agents as its business shall require and allow them suitable compensation; (v) To adopt bylaws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States and rules and regulations adopted thereunder and under this Charter; (vi) To raise capital, which shall be unlimited, by accepting payments on savings, demand, or other accounts, as are authorized by rules and regulations made by the OCC, and the holders of all such accounts or other accounts as shall, to such extent as may be provided by such rules and regulations, be members of the association and shall have such voting rights and such other rights as are thereby provided; (vii) To issue notes, bonds, debentures, or other obligations, or securities, provided by or under any provision of Federal statute as from time to time is in effect; (viii) To provide for redemption of insured accounts; (ix) To borrow money without limitation and pledge and otherwise encumber any of its assets to secure its debts; (x) To lend and otherwise invest its funds as authorized by statute and the rules and regulations of the OCC; (xi) To wind up and dissolve, merge, consolidate, convert, or reorganize; (xii) To purchase, hold, and convey real estate and personalty consistent with its objects, purposes, and powers; (xiii) To mortgage or lease any real estate and personalty and take such property by gift, devise, or bequest; and (xiv) To exercise all powers conferred by law. In addition to the foregoing powers expressly enumerated, this association shall have power to do all things E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33334 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules reasonably incident to the accomplishment of its express objects and the performance of its express powers. (2) Title change. A Federal mutual savings association that has complied with § 5.42 of this chapter may amend its charter by substituting a new corporate title in section 1. (3) Home office. A Federal mutual savings association may amend its charter by substituting a new home office in section 2, if it has complied with applicable requirements of § 5.40 of this chapter. (4) Maximum number of votes. A Federal mutual savings association may amend its charter by substituting any number of votes per member between 1 and 1000 in section 6. (h) Reissuance of charter. A Federal mutual savings association that has amended its charter may apply to have its charter, including the amendments, reissued by the OCC. Such request for reissuance should be filed at the appropriate OCC licensing office and contain signatures required under paragraph (e) of this section, together with such supporting documents as may be needed to demonstrate that the amendments were properly adopted. (i) Availability of chartering documents. A Federal mutual savings association shall cause a true copy of its charter and bylaws and all amendments thereto to be available to accountholders at all times in each office of the savings association, and shall upon request deliver to any accountholders a copy of such charter and bylaws or amendments thereto. (j) Bylaws for Federal mutual savings associations—A Federal mutual savings association shall operate under bylaws that contain provisions that comply with all requirements specified by the OCC in this paragraph and that are not otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph, the association’s charter, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations provided that, a bylaw provision inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph may be adopted with the approval of the OCC. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by a majority of the votes cast by the members at a legal meeting or a majority of the association’s board of directors. The bylaws for a Federal mutual savings bank shall substitute the term ‘‘savings bank’’ for ‘‘association’’. The term ‘‘trustee’’ may be substituted for the term ‘‘director’’. (1) The following requirements are applicable to Federal mutual savings associations: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (i) Annual meetings of members. (A) An association shall provide for and conduct an annual meeting of its members for the election of directors and at which any other business of the association may be conducted. Such meeting shall be held at any convenient place the board of directors may designate, and at a date and time within 150 days after the end of the association’s fiscal year. (B) At each annual meeting, the officers shall make a full report of the financial condition of the association and of its progress for the preceding year and shall outline a program for the succeeding year. (ii) Special meetings of members. Procedures for calling any special meeting of the members and for conducting such a meeting shall be set forth in the bylaws. The board of directors of the association or the holders of 10 percent or more of the voting capital shall be entitled to call a special meeting. For purposes of this paragraph, ‘‘voting capital’’ means FDIC-insured deposits as of the voting record date. (iii) Notice of meeting of members. Notice specifying the date, time, and place of the annual or any special meeting and adequately describing any business to be conducted shall be published for two successive weeks immediately prior to the week in which such meeting shall convene in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or county in which the principal place of business of the association is located, or mailed postage prepaid at least 15 days and not more than 45 days prior to the date on which such meeting shall convene to each of its members of record. A similar notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place in each of the offices of the association during the 14 days immediately preceding the date on which such meeting shall convene. The bylaws may permit a member to waive in writing any right to receive personal delivery of the notice. When any meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjournment and reconvening of the meeting shall be given as in the case of the original meeting. (iv) Fixing of record date. The bylaws shall provide for the fixing of a record date and a method for determining from the books of the association the members entitled to vote. Such date shall be not more than 60 days nor fewer than 10 days prior to the date on which the action, requiring such determination of members, is to be taken. The same determination shall apply to any adjourned meeting. PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (v) Member quorum. Any number of members present and voting, represented in person or by proxy, at a regular or special meeting of the members shall constitute a quorum. A majority of all votes cast at any meeting of the members shall determine any question, unless otherwise required by regulation. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. Members present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment. (vi) Voting by proxy. Procedures shall be established for voting at any annual or special meeting of the members by proxy pursuant to the rules and regulations of the OCC. Proxies may be given telephonically or electronically as long as the holder uses a procedure for verifying the identity of the member. All proxies with a term greater than eleven months or solicited at the expense of the association must run to the board of directors as a whole, or to a committee appointed by a majority of such board. (vii) Communications between members. Provisions relating to communications between members shall be consistent with § 144.8 of this part. No member, however, shall have the right to inspect or copy any portion of any books or records of a Federal mutual savings association containing: (A) A list of depositors in or borrowers from such association; (B) Their addresses; (C) Individual deposit or loan balances or records; or (D) Any data from which such information could be reasonably constructed. (viii) Number of directors, membership. The bylaws shall set forth a specific number of directors, not a range. The number of directors shall be not fewer than five nor more than fifteen, unless a higher or lower number has been authorized by the OCC. Each director of the association shall be a member of the association. Directors may be elected for periods of one to three years and until their successors are elected and qualified, but if a staggered board is chosen, provision shall be made for the election of approximately one-third or one-half of the board each year, as appropriate. State-chartered savings banks converting to Federal savings banks may include alternative provisions for the election and term of office of directors so long as such provisions are authorized by the OCC, and provide for compliance with the standard provisions of this paragraph no later E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules than six years after the conversion to a Federal savings association. (ix) Meetings of the board. The board of directors shall determine the place, frequency, time, procedure for notice, which shall be at least 24 hours unless waived by the directors, and waiver of notice for all regular and special meetings. The board also may permit telephonic participation at meetings. The bylaws may provide for action to be taken without a meeting if unanimous written consent is obtained for such action. A majority of the authorized directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board. (x) Officers, employees and agents. (A) The bylaws shall contain provisions regarding the officers of the association, their functions, duties, and powers. The officers of the association shall consist of a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer or comptroller, each of whom shall be elected annually by the board of directors. Such other officers and assistant officers and agents as may be deemed necessary may be elected or appointed by the board of directors or chosen in such other manner as may be prescribed in the bylaws. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary. (B) Any officer may be removed by the board of directors with or without cause, but such removal, other than for cause, shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed. Termination for cause, for purposes of this § 5.21 and § 5.22, shall include termination because of the person’s personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease and desist order, or material breach of any provision of an employment contract. (xi) Vacancies, resignation or removal of directors. In the event of a vacancy on the board, the board of directors may, by their affirmative vote, fill such vacancy, even if the remaining directors constitute less than a quorum. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected to serve only until the next election of directors by the members. The bylaws shall set out the procedure for the resignation of a director. Directors may be removed only for cause, as defined in § 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B), by a vote of the holders of a majority of the VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. (xii) Powers of the board. The board of directors shall have the power to exercise any and all of the powers of the association not expressly reserved by the charter to the members. (xiii) Nominations for directors. The bylaws shall provide that nominations for directors may be made at the annual meeting by any member and shall be voted upon, except, however, the bylaws may require that nominations by a member must be submitted to the secretary and then prominently posted in the principal place of business, at least 10 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. However, if such provision is made for prior submission of nominations by a member, then the bylaws must provide for a nominating committee, which, except in the case of a nominee substituted as a result of death or other incapacity, must submit nominations to the secretary and have such nominations similarly posted at least 15 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. (xiv) New business. The bylaws shall provide procedures for the introduction of new business at the annual meeting. (xv) Amendment. Bylaws may include any provision for their amendment that would be consistent with applicable law, rules, and regulations and adequately addresses its subject and purpose. (A) Amendments shall be effective: (1) After approval by a majority vote of the authorized board, or by a majority of the vote cast by the members of the association at a legal meeting; and (2) After receipt of any applicable regulatory approval. (B) When an association fails to meet its quorum requirement, solely due to vacancies on the board, the bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of a majority of the sitting board. (xvi) Miscellaneous. The bylaws may also address any other subjects necessary or appropriate for effective operation of the association. (2) Form of filing—(i) Application requirement. (A) Any bylaw amendment shall be submitted to the appropriate OCC licensing office for OCC approval if it would render more difficult or discourage a merger, proxy contest, the assumption of control by a mutual account holder of the association, or the removal of incumbent management; involve a significant issue of law or policy, including indemnification, conflicts of interest, and limitations on director or officer liability; or be inconsistent with the requirements of this paragraph or with applicable laws, PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33335 rules, regulations, or the association’s charter. (B) For purposes of paragraph (j)(2), bylaw provisions that adopt the language of the OCC’s model or optional bylaws, if adopted without change, and filed with the OCC within 30 days after adoption, are effective upon adoption. (ii) Filing requirement. If the proposed bylaw amendment does not involve a provision that would be covered by paragraph (j)(2)(i)(A) of this section, then the association shall submit the amendment to the appropriate OCC licensing office at least 30 days prior to the date the bylaw amendment is to be adopted by the association. (iii) Corporate governance procedures. A Federal mutual association may elect to follow the corporate governance procedures of the laws of the state where the main office of the institution is located, provided that such procedures may be elected only to the extent not inconsistent with applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and safety and soundness, and such procedures are not of the type described in paragraph (j)(2)(i)(A) of this section. If this election is selected, a Federal mutual association shall designate in its bylaws the provision or provisions from the body of law selected for its corporate governance procedures, and shall file a copy of such bylaws, which are effective upon adoption, within 30 days after adoption. The submission shall indicate, where not obvious, why the bylaw provisions meet the requirements stated in paragraph (j)(2)(i)(A) of this section. (3) Effectiveness. Any bylaw amendment filed pursuant to paragraph (j)(2)(ii) of this section shall automatically be effective 30 days from the date of filing of such amendment, provided that the association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in adopting such amendment. This automatic effective date does not apply if, prior to the expiration of such 30-day period, the OCC notifies the association that such amendment is rejected or that such amendment requires an application to be filed pursuant to paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section. (4) Effect of subsequent charter or bylaw change. Notwithstanding any subsequent change to its charter or bylaws, the authority of a Federal mutual savings association to engage in any transaction shall be determined only by the association’s charter or bylaws then in effect. ■ 8. Section 5.22 is added to read as follows: E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33336 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules § 5.22 Federal stock savings association charter and bylaws. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, and 2901 et seq. (b) Licensing requirements. A Federal stock savings association must file an application, notice, or other filing as prescribed by this section when adopting or amending its charter or bylaws. (c) Scope. This section describes the procedures and requirements governing charters and bylaws for Federal stock savings associations. (d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, §§ 5.8 through 5.11 shall not apply to this section. (e) Charter form. The charter of a Federal stock association shall be in the following form, except as provided in this section. An association that has converted from the mutual form pursuant to part 192 of this chapter shall include in its charter a section establishing a liquidation account as required by § 192.3(c)(13) of this chapter. A charter for a Federal stock savings bank shall substitute the term ‘‘savings bank’’ for ‘‘association.’’ Charters may also include any preapproved optional provision contained in this section. Federal Stock Charter Section 1. Corporate title. The full corporate title of the association is ___. Section 2. Office. The home office shall be located in ___ [city, state]. Section 3. Duration. The duration of the association is perpetual. Section 4. Purpose and powers. The purpose of the association is to pursue any or all of the lawful objectives of a Federal savings association chartered under section 5 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act and to exercise all of the express, implied, and incidental powers conferred thereby and by all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States as they are now in effect, or as they may hereafter be amended, and subject to all lawful and applicable rules, regulations, and orders of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (‘‘OCC’’). Section 5. Capital stock. The total number of shares of all classes of the capital stock that the association has the authority to issue is ___, all of which shall be common stock of par [or if no par is specified then shares shall have a stated] value of ___ per share. The shares may be issued from time to time as authorized by the board of directors without the approval of its shareholders, VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 except as otherwise provided in this Section 5 or to the extent that such approval is required by governing law, rule, or regulation. The consideration for the issuance of the shares shall be paid in full before their issuance and shall not be less than the par [or stated] value. Neither promissory notes nor future services shall constitute payment or part payment for the issuance of shares of the association. The consideration for the shares shall be cash, tangible or intangible property (to the extent direct investment in such property would be permitted to the association), labor, or services actually performed for the association, or any combination of the foregoing. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the value of such property, labor, or services, as determined by the board of directors of the association, shall be conclusive. Upon payment of such consideration, such shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable. In the case of a stock dividend, that part of the retained earnings of the association that is transferred to common stock or paid-in capital accounts upon the issuance of shares as a stock dividend shall be deemed to be the consideration for their issuance. Except for shares issued in the initial organization of the association or in connection with the conversion of the association from the mutual to stock form of capitalization, no shares of capital stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of other securities) shall be issued, directly or indirectly, to officers, directors, or controlling persons of the association other than as part of a general public offering or as qualifying shares to a director, unless the issuance or the plan under which they would be issued has been approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at a legal meeting. The holders of the common stock shall exclusively possess all voting power. Each holder of shares of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by such holder, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election of directors, unless the charter provides that there shall be no such cumulative voting. Subject to any provision for a liquidation account, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association, the holders of the common stock shall be entitled, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of the association, to receive the remaining assets of the association available for distribution, in cash or in kind. Each share of common stock shall PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of common stock. Section 6. Preemptive rights. Holders of the capital stock of the association shall not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares of the association which may be issued. Section 7. Directors. The association shall be under the direction of a board of directors. The authorized number of directors, as stated in the association’s bylaws, shall not be fewer than five nor more than fifteen except when a greater or lesser number is approved by the OCC. Section 8. Amendment of charter. Except as provided in Section 5, no amendment, addition, alteration, change or repeal of this charter shall be made, unless such is proposed by the board of directors of the association, approved by the shareholders by a majority of the votes eligible to be cast at a legal meeting, unless a higher vote is otherwise required, and approved or preapproved by the OCC. Attest: lllllllllllllll Secretary of the Association By: llllllllllllllll President or Chief Executive Officer of the Association Attest: lllllllllllllll Deputy Comptroller for Licensing By: llllllllllllllll Comptroller of the Currency Effective Date: lllllllllll (f) Charter amendments. In order to adopt a charter amendment, a Federal stock savings association must comply with the following requirements: (1) Board of directors approval. The board of directors of the association must adopt a resolution proposing the charter amendment that states the text of such amendment; (2) Form of filing—(i) Application requirement. If the proposed charter amendment would render more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a block of the association’s stock, the removal of incumbent management, or involve a significant issue of law or policy, the association shall file the proposed amendment and shall obtain the prior approval of the OCC; and (ii) Notice requirement. If the proposed charter amendment does not involve a provision that would be covered by paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section and such amendment is permissible under all applicable laws, rules or regulations, then the association shall submit the proposed amendments to the appropriate OCC licensing office, E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules at least 30 days prior to the date the proposed charter amendment is to be mailed for consideration by the association’s shareholders. (g) Approval. Any charter amendment filed pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section shall automatically be approved 30 days from the date of filing of such amendment, provided that the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting such amendment, unless prior to the expiration of such 30-day period the OCC notifies the association that such amendment is rejected or that such amendment is deemed to be filed under the provisions of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section. In addition, the following charter amendments, including the adoption of the Federal stock charter as set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, shall be approved at the time of adoption, if adopted without change and filed with the OCC within 30 days after adoption, provided the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting such amendments: (1) Title change. A Federal stock association that has complied with § 5.42 of this chapter may amend its charter by substituting a new corporate title in section 1. (2) Home office. A Federal savings association may amend its charter by substituting a new home office in section 2, if it has complied with applicable requirements of § 5.40 of this chapter. (3) Number of shares of stock and par value. A Federal stock association may amend Section 5 of its charter to change the number of authorized shares of stock, the number of shares within each class of stock, and the par or stated value of such shares. (4) Capital stock. A Federal stock association may amend its charter by revising Section 5 to read as follows: Section 5. Capital stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the association has the authority to issue is l, of which l shall be common stock of par [or if no par value is specified the stated] value of l per share and of which [list the number of each class of preferred and the par or if no par value is specified the stated value per share of each such class]. The shares may be issued from time to time as authorized by the board of directors without further approval of shareholders, except as otherwise provided in this Section 5 or to the extent that such approval is required by governing law, rule, or regulation. The consideration for the issuance of the shares shall be paid in full before their issuance and shall not be less than the par [or stated] value. Neither promissory VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 notes nor future services shall constitute payment or part payment for the issuance of shares of the association. The consideration for the shares shall be cash, tangible or intangible property (to the extent direct investment in such property would be permitted), labor, or services actually performed for the association, or any combination of the foregoing. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the value of such property, labor, or services, as determined by the board of directors of the association, shall be conclusive. Upon payment of such consideration, such shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable. In the case of a stock dividend, that part of the retained earnings of the association that is transferred to common stock or paidin capital accounts upon the issuance of shares as a stock dividend shall be deemed to be the consideration for their issuance. Except for shares issued in the initial organization of the association or in connection with the conversion of the association from the mutual to the stock form of capitalization, no shares of capital stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of other securities) shall be issued, directly or indirectly, to officers, directors, or controlling persons of the association other than as part of a general public offering or as qualifying shares to a director, unless their issuance or the plan under which they would be issued has been approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at a legal meeting. Nothing contained in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections hereto) shall entitle the holders of any class of a series of capital stock to vote as a separate class or series or to more than one vote per share, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election of directors, unless the charter otherwise provides that there shall be no such cumulative voting: Provided, That this restriction on voting separately by class or series shall not apply: i. To any provision which would authorize the holders of preferred stock, voting as a class or series, to elect some members of the board of directors, less than a majority thereof, in the event of default in the payment of dividends on any class or series of preferred stock; ii. To any provision that would require the holders of preferred stock, voting as a class or series, to approve the merger or consolidation of the association with another corporation or the sale, lease, or conveyance (other than by mortgage or pledge) of properties or business in exchange for securities of a corporation other than the PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33337 association if the preferred stock is exchanged for securities of such other corporation: Provided, That no provision may require such approval for transactions undertaken with the assistance or pursuant to the direction of the OCC or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; iii. To any amendment which would adversely change the specific terms of any class or series of capital stock as set forth in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections hereto), including any amendment which would create or enlarge any class or series ranking prior thereto in rights and preferences. An amendment which increases the number of authorized shares of any class or series of capital stock, or substitutes the surviving association in a merger or consolidation for the association, shall not be considered to be such an adverse change. A description of the different classes and series (if any) of the association’s capital stock and a statement of the designations, and the relative rights, preferences, and limitations of the shares of each class of and series (if any) of capital stock are as follows: A. Common stock. Except as provided in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections thereto) the holders of the common stock shall exclusively possess all voting power. Each holder of shares of the common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by each holder, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election of directors, unless the charter otherwise provides that there shall be no such cumulative voting. Whenever there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside for payment, to the holders of the outstanding shares of any class of stock having preference over the common stock as to the payment of dividends, the full amount of dividends and of sinking fund, retirement fund, or other retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in preference to the common stock, then dividends may be paid on the common stock and on any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith as to dividends out of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association, the holders of the common stock (and the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to participate with the common stock in the distribution of assets) shall be entitled to receive, in cash or in kind, the assets of the association available for distribution remaining after: (i) Payment E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33338 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules or provision for payment of the association’s debts and liabilities; (ii) distributions or provision for distributions in settlement of its liquidation account; and (iii) distributions or provision for distributions to holders of any class or series of stock having preference over the common stock in the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association. Each share of common stock shall have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of common stock. B. Preferred stock. The association may provide in supplementary sections to its charter for one or more classes of preferred stock, which shall be separately identified. The shares of any class may be divided into and issued in series, with each series separately designated so as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series and classes. The terms of each series shall be set forth in a supplementary section to the charter. All shares of the same class shall be identical except as to the following relative rights and preferences, as to which there may be variations between different series: a. The distinctive serial designation and the number of shares constituting such series; b. The dividend rate or the amount of dividends to be paid on the shares of such series, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from which date(s), the payment date(s) for dividends, and the participating or other special rights, if any, with respect to dividends; c. The voting powers, full or limited, if any, of shares of such series; d. Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable and, if so, the price(s) at which, and the terms and conditions on which, such shares may be redeemed; e. The amount(s) payable upon the shares of such series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association; f. Whether the shares of such series shall be entitled to the benefit of a sinking or retirement fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares, and if so entitled, the amount of such fund and the manner of its application, including the price(s) at which such shares may be redeemed or purchased through the application of such fund; g. Whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock of the association and, if so, the conversion VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 price(s) or the rate(s) of exchange, and the adjustments thereof, if any, at which such conversion or exchange may be made, and any other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange. h. The price or other consideration for which the shares of such series shall be issued; and i. Whether the shares of such series which are redeemed or converted shall have the status of authorized but unissued shares of serial preferred stock and whether such shares may be reissued as shares of the same or any other series of serial preferred stock. Each share of each series of serial preferred stock shall have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of the same series. The board of directors shall have authority to divide, by the adoption of supplementary charter sections, any authorized class of preferred stock into series, and, within the limitations set forth in this section and the remainder of this charter, fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series so established. Prior to the issuance of any preferred shares of a series established by a supplementary charter section adopted by the board of directors, the association shall file with the OCC a dated copy of that supplementary section of this charter established and designating the series and fixing and determining the relative rights and preferences thereof. (5) Limitations on subsequent issuances. A Federal stock association may amend its charter to require shareholder approval of the issuance or reservation of common stock or securities convertible into common stock under circumstances which would require shareholder approval under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange if the shares were then listed on the New York Stock Exchange. (6) Cumulative voting. A Federal stock association may amend its charter by substituting the following sentence for the second sentence in the third paragraph of Section 5: ‘‘Each holder of shares of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by such holder and there shall be no right to cumulate votes in an election of directors.’’ (7) Anti-takeover provisions following mutual to stock conversion. Notwithstanding the law of the state in which the association is located, a Federal stock association may amend its charter by renumbering existing sections as appropriate and adding a new section 8 as follows: PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Section 8. Certain Provisions Applicable for Five Years. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Association’s charter or bylaws to the contrary, for a period of [specify number of years up to five] years from the date of completion of the conversion of the Association from mutual to stock form, the following provisions shall apply: A. Beneficial Ownership Limitation. No person shall directly or indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10 percent of any class of an equity security of the association. This limitation shall not apply to a transaction in which the association forms a holding company without change in the respective beneficial ownership interests of its stockholders other than pursuant to the exercise of any dissenter and appraisal rights, the purchase of shares by underwriters in connection with a public offering, or the purchase of less than 25 percent of a class of stock by a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan as defined in § 192.25 of the OCC’s regulations. In the event shares are acquired in violation of this section 8, all shares beneficially owned by any person in excess of 10% shall be considered ‘‘excess shares’’ and shall not be counted as shares entitled to vote and shall not be voted by any person or counted as voting shares in connection with any matters submitted to the stockholders for a vote. For purposes of this section 8, the following definitions apply: 1. The term ‘‘person’’ includes an individual, a group acting in concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of the equity securities of the association. 2. The term ‘‘offer’’ includes every offer to buy or otherwise acquire, solicitation of an offer to sell, tender offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, a security or interest in a security for value. 3. The term ‘‘acquire’’ includes every type of acquisition, whether effected by purchase, exchange, operation of law or otherwise. 4. The term ‘‘acting in concert’’ means (a) knowing participation in a joint activity or conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, or (b) a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules relationship, agreement or other arrangements, whether written or otherwise. B. Cumulative Voting Limitation. Stockholders shall not be permitted to cumulate their votes for election of directors. C. Call for Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders relating to changes in control of the association or amendments to its charter shall be called only upon direction of the board of directors. (h) Anti-takeover provisions. The OCC may grant approval to a charter amendment not listed in paragraph (g) of this section regarding the acquisition by any person or persons of its equity securities provided that the association shall file as part of its application for approval an opinion, acceptable to the OCC, of counsel independent from the association that the proposed charter provision would be permitted to be adopted by a corporation chartered by the state in which the principal office of the association is located. Any such provision must be consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, and OCC policies. Further, any such provision that would have the effect of rendering more difficult a change in control of the association and would require for any corporate action (other than the removal of directors) the affirmative vote of a larger percentage of shareholders than is required by this part, shall not be effective unless adopted by a percentage of shareholder vote at least equal to the highest percentage that would be required to take any action under such provision. (i) Reissuance of charter. A Federal stock association that has amended its charter may apply to have its charter, including the amendments, reissued by the OCC. Such requests for reissuance should be filed with the appropriate OCC licensing office, and contain signatures required under (c) of this part, together with such supporting documents as needed to demonstrate that the amendments were properly adopted. (j) Bylaws for Federal stock savings associations—(1) General. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by either a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders at a legal meeting or a majority of the board of directors. A bylaw provision inconsistent with paragraph (k), (l), (m) or (n), of this section may be adopted only with the approval of the OCC. (2) Form of Filing—(i) Application requirement. (A) Any bylaw amendment shall be submitted to the OCC for approval if it would: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (1) Render more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the association’s stock, or the removal of incumbent management; or (2) Be inconsistent with paragraphs (k) through (n) of this section, with applicable laws, rules, regulations or the association’s charter or involve a significant issue of law or policy, including indemnification, conflicts of interest, and limitations on director or officer liability. (B) Bylaw provisions that adopt the language of the OCC’s model or optional bylaws, if adopted without change, and filed with the OCC within 30 days after adoption, are effective upon adoption. (ii) Filing requirement. If the proposed bylaw amendment does not involve a provision that would be covered by paragraph (j)(2)(i) or (iii) of this section and is permissible under all applicable laws, rules, or regulations, then the association shall submit the amendment to the OCC at least 30 days prior to the date the bylaw amendment is to be adopted by the association. (iii) Corporate governance procedures. A Federal stock association may elect to follow the corporate governance procedures of: The laws of the state where the main office of the association is located; the laws of the state where the association’s holding company, if any, is incorporated or chartered; Delaware General Corporation law; or The Model Business Corporation Act, provided that such procedures may be elected to the extent not inconsistent with applicable Federal statutes and regulations and safety and soundness, and such procedures are not of the type described in paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section. If this election is selected, a Federal stock association shall designate in its bylaws the provision or provisions from the body or bodies of law selected for its corporate governance procedures, and shall file a copy of such bylaws, which are effective upon adoption, within 30 days after adoption. The submission shall indicate, where not obvious, why the bylaw provisions meet the requirements stated in paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section. (3) Effectiveness. Any bylaw amendment filed pursuant to paragraph (j)(2)(ii) of this section shall automatically be effective 30 days from the date of filing of such amendment, provided that the association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in adopting such amendment, unless prior to the expiration of such 30-day period the OCC notifies the association that such amendment is PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33339 rejected or that such amendment requires an application to be filed pursuant to paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section. (4) Effect of subsequent charter or bylaw change. Notwithstanding any subsequent change to its charter or bylaws, the authority of a Federal savings association to engage in any transaction shall be determined only by the association’s charter or bylaws then in effect. (k) Shareholders of Federal stock savings associations.—(1) Shareholder meetings. A meeting of the shareholders of the association for the election of directors and for the transaction of any other business of the association shall be held annually within 150 days after the end of the association’s fiscal year. Unless otherwise provided in the association’s charter, special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or on the request of the holders of 10 percent or more of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting, or by such other persons as may be specified in the bylaws of the association. All annual and special meetings of shareholders shall be held at any convenient place the board of directors may designate. (2) Notice of shareholder meetings. Written notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not fewer than 20 nor more than 50 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the chairman of the board, the president, the secretary, or the directors, or other persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the mail, addressed to the shareholder at the address appearing on the stock transfer books or records of the association as of the record date prescribed in paragraph (i)(3) of this section, with postage thereon prepaid. When any shareholders’ meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Notwithstanding anything in this section, however, a Federal stock association that is wholly owned shall not be subject to the shareholder notice requirement. (3) Fixing of record date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33340 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the board of directors shall fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of shareholders. Such date in any case shall be not more than 60 days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days prior to the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders, is to be taken. When a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof. (4) Voting lists. (i) At least 20 days before each meeting of the shareholders, the officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for the shares of the association shall make a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting, or any adjournments thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address and the number of shares held by each. This list of shareholders shall be kept on file at the home office of the association and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder of record or the stockholder’s agent during the entire time of the meeting. The original stock transfer book shall constitute prima facie evidence of the stockholders entitled to examine such list or transfer books or to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding anything in this section, however, a Federal stock association that is wholly owned shall not be subject to the voting list requirements. (ii) In lieu of making the shareholders list available for inspection by any shareholders as provided in paragraph (j)(4)(i) of this section, the board of directors may perform such acts as required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 14a–7 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.14a– 7) as may be duly requested in writing, with respect to any matter which may be properly considered at a meeting of shareholders, by any shareholder who is entitled to vote on such matter and who shall defray the reasonable expenses to be incurred by the association in performance of the act or acts required. (5) Shareholder quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the association entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum. If a quorum is present, the VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders, unless the vote of a greater number of stockholders voting together or voting by classes is required by law or the charter. Directors, however, are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an election of directors. (6) Shareholder voting—(i) Proxies. Unless otherwise provided in the association’s charter, at all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote in person or by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by a duly authorized attorney in fact. Proxies may be given telephonically or electronically as long as the holder uses a procedure for verifying the identity of the shareholder. Proxies solicited on behalf of the management shall be voted as directed by the shareholder or, in the absence of such direction, as determined by a majority of the board of directors. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months from the date of its execution except for a proxy coupled with an interest. (ii) Shares controlled by association. Neither treasury shares of its own stock held by the association nor shares held by another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors of such other corporation are held by the association, shall be voted at any meeting or counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time for purposes of any meeting. (7) Nominations and new business submitted by shareholders. Nominations for directors and new business submitted by shareholders shall be voted upon at the annual meeting if such nominations or new business are submitted in writing and delivered to the secretary of the association at least five days prior to the date of the annual meeting. Ballots bearing the names of all the persons nominated shall be provided for use at the annual meeting. (8) Informal action by stockholders. If the bylaws of the association so provide, any action required to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders, or any other action that may be taken at a meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing has been given by all the stockholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter. (l) Board of directors. (1) General powers and duties. The business and affairs of the association shall be under the direction of its board of directors. The board of directors shall annually elect a chairman of the board from among its members and shall designate PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the chairman of the board, when present, to preside at its meeting. Directors need not be stockholders unless the bylaws so require. (2) Number and term. The bylaws shall set forth a specific number of directors, not a range. The number of directors shall be not fewer than five nor more than fifteen, unless a higher or lower number has been authorized by the OTS, prior to July 21, 2011 or the OCC. Directors shall be elected for a term of one to three years and until their successors are elected and qualified. If a staggered board is chosen, the directors shall be divided into two or three classes as nearly equal in number as possible and one class shall be elected by ballot annually. (3) Regular meetings. The board of directors shall determine the place, frequency, time and procedure for notice of regular meetings. (4) Quorum. A majority of the number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board of directors. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, unless a greater number is prescribed by regulation of the OCC. (5) Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors although less than a quorum of the board of directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected to serve only until the next election of directors by the shareholders. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by election by the board of directors for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the shareholders. (6) Removal or resignation of directors. (i) At a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose, any director may be removed only for cause, as termination for cause is defined in § 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B), by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Associations may provide for procedures regarding resignations in the bylaws. (ii) If less than the entire board is to be removed, no one of the directors may be removed if the votes cast against the removal would be sufficient to elect a director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the class of directors of which such director is a part. (iii) Whenever the holders of the shares of any class are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the charter or supplemental sections E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules thereto, the provisions of this section shall apply, in respect to the removal of a director or directors so elected, to the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole. (7) Executive and other committees. The board of directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the full board, may designate from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees. No committee shall have the authority of the board of directors with reference to: The declaration of dividends; the amendment of the charter or bylaws of the association; recommending to the stockholders a plan of merger, consolidation, or conversion; the sale, lease, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property and assets of the association otherwise than in the usual and regular course of its business; a voluntary dissolution of the association; a revocation of any of the foregoing; or the approval of a transaction in which any member of the executive committee, directly or indirectly, has any material beneficial interest. The designation of any committee and the delegation of authority thereto shall not operate to relieve the board of directors, or any director, of any responsibility imposed by law or regulation. (8) Notice of special meetings. Written notice of at least 24 hours regarding any special meeting of the board of directors or of any committee designated thereby shall be given to each director in accordance with the bylaws, although such notice may be waived by the director. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. The bylaws may provide for electronic participation at a meeting. (9) Action without a meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the actions so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors. (10) Presumption of assent. A director of the association who is present at a meeting of the board of directors at which action on any association matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his or her dissent or abstention shall be VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless a written dissent to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the secretary of the association within five days after the date on which a copy of the minutes of the meeting is received. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action. (11) Age limitation on directors. A Federal association may provide a bylaw on age limitation for directors. Bylaws on age limitations must comply with all Federal laws, rules and regulations. (m) Officers. (1) Positions. The officers of the association shall be a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer or comptroller, each of whom shall be elected by the board of directors. The board of directors may also designate the chairman of the board as an officer. The offices of the secretary and treasurer or comptroller may be held by the same person and the vice president may also be either the secretary or the treasurer or comptroller. The board of directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president or senior vice president. (2) Removal. Any officer may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the association will be served thereby; but such removal, other than for cause, as termination for cause is defined in § 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B), shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed. Employment contracts shall conform with 12 CFR 163.39. (3) Age limitation on officers. A Federal association may provide a bylaw on age limitation for officers. Bylaws on age limitations must comply with all Federal laws, rules, and regulations. (n) Certificates for shares and their transfer—(1) Certificates for shares. Certificates representing shares of capital stock of the association shall be in such form as shall be determined by the board of directors and approved by the OCC. The name and address of the person to whom the shares are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the association. All certificates surrendered to the association for transfer shall be cancelled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled, except that in the case of a lost or destroyed certificate a new certificate may be PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33341 issued upon such terms and indemnity to the association as the board of directors may prescribe. (2) Transfer of shares. Transfer of shares of capital stock of the association shall be made only on its stock transfer books. Authority for such transfer shall be given only by the holder of record or by a legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of such authority, or by an attorney authorized by a duly executed power of attorney and filed with the association. The transfer shall be made only on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for the shares. The person in whose name shares of capital stock stand on the books of the association shall be deemed by the association to be the owner for all purposes. ■ 9. Section 5.23 is added to read as follows: § 5.23 Conversion to Become a Federal Savings Association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2903, and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. (1) This section describes procedures and standards governing OCC review and approval of an application by a mutual depository institution to convert to a Federal mutual savings association or an application by a stock depository institution to convert to a Federal stock savings association. (2) As used in this section, depository institution means any commercial bank (including a private bank), a savings bank, a trust company, a savings and loan association, a building and loan association, a homestead association, a cooperative bank, an industrial bank or a credit union, chartered in the United States and having its principal office located in the United States. (c) Licensing requirements. A depository institution that is mutual in form (‘‘‘mutual depository institution’’) shall submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval to convert to a Federal mutual savings association. A stock depository institution shall submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval to convert to a Federal stock association. At the time of conversion, the applicant must have deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). An institution that is not already insured by the FDIC must apply to the FDIC, and obtain FDIC approval, for deposit insurance before converting. (d) Conversion of a mutual depository institution or a stock depository institution to a Federal savings association.—(1) Policy. Consistent with the OCC’s chartering policy, it is OCC policy to allow conversion to a Federal E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33342 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules savings association charter by another financial institution that can operate safely and soundly as a Federal savings association in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. This includes consideration of the factors set out in section 5(e) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1464(e). The converting financial institution must obtain all necessary regulatory and shareholder or member approvals. The OCC may deny an application by any mutual depository institution or stock depository institution to convert to a Federal mutual savings association charter or Federal stock association charter, respectively, on the basis of the standards for denial set forth in § 5.13(b) or when conversion would permit the applicant to escape supervisory action by its current regulators. (2) Procedures. (i) Prefiling communications. The applicant should consult with the appropriate OCC licensing office prior to filing if it anticipates that its application will raise unusual or complex issues. If a prefiling meeting is appropriate, it will normally be held in the OCC licensing office where the application will be filed, but may be held at another location at the request of the applicant. (ii) Application. A mutual depository institution or a stock depository institution shall submit its application to convert to a Federal mutual savings association or Federal stock depository association, respectively, to the appropriate OCC licensing office and shall send a copy of the application to its current appropriate Federal banking agency. The application must: (A) Be signed by the president or other duly authorized officer; (B) Identify each branch that the resulting financial institution expects to operate after conversion; (C) Include the institution’s most recent audited financial statements (if any); (D) Include the latest report of condition and report of income (the most recent daily statement of condition will suffice if the institution does not file these reports); (E) Unless otherwise advised by the OCC in a prefiling communication, include an opinion of counsel that, in the case of state-chartered institutions, the conversion is not in contravention of applicable state law, or in the case of Federally-chartered institutions, the conversion is not in contravention of applicable Federal law; (F) State whether the institution wishes to exercise fiduciary powers after the conversion; VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (G) Identify all subsidiaries, service corporation investments, bank service company investments, and other equity investments that will be retained following the conversion, and provide the information and analysis of the subsidiaries’ activities and the service corporation investments and other equity investments that would be required if the converting mutual institution or stock institution were a Federal mutual savings association or Federal stock savings association, respectively, establishing each subsidiary or making each service corporation or other equity investment pursuant to §§ 5.35, 5.36, 5.38, or 5.59, or other applicable law and regulation; (H) Identify any nonconforming assets (including nonconforming subsidiaries) and nonconforming activities that the institution engages in, and describe the plans to retain or divest those assets and activities; (I) Include a business plan if the converting institution has been operating for less than three years, plans to make significant changes to its business after the conversion, or at the request of the OCC; (J) Include a list of all outstanding conditions or other requirements imposed by the institution’s current appropriate Federal banking agency and, if applicable, current state bank supervisor or state attorney-general in any cease and desist order, written agreement, other formal enforcement order, memorandum of understanding, approval of any application, notice or request, commitment letter, board resolution, or in any other manner, including the converting institution’s analysis whether any such actions prohibit conversion under 12 U.S.C. 35, and the converting institution’s plans regarding adhering to such conditions and requirements after conversion; and (K) If the converting institution does not meet the qualified thrift lender test of 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m), include a plan to achieve compliance within a reasonable period of time and a request for an exception from the OCC. (iii) The OCC may permit a Federal savings association to retain nonconforming assets of a converting institution for the time period prescribed by the OCC following a conversion, subject to conditions and an OCC determination of the carrying value of the retained assets consistent with the requirements of section 5(c) of the HOLA relating to loans and investments. The OCC may permit a Federal savings association to continue nonconforming activities of a converting institution for the time period PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 prescribed by the OCC following a conversion, subject to conditions. (iv) Approval for an institution to convert to a Federal savings association expires if the conversion has not occurred within six months of the OCC’s approval of the application, unless the OCC grants an extension of time. (v) When the OCC determines that the applicant has satisfied all statutory and regulatory requirements and any other conditions, the OCC issues a charter. The charter provides that the institution is authorized to begin conducting business as a Federal mutual savings association or a Federal stock savings association as of a specified date. (3) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all parts of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (4) Expedited review. An application by an eligible national bank to convert to a Federal savings association charter is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 60th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the applicant prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review under § 5.13(a)(2). (e) Conversion of a mutual depository institution to a Federal mutual savings association—supplemental rules. In addition to the rules and procedures set forth in § 5.23(d), an applicant converting from a mutual depository institution to a mutual savings association shall comply with the following: After a Federal charter is issued to a converting institution, the association’s members shall after due notice, or upon a valid adjournment of a previous legal meeting, hold a meeting to elect directors and take care of all other actions necessary to fully effectuate the conversion and operate the association in accordance with law and these rules and regulations. Immediately thereafter, the board of directors shall meet, elect officers, and transact any other appropriate business. (f) Continuation of business and entity. The existence of the converting institution shall continue in the resulting Federal savings association. The resulting Federal savings association shall be considered the same business and entity as the converting institution, although as to rights, powers, and duties, the resulting Federal savings association is a Federal savings association. Any and all of the assets and other property (whether real, personal, mixed, tangible or intangible, E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules including choses in action, rights, and credits) of the converting institution become assets and property of the resulting Federal savings association when the conversion occurs. Similarly, any and all of the obligations and debts of and claims against the converting institution become obligations and debts of and claims against the Federal savings association when the conversion occurs. ■ 10. Section 5.24 is revised to read as follows: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 § 5.24. Bank. Conversion to Become a National (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 35, 93a, 214a, 214b, 214c, and 2903. (b) Licensing requirements. A state bank, a stock state savings association, or a Federal stock savings association shall submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval to convert to a national bank charter. (c) Scope. (1) This section describes procedures and standards governing OCC review and approval of an application by a state bank, a stock state savings association, or a Federal stock savings association to convert to a national bank charter. (2) As used in this section, state bank includes a state bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a). (d) Policy. Consistent with the OCC’s chartering policy, it is OCC policy to allow conversion to a national bank charter by another financial institution that can operate safely and soundly as a national bank in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. A converting financial institution also must obtain all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals. The OCC may deny an application by any state bank, stock state savings association, and any Federal stock savings association to convert to a national bank charter on the basis of the standards for denial set forth in § 5.13(b), or when conversion would permit the applicant to escape supervisory action by its current regulators. (e) Procedures—(1) Prefiling communications. The applicant should consult with the appropriate OCC licensing office prior to filing if it anticipates that its application will raise unusual or complex issues. If a prefiling meeting is appropriate, it will normally be held at the OCC licensing office where the application will be filed, but may be held at another location at the request of the applicant. (2) Application. A state bank, a stock state savings association, or a Federal stock savings association shall submit its application to convert to a national VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 bank to the appropriate OCC licensing office and send a copy to its current appropriate Federal banking agency. The application must: (i) Be signed by the president or other duly authorized officer; (ii) Identify each branch that the resulting bank expects to operate after conversion; (iii) Include the institution’s most recent audited financial statements (if any); (iv) Include the latest report of condition and report of income (the most recent daily statement of condition will suffice if the institution does not file these reports); (v) Unless otherwise advised by the OCC in a prefiling communication, include an opinion of counsel that, in the case of a state bank, the conversion is not in contravention of applicable state law, or in the case of a Federal stock savings association, the conversion is not in contravention of applicable Federal law; (vi) State whether the institution wishes to exercise fiduciary powers after the conversion; (vii) Identify all subsidiaries, bank service company investments, and other equity investments that will be retained following the conversion, and provide the information and analysis of the subsidiaries’ activities, the bank service company investments, and the other equity investments that would be required if the converting bank or savings association were a national bank establishing each subsidiary or making each bank service company investment or other equity investment pursuant to §§ 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, 5.39, 12 CFR part 1, or other applicable law and regulation; (viii) Identify any nonconforming assets (including nonconforming subsidiaries) and nonconforming activities that the institution engages in and describe the plans to retain or divest those assets and activities; (ix) Include a business plan if the converting institution has been operating for fewer than three years or plans to make significant changes to its business after the conversion; and (x) List all outstanding conditions or other requirements imposed by the institution’s current appropriate Federal banking agency and, if applicable, current state bank supervisor or state attorney-general in any cease and desist order, written agreement, other formal enforcement order, memorandum of understanding, approval of any application, notice or request, commitment letter, board resolution, or in any other manner, including the converting institution’s analysis whether the conversion is prohibited PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33343 under 12 U.S.C. 35, and state the institution’s plans regarding adhering to such conditions or requirements after conversion. (3) The OCC may permit a national bank to retain nonconforming assets of a state bank or stock state savings association, subject to conditions and an OCC determination of the carrying value of the retained assets, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 35. The OCC may permit a national bank to continue nonconforming activities of a state bank or stock state savings association, or to retain the nonconforming assets or nonconforming activities of a Federal stock savings association, for a reasonable period of time following a conversion, subject to conditions imposed by the OCC. (4) Approval for an institution to convert to a national bank expires if the conversion has not occurred within six months of the OCC’s approval of the application, unless the OCC grants an extension of time. (5) When the OCC determines that the applicant has satisfied all statutory and regulatory requirements, including those set forth in 12 U.S.C. 35, and any other conditions, the OCC issues a charter certificate. The certificate provides that the institution is authorized to begin conducting business as a national bank as of a specified date. (f) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (g) Expedited review. An application by an eligible savings association to convert to a national bank charter is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 60th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the applicant prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review under § 5.13(a)(2). (h) Continuation of business and corporate entity. The corporate existence of the converting institution shall continue in the resulting national bank. The resulting national bank shall be considered the same business and corporate entity as the converting institution, although as to rights, powers, and duties, the resulting national bank is a national bank. Any and all of the assets and other property (whether real, personal, mixed, tangible or intangible, including choses in action, rights, and credits) of the converting institution become assets and property of the resulting national bank when the conversion occurs. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33344 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Similarly, any and all of the obligations and debts of and claims against the converting institution become obligations and debts of and claims against the national bank when the conversion occurs. ■ 11. Section 5.25 is added to read as follows: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 § 5.25 Conversion from a National Bank or Federal Savings Association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 214a, 214b, 214c, 214d, 1462a, 1463, 1464, and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing Requirement. A national bank shall give notice to the OCC before converting to a state bank (including a state bank as defined in 214(a)), a state savings association, or a Federal savings association. A Federal savings association shall give notice to the OCC before converting to a state savings association, a state bank, or a national bank. A Federal mutual savings association that plans to convert to a stock state bank or a national bank must first convert to a Federal stock savings association under 12 CFR part 192. (c) Scope. This section describes the procedures for a national bank seeking to convert to a state bank or a state savings association or for a Federal savings association seeking to convert to a state savings association or a state bank. In addition, this section, along with procedures in 5.24 and 5.23, describes procedures for conversions between national banks and Federal stock savings associations. (d) Conversions of a national bank to a state bank or state savings association or of a Federal savings association to a state savings association or state bank— (1) Procedure for national banks. A national bank may convert to a state bank (including a state bank as defined in 214(a)) or a state savings association in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 214a and 214c, without prior OCC approval, subject to compliance with 12 U.S.C. 214d. Termination of a national bank’s status as a national bank occurs upon the bank’s completion of the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a, and upon the OCC’s receipt of the bank’s national bank charter in connection with the consummation of the conversion. (2) Procedure for Federal savings associations. A Federal savings association may convert to a state savings association or to a state bank, without prior OCC approval, subject to compliance with 12 U.S.C. 1464(i)(6). Termination of a Federal savings association’s status as a Federal savings association occurs upon receipt of the Federal savings association’s charter in VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 connection with the consummation of the conversion. (3) Notice of intent. (i) A national bank that desires to convert to a state bank (including a state bank as defined in 214(a)) or state savings association, or a Federal savings association that desires to convert to a state savings association or a state bank, shall submit a notice of intent to convert to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The national bank or Federal savings association shall file this notice with the OCC at the time it files a conversion application with the appropriate state authority or the prospective appropriate Federal banking agency. The national bank or Federal savings association also shall transmit a copy of the conversion application to the prospective appropriate Federal banking agency if it has not already done so. (ii) The notice shall include: (A) A copy of the conversion application; and (B) An analysis demonstrating that the conversion is in compliance with laws of the applicable jurisdictions regarding the permissibility, requirements, and procedures for conversions, including any applicable stockholder or account holder approval requirements. (4) Consultation. The OCC may consult with the appropriate state authorities or the prospective appropriate Federal banking agency regarding the proposed conversion. (5) Termination of status. After receipt of the notice, the appropriate OCC licensing office provides instructions to the national bank or Federal savings association for terminating its status as a national bank or Federal savings association. (e) Conversions between national banks and Federal savings associations—(1) National bank to Federal savings association. (i) A national bank may convert to a Federal stock savings association. A national bank that desires to convert to a Federal stock savings association shall follow the requirements and procedures set forth in 12 U.S.C. 214a as if it were converting to a state bank and submit a notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office demonstrating compliance with the applicable requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a. (ii) A national bank desiring to convert to a Federal stock savings association shall also file an application for prior OCC approval to convert under 12 CFR 5.23. (2) Federal savings association to a national bank. (i) A Federal stock savings association may convert to a national bank. A Federal savings association that desires to convert to a PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 national bank shall submit a notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office demonstrating compliance with laws of the applicable jurisdictions regarding the permissibility, requirements, and procedures for conversions, including any applicable stockholder or account holder approval requirements. (ii) A Federal stock savings association that desires to convert to a national bank shall also file an application for prior OCC approval to convert under 12 CFR 5.24. (3) Termination and change of status. The appropriate OCC licensing office provides instructions to the converting national bank or Federal savings association for terminating its status as a national bank or Federal savings association and beginning its status as a Federal savings association or national bank, respectively. (f) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.5 through 5.8 and 5.10 through 5.13 do not apply to this section. ■ 12. Section 5.26 is revised to read as follows: § 5.26 Fiduciary powers of national banks and Federal savings associations. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 92a and 1462a, 1463, 1464(n), and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. A national bank or Federal savings association must submit an application and obtain prior approval from, or in certain circumstances file a notice with, the OCC in order to exercise fiduciary powers. No approval or notice is required in the following circumstances: (1) Where two or more national banks consolidate or merge, and any of the national banks has, prior to the consolidation or merger, received OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers and that approval is in force at the time of the consolidation or merger, the resulting national bank may exercise fiduciary powers in the same manner and to the same extent as the national bank to which approval was originally granted; (2) Where two or more Federal savings associations consolidate or merge, and any of the Federal savings associations has, prior to the consolidation or merger, received approval from the OCC or the Office of Thrift Supervision to exercise fiduciary powers and that approval is in force at the time of the consolidation or merger, the resulting Federal savings association may exercise fiduciary powers in the same manner and to the same extent as the Federal savings association to which approval was originally granted; (3) Where a national bank with prior OCC approval to exercise fiduciary E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules powers is the resulting bank in a merger or consolidation with a state bank, state savings association, or Federal savings association and the national bank will exercise fiduciary powers in the same manner and to the same extent to which approval was originally granted; and (4) Where a Federal savings association with prior approval from the OCC or the Office of Thrift Supervision to exercise fiduciary powers is the resulting savings association in a merger or consolidation with a state bank, state savings association, or national bank and the Federal savings association will exercise fiduciary powers in the same manner and to the same extent to which approval was originally granted. (c) Scope. This section sets forth the procedures governing OCC review and approval of an application, and in certain cases the filing of a notice, by a national bank or Federal savings association to exercise fiduciary powers. Fiduciary activities of national banks are subject to the provisions of 12 CFR part 9. Fiduciary activities of Federal savings associations are subject to the provisions of 12 CFR part 150. (d) Policy. The exercise of fiduciary powers is primarily a management decision of the national bank or Federal savings association. The OCC generally permits a national bank or Federal savings association to exercise fiduciary powers if the bank or savings association is operating in a satisfactory manner, the proposed activities comply with applicable statutes and regulations, and the bank or savings association retains qualified fiduciary management. (e) Procedure—(1) General. The following institutions must obtain approval from the OCC in order to offer fiduciary services to the public: (i) A national bank or Federal savings association without fiduciary powers: (ii) A national bank without fiduciary powers that desires to exercise fiduciary powers as the resulting bank after merging with a state bank, state savings association, or Federal savings association with fiduciary powers or a Federal savings association without fiduciary powers that desires to exercise fiduciary powers as the resulting savings association after merging with a state bank, state savings association or national bank; (iii) A national bank that results from the conversion of a state bank or a state or Federal savings association that was exercising fiduciary powers prior to the conversion or a Federal savings association that results from a conversion of a state or national bank or a state savings association that was exercising fiduciary powers prior to the conversion; and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (iv) A national bank or Federal savings association that has received approval from the OCC to offer limited fiduciary services that desires to offer full fiduciary services. (2) Application. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section, a national bank or Federal savings association that desires to exercise fiduciary powers shall submit to the OCC an application requesting approval. The application must contain: (A) A statement requesting full or limited powers (specifying which powers); (B) A statement that the capital and surplus of the national bank or Federal savings association is not less than the capital and surplus required by state law of state banks, trust companies, and other corporations exercising comparable fiduciary powers; (C) Sufficient biographical information on proposed trust management personnel to enable the OCC to assess their qualifications; (D) A description of the locations where the national bank or Federal savings association will conduct fiduciary activities; (E) If requested by the OCC, an opinion of counsel that the proposed activities do not violate applicable Federal or state law, including citations to applicable law; and (F) Any other information necessary to enable the OCC to sufficiently assess the factors described in (e)(2)(iii). (ii) If approval to exercise fiduciary powers is desired in connection with any other transaction subject to an application under this part, the applicant covered under paragraph (e)(1)(ii), (e)(1)(iii), or (e)(1)(iv) of this section may include a request for approval of fiduciary powers, including the information required by paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, as part of its other application. The OCC does not require a separate application requesting approval to exercise fiduciary powers under these circumstances. (iii) When reviewing any application filed under this section, the OCC considers factors such as the following: (A) The financial condition of the national bank or Federal savings association; (B) The adequacy of the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s capital and surplus and whether it is sufficient under the circumstances and not less than the capital and surplus required by state law or state banks, trust companies, and other corporations exercising comparable fiduciary powers; (C) The character and ability of proposed trust management, including qualifications, experience, and PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33345 competency. The OCC must approve any trust management change the bank or savings association makes prior to commencing trust activities; (D) The adequacy of the proposed business plan, if applicable; (E) The needs of the community to be served; and (F) Any other factors or circumstances that the OCC considers proper. (3) Expedited review. An application by an eligible national bank or eligible Federal savings association to exercise fiduciary powers is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the application is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the bank or savings association prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review under § 5.13(a)(2). (4) Permit. Approval of an application under this section constitutes a permit under 12 U.S.C. 92a for national banks and 12 U.S.C. 1464(n) for Federal savings associations to conduct the fiduciary powers requested in the application. (5) Notice required. A national bank or Federal savings association that has ceased to conduct previously approved fiduciary powers for 18 consecutive months must provide the OCC with a notice describing the nature and manner of the activities proposed to be conducted and containing the information required by paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section 60 days prior to commencing any fiduciary activity. (6) Notice of fiduciary activities in additional states. (i) No further application under this section is required when a national bank or Federal savings association with existing OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers plans to engage in any of the activities specified in § 9.7(d) of this chapter or to conduct activities ancillary to its fiduciary business, in a state in addition to the state described in the application for fiduciary powers that the OCC has approved. (ii) Unless the national bank or Federal savings association provides notice through other means (such as a merger application), the national bank or Federal savings association shall provide written notice to the OCC no later than ten days after it begins to engage in any of the activities specified in § 9.7(d) of this chapter in a state in addition to the state described in the application for fiduciary powers that the OCC has approved. The written notice must identify the new state or states involved, identify the fiduciary activities to be conducted, and describe the extent to which the activities differ materially from the fiduciary activities E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33346 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules the national bank or Federal savings association previously conducted. (iii) No notice is required if the national bank or Federal savings association is conducting only activities ancillary to its fiduciary business through a trust representative office or otherwise. (7) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all parts of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (8) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a national bank or Federal savings association does not commence fiduciary activities within 18 months from the date of approval, unless the OCC grants an extension of time. ■ 13. Section 5.30 is revised to read as follows: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 § 5.30 Establishment, acquisition, and relocation of a branch of a national bank. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1–42 and 2901–2907. (b) Licensing requirements. A national bank shall submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval in order to establish or relocate a branch. (c) Scope—(1) General. This section describes the procedures and standards governing OCC review and approval of an application by a national bank to establish a new branch or to relocate a branch. (2) Branch established through a conversion or business combination. The standards of this section governing review and approval of applications by the OCC and, as applicable, 12 U.S.C. 36(b), but not the application procedures set forth in this section, apply to branches acquired or retained in a conversion approved under 12 CFR 5.24 or a business combination approved under § 5.33. A branch acquired or retained in a conversion or business combination is subject to the application procedures set forth in §§ 5.24 or 5.33. (d) Definitions—(1) Branch includes any branch bank, branch office, branch agency, additional office, or any branch place of business established by a national bank in the United States or its territories at which deposits are received, checks paid, or money lent. (i) A branch established by a national bank includes a mobile facility, temporary facility, intermittent facility, drop box or a seasonal agency as described in 12 U.S.C. 36(c). (ii) A facility otherwise described in this paragraph (d)(1) is not a branch if: (A) The bank establishing the facility does not permit members of the public VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 to have physical access to the facility for purposes of making deposits, paying checks, or borrowing money (e.g., an office established by the bank that receives deposits only through the mail); or (B) It is located at the site of, or is an extension of, an approved main office or branch office of the national bank. The OCC determines whether a facility is an extension of an existing main office or branch office on a case-by-case basis. For this purpose, the OCC will consider a drive-in or pedestrian facility located within 500 feet of a public entrance to an existing main office or branch office to be an extension of the existing main office or branch office, provided the functions performed at the drive-in or pedestrian facility are limited to functions that are ordinarily performed at a teller window. (iii) A branch does not include an automated teller machine (ATM), a remote service unit (such as an automated loan machine or personal computer used in providing financial services), a loan production office, a deposit production office, a trust office, an administrative office, a data processing office, or any other office that does not engage in any of the activities in paragraph (d)(1) of this section. (2) Home state means the state in which the national bank’s main office is located. (3) Intermittent branch means a branch that is operated by a national bank for one or more limited periods of time to provide branch banking services at a specified recurring event, on the grounds or premises where the event is held or at a fixed site adjacent to the grounds or premises where the event is held, and exclusively during the occurrence of the event. Examples of an intermittent branch include the operation of a branch on the campus of, or at a fixed site adjacent to the campus of, a specific college during school registration periods; or the operation of a branch during a state fair on state fairgrounds or at a fixed site adjacent to the fairgrounds. (4) Messenger service has the meaning set forth in 12 CFR 7.1012. (5) Mobile branch is a branch of a national bank, other than a messenger service branch, that does not have a single, permanent site, and includes a vehicle that travels to various public locations to enable customers to conduct their banking business. A mobile branch may provide services at various regularly scheduled locations or it may be open at irregular times and locations such as at county fairs, sporting events, or school registration PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 periods. A branch license is needed for each mobile unit. (6) Temporary branch means a branch of a national bank that is located at a fixed site and which, from the time of its opening, is scheduled to, and will, permanently close no later than a certain date (not longer than one year after the branch is first opened) specified in the branch application and the public notice. (e) Policy. In determining whether to approve an application to establish or relocate a branch, the OCC is guided by the following principles: (1) Maintaining a safe and sound banking system; (2) Encouraging a national bank to provide fair access to financial services by helping to meet the credit needs of its entire community; (3) Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations; and (4) Promoting fair treatment of customers including efficiency and better service. (f) Procedures—(1) General. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, each national bank proposing to establish a branch shall submit to the appropriate OCC licensing office a separate application for each proposed branch. (2) Messenger services. A national bank may request approval, through a single application, for multiple messenger services to serve the same general geographic area. (See 12 CFR 7.1012). Unless otherwise required by law, the bank need not list the specific locations to be served. (3) Jointly established branches. If a national bank proposes to establish a branch jointly with one or more national banks or other depository institutions, only one of the national banks must submit a branch application. The national bank submitting the application may act as agent for all national banks in the group of depository institutions proposing to share the branch. The application must include the name and main office address of each national bank in the group. (4) Intermittent branches. Prior to operating an intermittent branch, a national bank shall file a branch application and publish notice in accordance with § 5.8, both of which shall identify the event at which the branch will be operated; designate a location for operation of the branch which shall be on the grounds or premises at which the event is held or on a fixed site adjacent to those grounds or premises; and specify the approximate time period during which the event will be held and during which E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules the branch will operate, including whether operation of the branch will be on an annual or otherwise recurring basis. If the branch is approved, then the bank need not obtain approval each time it seeks to operate the branch in accordance with the original application and approval. (5) Authorization. The OCC authorizes operation of the branch when all requirements and conditions for opening are satisfied. (6) Expedited review. An application submitted by an eligible bank to establish or relocate a branch is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the applicable public comment period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC (or in the case of a short-distance relocation the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC), whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the bank prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2). An application to establish or relocate more than one branch is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the last public comment period. (g) Interstate branches. A national bank that seeks to establish and operate a de novo branch in any state other than the bank’s home state or a state in which the bank already has a branch shall satisfy the standards and requirements of 12 U.S.C. 36(g). (h) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. (1) A national bank filing an application for a mobile branch or messenger service branch shall publish a public notice, as described in § 5.8, in the communities in which the bank proposes to engage in business. (2) The comment period on an application to engage in a short-distance relocation is 15 days. (3) The OCC may waive or reduce the public notice and comment period, as appropriate, with respect to an application to establish a branch to restore banking services to a community affected by a disaster or to temporarily replace banking facilities where, because of an emergency, the bank cannot provide services or must curtail banking services. (4) The OCC may waive or reduce the public notice and comment period, as appropriate, for an application by a national bank with a CRA rating of Satisfactory or better to establish a temporary branch which, if it were established by a state bank to operate in the manner proposed, would be permissible under state law without state approval. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (i) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a branch has not commenced business within 18 months after the date of approval unless the OCC grants an extension. (j) Branch closings. A national bank shall comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 1831r–1 with respect to procedures for branch closings. ■ 14. Section 5.31 is added to read as follows: § 5.31 Establishment, acquisition, and relocation of a branch and establishment of an agency office of a Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464. 2901–2907 and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. A Federal savings association shall submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval in order to establish or relocate a branch or to establish an agency office or conduct additional activities at an agency office, if required under this section. (c) Scope—(1) General. This section describes the procedures and standards governing OCC review and approval of an application by a Federal savings association to establish a new branch or to relocate a branch and the circumstances in which a Federal savings association may establish or relocate a branch without application to the OCC. It also describes the authority of a Federal savings association to establish an agency office. (2) Branch established through a conversion or business combination. The standards of this section governing review and approval of applications by the OCC, but not the application procedures set forth in this section, apply to branches acquired or retained in a conversion approved under 12 CFR 5.23 or a business combination approved under 12 CFR 5.33. A branch acquired or retained in a conversion or business combination is subject to the application procedures set forth in §§ 5.23 or 5.33. (3) Branching by savings associations in the District of Columbia. This section also implements section 5(m) of the HOLA, 12 U.S.C. 1464(m), addressing branching by savings associations in the District of Columbia. (d) Definitions—(1) A branch office of a Federal savings association for purposes of this section is a branch office as defined in 12 CFR 145.92(a). (2) Home state means the state in which the Federal savings association’s home office is located. (e) Policy. In determining whether to approve an application to establish or relocate a branch, the OCC is guided by the following principles: PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33347 (1) Maintaining a safe and sound banking system; (2) Encouraging a Federal savings association to provide fair access to financial services by helping to meet the credit needs of its entire community; (3) Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations; and (4) Promoting fair treatment of customers including efficiency and better service. (f) Procedures—(1) Application requirements. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, each Federal savings association proposing to establish or relocate a branch shall submit to the appropriate OCC licensing office a separate application for each proposed branch. (ii) Authorization. The OCC authorizes operation of the branch when all requirements and conditions for opening are satisfied. (iii) Expedited review. An application submitted by an eligible Federal savings association to establish or relocate a branch is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the applicable public comment period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC, whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the savings association prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2). An application to establish or relocate more than one branch is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the last public comment period. (2) Exceptions. A Federal savings association is not required to submit an application and receive OCC approval under the following circumstances: (i) Drive-in or pedestrian offices. A Federal savings association may establish a drive-in or pedestrian office that is located within 500 feet of a public entrance to its existing home or branch office, provided the functions performed at the office are limited to functions that are ordinarily performed at a teller window. (ii) Short-distance relocation. A Federal savings association may change the permanent location of an existing branch office to a site that is within the market area and short-distance location area, as defined in § 5.3(l). (iii) Highly-rated Federal savings associations. A Federal savings association that is an eligible savings association as defined in § 5.3(g) may change the permanent location of, or establish a new, branch office if it meets all of the following requirements: (A) It published a public notice under § 5.8 of its intent to change the location of the branch office or establish a new E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33348 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules branch office. The public notice must be published at least 35 days before the proposed action establishment or relocation. If the notice is published more than 12 months before the proposed action, the publication is invalid. (B) If the Federal savings association intends to change the location of an existing branch office, it must post a notice of its intent in a prominent location in the existing office to be relocated. This notice must be posted for 30 days from the date of publication of the initial public notice described in paragraph (f)(2)(iii)(A) of this section. (C)(1) No person files a comment opposing the proposed action within 30 days after the date of the publication of the public notice; or (2) A person files a comment opposing the proposed action and the OCC determines that the comment raises issues that are not relevant to the approval standards for an application for a branch or that OCC action in response to the comment is not required. (g) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. (1) The OCC may waive or reduce the public notice and comment period, as appropriate, with respect to an application to establish a branch to restore banking services to a community affected by a disaster or to temporarily replace banking facilities where, because of an emergency, the savings association cannot provide services or must curtail banking services. (2) The OCC may waive or reduce the public notice and comment period, as appropriate, for an application by a Federal savings association with a CRA rating of Satisfactory or better to establish a temporary branch which, if it were established by a state bank to operate in the manner proposed, would be permissible under state law without state approval. (h) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a branch has not commenced business within 18 months after the date of approval unless the OCC grants an extension. (i) Branch closings. A Federal savings association shall comply with the applicable requirements of 12 U.S.C. 1831r–1 with respect to procedures for branch closings. (j) Section 5(m) of the HOLA. (1) Under section 5(m)(1) of the HOLA (12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1)), no savings association may establish or move any branch in the District of Columbia or move its principal office in the District of Columbia without the OCC’s prior written approval. (2) Any Federal savings association that must obtain approval of the OCC VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 under 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1) shall follow the application procedures of this section. Any state savings association that must obtain approval of the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1) shall follow the application procedures of this section as if it were a Federal savings association. (k) Agency offices. (1) General. A Federal savings association may establish or maintain an agency office to engage in one or more of the following activities: (i) Servicing, originating, or approving loans and contracts; (ii) Managing or selling real estate owned by the Federal savings association; and (iii) Conducting fiduciary activities or activities ancillary to the association’s fiduciary business in compliance with § 5.26(e). (2) Additional services—(i) General. A Federal savings association may request, and the OCC may approve, any service not listed in paragraph (k)(1) of this section, except for payment on savings accounts. (ii) Application required. A Federal savings association desiring to engage in such additional services shall submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office. (iii) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to filings under this paragraph 5.31(k)(2). However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (3) Records. A Federal savings association must maintain records of all business it transacts at an agency office. It must maintain these records at the agency office, and must transmit copies to a home or branch office. ■ 15. Section 5.32 is amended by: ■ a. Adding paragraph (d)(4): and ■ b. Removing, in paragraph (h)(2), the phrase ‘‘to the appropriate district office’’ and inserting in its place the phrase ‘‘to the appropriate OCC licensing office’’. The addition reads as follows: § 5.32 Expedited procedures for certain reorganizations of a national bank. * * * * * (d) * * * (4) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. * * * * * ■ 16. Section 5.33 is revised to read as follows: § 5.33 Business combinations involving a national bank or Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh), 93a, 181, 214a, 214b, 215, 215a, 215a– 1, 215a–3, 215b, 215c, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1828(c), 1831u, 2903, and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. This section sets forth the provisions governing business combinations and the standards for: (1) OCC review and approval of an application by a national bank or a Federal savings association for a business combination resulting in a national bank or Federal savings association; and (2) Requirements of notices and other procedures for national banks and Federal savings associations involved in other combinations in which a national bank or Federal savings association is not the resulting institution. (c) Licensing requirements. As prescribed by this section, a national bank or Federal savings association shall submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval for a business combination when the resulting institution is a national bank or Federal savings association. As prescribed by this section, a national bank or Federal savings association shall give notice to the OCC prior to engaging in an other combination where the resulting institution will not be a national bank or Federal savings association.1 A national bank shall submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval for any merger between the national bank and one or more of its nonbank affiliates. (d) Definitions—For purposes of this § 5.33: (1) Bank means any national bank or any state bank. (2) Business combination means: (i) Any merger or consolidation between a national bank or a Federal savings association and one or more depository institutions or state trust companies, in which the resulting institution is a national bank or Federal savings association; (ii) In the case of a Federal savings association, any merger or consolidation with a credit union in which the resulting institution is a Federal savings association; 1 Other combination transactions do not require an application under this section. However, some may require an application under 12 CFR 5.53. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (iii) In the case of a national bank, any merger between a national bank and one or more of its nonbank affiliates; (iv) The acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings association of all, or substantially all, of the assets of another depository institution; (v) The assumption by a national bank or a Federal savings association of any deposit liabilities of another insured depository institution or any deposit accounts or other liabilities of a credit union or any other institution that will become deposits at the national bank or Federal savings association; or (vi) The acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings association of all, or substantially all, of the assets, or the assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities, of any company other than a depository institution, if the acquisition would cause the assets of the national bank or Federal savings association to increase by twenty-five percent or more. (3) Business reorganization means either: (i) A business combination between eligible banks and eligible savings associations, or between an eligible bank or an eligible savings association and an eligible depository institution, that are controlled by the same holding company or that will be controlled by the same holding company prior to the combination; or (ii) A business combination between an eligible bank or an eligible savings association and an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association chartered in a transaction in which a person or group of persons exchanges its shares of the eligible bank or eligible savings association for shares of a newly formed holding company and receives after the transaction substantially the same proportional share interest in the holding company as it held in the eligible bank or eligible savings association (except for changes in interests resulting from the exercise of dissenters’ rights), and the reorganization involves no other transactions involving the bank or savings association. (4) Company means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, business trust, association, or similar organization. (5) For business combinations under § 5.33(g)(4) and (5), a company or shareholder is deemed to control another company if: (i) Such company or shareholder, directly or indirectly, or acting through one or more other persons owns, controls, or has power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the other company, or VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (ii) Such company or shareholder controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors or trustees of the other company. No company shall be deemed to own or control another company by virtue of its ownership or control of shares in a fiduciary capacity. (6) Credit union means a financial institution subject to examination by the National Credit Union Administration Board. (7) Home state means: (i) With respect to a national bank, the state in which the main office of the national bank is located, (ii) With respect to a Federal savings association, the state in which the home office of the Federal savings association is located, and (iii) With respect to a state bank, a state savings association, or a state trust company, the state by which the bank, savings association, or trust company is chartered. (8) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association means a national bank or Federal savings association that does not operate independently but exists solely as a vehicle to accomplish a business combination. (9) Nonbank affiliate of a national bank means any company (other than a bank or Federal savings association) that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the national bank. (10) Other combination means: (i) Any merger or consolidation between a national bank or a Federal savings association and one or more depository institutions or state trust companies, in which the resulting institution is not a national bank or Federal savings association; (ii) In the case of a Federal stock savings association, any merger or consolidation with a credit union in which the resulting institution is a credit union; (iii) The transfer by a national bank or a Federal savings association of any deposit liabilities to another insured depository institution, a credit union or any other institution; or (iv) The acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings association of all, or substantially all, of the assets, or the assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities, of any company other than a depository institution, if the acquisition would cause the assets of the national bank or Federal savings association to increase by less than twenty-five percent. (11) Savings association and state savings association have the meaning set forth in section 3(b)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(b)(1). PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33349 (12) State trust company means a trust company organized under state law that is not engaged in the business of receiving deposits, other than trust funds. (e) Policy. (1) Factors. (i) General. When the OCC evaluates any application for a business combination, the OCC considers the following factors: (A) The capital level of any resulting national bank or Federal savings association; (B) The conformity of the transaction to applicable law, regulation, and supervisory policies; (C) The purpose of the transaction; (D) The impact of the transaction on safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings association; and (E) The effect of the transaction on the national bank or Federal savings association’s shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and customers. (ii) Bank Merger Act. When the OCC evaluates an application for a business combination under the Bank Merger Act, the OCC also considers the following factors: (A) Competition. (1) The OCC considers the effect of a proposed business combination on competition. The applicant shall provide a competitive analysis of the transaction, including a definition of the relevant geographic market or markets. An applicant may refer to the Manual for procedures to expedite its competitive analysis. (2) The OCC will deny an application for a business combination if the combination would result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of the United States. The OCC also will deny any proposed business combination whose effect in any section of the United States may be substantially to lessen competition, or tend to create a monopoly, or which in any other manner would be in restraint of trade, unless the probable effects of the transaction in meeting the convenience and needs of the community clearly outweigh the anticompetitive effects of the transaction. For purposes of weighing against anticompetitive effects, a business combination may have favorable effects in meeting the convenience and needs of the community if the depository institution being acquired has limited long-term prospects, or if the resulting national bank or Federal savings association will provide significantly improved, additional, or less costly services to the community. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33350 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (B) Financial and managerial resources and future prospects. The OCC considers the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the existing or proposed institutions. (C) Convenience and needs of community. The OCC considers the probable effects of the business combination on the convenience and needs of the community served. The applicant shall describe these effects in its application, including any planned office closings or reductions in services following the business combination and the likely impact on the community. The OCC also considers additional relevant factors, including the resulting national bank’s or Federal savings association’s ability and plans to provide expanded or less costly services to the community. (D) Money laundering. The OCC considers the effectiveness of any insured depository institution involved in the business combination in combating money laundering activities, including in overseas branches. (E) Financial stability. The OCC considers the risk to the stability of the United States banking and financial system. (F) Deposit concentration limit. The OCC will not approve a transaction that would violate the deposit concentration limit in 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(13) for certain interstate merger transactions. (iii) Community Reinvestment Act. When the OCC evaluates an application for a business combination under the Community Reinvestment Act, the OCC also considers the performance of the applicant and the other depository institutions involved in the business combination in helping to meet the credit needs of the relevant communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking practices. (2) Acquisition and retention of branches. An applicant shall disclose the location of any branch it will acquire and retain in a business combination, including approved but unopened branches. The OCC considers the acquisition and retention of a branch under the standards set out in § 5.30, but it does not require a separate application under § 5.30. (3) Subsidiaries. (i) An applicant must identify any subsidiary, financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, or other equity investment to be acquired in a business combination and state the activities of each subsidiary or other company in which the applicant would be acquiring VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 an investment. The OCC does not require a separate application or notice under §§ 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, 5.38, 5.39, 5.58, and 5.59. (ii) An national bank applicant proposing to acquire, through a business combination, a subsidiary, financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, or other equity investment of any entity other than a national bank must provide the same information and analysis of the subsidiary’s activities, or of the investment, that would be required if the applicant were establishing the subsidiary, or making such investment, pursuant to §§ 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, or 5.39. (iii) A Federal savings association applicant proposing to acquire, through a business combination, a subsidiary, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, or other equity investment of any entity other than a Federal savings association must provide the same information and analysis of the subsidiary’s activities, or of the investment, that would be required if the applicant were establishing the subsidiary, or making such investment, pursuant to §§ 5.35, 5.38, 5.58, or 5.59. (4) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association—(i) Application. An applicant for a business combination that plans to use an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association to accomplish the transaction shall file an application to organize an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association as part of the application for the related business combination. (ii) Conditional approval. The OCC grants conditional preliminary approval to form an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association when it acknowledges receipt of the application for the related business combination. (iii) Corporate status. An interim national bank or interim Federal savings association becomes a legal entity and may enter into legally valid agreements when it has filed, and the OCC has accepted, the interim national bank’s duly executed articles of association and organization certificate or the Federal savings association’s charter and bylaws. OCC acceptance occurs: (A) On the date the OCC advises the interim national bank that its articles of association and organization certificate are acceptable or advises the interim Federal savings association that its charter and bylaws are acceptable; or (B) On the date the interim national bank files articles of association and an organization certificate that conform to PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the form for those documents provided by the OCC in the Manual or the date the interim Federal savings association files a charter and bylaws that conform to the requirements set out in this part 5. (iv) Other corporate procedures. An applicant should consult the Manual to determine what other information is necessary to complete the chartering of the interim national bank as a national bank or the interim Federal savings association as a Federal savings association. (5) Nonconforming assets. (i) An applicant shall identify any nonconforming activities and assets, including nonconforming subsidiaries, of other institutions involved in the business combination that will not be disposed of or discontinued prior to consummation of the transaction. The OCC generally requires a national bank or Federal savings association to divest or conform nonconforming assets, or discontinue nonconforming activities, within a reasonable time following the business combination. (ii) Any resulting Federal savings association shall conform to the requirements of sections 5(c) and 10(m) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1464(c) and 1467a(m)) within the time period prescribed by the OCC. (6) Fiduciary powers. (i) An applicant shall state whether the resulting national bank or Federal savings association intends to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to § 5.26(b). (ii) If an applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, the applicant must include the information required under § 5.26(e)(2). (7) Expiration of approval. Approval of a business combination, and conditional approval to form an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association, if applicable, expires if the business combination is not consummated within six months after the date of OCC approval, unless the OCC grants an extension of time. (8) Adequacy of disclosure. (i) An applicant shall inform shareholders of all material aspects of a business combination and shall comply with any applicable requirements of the Federal securities laws and securities regulations of the OCC. Accordingly, an applicant shall ensure that all proxy and information statements prepared in connection with a business combination do not contain any untrue or misleading statement of a material fact, or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (ii) A national bank or Federal savings association applicant with one or more classes of securities subject to the registration provisions of section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78l(b) or 78l(g), shall file preliminary proxy material or information statements for review with the Director, Securities and Corporate Practices Division, OCC, Washington, DC 20219. Any other applicant shall submit the proxy materials or information statements it uses in connection with the combination to the appropriate OCC licensing office no later than when the materials are sent to the shareholders. (f) Exceptions to rules of general applicability—(1) National bank or Federal savings association applicant— (i) In general. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10 and 5.11 apply. (ii) Statutory notice. If an application is subject to the Bank Merger Act or to another statute that requires notice to the public, a national bank or Federal savings association applicant shall follow the public notice requirements contained in 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(3) or the other statute and sections 5.8(b) through 5.8(e), 5.10, and 5.11. (2) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to an application to organize an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all parts of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. The OCC treats an application to organize an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association as part of the related application to engage in a business combination and does not require a separate public notice and public comment process. (3) State bank, or state savings association, state trust company, or credit union as resulting institution. Sections 5.7 through 5.13 do not apply to transactions covered by paragraphs (g)(6) or (g)(7) of this section. (g) Provisions governing consolidations and mergers with different types of entities—(1) Consolidations and mergers under 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a of a national bank with other national banks and state banks as defined in 12 U.S.C. 215b(1) resulting in a national bank. (i) A VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 national bank entering into a consolidation or merger authorized pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, respectively, is subject to the approval procedures and requirements with respect to treatment of dissenting shareholders set forth in those provisions. (ii) Any national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a consolidation or merger under 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a shall provide a notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section. (2) Consolidations and mergers of a national bank with Federal savings associations under 12 U.S.C. 215c resulting in a national bank. (i) With the approval of the OCC, any national bank and any Federal savings association may consolidate or merge with a national bank as the resulting institution by complying with the following procedures: (A) A national bank entering into the consolidation or merger shall follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, respectively, as if the Federal savings association were a national bank. (B)(1) A Federal savings association entering into the consolidation or merger shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and follow the procedures set out in paragraph (o) of this section and shall provide a notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section. (2) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(2), a combination in which a national bank acquires all or substantially all of the assets, or assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of a Federal savings association shall be treated as a consolidation for the Federal savings association. (ii) (A) National bank shareholders who dissent from a plan to consolidate may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 215 as if the Federal savings association were a national bank. (B) Federal savings association shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their Federal savings association shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a as if the Federal savings association were a national bank. (C) The OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the national bank or Federal savings association held by dissenting shareholders in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, as applicable, except that the costs and expenses of any appraisal or reappraisal may be apportioned and assessed by the PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33351 Comptroller as he or she may deem equitable against all or some of the parties. In making this determination the Comptroller shall consider whether any party has acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect to the rights provided by this paragraph. (iii) The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution. (3) Consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association with another Federal savings association, a national bank, a state bank, a state savings bank, a state savings association, a state trust company, or a credit union resulting in a Federal savings association—(i) With the approval of the OCC, a Federal savings association may consolidate or merge with another Federal savings association, a national bank, a state bank, a state savings association, a state trust company, or a credit union with the Federal savings association as the resulting institution by complying with the following procedures: (A)(1) The applicant Federal savings association shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 5.33(n) and follow the procedures set out in paragraph 5.33(o). (2) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(3), a combination in which a Federal savings association acquires all or substantially all of the assets, or assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of another other participating institution shall be treated as a consolidation for the acquiring Federal savings association and as a consolidation by a Federal savings association whose assets are acquired, if any. (B)(1) A national bank entering into a merger or consolidation with a Federal savings association when the resulting institution will be a Federal savings association shall comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a and 12 U.S.C. 214c as if the Federal savings association were a state bank. However, for these purposes the references in 12 U.S.C. 214c to ‘‘law of the State in which such national banking association is located’’ and ‘‘any State authority’’ mean ‘‘laws and regulations governing Federal savings associations’’ and ‘‘Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’’ respectively. The national bank also shall provide a notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section. (2) National bank shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply with the requirements of E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33352 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the Federal savings association were a state bank. The OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the national bank shares held by dissenting shareholders in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 214a, except that the costs and expenses of any appraisal or reappraisal may be apportioned and assessed by the Comptroller as he or she may deem equitable against all or some of the parties. In making this determination the Comptroller shall consider whether any party has acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect to the rights provided by this paragraphs. (C)(1) A Federal savings association entering into a merger or consolidation with another Federal savings association when the resulting institution will be the other Federal savings association shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and the procedures of paragraph (o) of this section and shall provide a notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section. (2) Federal savings association shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their Federal savings association shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the other Federal savings association were a state bank. The OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the Federal savings association shares held by dissenting shareholders in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 214a, except that the costs and expenses of any appraisal or reappraisal may be apportioned and assessed by the Comptroller as he or she may deem equitable against all or some of the parties. In making this determination the Comptroller shall consider whether any party has acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect to the rights provided by this paragraph. (3) The plan of merger or consolidation must provide the manner of disposing of the shares of the resulting Federal savings association not taken by the dissenting shareholders of the Federal savings association. (D)(1) A state bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union entering into a consolidation or merger with a Federal savings association when the resulting institution will be a Federal savings association shall follow the procedures for such consolidations or mergers set out in the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the state bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union is organized. (2) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in the state VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 bank, state savings association, or state trust company, entering into the consolidation or merger shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the state bank, state savings association, or state trust company is organized. (ii) The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution. (4) Mergers of a national bank with its nonbank affiliates under 12 U.S.C. 215a–3 resulting in a national bank. (i) With the approval of the OCC, a national bank may merge with one or more of its nonbank affiliates, with the national bank as the resulting institution, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, provided that the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized allows the nonbank affiliate to engage in such mergers. If the national bank is an insured bank, the transaction is also subject to approval by the FDIC under the Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c). (ii) A national bank entering into the merger shall follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 215a as if the nonbank affiliate were a state bank, except as otherwise provided herein. (iii) A nonbank affiliate entering into the merger shall follow the procedures for such mergers set out in the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized. (iv) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in the nonbank affiliate entering into the merger shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized. (v) The corporate existence of each institution participating in the merger shall be continued in the resulting national bank, and all the rights, franchises, property, appointments, liabilities, and other interests of the participating institutions shall be transferred to the resulting national bank, as set forth in 12 U.S.C. 215a(a), (e), and (f) in the same manner and to the same extent as in a merger between a national bank and a state bank under 12 U.S.C. 215a(a), as if the nonbank affiliate were a state bank. (5) Mergers of an uninsured national bank with its nonbank affiliates under 12 U.S.C. 215a–3 resulting in a nonbank affiliate. (i) With the approval of the OCC, a national bank that is not an insured bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 1813(h) may merge with one or more of its nonbank affiliates, with the nonbank affiliate as the resulting entity, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, provided that the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized allows the nonbank affiliate to engage in such mergers. (ii) A national bank entering into the merger shall follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a, as if the nonbank affiliate were a state bank, except as otherwise provided in this section. (iii) A nonbank affiliate entering into the merger shall follow the procedures for such mergers set out in the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized. (iv)(A) National bank shareholders who dissent from an approved plan to merge may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the nonbank affiliate were a state bank. The OCC may conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in a national bank involved in the merger if all parties agree that the determination is final and binding on each party and agree on how the total expenses of the OCC in making the appraisal will be divided among the parties and paid to the OCC. (B) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of dissenters’ shares of stock in the nonbank affiliate involved in the merger shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized. (v) The corporate existence of each entity participating in the merger shall be continued in the resulting nonbank affiliate, and all the rights, franchises, property, appointments, liabilities, and other interests of the participating national bank shall be transferred to the resulting nonbank affiliate as set forth in 12 U.S.C. 214b, in the same manner and to the same extent as in a merger between a national bank and a state bank under 12 U.S.C. 214a, as if the nonbank affiliate were a state bank. (6) Consolidation or merger under 12 U.S.C. 214a of a national bank with a state bank resulting in a state bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a)—(i) Policy. Prior OCC approval is not required for the merger or consolidation of a national bank with a state bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a) Termination of a national bank’s existence and status as a national banking association is automatic, and its charter cancelled, upon completion of the statutory and regulatory E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules requirements for engaging in the consolidation or merger and consummation of the consolidation or merger. (ii) Procedures. A national bank desiring to merge or consolidate with a state bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a) when the resulting institution will be a state bank shall comply with the requirements and follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a and 214c and shall provide notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section. (iii) Dissenters’ rights and appraisal procedures. National bank shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a. The OCC conducts an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the national bank shares held by dissenting shareholders as provided for in 12 U.S.C. 214a. (iv) Liquidation account. The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution. (7) Consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association with a state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union resulting in a state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union—(i) Policy. Prior OCC approval is not required for the merger or consolidation of a Federal savings association with a state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union when the resulting institution will be a state institution or credit union. Termination of a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s existence and status as a national banking association or Federal savings association is automatic, and its charter cancelled, upon completion of the statutory and regulatory requirements for engaging in the consolidation or merger and consummation of the consolidation or merger. (ii) Procedures. (A) A Federal savings association desiring to merge or consolidate with a state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union when the resulting institution will be a state institution or credit union shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and the procedures of paragraph (o) of this section and shall provide notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section. (B) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(7), a combination in which a state VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union acquires all or substantially all of the assets, or assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of a Federal savings association shall be treated as a consolidation by the Federal savings association. (iii) Dissenters’ rights and appraisal procedures. (A) Federal savings association shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their Federal savings association shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the Federal savings association were a national bank. The OCC conducts an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the Federal savings association shares held by dissenting shareholders only if all parties agree that the determination will be final and binding. The parties shall also agree on how the total expenses of the OCC in making the appraisal will be divided among the parties and paid to the OCC. (B) The plan of merger or consolidation must provide the manner of disposing of the shares of the resulting state institution not taken by the dissenting shareholders of the Federal savings association. (iv) Liquidation account. The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution. (h) Interstate combinations under 12 U.S.C. 1831u. A business combination between insured banks with different home states under the authority of 12 U.S.C. 1831u must satisfy the standards and requirements and comply with the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 1831u and either 12 U.S.C. 215, 215a, and 215a–1, as applicable, if the resulting bank is a national bank, or 12 U.S.C. 214a, 214b, and 214c if the resulting bank is a state bank. For purposes of 12 U.S.C. 1831u, the acquisition of a branch without the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a bank is treated as the acquisition of a bank whose home state is the state in which the branch is located. (i) Expedited review for business reorganizations and streamlined applications. A filing that qualifies as a business reorganization as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, or a filing that qualifies as a streamlined application as described in paragraph (j) of this section, is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 45th day after the application is received by the OCC, or the 15th day after the close of the comment period, whichever is later, PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33353 unless the OCC notifies the applicant that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2). An application under this paragraph must contain all necessary information for the OCC to determine if it qualifies as a business reorganization or streamlined application. (j) Streamlined applications. (1) An applicant may qualify for a streamlined business combination application in the following situations: (i) At least one party to the transaction is an eligible bank or eligible Federal savings association, and all other parties to the transaction are eligible banks, eligible Federal savings associations, or eligible depository institutions, the resulting national bank or resulting Federal savings association will be well capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, and the total assets of the target institution are no more than 50 percent of the total assets of the acquiring bank or Federal savings association, as reported in each institution’s Consolidated Report of Condition and Income filed for the quarter immediately preceding the filing of the application; (ii) The acquiring bank or Federal savings association is an eligible bank or eligible Federal savings association, the target bank or savings association is not an eligible bank, eligible Federal savings association, or an eligible depository institution, the resulting national bank or resulting Federal savings association will be well capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, and the applicants in a prefiling communication request and obtain approval from the appropriate OCC licensing office to use the streamlined application; (iii) The acquiring bank or Federal savings association is an eligible bank or eligible Federal savings association, the target bank or savings association is not an eligible bank, eligible Federal savings association, or an eligible depository institution, the resulting bank or resulting Federal savings association will be well capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, and the total assets acquired do not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the acquiring national bank or acquiring Federal savings association, as reported in each institution’s Consolidated Report of Condition and Income filed for the quarter immediately preceding the filing of the application; or (iv) In the case of a transaction under paragraph (g)(4) of this section, the acquiring bank is an eligible bank, the resulting national bank will be well E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33354 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, the applicants in a prefiling communication request and obtain approval from the appropriate OCC licensing office to use the streamlined application, and the total assets acquired do not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the acquiring national bank, as reported in the bank’s Consolidated Report of Condition and Income filed for the quarter immediately preceding the filing of the application. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (j)(1) of this section, an applicant does not qualify for a streamlined business combination application if the transaction is part of a conversion under part 192 of this chapter. (3) When a business combination qualifies for a streamlined application, the applicant should consult the Manual to determine the abbreviated application information required by the OCC. The OCC encourages prefiling communications between the applicants and the appropriate OCC licensing office before filing under paragraph (j) of this section. (k) Exit notice to OCC—(1) Notice required. As provided in paragraphs (g)(1)(ii), (g)(2)(i)(B), (g)(3)(i)(B)(1), (g)(3)(i)(C)(1), (g)(6)(ii), and (g)(7)(ii) of this section, a national bank or Federal savings association engaging in a consolidation or merger in which it is not the applicant and the resulting institution must file a notice rather than an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office advising of its intention. (2) Timing of notice. The national bank or Federal savings association shall submit the notice at the time the application to merge or consolidate is filed with the responsible agency under the Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c), or if there is no such filing then no later than 30 days prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation. (3) Content of Notice. The notice shall include the following: (i)(A) A short description of the material features of the transaction, the identity of the acquiring institution, the identity of the state or Federal regulator to whom the application was made, and the date of the application; or (B) A copy of a filing made with another Federal or state regulatory agency seeking approval from that agency for the transaction under the Bank Merger Act or other applicable statute: (ii) The planned consummation date for the transaction; (iii) Information to demonstrate compliance by the national bank or Federal savings association with applicable requirements to engage in the VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 transactions (e.g., board approval or shareholder or accountholder requirements); and (iv) If the national bank or Federal savings association submitting the notice maintains a liquidation account established pursuant to part 192 of this chapter, the notice must state that the resulting institution will assume such liquidation account. (4) Termination of status. The national bank or Federal savings association shall advise the OCC when the transaction is about to be consummated. Termination of a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s existence and status as a national banking association or Federal savings association is automatic, and its charter cancelled, upon completion of the statutory and regulatory requirements and consummation of the consolidation or merger. When the national bank or Federal savings association files the notice under paragraph (k)(2) of this section, the OCC provides instructions to the national bank or Federal savings association for terminating its status as a national bank or Federal savings, including surrendering its charter to the OCC immediately after consummation of the transaction. (5) Expiration. If the action contemplated by the notice is not completed within six months after the OCC’s receipt of the notice, a new notice must be submitted to the OCC, unless the OCC grants an extension of time. (l) Mergers and consolidations; transfer of assets and liabilities to the resulting institution. (1) In any consolidation or merger in which the resulting institution is a national bank or Federal savings association, on the effective date of the merger or consolidation, all assets and property (real, personal and mixed, tangible and intangible, choses in action, rights, and credits) then owned by each participating institution or which would inure to any of them, shall, immediately by operation of law and without any conveyance, transfer, or further action, become the property of the resulting national bank or Federal savings association. The resulting national bank or Federal savings association shall be deemed to be a continuation of the entity of each participating institution, the rights and obligations of which shall succeed to such rights and obligations and the duties and liabilities connected therewith. (2) The authority in paragraph (l)(1) is in addition to any authority granted by applicable statutes for specific transactions and is subject to the PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 National Bank Act, the Home Owners’ Loan Act, and other applicable statutes. (m) Certification of combination; effective date. (1) When a national bank or Federal savings association is the applicant and will be the resulting entity in a consolidation or merger, after receiving approval from the OCC, it shall complete any remaining steps needed to complete the transaction, provide the OCC with a certification that all other required regulatory or shareholder approvals have been obtained, and inform the OCC of the planned consummation date. (2) When the transaction is consummated, the applicant shall notify the OCC of the consummation date. The OCC will issue a letter certifying that the combination was effective on the date specified in the applicant’s notice. (n) Authority for and certain limits on business combinations by Federal savings associations (1) Federal savings associations may enter into business combinations only in accordance with this section, the Bank Merger Act, and sections 5(d)(3)(A) and 10(s) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act. (2) A Federal savings association may consolidate or merge with another depository institution, a state trust company or a credit union, or may engage in another business combination listed in paragraphs (d)(2)(iv), (v) and (vi) of this section or an other combination listed in paragraph (d)(10), provided that: (i) The combination is in compliance with, and receives all approvals required under, any applicable statutes and regulations; (ii) Any resulting Federal savings association meets the requirements for insurance of accounts; and (iii) If any combining savings association is a mutual savings association, the resulting institution shall be a mutually held savings association, unless: (A) The transaction is approved under part 192 governing mutual to stock conversions; or (B) The transaction involves a mutual holding company reorganization under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(o). (3) Where the resulting institution is a Federal mutual savings association, the OCC may approve a temporary increase in the number of directors of the resulting institution provided that the association submits a plan for bringing the board of directors into compliance with the requirements of § 5.21(e) within a reasonable period of time. (4)(i) The Federal savings associations described in paragraph (m)(4)(ii) below must provide affected accountholders E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules with a notice of a proposed account transfer and an option of retaining the account in the transferring Federal savings association. The notice must allow affected accountholders at least 30 days to consider whether to retain their accounts in the transferring Federal savings association. (ii) The following savings associations must provide the notices: (A) A Federal mutual savings association transferring account liabilities to an institution the accounts of which are not insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund or the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund; and (B) Any Federal mutual savings association transferring account liabilities to a stock form depository institution. (o) Procedural requirements for Federal savings association approval of combinations—(1) Board approval. Before a Federal savings association files a notice or application for any consolidation or merger, the combination and combination agreement must be approved by majority vote of the entire board of each constituent Federal savings association in the case of Federal stock savings associations or a two-thirds vote of the entire board of each constituent Federal savings association in the case of Federal mutual savings associations; (2) Change of name or home office. If the name the resulting Federal savings association or the location of the home office of the resulting Federal savings association will be changed as a result of the business combination, the resulting Federal savings association shall amend its charter accordingly; (3) Shareholder vote—(i) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (n)(3), an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of any constituent Federal stock savings association shall be required for approval of a consolidation or merger. If any class of shares is entitled to vote as a class pursuant to § 152.4 of this part, an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of each voting class and twothirds of the total voting shares shall be required. The required vote shall be taken at a meeting of the savings association. (ii) General exception. Stockholders of the resulting Federal stock savings association need not authorize a consolidation or merger if: (A) It does not involve an interim Federal savings association or an interim state savings association; (B) The association’s charter is not changed; (C) Each share of stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 of the consolidation or merger is to be an identical outstanding share or a treasury share of the resulting Federal stock savings association after such effective date; and (D) Either: (1) No shares of voting stock of the resulting Federal stock savings association and no securities convertible into such stock are to be issued or delivered under the plan of combination, or (2) The authorized unissued shares or the treasury shares of voting stock of the resulting Federal stock savings association to be issued or delivered under the plan of combination, plus those initially issuable upon conversion of any securities to be issued or delivered under such plan, do not exceed 15% of the total shares of voting stock of such association outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the consolidation or merger. (iii) Exceptions for certain combinations involving an interim association. Stockholders of a Federal stock savings association need not authorize by a two-thirds affirmative vote consolidations or mergers involving an interim Federal savings association or interim state savings association when the resulting Federal stock savings association is acquired pursuant to the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System at 12 CFR 238.15(e) (relating to the creation of a savings and loan holding company by a savings association). In those cases, an affirmative vote of 50 percent of the shares of the outstanding voting stock of the Federal stock savings association plus one affirmative vote shall be required. If any class of shares is entitled to vote as a class pursuant to § 5.22(g) of this part, an affirmative vote of 50 percent of the shares of each voting class plus one affirmative vote shall be required. The required votes shall be taken at a meeting of the association. (4) Mutual member vote. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the OCC may require that a consolidation, merger or other business combination be submitted to the voting members of any mutual savings association participating in the proposed transaction at duly called meetings and that the transaction, to be effective, must be approved by such voting members. ■ 17. Section 5.34 is revised to read as follows: PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 § 5.34 bank. 33355 Operating subsidiaries of a national (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 24 (Seventh), 24a, 25b, 93a, 3101 et seq. (b) Licensing requirements. A national bank must file a notice or application as prescribed in this section to acquire or establish an operating subsidiary, or to commence a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. (c) Scope. This section sets forth authorized activities and application or notice procedures for national banks engaging in activities through an operating subsidiary. The procedures in this section do not apply to financial subsidiaries authorized under § 5.39. Unless provided otherwise, this section applies to a Federal branch or agency that acquires, establishes, or maintains any subsidiary that a national bank is authorized to acquire or establish under this section in the same manner and to the same extent as if the Federal branch or agency were a national bank, except that the ownership interest required in paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(5)(i)(B) of this section shall apply to the parent foreign bank of the Federal branch or agency and not to the Federal branch or agency. The OCC may, at any time, limit a national bank’s investment in an operating subsidiary or may limit or refuse to permit any activities in an operating subsidiary for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness reasons. (d) Definitions. For purposes of this § 5.34: (1) Authorized product means a product that would be defined as insurance under section 302(c) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Pub. L. 106– 102, 113 Stat. 1338, 1407) (GLBA) (15 U.S.C. 6712) that, as of January 1, 1999, the OCC had determined in writing that national banks may provide as principal or national banks were in fact lawfully providing the product as principal, and as of that date no court of relevant jurisdiction had, by final judgment, overturned a determination by the OCC that national banks may provide the product as principal. An authorized product does not include title insurance, or an annuity contract the income of which is subject to treatment under section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 72). (2) Well capitalized means the capital level described in 12 CFR 6.4 or, in the case of a Federal branch or agency, the capital level described in 12 CFR 4.7(b)(1)(iii). (3) Well managed means, unless otherwise determined in writing by the OCC: (i) In the case of a national bank: (A) The national bank has received a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33356 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System in connection with its most recent examination; or (B) In the case of any national bank that has not been examined, the existence and use of managerial resources that the OCC determines are satisfactory. (ii) In the case of a Federal branch or agency: (A) The Federal branch or agency has received a composite ROCA supervisory rating (which rates risk management, operational controls, compliance, and asset quality) of 1 or 2 at its most recent examination; or (B) In the case of a Federal branch or agency that has not been examined, the existence and use of managerial resources that the OCC determines are satisfactory. (e) Standards and requirements—(1) Authorized activities. (i) A national bank may conduct in an operating subsidiary activities that are permissible for a national bank to engage in directly either as part of, or incidental to, the business of banking, as determined by the OCC, or otherwise under other statutory authority, including: (A) Providing authorized products as principal; and (B) Providing title insurance as principal if the national bank or subsidiary thereof was actively and lawfully underwriting title insurance before November 12, 1999, and no affiliate of the national bank (other than a subsidiary) provides insurance as principal. A subsidiary may not provide title insurance as principal if the state had in effect before November 12, 1999, a law which prohibits any person from underwriting title insurance with respect to real property in that state. (ii) In addition to OCC authorization, before it begins business an operating subsidiary also must comply with other laws applicable to it and its proposed business, including applicable licensing or registration requirements, if any, such as registration requirements under securities laws. (2) Qualifying subsidiaries. (i) An operating subsidiary in which a national bank may invest includes a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or similar entity if: (A) The bank has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary, and no other person or entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the subsidiary; (B) The parent bank owns and controls more than 50 percent of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the operating subsidiary, or the parent bank otherwise controls the VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 operating subsidiary and no other party controls a percentage of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the operating subsidiary greater than the bank’s interest; and (C) The operating subsidiary is consolidated with the bank under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). (ii) However, the following subsidiaries are not operating subsidiaries subject to this section: (A) A subsidiary in which the bank’s investment is made pursuant to specific authorization in a statute or OCC regulation (e.g., a bank service company under 12 U.S.C. 1861 et seq. or a financial subsidiary under section 5136A of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 24a)); and (B) A subsidiary in which the bank has acquired, in good faith, shares through foreclosure on collateral, by way of compromise of a doubtful claim, or to avoid a loss in connection with a debt previously contracted. (iii) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i), (A) A national bank must have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the bank and its operating subsidiaries; and (B) OCC regulations shall not be construed as requiring a national bank and its operating subsidiaries to operate as a single entity. (3) Examination and supervision. An operating subsidiary conducts activities authorized under this section pursuant to the same authorization, terms and conditions that apply to the conduct of such activities by its parent national bank, unless otherwise specifically provided by statute, regulation, or published OCC policy, including sections 1044(e) and 1045 of the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 25b) with respect to the application of state law. If the OCC determines that the operating subsidiary is operating in violation of law, regulation, or written condition, or in an unsafe or unsound manner or otherwise threatens the safety or soundness of the bank, the OCC will direct the bank or operating subsidiary to take appropriate remedial action, which may include requiring the bank to divest or liquidate the operating subsidiary, or discontinue specified activities. OCC authority under this paragraph is subject to the limitations and requirements of section 45 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a). (4) Consolidation of figures—(i) National banks. Pertinent book figures PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 of the parent national bank and its operating subsidiary shall be combined for the purpose of applying statutory or regulatory limitations when combination is needed to effect the intent of the statute or regulation, e.g., for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 56, 59, 60, 84, and 371d. (ii) Federal branches or agencies. Transactions conducted by all of a foreign bank’s Federal branches and agencies and State branches and agencies, and their operating subsidiaries, shall be combined for the purpose of applying any limitation or restriction as provided in 12 CFR 28.14. (5) Procedures—(i) Application required. (A) Except for an operating subsidiary that qualifies for the notice procedures in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section or is exempt from notice or application requirements under paragraph (e)(5)(vi) of this section, a national bank must first submit an application to, and receive prior approval from, the OCC to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. (B) The application must explain, as appropriate, how the bank ‘‘controls’’ the enterprise, describing in full detail structural arrangements where control is based on factors other than bank ownership of more than 50 percent of the voting interest of the subsidiary and the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary’s board and to select and terminate senior management. In the case of a limited partnership or limited liability company that does not qualify for the notice procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(5)(ii), the bank must provide a statement explaining why it is not eligible. The application also must include a complete description of the bank’s investment in the subsidiary, the proposed activities of the subsidiary, the organizational structure and management of the subsidiary, the relations between the bank and the subsidiary, and other information necessary to adequately describe the proposal. To the extent that the application relates to the initial affiliation of the bank with a company engaged in insurance activities, the bank must describe the type of insurance activity in which the company is engaged and has present plans to conduct. The bank must also list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules resident license or charter, as applicable. The application must state whether the operating subsidiary will conduct any activity at a location other than the main office or a previously approved branch of the bank. The OCC may require an applicant to submit a legal analysis if the proposal is novel, unusually complex, or raises substantial unresolved legal issues. In these cases, the OCC encourages applicants to have a pre-filing meeting with the OCC. Any bank receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance. (ii) Notice process only for certain qualifying filings. (A) Except for an operating subsidiary that is exempt from notice or application procedures under paragraph (e)(5)(vi) of this section, a national bank that is ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed’’ may establish or acquire an operating subsidiary, or perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, by providing the appropriate OCC licensing office written notice prior to, or within 10 days after, acquiring or establishing the subsidiary, or commencing the new activity, if: (1) The activity is listed in paragraph (e)(5)(v) of this section; (2) The entity is a corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership; and (3) The bank: (i) Has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary’s board and to select and terminate senior management (or, in the case of a limited partnership or a limited liability company, has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by controlling the selection and termination of senior management), and no other person or entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the subsidiary; (ii) Holds more than 50 percent of the voting, or equivalent, interests in the subsidiary, and, in the case of a limited partnership or limited liability company, the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof is the sole general partner of the limited partnership or the sole managing member of the limited liability company, provided that under the partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement, limited partners or other limited liability company members have no authority to bind the partnership or limited liability company by virtue solely of their status as limited partners or members; and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (iii) Is required to consolidate its financial statements with those of the subsidiary under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. (B) The written notice must include a complete description of the bank’s investment in the subsidiary and of the activity conducted and a representation and undertaking that the activity will be conducted in accordance with OCC policies contained in guidance issued by the OCC regarding the activity. To the extent that the notice relates to the initial affiliation of the bank with a company engaged in insurance activities, the bank must describe the type of insurance activity in which the company is engaged and has present plans to conduct. The bank also must list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable. Any bank receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance. (iii) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (iv) OCC review and approval. The OCC reviews a national bank’s application to determine whether the proposed activities are legally permissible under Federal banking laws and to ensure that the proposal is consistent with safe and sound banking practices and OCC policy and does not endanger the safety or soundness of the parent national bank. As part of this process, the OCC may request additional information and analysis from the applicant. (v) Activities eligible for notice. The following activities qualify for the notice procedures in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section, provided the activity is conducted pursuant to the same terms and conditions as would be applicable if the activity were conducted directly by a national bank: (A) Holding and managing assets acquired by the parent bank or its operating subsidiaries, including investment assets and property acquired by the bank through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted; PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33357 (B) Providing services to or for the bank or its affiliates, including accounting, auditing, appraising, advertising and public relations, and financial advice and consulting; (C) Making loans or other extensions of credit, and selling money orders, savings bonds, and travelers checks; (D) Purchasing, selling, servicing, or warehousing loans or other extensions of credit, or interests therein; (E) Providing courier services between financial institutions; (F) Providing management consulting, operational advice, and services for other financial institutions; (G) Providing check guaranty, verification and payment services; (H) Providing data processing, data warehousing and data transmission products, services, and related activities and facilities, including associated equipment and technology, for the bank or its affiliates; (I) Acting as investment adviser (including an adviser with investment discretion) or financial adviser or counselor to governmental entities or instrumentalities, businesses, or individuals, including advising registered investment companies and mortgage or real estate investment trusts, furnishing economic forecasts or other economic information, providing investment advice related to futures and options on futures, and providing consumer financial counseling; (J) Providing tax planning and preparation services; (K) Providing financial and transactional advice and assistance, including advice and assistance for customers in structuring, arranging, and executing mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, swaps, foreign exchange, derivative transactions, coin and bullion, and capital restructurings; (L) Underwriting and reinsuring credit related insurance to the extent permitted under section 302 of the GLBA (15 U.S.C. 6712); (M) Leasing of personal property and acting as an agent or adviser in leases for others; (N) Providing securities brokerage or acting as a futures commission merchant, and providing related credit and other related services; (O) Underwriting and dealing, including making a market, in bank permissible securities and purchasing and selling as principal, asset backed obligations; (P) Acting as an insurance agent or broker, including title insurance to the extent permitted under section 303 of the GLBA (15 U.S.C. 6713); E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33358 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (Q) Reinsuring mortgage insurance on loans originated, purchased, or serviced by the bank, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates, provided that if the subsidiary enters into a quota share agreement, the subsidiary assumes less than 50 percent of the aggregate insured risk covered by the quota share agreement. A ‘‘quota share agreement’’ is an agreement under which the reinsurer is liable to the primary insurance underwriter for an agreed upon percentage of every claim arising out of the covered book of business ceded by the primary insurance underwriter to the reinsurer; (R) Acting as a finder pursuant to 12 CFR 7.1002 to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks; 2 (S) Offering correspondent services to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks; (T) Acting as agent or broker in the sale of fixed or variable annuities; (U) Offering debt cancellation or debt suspension agreements; (V) Providing real estate settlement, closing, escrow, and related services; and real estate appraisal services for the subsidiary, parent bank, or other financial institutions; (W) Acting as a transfer or fiscal agent; (X) Acting as a digital certification authority to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks, subject to the terms and conditions contained in that precedent; (Y) Providing or selling public transportation tickets, event and attraction tickets, gift certificates, prepaid phone cards, promotional and advertising material, postage stamps, and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) script, and similar media, to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks, subject to the terms and conditions contained in that precedent; (Z) Providing data processing, and data transmission services, facilities (including equipment, technology, and personnel), databases, advice and access to such services, facilities, databases and advice, for the parent bank and for others, pursuant to 12 CFR 7.5006 to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks; (AA) Providing bill presentment, billing, collection, and claimsprocessing services; (BB) Providing safekeeping for personal information or valuable confidential trade or business 2 See, e.g., the OCC’s monthly publication ‘‘Interpretations and Actions.’’ Beginning with the May 1996 issue, the OCC’s Web site provides access to electronic versions of ‘‘Interpretations and Actions’’ (www.occ.gov). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 information, such as encryption keys, to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks; (CC) Providing payroll processing; (DD) Providing branch management services; (EE) Providing merchant processing services except when the activity involves the use of third parties to solicit or underwrite merchants; and (FF) Performing administrative tasks involved in benefits administration. (vi) No application or notice required. A national bank may acquire or establish an operating subsidiary, or perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, without filing an application or providing notice to the OCC, if the bank is well managed and well capitalized and the: (A) Activities of the new subsidiary are limited to those activities previously reported by the bank in connection with the establishment or acquisition of a prior operating subsidiary; (B) Activities in which the new subsidiary will engage continue to be legally permissible for the subsidiary; (C) Activities of the new subsidiary will be conducted in accordance with any conditions imposed by the OCC in approving the conduct of these activities for any prior operating subsidiary of the bank; (D) The standards set forth in paragraphs (e)(5)(ii)(A)(2) and (3) of this section are satisfied. (vii) Fiduciary powers. (A) If an operating subsidiary proposes to accept fiduciary appointments for which fiduciary powers are required, such as acting as trustee or executor, then the national bank must have fiduciary powers under 12 U.S.C. 92a and the subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. (B) Unless the subsidiary is a registered investment adviser, if an operating subsidiary proposes to exercise investment discretion on behalf of customers or provide investment advice for a fee, the national bank must have prior OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to § 5.26 and 12 CFR part 9. (viii) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if the national bank has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary, or commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary within 12 months after the date of the approval, unless the OCC shortens or extends the time period. (6) Grandfathered operating subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the requirements for a qualifying operating subsidiary in § 5.34(e)(2) and unless otherwise notified by the OCC with PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 respect to a particular operating subsidiary, an entity that a national bank lawfully acquired or established as an operating subsidiary before April 24, 2008 may continue to operate as a national bank operating subsidiary under this section, provided that the bank and the operating subsidiary were, and continue to be, conducting authorized activities in compliance with the standards and requirements applicable when the bank established or acquired the operating subsidiary. (7) Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries—(i) Filing requirement. Each national bank shall prepare and file with the OCC an Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries containing the information set forth in paragraph (e)(7)(ii) of this section for each of its operating subsidiaries that: (A) Is not functionally regulated within the meaning of section 5(c)(5) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1844(c)(5)); and (B) Does business directly with consumers in the United States. For purposes of paragraph (e)(7) of this section, an operating subsidiary, or any subsidiary thereof, does business directly with consumers if, in the ordinary course of its business, it provides products or services to individuals to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. (ii) Information required. The Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries must contain the following information for each covered operating subsidiary listed: (A) The name and charter number of the parent national bank; (B) The name (include any ‘‘dba’’ (doing business as), abbreviated names, or trade names used to identify the operating subsidiary when it does business directly with consumers), mailing address (include the street address or post office box, city, state, and zip code), email address (if any), and telephone number of the operating subsidiary; (C) The principal place of business of the operating subsidiary, if different from the address provided pursuant to paragraph (e)(7)(ii)(B) of this section; and (D) The lines of business in which the operating subsidiary is doing business directly with consumers by designating the appropriate code contained in appendix B (NAICS Activity Codes for Commonly Reported Activities) to the Instructions for Preparation of Report of Changes in Organizational Structure, Form FR Y–10, a copy of which is set forth on the OCC’s Web site at www.occ.gov. If the operating subsidiary E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules is engaged in an activity not set forth in this list, a national bank shall report the code 0000 and provide a brief description of the activity. (iii) Filing time frames and availability of information. Each national bank’s Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries shall contain information current as of December 31st for the year prior to the year the report is filed. The national bank shall submit its Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries on or before January 31st each year. The national bank may submit the Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries electronically or in another format prescribed by the OCC. The OCC will make available to the public the information contained in the Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries at www.helpwithmybank.gov. ■ 18. Section 5.35 is revised to read as follows: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 § 5.35 Bank service company investments by a national bank or Federal savings association investment. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1861–1867, 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. Except where otherwise provided, a national bank or Federal savings association shall submit a notice and obtain prior OCC approval to invest in the equity of a bank service company or to perform new activities in an existing bank service company. (c) Scope. This section describes the procedures and requirements regarding OCC review and approval of a notice by a national bank or Federal savings association to invest in the equity of a bank service company. The OCC may, at any time, limit a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s investment in a bank service company or may limit or refuse to permit any activities in any bank service company for which a national bank or Federal savings association is the principal investor for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness reasons. (d) Definitions—(1) Bank service company means a corporation or limited liability company organized to provide services authorized by the Bank Service Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1861 et seq., all of whose capital stock is owned by one or more insured depository institutions in the case of a corporation, or all of the members of which are one or more insured depository institutions in the case of a limited liability company. (2) Limited liability company means any company, partnership, trust, or similar business entity organized under the law of a State (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) which provides that a member or VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 manager of such company is not personally liable for a debt, obligation, or liability of the company solely by reason of being, or acting as, a member or manager of such company. (3) Depository institution for purposes of this section, means, except when such term appears in connection with the term ‘insured depository institution’, an insured bank (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act), a savings association (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act), a financial institution subject to examination by the appropriate Federal banking agency or the National Credit Union Administration Board, or a financial institution the accounts or deposits of which are insured or guaranteed under state law and are eligible to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration Board. (4) Insured depository institution, for purposes of this section, has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. (5) Invest includes making any advance of funds to a bank service company, whether by the purchase of stock, the making of a loan, or otherwise, except a payment for rent earned, goods sold and delivered, or services rendered before the payment was made. (6) Principal investor means the insured depository institution that has the largest amount invested in the equity of a bank service company. In any case where two or more insured depository institutions have equal amounts invested and no other insured depository institution has a larger amount invested, the bank service company shall designate one of those insured depository institutions as its principal investor. (e) Standards and requirements. A national bank or Federal savings association may invest in a bank service company that conducts activities described in paragraphs (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this section and activities (other than taking deposits) permissible for the national bank or Federal savings association and other insured depository institution shareholders or members of the bank service company. (f) Procedures—(1) OCC notice and approval required. Except as provided in paragraphs, (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this section, a national bank or Federal savings association that intends to invest in the equity of a bank service company, or to perform new activities in an existing bank service company, must submit a notice to and receive prior approval from the OCC. The notice PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33359 must include the information required by paragraph (g) of this section. The OCC approves or denies a proposed investment within 60 days after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the bank prior to that date that the filing presents a significant supervisory or compliance concern, or raises a significant legal or policy issue. (2) Expedited Review for certain activities. (i) A notice to invest in the equity of a bank service company, or to perform new activities in an existing bank service company, that meets the requirements of this paragraph is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the notice is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the filer prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review or the expedited review process is extended. Any bank or savings association making an investment pursuant to this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the bank service company will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with the published OCC guidance. (ii) A notice is eligible for expedited review if all of the following requirements are met: (A) The national bank or Federal savings association is ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed’’ as defined in § 5.34(d) or § 5.38(d), as applicable; and (B) The bank service company engages only in activities that are permissible for the bank service company under 12 U.S.C. 1864 and that are listed in § 5.34(e)(5)(v) or § 5.38(d), as applicable. (3) Investments requiring no approval or notice. A national bank or Federal savings association does not need to submit a notice or obtain OCC approval to invest in a bank service company, or to perform a new activity in an existing bank service company, if the bank service company will provide only the following services only for depository institutions: Check and deposit posting and sorting; computation and posting of interest and other credits and charges; preparation and mailing of checks, statements, notices, and similar items; or any other clerical, bookkeeping, accounting, statistical, or similar functions. (4) Federal Reserve approval. A national bank or Federal savings association also may, with the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board), invest in the equity of a bank service company that provides any other service (except deposit taking) that the Federal Reserve Board has determined, by regulation, to be permissible for a bank holding company under 12 U.S.C. 1843(c)(8). E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33360 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (5) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to a request for approval to invest in a bank service company. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all provisions of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (g) Required information. A notice required under paragraph (f)(1), of this section must contain the following: (1) The name and location of the bank service company; (2) A complete description of the activities the bank service company will conduct and a representation and undertaking that the activities will be conducted in accordance with OCC guidance. To the extent the notice relates to the initial affiliation of the bank or savings association with a company engaged in insurance activities, the bank or savings association should describe the type of insurance activity that the company is engaged in and has present plans to conduct. The bank or savings association must also list for each state the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the state where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable; (3) A complete description of the bank’s or savings association’s investment in the bank service company and information demonstrating that the bank or savings association will comply with the investment limitations of paragraph (i) of this section; and (4) Information demonstrating that the bank service company will perform only those services that each insured depository institution shareholder or member is authorized to perform under applicable Federal or State law and will perform such services only at locations in a State in which each such shareholder or member is authorized to perform such services unless performing services that are authorized by the Federal Reserve Board under the authority of 12 U.S.C. 1865(b). (h) Examination and supervision. Each bank service company in which a national bank or Federal savings association is the principal investor is subject to examination and supervision by the OCC in the same manner and to the same extent as that national bank or Federal savings association. OCC authority under this paragraph is subject to the limitations and requirements of section 45 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (i) Investment limitations. A national bank or Federal savings association may not invest more than ten percent of its capital and surplus in a bank service company. In addition, the bank’s or savings association’s total investments in all bank service companies may not exceed five percent of the bank’s or savings association’s total assets. ■ 19. Section 5.36 is amended by: ■ a. Revising the section heading; ■ b. In paragraphs (d)(1), (e), and (g)(1), by removing the phrase ‘‘the appropriate district office’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘the appropriate OCC licensing office’’. The revision reads as follows: § 5.36 Other equity investments by a national bank. * * * * * 20. Section 5.37 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 5.37 Investment in national bank or Federal savings association premises. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 29, 93a, 317d, 1464(c)(2), 1464(c)(4)(B), 1828(m), and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. This section addresses a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s investment in banking premises and other premises-related investments, loans, or indebtedness. This section also sets forth the quantitative investment limitations and procedures governing the OCC’s review and approval of an application by a national bank or Federal savings association to invest in these premises. (c) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of this section. (1) Banking premises includes: (i) Premises that are owned and occupied (or to be occupied, if under construction) by a national bank or Federal savings association, its respective branches, or its consolidated subsidiaries; (ii) Capitalized leases and leasehold improvements, vaults, and fixed machinery and equipment; (iii) Remodeling costs to existing premises; (iv) Real estate acquired and intended, in good faith, for use in future expansion; or (v) Parking facilities that are used by customers or employees of the national bank or Federal savings association. (2) Capital stock means, for national banks and Federal stock savings associations, the amount of common stock outstanding and unimpaired plus the amount of perpetual preferred stock outstanding and unimpaired. With respect to Federal mutual savings associations, ‘‘capital stock’’ should be PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 read to mean the amount of the association’s retained earnings. (3) Capital and surplus means: (i) A national bank’s or Federal savings association’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital calculated under the OCC’s riskbased capital standards applicable to the institution as reported in the bank’s or savings association’s Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call Reports) filed under 12 U.S.C. 161 or 12 U.S.C. 1464(v), respectively; plus (ii) The balance of a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s allowance for loan and lease losses not included in the bank’s or savings association’s Tier 2 capital, for purposes of the calculation of risk-based capital described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section, as reported in the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s Call Reports filed under 12 U.S.C. 161 or 1464(v), respectively. (d) Procedure—(1) Premises application—(i) When required. A national bank or Federal savings association shall submit an application to the appropriate OCC supervisory office to invest in banking premises, or in the stock, bonds, debentures, or other such obligations of any corporation holding the premises of the national bank or Federal savings association, or to make loans to or upon the security of the stock of such corporation, if the aggregate of all such investments and loans, together with the indebtedness incurred by any such corporation that is an affiliate of the national bank or Federal savings association, as defined in 12 U.S.C. 221a or 12 U.S.C. 1462, respectively, will exceed the amount of the capital stock of the national bank or Federal savings association, or, in the case of a Federal mutual savings association the amount of retained earnings. (ii) Contents of premises application. The application must include: (A) A description of the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s present investment in banking premises; (B) The investment in banking premises that the national bank or Federal savings association intends to make, and the business reason for making the investment; and (C) The amount by which the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s aggregate investment will exceed the amount of the national bank’s or Federal stock savings association’s capital stock, or, in the case of a Federal mutual savings association, the amount of retained earnings. (2) Approval of premises application. An application from a national bank or Federal savings association to invest in banking premises or in certain banking E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules premises-related investments, loans or indebtedness, as described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, is deemed approved as of the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the national bank or Federal savings association prior to that date that the filing presents a significant supervisory or compliance concern, or raises a significant legal or policy issue. An approval for a specified amount under this section remains valid up to that amount until the OCC notifies the national bank or Federal savings association otherwise. (3) Premises notice process—(i) General rule. Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, a national bank or Federal savings association that is rated 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (CAMELS) may make an aggregate investment in banking premises up to 150 percent of the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s capital and surplus without the OCC’s prior approval, provided that the national bank or Federal savings association is well capitalized as defined in 12 CFR parts 6 and will continue to be well capitalized after the investment or loan is made. However, the national bank or Federal savings association shall notify the appropriate OCC supervisory office in writing of the investment within 30 days after the investment or loan is made. The written notice must include a description of the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s investment or loan. (ii) Exception. If a Federal savings association that would otherwise be eligible for the premises notice process described in paragraph (d)(3)(i) proposes to establish or acquire a subsidiary to make an investment in banking premises, or if investing in banking premises would be a new activity for such a subsidiary, the Federal savings association would not be eligible for the premises notice process and would be required to comply with the provisions of § 5.59 in the case of a service corporation, or § 5.38 in the case of an operating subsidiary. (4) Service corporation. A Federal savings association that invests in banking premises through a service corporation is not subject to the premises application and premises notice requirements of paragraph (d) of this section; however, it must include this investment when calculating the quantitative limitations in paragraph (d) of this section, and must comply with 12 CFR 5.59. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (5) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all parts of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (e) Transition. If, on June 10, 2014, a Federal savings association holds an investment in banking premises that complies with the legal requirements in effect on the day prior to June 10, 2014 but would violate any provision of this section, the Federal savings association may continue to hold such banking premises in accordance with the prior legal requirements. However, a Federal savings association that holds such banking premises shall not modify, expand or improve these premises, except for routine maintenance, without the prior approval of the appropriate OCC supervisory office. ■ 21. Section 5.38 is added to read as follows: § 5.38 Operating subsidiaries of a Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1828, 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. A Federal savings association must file an application as prescribed in this section to acquire or establish an operating subsidiary, or to commence a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. (c) Scope. This section sets forth authorized activities and application procedures for Federal savings associations engaging in activities through an operating subsidiary. The OCC may, at any time, limit a Federal savings association’s investment in an operating subsidiary or may limit or refuse to permit any activities in an operating subsidiary for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness reasons. (d) Definitions. For purposes of this § 5.38: (1) Well capitalized means the capital level described in 12 CFR 6.4. (2) Well managed means, unless otherwise determined in writing by the OCC: (i) The Federal savings association has received a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System in connection with its most recent examination; or (ii) In the case of any Federal savings association that has not been examined, the existence and use of managerial resources that the OCC determines are satisfactory. (e) Standards and requirements—(1) Authorized activities. (i) A Federal PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33361 savings association may conduct in an operating subsidiary activities that are permissible for a Federal savings association to engage in directly. (ii) In addition to OCC authorization, before it begins business an operating subsidiary also must comply with other laws applicable to it and its proposed business, including applicable licensing or registration requirements, if any, such as registration requirements under securities laws. (2) Qualifying subsidiaries. (i) An operating subsidiary in which a Federal savings association may invest includes a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or similar entity if: (A) The savings association has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary, and no other person or entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the subsidiary; (B) The parent savings association owns and controls more than 50 percent of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the operating subsidiary, or the parent savings association otherwise controls the operating subsidiary and no other party controls a percentage of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the operating subsidiary greater than the savings association’s interest; and (C) The operating subsidiary is consolidated with the savings association under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). (ii) However, the following subsidiaries are not operating subsidiaries subject to this section: (A) A subsidiary in which the savings association’s investment is made pursuant to specific authorization in a statute or OCC regulation (e.g., a service corporation under 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4) or a bank service company under 12 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.); and (B) A subsidiary in which the savings association has acquired, in good faith, shares through foreclosure on collateral, by way of compromise of a doubtful claim, or to avoid a loss in connection with a debt previously contracted. (iii) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, (A) a Federal savings association must have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the savings association and its operating subsidiaries; and (B) OCC regulations shall not be construed as requiring a Federal savings association and its operating subsidiaries to operate as a single entity. (3) Examination and supervision. An operating subsidiary conducts activities authorized under this section pursuant E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33362 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules to the same authorization, terms and conditions that apply to the conduct of such activities by its parent Federal savings association, unless otherwise specifically provided by statute, regulation, or published OCC policy, including section 1046 of the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 1465) with respect to the application of state law. If the OCC determines that the operating subsidiary is operating in violation of law, regulation, or written condition, or in an unsafe or unsound manner or otherwise threatens the safety or soundness of the savings association, the OCC will direct the savings association or operating subsidiary to take appropriate remedial action, which may include requiring the savings association to divest or liquidate the operating subsidiary, or discontinue specified activities. OCC authority under this paragraph is subject to the limitations and requirements of section 45 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a). (4) Consolidation of figures. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this section, pertinent book figures of the parent Federal savings association and its operating subsidiary shall be combined for the purpose of applying statutory or regulatory limitations when combination is needed to effect the intent of the statute or regulation, e.g., for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 1464(c) and 1464(u). (ii) Consolidation for purposes of calculating portfolio assets and qualified thrift investments is subject to 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m)(5). (5) Procedures—(i) Application required. (A) A Federal savings association must first submit an application to, and receive prior approval from, the OCC to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. (B) The application must explain, as appropriate, how the savings association ‘‘controls’’ the enterprise, describing in full detail structural arrangements where control is based on factors other than savings association ownership of more than 50 percent of the voting interest of the subsidiary and the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary’s board and to select and terminate senior management. In the case of a limited partnership or limited liability company that does not qualify for the expedited review procedure set VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 forth in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section, the savings association must provide a statement explaining why it is not eligible. The application also must include a complete description of the savings association’s investment in the subsidiary, the proposed activities of the subsidiary, the organizational structure and management of the subsidiary, the relations between the savings association and the subsidiary, and other information necessary to adequately describe the proposal. To the extent that the application relates to the initial affiliation of the savings association with a company engaged in insurance activities, the savings association must describe the type of insurance activity in which the company is engaged and has present plans to conduct. The savings association must also list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable. The application must state whether the operating subsidiary will conduct any activity at a location other than the home office or a previously approved branch of the savings association. The OCC may require an applicant to submit a legal analysis if the proposal is novel, unusually complex, or raises substantial unresolved legal issues. In these cases, the OCC encourages applicants to have a pre-filing meeting with the OCC. Any savings association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance. (ii) Expedited review. (A) An application to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, that meets the requirements of this paragraph is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the applicant prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended under § 5.13(a)(2). Any savings association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance. (B) An application is eligible for expedited review if all of the following requirements are met: (1) The savings association is ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed’’; (2) The activity is listed in paragraph (e)(5)(v) this section; PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (3) The entity is a corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership; and (4) The savings association: (i) Has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary’s board and to select and terminate senior management (or, in the case of a limited partnership or a limited liability company, has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by controlling the selection and termination of senior management), and no other person or entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the subsidiary; (ii) Holds more than 50 percent of the voting, or equivalent, interests in the subsidiary, and, in the case of a limited partnership or limited liability company, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof is the sole general partner of the limited partnership or the sole managing member of the limited liability company, provided that under the partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement, limited partners or other limited liability company members have no authority to bind the partnership or limited liability company by virtue solely of their status as limited partners or members; and (iii) Is required to consolidate its financial statements with those of the subsidiary under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. An applicant proposing to qualify for expedited review must include in the application all necessary information showing the application meets the requirements. (iii) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (iv) OCC review and approval. The OCC reviews a Federal savings association’s application to determine whether the proposed activities are legally permissible under Federal savings association law and to ensure that the proposal is consistent with safe and sound banking practices and OCC policy and does not endanger the safety or soundness of the parent Federal savings association. As part of this process, the OCC may request additional information and analysis from the applicant. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (v) Activities eligible for expedited review. The following activities qualify for the expedited review procedures in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section, provided the activity is conducted pursuant to the same terms and conditions as would be applicable if the activity were conducted directly by a Federal savings association: (A) Holding and managing assets acquired by the parent savings association or its operating subsidiaries, including investment assets and property acquired by the savings association through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted; (B) Providing services to or for the savings association or its affiliates, including accounting, auditing, appraising, advertising and public relations, and financial advice and consulting; (C) Making loans or other extensions of credit, and selling money orders and travelers checks; (D) Purchasing, selling, servicing, or warehousing loans or other extensions of credit, or interests therein; (E) Providing management consulting, operational advice, and services for other financial institutions; (F) Providing check payment services; (G) Acting as investment adviser (including an adviser with investment discretion) or financial adviser or counselor to governmental entities or instrumentalities, businesses, or individuals, including advising registered investment companies and mortgage or real estate investment trusts; (H) Providing financial and transactional advice and assistance, including advice and assistance for customers in structuring, arranging, and executing mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, swaps, foreign exchange, derivative transactions, coin and bullion, and capital restructurings; (I) Underwriting and reinsuring credit life and disability insurance; (J) Leasing of personal property; (K) Providing securities brokerage; (L) Underwriting and dealing, including making a market, in savings association permissible securities and purchasing and selling as principal, asset backed obligations; (M) Acting as an insurance agent or broker for credit life, disability, and unemployment insurance; single property interest insurance; and title insurance; (N) Offering correspondent services to the extent permitted by published OCC VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 precedent for Federal savings associations; (O) Acting as agent or broker in the sale of fixed annuities; (P) Offering debt cancellation or debt suspension agreements; (Q) Providing escrow services; (R) Acting as a transfer agent; and (S) Providing or selling postage stamps. (vi) Redesignation. A Federal savings association that proposes to redesignate a service corporation as an operating subsidiary must submit a notification to the OCC at least 30 days prior to the redesignation date. The notification must include a description of how the redesignated service corporation meets all of the requirements of this section to be an operating subsidiary, a resolution of the savings association’s board of directors approving the redesignation, and the proposed effective date of the redesignation. The savings association may effect the redesignation on the proposed date unless the OCC notifies the savings association otherwise prior to that date. The OCC may require an application if the redesignation presents policy, supervisory, or legal issues. (vii) Fiduciary powers. (A) If an operating subsidiary proposes to accept fiduciary appointments for which fiduciary powers are required, such as acting as trustee or executor, then the Federal savings association must have fiduciary powers under 12 U.S.C. 1464(n) and the subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. (B) Unless the subsidiary is a registered investment adviser, if an operating subsidiary proposes to exercise investment discretion on behalf of customers or provide investment advice for a fee, the Federal savings association must have prior OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to § 5.26 (or a predecessor provision) and 12 CFR part 150. (viii) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if the Federal savings association has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary, or commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary within 12 months after the date of the approval, unless the OCC shortens or extends the time period. (6) Grandfathered operating subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the requirements for a qualifying operating subsidiary in § 5.38(e)(2) and unless otherwise notified by the OCC with respect to a particular operating subsidiary, an entity that a Federal savings association lawfully acquired or established as an operating subsidiary before June 10, 2014 may continue to PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33363 operate as a Federal savings association operating subsidiary under this section, provided that the savings association and the operating subsidiary were, and continue to be, conducting authorized activities in compliance with the standards and requirements applicable when the savings association established or acquired the operating subsidiary. (7) Issuances of securities by operating subsidiaries. An operating subsidiary shall not state or imply that the securities it issues are covered by Federal deposit insurance. An operating subsidiary shall not issue any security the payment, maturity, or redemption of which may be accelerated upon the condition that the controlling Federal savings association is insolvent or has been placed into receivership. For as long as any securities are outstanding, the controlling Federal savings association must maintain all records generated through each securities issuance in the ordinary course of business, including but not limited to a copy of the prospectus, offering circular, or similar document concerning such issuance, and make such records available for examination by the OCC. (8) Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries—(i) Filing requirement. Each Federal savings association shall prepare and file with the OCC an Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries containing the information set forth in paragraph (e)(8)(ii) of this section for each of its operating subsidiaries that: (A) Is not functionally regulated within the meaning of section 5(c)(5) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1844(c)(5)); and (B) Does business directly with consumers in the United States. For purposes of paragraph (e)(8) of this section, an operating subsidiary, or any subsidiary thereof, does business directly with consumers if, in the ordinary course of its business, it provides products or services to individuals to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. (ii) Information required. The Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries must contain the following information for each covered operating subsidiary listed: (A) The name and charter number of the parent Federal savings association; (B) The name (include any ‘‘dba’’ (doing business as), abbreviated names, or trade names used to identify the operating subsidiary when it does business directly with consumers), mailing address (include the street address or post office box, city, state, E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33364 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules and zip code), email address (if any), and telephone number of the operating subsidiary; (C) The principal place of business of the operating subsidiary, if different from the address provided pursuant to paragraph (e)(8)(ii)(B) of this section; and (D) The lines of business in which the operating subsidiary is doing business directly with consumers by designating the appropriate code contained in appendix B (NAICS Activity Codes for Commonly Reported Activities) to the Instructions for Preparation of Report of Changes in Organizational Structure, Form FR Y–10, a copy of which is set forth on the OCC’s Web site at www.occ.gov. If the operating subsidiary is engaged in an activity not set forth in this list, a Federal savings association shall report the code 0000 and provide a brief description of the activity. (iii) Filing time frames and availability of information. Each Federal savings association’s Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries shall contain information current as of December 31st for the year prior to the year the report is filed. The Federal savings association shall submit its first Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries (for information as of December 31, 20__) to the OCC on or before January 31, 20__, and on or before January 31st each year thereafter. The Federal savings association may submit the Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries electronically or in another format prescribed by the OCC. The OCC will make available to the public the information contained in the Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries at www.helpwithmybank.gov. ■ 22. Section 5.39 is amended by: ■ a. Revising the section heading; and ■ b. In paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (ii), and (i)(2), removing the phrase ‘‘the appropriate district office’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘the appropriate OCC licensing office’’. The revision reads as follows: § 5.39 bank. Financial subsidiaries of a national * emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 * * * * ■ 23. Section 5.40 is revised to read as follows: home office.3 A national bank or Federal savings association shall follow the procedures described in paragraph (c) of this section to relocate its main office or home office, as applicable. (c) Licensing requirements and procedures—(1) Main office or home office relocation to an authorized branch location within city, town, or village limits. A national bank or Federal savings association may change the location of its main office or home office, as applicable, to an authorized branch location (approved or existing branch site) within the limits of the same city, town, or village. The national bank or Federal savings association shall give prior notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office before the relocation. The notice must include the new address of the main office or home office, as applicable, and the effective date of the relocation. (2) To any other location—(i) National banks. A national bank shall submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office and obtain prior OCC approval to relocate its main office to any other location in the city, town, or village in which the main office of the bank is located other than an authorized branch location or to any other location within 30 miles of the limits of such city, town, or village. If relocating the main office outside the limits of its city, town, or village, a national bank shall also obtain the approval of shareholders owning two-thirds of the voting stock of the bank and shall amend its articles of association. (ii) Federal savings associations. A Federal savings association shall submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office and obtain prior OCC approval to relocate its home office to any location other than an authorized branch location within the city, town, or village in which the home office of the savings association is located. If relocating the home office outside the limits of its city, town, or village, a Federal savings association shall amend its charter. 3A § 5.40 Change in location of main office or home office. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 30, 93a, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1828, 2901–2907 and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. This section describes OCC procedures and approval standards for an application or a notice by a national bank to change the location of its main office or by a Federal savings association to change the location of its VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 national bank’s main office is the place identified in the bank’s original organization certificate under 12 U.S.C. 22 or the subsequent location to which the main office has been changed under this § 5.40, 12 U.S.C. 30(b), or other applicable law, as reflected in the national bank’s amended articles of association. A Federal savings association’s home office is the office identified as such in the savings association’s original charter or the subsequent location to which the home office has been changed under this § 5.40, or other applicable law, as reflected in the savings association’s amended charter. These terms are functionally the same but are used in our regulations in order to be consistent with the relevant statutes that govern national banks and Federal savings associations, respectively. PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (3) Establishment of a branch at site of former main office or home office. A national bank or Federal savings association desiring to establish a branch at its former main office or home office location, as applicable, shall follow the provisions of § 5.30 or § 5.31, respectively. (4) Expedited review. A main office or home office relocation application submitted by an eligible bank or eligible Federal savings association under paragraph (c)(2) of this section is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the public comment period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC (or in the case of a short-distance relocation the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC), whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the bank or savings association prior to that time that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review period is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2). (5) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. (i) Sections 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to a main office or home office relocation to an authorized branch location within the limits of the city, town, or village as described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. However, if the OCC concludes that the notice under paragraph (c)(1) of this section presents a significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issue, the OCC may determine that any or all parts of §§ 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (ii) The comment period on any application filed under paragraph (c)(2) of this section to engage in a shortdistance relocation of a main office or home office is 15 days. (d) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if the national bank or Federal savings association has not opened its main office or home office, as applicable, at the relocated site within 18 months of the date of approval, unless the OCC grants an extension. ■ 24. Section 5.42 is revised to read as follows: § 5.42 Corporate title of a national bank or Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 21a, 30, 93a, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2901 et. seq. and, 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. This section describes the method by which a national bank or Federal savings association may change its corporate title. (c) Standards—(1) A national bank or Federal savings association may change its corporate title provided that the new title complies with applicable laws, including 18 U.S.C. 709, regarding false advertising and the misuse of names to E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules indicate a Federal agency, and any applicable OCC guidance. (2) For a national bank, the new title must include the word ‘‘national.’’ (d) Procedures—(1) Notice process. A national bank or Federal savings association shall promptly notify the appropriate OCC licensing office if it changes its corporate title. The notice must contain the old and new titles and the effective date of the change. (2) Amendment to articles of association. A national bank whose corporate title is specified in its articles of association shall amend its articles, in accordance with the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 21a, to change its title. (3) Amendment to charter. A Federal savings association shall change its title by amending its charter in accordance with 12 CFR 5.21 or 5.22, as applicable. (4) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(a) do not apply to a national bank or Federal savings association’s change of corporate title. However, if the OCC concludes that the application presents a significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issue, the OCC may determine that any or all parts of §§ 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(a) apply. ■ 25. Section 5.45 is added to read as follows: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 § 5.45 Increases in permanent capital of a Federal stock savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1831o and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. Generally a Federal savings association is not required to apply for an increase in capital unless the method of increase itself requires a filing (such as issuance of a new class of stock). However, in certain circumstances, a Federal stock savings association is required to submit an application and obtain OCC approval. (c) Scope. This section describes procedures and standards relating to a transaction resulting in an increase in a Federal stock savings association’s permanent capital. (d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to increases in a Federal stock savings association’s permanent capital. (e) Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following definitions apply: (1) Capital plan means a plan describing the manner and schedule by which a Federal savings association will attain specified capital levels or ratios and a capital restoration plan filed with the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1831o and 12 CFR 6.5. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (2) Capital stock means the total amount of common stock and preferred stock. (3) Capital surplus means the total of: (i) The amount paid in on capital stock in excess of the par or stated value; (ii) Direct capital contributions representing the amounts paid in to the Federal stock savings association other than for capital stock; (iii) The amount transferred from retained net income; and (iv) The amount transferred from retained net income reflecting stock dividends. (4) Permanent capital means the sum of capital stock and capital surplus. (5) Retained net income means the net income of a specified period less the amount of all dividends and other capital distributions declared in that period. (f) Policy. In determining whether to approve a proposed increase in a Federal stock savings association’s permanent capital, the OCC considers whether the change is: (1) Consistent with law, regulation, and OCC policy thereunder; (2) Provides an adequate capital structure; and (3) If appropriate, complies with the savings association’s capital plan. (g) Procedures—(1) When prior approval is required. A Federal stock savings association must submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office and obtain prior OCC approval to increase its permanent capital if the savings association is: (i) Required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order, directive, written agreement or otherwise; (ii) Selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than cash; or (iii) Receiving a material noncash contribution to capital surplus. (2) Content of application. The application must: (i) Describe the type and amount of the proposed change in permanent capital and explain the reason for the change; (ii) In the case of a material noncash contribution to capital, provide a description of the method of valuing the contribution; and (iii) State if the savings association is subject to a capital plan with the OCC and how the proposed change would conform to a capital plan or if a capital plan is otherwise required in connection with the proposed change in permanent capital. (3) Expedited review. An eligible savings association’s application is deemed approved by the OCC 15 days after the date the OCC receives the PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33365 application, unless the OCC notifies the savings association prior to that date that the application is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2). (4) Notice of increase. (i) After a savings association completes an increase in capital it shall submit a notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The notice must contain: (A) The amount, including the par value of the stock, and effective date of the increase; (B) A certification that the funds have been paid in, if applicable; and (C) A statement that the savings association has complied with all laws, regulations and conditions imposed by the OCC. (5) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a national bank has not completed its change in permanent capital within one year of the date of approval. (h) Offers and sales of stock. A savings association shall comply with the Securities Offering Disclosure Rules in 12 CFR part 197 for offers and sales of common and preferred stock. (i) Shareholder approval. A savings association shall obtain the necessary shareholder approval required by statute for any change in its permanent capital. ■ 26. Section 5.46 is revised to read as follows: § 5.46 Changes in permanent capital of a national bank. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 21a, 51a, 51b, 51b–1, 52, 56, 57, 59, 60, and 93a. (b) Licensing requirements. A national bank shall submit an application and obtain OCC approval to decrease its permanent capital. Generally, a national bank need only submit a notice to increase its permanent capital, although, in certain circumstances, a national bank shall be required to submit an application and obtain OCC approval. (c) Scope. This section describes procedures and standards relating to a transaction resulting in a change in a national bank’s permanent capital. (d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to changes in a national bank’s permanent capital. (e) Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following definitions apply: (1) Capital plan means a plan describing the manner and schedule by which a national bank will attain specified capital levels or ratios and a capital restoration plan filed with the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1831o and 12 CFR 6.5. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33366 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (2) Capital stock means the total amount of common stock and preferred stock. (3) Capital surplus means the total of: (i) The amount paid in on capital stock in excess of the par or stated value; (ii) Direct capital contributions representing the amounts paid in to the national bank other than for capital stock; (iii) The amount transferred from undivided profits; and (iv) The amount transferred from undivided profits reflecting stock dividends. (4) Permanent capital means the sum of capital stock and capital surplus. (f) Policy. In determining whether to approve a proposed change to a national bank’s permanent capital, the OCC considers whether the change is: (1) Consistent with law, regulation, and OCC policy thereunder; (2) Provides an adequate capital structure; and (3) If appropriate, complies with the bank’s capital plan. (g) Increases in permanent capital— (1) Approval—(i) Prior approval not required. If a national bank is not required to file an application and obtain prior approval under paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, the bank need not submit an application. It must submit the notice of capital increase under paragraph (i)(3) of this section. The increase in capital is deemed approved by the OCC as of the date the increase was made, once the bank has filed the notice of capital increase and the OCC certifies the increase, as provided in paragraph (i)(3). (ii) Prior approval required. A national bank must submit an application under paragraph (i)(1) of this section and obtain prior OCC approval to increase its permanent capital if the bank is: (A) Required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order, directive, written agreement or otherwise; (B) Selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than cash; or (C) Receiving a material noncash contribution to capital surplus. The bank also must submit the notice of capital increase under paragraph (i)(3) of this section. (2) Preferred stock. Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section, in the case of a sale of preferred stock, the national bank shall also submit provisions in the articles of association concerning preferred stock dividends, voting and conversion rights, retirement of the stock, and rights to exercise control over management to the appropriate OCC licensing office prior VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 to the sale of the preferred stock. The provisions will be deemed approved by the OCC within 15 days of its receipt, unless the OCC notifies the applicant otherwise, including a statement of the reason for the delay. (h) Decreases in permanent capital. A national bank shall submit an application and obtain prior approval under paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this section for any reduction of its permanent capital. (i) Procedures—(1) Prior approval. A national bank proposing to make a change in its permanent capital that requires prior OCC approval under paragraphs (g) or (h) of this section shall submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The application must: (i) Describe the type and amount of the proposed change in permanent capital and explain the reason for the change; (ii) In the case of a reduction in capital, provide a schedule detailing the present and proposed capital structure; (iii) In the case of a material noncash contribution to capital, provide a description of the method of valuing the contribution; and (iv) State if the bank is subject to a capital plan with the OCC and how the proposed change would conform to a capital plan or if a capital plan is otherwise required in connection with the proposed change in permanent capital. (2) Expedited review. An eligible bank’s application is deemed approved by the OCC 15 days after the date the OCC receives the application described in paragraph (i)(1) of this section, unless the OCC notifies the bank prior to that date that the application is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2). An eligible bank seeking to decrease its capital may request OCC approval for up to four consecutive quarters. An eligible bank may decrease its capital pursuant to such a plan only if the bank maintains its eligible bank status before and after each decrease in its capital. (3) Notice of increase. (i) After a bank completes an increase in capital it shall submit a notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The notice must be acknowledged before a notary public by the bank’s president, vice president, or cashier and contain: (A) A description of the transaction, unless already provided pursuant to paragraph (i)(1) of this section; (B) The amount, including the par value of the stock, and effective date of the increase; PO 00000 Frm 00108 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (C) A certification that the funds have been paid in, if applicable; (D) A certified copy of the amendment to the articles of association, if required; and (E) A statement that the bank has complied with all laws, regulations and conditions imposed by the OCC. (ii) After it receives the notice of capital increase, the OCC issues a certification specifying the amount of the increase and the effective date (i.e., the date on which the increase occurred). In the case of a capital increase for which prior approval was not required pursuant to paragraph (g)(i)(i), the increase is deemed certified by the OCC seven days after receipt of the notice if the OCC has not issued a certification prior to that date. (4) Notice of decrease. A national bank that decreases its capital in accordance with paragraphs (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this section shall notify the appropriate OCC licensing office following the completion of the transaction. (5) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a national bank has not completed its change in permanent capital within one year of the date of approval. (j) Offers and sales of stock. A national bank shall comply with the Securities Offering Disclosure Rules in 12 CFR part 16 for offers and sales of common and preferred stock. (k) Shareholder approval. A national bank shall obtain the necessary shareholder approval required by statute for any change in its permanent capital. ■ 27. Section 5.47 is amended by: ■ a. Revising the section heading; and ■ b. In paragraphs (f)(1) and (g), removing the phrase ‘‘the appropriate district office’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘the appropriate OCC licensing office’’. The revision reads as follows: § 5.47 National bank subordinated debt as capital. * * * * * 28. Section 5.48 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 5.48 Voluntary liquidation of a national bank or Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 181, 182, 1463, 1464, and 5412(b)(1)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. A national bank or a Federal savings association considering going into voluntary liquidation shall provide preliminary notice to the OCC. The bank or savings association shall also file a notice with the OCC once a liquidation plan is definite. The bank or savings association may not begin liquidation unless the E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules OCC has notified it that the OCC does not object to the liquidation plan. (c) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to a voluntary liquidation. However, if the OCC concludes that the notice presents significant or novel policy, supervisory or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all parts of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (d) Standards—(1) In general. In reviewing a proposed liquidation plan, the OCC will consider: (i) The purpose of the liquidation; (ii) Its impact on the safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings association; and (iii) Its impact on the bank’s or savings association’s depositors, other creditors, and customers. (2) National banks. For national banks, the OCC also will review liquidation plans for compliance with 12 U.S.C. 181 and 182. (3) Federal mutual savings associations. For Federal mutual savings associations, the OCC also will assess the advisability of, and alternatives to, liquidation and the effect of liquidation on all concerned. (e) Procedure—(1) Preliminary notice of voluntary liquidation. A national bank or Federal savings association that is considering going into voluntary liquidation shall provide preliminary notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office. (2) Submission of liquidation plan and nonobjection—(A) After a national bank or Federal savings association provides preliminary notice under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, if the bank or savings association plans to proceed with liquidation, it shall submit a voluntary liquidation plan to the OCC. A liquidation plan may be effected in whole or part through purchase and assumption transactions. (B) The national bank or Federal savings association must receive the OCC’s supervisory non-objection to the liquidation plan before beginning the liquidation. (3) Notice upon commencing liquidation—(i) General. When the board of directors and the shareholders of a solvent national bank or Federal savings association, or in the case of a Federal mutual savings association, the board of directors and the members, have voted to voluntarily liquidate, the bank or savings association shall: (A) File a notice with the appropriate OCC Licensing Office; and (B) provide notice to depositors, other known creditors, and known claimants of the bank or savings association. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (ii) National banks. A vote to liquidate a national bank must comply with 12 U.S.C. 181. In addition, a national bank shall publish notice in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 182. (iii) Federal savings associations. A Federal savings association shall publish public notice if so directed by the OCC. (4) Report of condition. The national bank’s or Federal savings association’s liquidating agent or committee shall submit a report to the appropriate OCC Licensing Office at the start of liquidation showing the bank’s or savings association’s balance sheet as of the start of liquidation. The liquidating national bank or Federal savings association shall submit reports of the condition of its commercial, trust, and other departments to the appropriate OCC Licensing Office by filing the quarterly Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call Reports). (5) Report of progress. The national bank’s or Federal savings association’s liquidating agent or committee shall submit a ‘‘Report of Progress of Liquidation’’ annually to the appropriate OCC Licensing Office until the liquidation is complete. (6) Final report. The national bank’s or Federal savings association’s liquidating agent or committee shall submit a final report at the conclusion of liquidation showing that all creditors have been satisfied, remaining assets have been distributed to shareholders, resolutions to dissolve the bank or savings association have been adopted, and the bank or savings association has been dissolved. The national bank or Federal savings association also shall return its charter certificate to the OCC. (f) Expedited liquidations in connection with acquisitions—(1) General. When an acquiring depository institution in a business combination purchases all the assets, and assumes all the liabilities, including all contingent liabilities, of a target national bank or Federal savings association, the target national bank or Federal savings association may be dissolved immediately after the combination. However, if any liabilities will remain in the target national bank or Federal savings association, then the standard liquidation procedures apply. This paragraph (f) does not apply to dissolutions of Federal mutual savings associations, which are subject to the standard liquidation procedures. (2) Procedure. After its board of directors and shareholders have voted to liquidate and the national bank or Federal savings association has notified the appropriate OCC licensing office of its plans, the bank or savings association PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33367 may surrender its charter and dissolve immediately, if: (i) The acquiring depository institution certifies to the OCC that it has purchased all the assets and assumed all the liabilities, including all contingent liabilities, of the national bank or Federal savings association in liquidation; and (ii) The acquiring depository institution and the national bank or Federal savings association in liquidation have published notice that the bank or savings association will dissolve after the purchase and assumption to the acquiror. This notice shall be included in the notice and publication for the purchase and assumption required under the Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c). ■ 29. Section 5.50 is revised to read as follows: § 5.50 Change in control of a national bank or Federal savings association; reporting of stock loans. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 1817(j), and 1831aa. (b) Licensing requirements. Any person seeking to acquire control of a national bank or Federal savings association shall provide 60 days prior written notice of a change in control to the OCC, except where otherwise provided in this section. (c) Scope—(1) General. This section describes the procedures and standards governing OCC review of notices for a change in control of a national bank or Federal savings association and reports of stock loans. (2) Exempt transactions. The following transactions are not subject to the requirements of this section: (i) The acquisition of additional shares of a national bank or Federal savings association by a person who: (A) Has, continuously since March 9, 1979, (or since that institution commenced business, if later) held power to vote 25 percent or more of the voting securities of that bank or Federal savings association; or (B) Under paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, would be presumed to have controlled that bank or Federal savings association continuously since March 9, 1979, if the transaction will not result in that person’s direct or indirect ownership or power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the national bank or Federal savings association; or, in other cases, where the OCC determines that the person has controlled the bank or savings association continuously since March 9, 1979; (ii) Unless the OCC otherwise provides in writing, the acquisition of E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33368 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules additional shares of a national bank or Federal savings association by a person who has lawfully acquired and maintained continuous control of the bank or Federal savings association under paragraph (f) of this section after complying with the procedures and filing the notice required by this section; (iii) A transaction subject to approval under section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1842, section 18(c) of Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c), or section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (HOLA), 12 U.S.C. 1467a; (iv) Any transaction described in section 2(a)(5) or 3(a)(A) or (B) of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(5) and 1842(a)(A) and (B), by a person described in those provisions; (v) A customary one-time proxy solicitation or receipt of pro rata stock dividends; and (vi) The acquisition of shares of a foreign bank that has a Federally licensed branch in the United States. This exemption does not extend to the reports and information required under paragraph (i) of this section. (3) Prior notice exemption. The following transactions are not subject to the prior notice requirements of this section but are otherwise subject to this section, including filing a notice and paying the appropriate filing fee, within 90 calendar days after the transaction occurs: (i) The acquisition of control as a result of acquisition of voting shares of a national bank or Federal savings association through testate or intestate succession; (ii) The acquisition of control as a result of acquisition of voting shares of a national bank or Federal savings association as a bona fide gift; (iii) The acquisition of voting shares of a national bank or Federal savings association resulting from a redemption of voting securities; (iv) The acquisition of control of a national bank or Federal savings association as a result of actions by third parties (including the sale of securities) that are not within the control of the acquiror; and (v) The acquisition of control as a result of the acquisition of voting shares of a national bank or Federal savings association in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted in good faith. (A) ‘‘Good faith’’ means that a person must either make, renew, or acquire a loan secured by voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association in advance of any knowledge of a default or of the substantial likelihood that a default is forthcoming. A person who purchases a VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 previously defaulted loan, or a loan for which there is a substantial likelihood of default, secured by voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association may not rely on this paragraph (c)(3)(v) to foreclose on that loan, seize or purchase the underlying collateral, and acquire control of the national bank or Federal savings association without complying with the prior notice requirements of this section. (B) To ensure compliance with this section, the acquiror of a defaulted loan secured by a controlling amount of a national bank’s or a Federal savings association’s voting securities shall file a notice prior to the time the loan is acquired unless the acquiror can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the OCC that the voting securities are not the anticipated source of repayment for the loan. (d) Definitions. As used in this section: (1) Acquire when used in connection with the acquisition of stock of a national bank or Federal savings association means obtaining ownership, control, power to vote, or sole power of disposition of stock, directly or indirectly or through one or more transactions or subsidiaries, through purchase, assignment, transfer, pledge, exchange, succession, or other disposition of voting stock, including: (i) An increase in percentage ownership resulting from a redemption, repurchase, reverse stock split or a similar transaction involving other securities of the same class, and (ii) The acquisition of stock by a group of persons and/or companies acting in concert, which shall be deemed to occur upon formation of such group. (2) Acting in concert means: (i) Knowing participation in a joint activity or parallel action towards a common goal of acquiring control whether or not pursuant to an express agreement; or (ii) A combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement, or other arrangement, whether written or otherwise. (3) Company means any corporation, partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, unincorporated organization, joint-stock company or similar organization. (4) Control means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of a national bank or Federal savings association or to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 of a national bank or Federal savings association. (5) Controlling shareholder means any person who directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more persons or companies, or together with members of his or her immediate family, owns, controls, or holds with power to vote 10 percent or more of the voting stock of a company or controls in any manner the election or appointment of a majority of the company’s board of directors. (6) Federal savings association means a Federal savings association or a Federal savings bank chartered under section 5 of the HOLA. (7) Immediate family includes a person’s spouse, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, children, stepchildren, grandparent, grandchildren, father-in-law, mother-inlaw, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, sonin-law, daughter-in-law, and the spouse of any of the forgoing. (8) Insured depository institution means an insured depository institution as defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(c)(2). (9) Management official means any president, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, vice president, director, partner, or trustee, or any other person who performs or has a representative or nominee performing similar policymaking functions, including executive officers of principal business units or divisions or subsidiaries who perform policymaking functions, for a national bank, savings association, or a company, whether or not incorporated. (10) Notice means a filing by a person in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. (11) Person means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization, or any other form of entity, and includes voting trusts and voting agreements and any group of persons acting in concert. (12) Similar organization for purposes of paragraph (d)(3) of this section means a combination of parties with the potential for or practical likelihood of continuing rather than temporary existence, where the parties thereto have knowingly and voluntarily associated for a common purpose pursuant to identifiable and binding relationships which govern the parties with respect to either: (i) The transferability and voting of any stock or other indicia of participation in another entity, or E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (ii) Achievement of a common or shared objective, such as to collectively manage or control another entity. (13) Stock means common or preferred stock, general or limited partnership shares or interests, or similar interests. (14) Voting securities means: (i) Shares of stock, if the shares or interests, by statute, charter, or in any manner, allow the holder to vote for or select directors (or persons exercising similar functions) of the issuing national bank or Federal savings association, or to vote on or to direct the conduct of the operations or other significant policies of the issuing national bank or Federal savings association. However, preferred stock or similar interests are not voting securities if: (A) Any voting rights associated with the shares or interests are limited solely to voting rights customarily provided by statute regarding matters that would significantly affect the rights or preference of the security or other interest. This includes the issuance of additional amounts of classes of senior securities, the modification of the terms of the security or interest, the dissolution of the issuing national bank, or the payment of dividends by the issuing national bank or Federal savings association when preferred dividends are in arrears; (B) The shares or interests are a passive investment or financing device and do not otherwise provide the holder with control over the issuing national bank or Federal savings association; and (C) The shares or interests do not allow the holder by statute, charter, or in any manner, to select or to vote for the selection of directors (or persons exercising similar functions) of the issuing national bank or Federal savings association. (ii) Securities, other instruments, or similar interests that are immediately convertible, at the option of the owner or holder thereof, into voting securities. (e) Policy—(1) General. The OCC seeks to enhance and maintain public confidence in the banking system by preventing a change in control of a national bank or Federal savings association that could have serious adverse effects on a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s financial stability or management resources, the interests of the bank’s or Federal savings association’s customers, the Deposit Insurance Fund, or competition. (2) Acquisitions subject to the Bank Holding Company Act. (i) If corporations, partnerships, certain trusts, associations, and similar organizations, that are not already bank holding companies, are not required to VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 secure prior Federal Reserve Board approval to acquire control of a bank under section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1842, other than indirectly through the acquisition of shares of a bank holding company, they are subject to the notice requirements of this section. (ii) Certain transactions, including foreclosures by depository institutions and other institutional lenders, fiduciary acquisitions by depository institutions, and increases of majority holdings by bank holding companies, are described in sections 2(a)(5)(D) and 3(a)(A) and (B) of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(5)(D) and 12 U.S.C. 1842(a)(A) and (B), but do not require the Federal Reserve Board’s prior approval. For purposes of this section, they are considered subject to section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1842, and do not require either a prior or subsequent notice to the OCC under this section. (3) Assessing financial condition. In assessing the financial condition of the acquiring person, the OCC weighs any debt servicing requirements in light of the acquiring person’s overall financial strength; the institution’s earnings performance, asset condition, capital adequacy, and future prospects; and the likelihood of the acquiring party making unreasonable demands on the resources of the institution. (f) Procedures—(1) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8(a), 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(a) through (f) do not apply to filings under this section. When complying with § 5.8(b) no address is required for a notice filed by one or more individuals under this section. (2) Who must file. (i) Any person seeking to acquire the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies, or to vote 25 percent or more of a class of voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association, shall file a notice with the OCC 60 days prior to the proposed acquisition, unless the acquisition is exempt under paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (ii) The following persons shall be presumed to be acting in concert for purposes of this section: (A) A company and any controlling shareholder, partner, trustee or management official of such company if both the company and the person own stock in the national bank or Federal savings association; (B) A person and the members of the person’s immediate family; (C) Companies under common control; PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33369 (D) Persons that have made, or propose to make, a joint filing under section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules thereunder promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission; (E) A person or company will be presumed to be acting in concert with any trust for which such person or company serves as trustee, except that a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan as defined in § 192.2(a)(39) shall not be presumed to be acting in concert with its trustee or person acting in a similar fiduciary capacity solely for the purposes of determining whether to combine the holdings of a plan and its trustee or fiduciary; and (F) Persons that are parties to any agreement, contract, understanding, relationship, or other arrangement, whether written or otherwise, regarding the acquisition, voting or transfer of control of voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association, other than through a revocable proxy in connection with a proxy solicitation for the purposes of conducting business at a regular or special meeting of the institution, if the proxy terminates within a reasonable period after the meeting. (iii) The OCC presumes, unless rebutted, that an acquisition or other disposition of voting securities through which any person proposes to acquire ownership of, or the power to vote, ten percent or more of a class of voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association is an acquisition by a person of the power to direct the bank’s or savings association’s management or policies if: (A) The securities to be acquired or voted are subject to the registration requirements of section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78l; or (B) Immediately after the transaction no other person will own or have the power to vote a greater proportion of that class of voting securities. (iv) The OCC will consider a rebuttal of the presumption of control where the person or company intends to have no more than one representative on the board of directors of the national bank or Federal savings association. (v) The presumption of control may not be rebutted if the total equity investment by the person or company in the national bank or Federal savings association, including 15 percent or more of any class of voting securities, equals or exceeds one third of the total equity of the national bank or Federal savings association. (vi) Other transactions resulting in a person’s control of less than 25 percent E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33370 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules of a class of voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association are not deemed by the OCC to result in control for purposes of this section. (vii) If two or more persons, not acting in concert, each propose to acquire simultaneously equal percentages of ten percent or more of a class of a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s voting securities, and either the acquisitions are of a class of securities subject to the registration requirements of section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78l, or immediately after the transaction no other shareholder of the national bank or Federal savings association would own or have the power to vote a greater percentage of the class, each of the acquiring persons shall either file a notice or rebut the presumption of control. (viii) An acquiring person may seek to rebut a presumption established in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) or (iii) of this section by presenting relevant information in writing to the appropriate OCC Licensing office. The OCC shall respond in writing to any person that seeks to rebut the presumption of control or the presumption of concerted action. No rebuttal filing is effective unless the OCC indicates in writing that the information submitted has been found to be sufficient to rebut the presumption of control. (3) Filings. (i) The OCC does not accept a notice of a change in control unless it is technically complete, i.e., the information provided is responsive to every item listed in the notice form and is accompanied by the appropriate fee. (A) The notice must contain the information required under 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(6)(A), and the information prescribed in the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report. This form is available from the OCC. The OCC may waive any of the informational requirements of the notice if the OCC determines that it is in the public interest. (B) When the acquiring person is an individual, or group of individuals acting in concert, the requirement to provide personal financial data may be satisfied with a current statement of assets and liabilities and an income summary, together with a statement of any material changes since the date of the statement or summary. However, the OCC may require additional information, if appropriate. (ii) The OCC has 60 days from the date it declares the notice to be technically complete to review the notice. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (A) When the OCC declares a notice technically complete, the appropriate OCC licensing office sends a letter of acknowledgment to the applicant indicating the technically complete date. (B) As set forth in paragraph (g) of this section, the applicant shall publish an announcement within 10 days of filing the notice with the OCC. The publication of the announcement triggers a 20-day public comment period. The OCC may waive or shorten the public comment period if an emergency exists. The OCC also may shorten the comment period for other good cause. The OCC may act on a proposed change in control prior to the expiration of the public comment period if the OCC makes a written determination that an emergency exists. (C) An applicant shall notify the OCC immediately of any material changes in a notice submitted to the OCC, including changes in financial or other conditions that may affect the OCC’s decision on the filing. (iii) Within the 60-day period, the OCC may inform the applicant that the acquisition has been disapproved, has not been disapproved, or that the OCC will extend the 60-day review period for up to an additional 30 days. The period or the OCC’s review of a notice may be further extended not to exceed two additional times for not more than 45 days each time if: (A) The OCC determines that any acquiring party has not furnished all the information required under this part; (B) In the OCC’s judgment, any material information submitted is substantially inaccurate; (C) The OCC has been unable to complete an investigation of each acquirer because of any delay caused by, or the inadequate cooperation of, such acquirer; or (D) The OCC determines that additional time is needed to investigate and determine that no acquiring party has a record of failing to comply with the requirements of subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31 of the United States Code. (iv) The applicant may request a hearing by the OCC within 10 days of receipt of a disapproval (see 12 CFR part 19, subpart H, for hearing initiation procedures). Following final agency action under 12 CFR part 19, further review by the courts is available. (See 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(5)) (4) Conditional actions. The OCC may impose conditions on its action not to disapprove a notice to assure satisfaction of the relevant statutory criteria for non-objection to a notice. PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (5) Disapproval of notice. The OCC may disapprove a notice if it finds that any of the following factors exist: (i) The proposed acquisition of control would result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or to attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of the United States; (ii) The effect of the proposed acquisition of control in any section of the country may be substantially to lessen competition or to tend to create a monopoly or the proposed acquisition of control would in any other manner be in restraint of trade, and the anticompetitive effects of the proposed acquisition of control are not clearly outweighed in the public interest by the probable effect of the transaction in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served; (iii) Either the financial condition of any acquiring person or the future prospects of the institution is such as might jeopardize the financial stability of the bank or Federal savings association or prejudice the interests of the depositors of the bank or Federal savings association; (iv) The competence, experience, or integrity of any acquiring person, or of any of the proposed management personnel, indicates that it would not be in the interest of the depositors of the bank or Federal savings association, or in the interest of the public, to permit that person to control the bank or Federal savings association; (v) An acquiring person neglects, fails, or refuses to furnish the OCC all the information it requires; or (vi) The OCC determines that the proposed transaction would result in an adverse effect on the Deposit Insurance Fund. (6) Disapproval notification. If the OCC disapproves a notice, it will notify the proposed acquiring person in writing within three days after the decision containing a statement of the basis for disapproval. (g) Disclosure—(1) Announcement. The applicant shall publish an announcement in a newspaper of general circulation in the community where the affected national bank or Federal savings association is located within ten days of filing. The OCC may authorize a delayed announcement if an immediate announcement would not be in the public interest. (i) In addition to the information required by § 5.8(b), the announcement must include the name of the national bank or Federal savings association named in the notice and the comment period (i.e., 20 days from the date of the E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules announcement). The announcement also must state that the public portion of the notice is available upon request. (ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this paragraph (g), if the OCC determines in writing that an emergency exists and that the announcement requirements of this paragraph (g) would seriously threaten the safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings association to be acquired, including situations where the OCC must act immediately in order to prevent the probable failure of a national bank or Federal savings association, the OCC may waive or shorten the publication requirement. (2) Release of information. (i) Upon the request of any person, the OCC releases the information provided in the public portion of the notice and makes it available for public inspection and copying as soon as possible after a notice has been filed. In certain circumstances the OCC may determine that the release of the information would not be in the public interest. In addition, the OCC makes a public announcement of a technically complete notice, the disposition of the notice, and the consummation date of the transaction, if applicable, in the OCC’s ‘‘Weekly Bulletin.’’ (ii) The OCC handles requests for the non-public portion of the notice as requests under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, and other applicable law. (h) Reporting requirement. After the consummation of the change in control, the national bank or Federal savings association shall notify the OCC in writing of any changes or replacements of its chief executive officer or of any director occurring during the 12-month period beginning on the date of consummation. This notice must be filed within 10 days of such change or replacement and must include a statement of the past and current business and professional affiliations of the new chief executive officers or directors. (i) Reporting of stock loans—(1) Requirements. (i) Any foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, shall file a consolidated report with the appropriate OCC supervisory office of the national bank or Federal savings association if the foreign bank or any affiliate thereof, has credit outstanding to any person or group of persons that, in the aggregate, is secured, directly or indirectly, by 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the same national bank or Federal savings association. (ii) The foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, shall also file a copy of the report with its appropriate OCC VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 supervisory office if that office is different from the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s appropriate OCC supervisory office. If the foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, is not supervised by the OCC, it shall file a copy of the report filed with the OCC with its appropriate Federal banking agency. (iii) Any shares of the national bank or Federal savings association held by the foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, as principal must be included in the calculation of the number of shares in which the foreign bank or any affiliate thereof has a security interest for purposes of paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section. (2) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph (h) of this section: (i) Foreign bank and affiliate have the same meanings as in section 1 of the International Banking Act of 1978, 12 U.S.C. 3101. (ii) Credit outstanding includes any loan or extension of credit; the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance, or letter of credit, including an endorsement or standby letter of credit; and any other type of transaction that extends credit or financing to a person or group of persons. (iii) Group of persons includes any number of persons that a foreign bank, or an affiliate thereof, has reason to believe: (A) Are acting together, in concert, or with one another to acquire or control shares of the same insured national bank or Federal savings association, including an acquisition of shares of the same national bank or Federal savings association at approximately the same time under substantially the same terms; or (B) Have made, or propose to make, a joint filing under 15 U.S.C. 78m regarding ownership of the shares of the same depository institution. (3) Exceptions. Compliance with paragraph (i)(1) of this section is not required if: (i) The person or group of persons referred to in paragraph (h)(1) of this section has disclosed the amount borrowed and the security interest therein to the appropriate OCC licensing office in connection with a notice filed under this section or any other application filed with the appropriate OCC licensing office as a substitute for a notice under this section, such as for a national bank or Federal savings association charter; or (ii) The transaction involves a person or group of persons that has been the owner or owners of record of the stock for a period of one year or more or, if the transaction involves stock issued by PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33371 a newly chartered bank or Federal savings association, before the bank’s or Federal savings association’s opening. (4) Report requirements. (i) The consolidated report must indicate the number and percentage of shares securing each applicable extension of credit, the identity of the borrower, and the number of shares held as principal by the foreign bank and any affiliate thereof. (ii) The foreign bank and all affiliates thereof shall file the consolidated report in writing within 30 days of the date on which the foreign bank or affiliate thereof first believes that the security for any outstanding credit consists of 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association. (5) Other reporting requirements. A foreign bank or any affiliate thereof, supervised by the OCC and required to report credit outstanding secured by the shares of a depository institution to another Federal banking agency also shall file a copy of the report with its appropriate OCC supervisory office. ■ 30. Section 5.51 is revised to read as follows: § 5.51 Changes in directors and senior executive officers of a national bank or Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1831i and 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. This section describes the circumstances when a national bank or a Federal savings association must notify the OCC of a change in its directors and senior executive officers, and the OCC’s authority to disapprove those notices. (c) Definitions. (1) Director means an individual who serves on the board of directors of a national bank or a Federal savings association, except: (i) A director of a foreign bank that operates a Federal branch; and (ii) An advisory director who does not have the authority to vote on matters before the board of directors or any committee of the board of directors and provides solely general policy advice to the board of directors or any committee. (2) Federal savings association means a Federal savings association or Federal savings bank chartered under 12 U.S.C. 1464. (3) National bank includes a Federal branch for purposes of this section only. (4) Senior executive officer means the president, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief lending officer, chief investment officer, and any other individual the OCC identifies in writing to the national bank or Federal savings association who exercises significant influence over, or E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33372 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules participates in, major policy making decisions of the national bank or Federal savings association without regard to title, salary, or compensation. The term also includes employees of entities retained by a national bank or Federal savings association to perform such functions in lieu of directly hiring the individuals, and, with respect to a Federal branch operated by a foreign bank, the individual functioning as the chief managing official of the Federal branch. (5) Technically complete notice means a notice that provides all the information requested in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, including complete explanations where material issues arise regarding the competence, experience, character, or integrity of proposed directors or senior executive officers, and any additional information that the OCC may request following a determination that the notice was not technically complete. (6) Technically complete notice date means the date on which the OCC has received a technically complete notice. (7) Troubled condition means a national bank or Federal savings association that (i) Has a composite rating of 4 or 5 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (CAMELS); (ii) Is subject to a cease and desist order, a consent order, or a formal written agreement, unless otherwise informed in writing by the OCC; or (iii) Is informed in writing by the OCC that, based on information pertaining to such national bank or Federal savings association, it has been designated in ‘‘troubled condition’’ for purposes of this section. (d) Prior notice. A national bank or Federal savings association shall provide written notice to the OCC at least 90 calendar days before adding or replacing any member of its board of directors, employing any individual as a senior executive officer of the national bank or Federal savings association, or changing the responsibilities of any senior executive officer so that the individual would assume a different senior executive officer position, if: (1) The national bank or Federal savings association is not in compliance with minimum capital requirements applicable to such institution, as prescribed in 12 CFR part 3 or part 167, as applicable, or is otherwise in troubled condition; or (2) The OCC determines, in writing, in connection with the review by the agency of the plan required under section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831o), or VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 otherwise, that such prior notice is appropriate. (e) Procedures—(1) Filing notice. A national bank or Federal savings association shall file a notice with its appropriate supervisory office. When a national bank or Federal savings association files a notice, the individual to whom the filing pertains shall attest to the validity of the information pertaining to that individual. The 90day review period begins on the technically complete notice date. (2) Content of notice. (i) The notice must include: (A) The information required under 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(6)(A), and the information prescribed in the Interagency Notice of Change in Director or Senior Executive Officer, the biographical and certification portions of the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report (‘‘IBFR’’), and unless otherwise determined by the OCC in writing, the financial portion of the IBFR. These forms are available from the OCC; (B) Legible fingerprints of the individual, except that fingerprints are not required for any individual who, within the three years immediately preceding the initial submission date of the notice currently under review, has been the subject of a notice filed with the OCC or the OTS pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1831i, or this section, and has previously submitted fingerprints; and (C) Such other information required by the OCC. (ii) Modification of content requirements. The OCC may require or accept other information in place of the content requirements in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section. (3) Requests for additional information. (i) Following receipt of a technically complete notice, the OCC may request additional information. Such request must be in writing, must explain why the information is needed, and must specify a time period during which the information must be provided. (ii) If the national bank or Federal savings association cannot provide the information requested by the OCC within the time specified in paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section, the national bank or Federal savings association may request in writing that the OCC suspend processing of the notice. The OCC will advise the national bank or Federal savings association in writing whether the suspension request is granted and, if granted, the length of the suspension. (iii) If the national bank or Federal savings association fails to provide the requested information within the time specified in paragraphs (e)(3)(i) or (ii) of PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 this section, the OCC may deem the filing abandoned under § 5.13(c) or may review the notice based on the information provided. (4) Notice of disapproval. The OCC may disapprove an individual proposed as a member of the board of directors or as a senior executive officer if the OCC determines on the basis of the individual’s competence, experience, character, or integrity that it would not be in the best interests of the depositors of the national bank or Federal savings association or the public to permit the individual to be employed by, or associated with, the national bank or Federal savings association. The OCC must send a written notice of disapproval to both the national bank or Federal savings association and the individual stating the basis for disapproval. (5) Notice of intent not to disapprove. An individual proposed as a member of the board of directors or as a senior executive officer may begin service before the expiration of the review period if the OCC notifies the individual and the national bank or Federal savings association in writing that the OCC does not disapprove the proposed director or senior executive officer and all other applicable legal requirements are satisfied. (6) Waiver of prior notice—(i) Waiver request. (A) A national bank or Federal savings association may send a letter to the appropriate supervisory office requesting a waiver of the prior notice requirement. (B) The OCC may grant the waiver if it issues a written finding that: (1) Delay could adversely affect the safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings association; (2) Delay would not be in the public interest; or (3) Other extraordinary circumstances justify waiver of prior notice. (C) The OCC will determine the length of the waiver on a case-by-case basis. All waivers that the OCC grants under this paragraph (e)(6) are subject to the condition that the national bank or Federal savings association shall file a technically complete notice under this section within the time period specified by the OCC. (D) Subject to paragraph (e)(6)(i)(C) of this section, the proposed individual may assume the position on an interim basis until the earliest of the following events: (1) The individual and the national bank or the Federal savings association receive a notice of intent not to disapprove, at which time the individual may assume the position on a permanent basis, provided all other E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules applicable legal requirements are satisfied; (2) The individual and the national bank or the Federal savings association receive a notice of disapproval within 90 calendar days after the submission of a technically complete notice. In this event the individual shall immediately resign from the position upon receipt of the notice of disapproval and may assume the position on a permanent basis only if the notice of disapproval is reversed on appeal and all other applicable legal requirements are satisfied; or (3) The OCC does not act within 90 calendar days after the submission of a technically complete notice. In this event, the individual may assume the position on a permanent basis 91 calendar days after the submission of a technically complete notice. (E) If the technically complete notice is not filed within the time period specified in the waiver, the proposed individual shall immediately resign his or her position. Thereafter, the individual may assume the position only after a technically complete notice has been filed, all other applicable requirements are satisfied, and: (1) The national bank or the Federal savings association receives a notice of intent not to disapprove; (2) The review period expires; or (3) A notice of disapproval has been overturned on appeal as set forth in paragraph (f) of this section. (F) Notwithstanding the grant of a waiver, the OCC has authority to issue a notice of disapproval within 30 days of the expiration of such waiver. (ii) Automatic waiver. An individual who has been elected to the board of directors of a national bank or Federal savings association may serve as a director on an interim basis before a notice has been filed under this section, provided the individual was not nominated by management, and the national bank or Federal savings association submits a notice under this section not later than seven days after the individual has been notified of the election. The individual may serve on an interim basis until the occurrence of the earliest of the events described in paragraphs (e)(6)(i)(D)(1), (2), or (3) of this section. (7) Commencement of service. An individual proposed as a member of the board of directors or as a senior executive officer who satisfies all other applicable legal requirements may assume the office on a permanent basis: (i) Prior to the expiration of the review period, only if the OCC notifies the national bank or Federal savings association in writing that the OCC does VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 not disapprove the proposed director or senior executive officer pursuant to paragraph (e)(5) of this section; or (ii) Following the expiration of the review period, unless: (A) The OCC issues a written notice of disapproval during the review period; or (B) The national bank or Federal savings association does not provide additional information within the time period required by the OCC pursuant to paragraph (e)(3) of this section and the OCC deems the notice to be abandoned pursuant to § 5.13(c). (8) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(a) through (f) do not apply to a notice for a change in directors and senior executive officers, except that § 5.13(c) shall apply to the extent provided for in paragraphs (e)(3)(iii) and (e)(7) of this section. (f) Appeal. (1) If the national bank or Federal savings association, the proposed individual, or both, disagree with a disapproval, they may seek review by appealing the disapproval to the Comptroller, or an authorized delegate, within 15 days of the receipt of the notice of disapproval. The national bank or Federal savings association or the individual may appeal on the grounds that the reasons for disapproval are contrary to fact or insufficient to justify disapproval. The appellant shall submit all documents and written arguments that the appellant wishes to be considered in support of the appeal. (2) The Comptroller, or an authorized delegate, may designate an appellate official who was not previously involved in the decision leading to the appeal at issue. The Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official considers all information submitted with the original notice, the material before the OCC official who made the initial decision, and any information submitted by the appellant at the time of the appeal. (3) The Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official shall independently determine whether the reasons given for the disapproval are contrary to fact or insufficient to justify the disapproval. If either is determined to be the case, the Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official may reverse the disapproval. (4) Upon completion of the review, the Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official shall notify the appellant in writing of the decision. If the original decision is reversed, the individual may assume the position in the national bank or Federal savings PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33373 association for which he or she was proposed. ■ 31. Section 5.52 is revised to read as follows: § 5.52 Change of address of a national bank or Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 161, 481, 1462a, 1463, 1464 and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. This section describes the obligation of a national bank or a Federal savings association to notify the OCC of any change in its address. (c) Notice process. (1) Any national bank with a change in the address of its main office or in its post office box or a Federal savings association with a change in the address of its home office or post office box shall send a written notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office. (2) No notice is required if the change in address results from a transaction approved under this part or if notice has been provided pursuant to § 5.40(b) with respect to the relocation of a main office or home office to a branch location in the same city, town or village. (d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13 do not apply to changes in a national bank’s or Federal savings association’s address. ■ 32. Section 5.53 is revised to read as follows: § 5.53 Substantial asset change by a national bank or Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 1818, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. This section requires a national bank or a Federal savings association to obtain the approval of the OCC for a substantial asset change. (c) Definition—(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2), substantial asset change means: (i) The sale or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s assets in a transaction or a series of transactions; (ii) After having sold or disposed of all, or substantially all, of its assets, subsequent purchases or other acquisitions or other expansions of the national bank’s or Federal savings association’s operations; (iii) Any other purchases, acquisitions or other expansions of operations that are part of a plan to increase the size of the national bank or Federal savings association by more than 25 percent in a one year period; or (iv) Any other material increase or decrease in the size of the national bank E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33374 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules or Federal savings association or a material alteration in the composition of the types of assets or liabilities of the national bank or Federal savings association (including the entry or exit of business lines), on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the OCC. (2) Exceptions. The term ‘‘substantial asset change’’ does not include, and this section does not apply, to a change in composition of all, or substantially all, of a bank’s or savings association’s assets: (i) That the bank or savings association undertakes in response to direction from the OCC (e.g., in an enforcement action pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1818); (ii) That is part of a voluntary liquidation under 12 CFR 5.48, if the bank or savings association in liquidation has obtained approval for its plan of liquidation under 12 CFR 5.48 and has stipulated in its notice of liquidation to the OCC that its liquidation will be completed, the bank or savings association dissolved and its charter returned to the OCC within one year of the date it filed the notice of liquidation, unless the OCC extends the time period; (iii) That occurs as a result of a bank’s or savings association’s ordinary and ongoing business of originating and securitizing loans; or (iv) That are subject to OCC approval under another application to the OCC. (d) Procedures—(1) Consultation. A national bank or Federal savings association considering a transaction or series of transactions that may constitute a material change under paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section must consult with the appropriate OCC supervisory office for a determination whether the OCC will require an application under this section. In determining whether to require an application, the OCC considers the size and nature of the transaction and the condition of the institutions involved. (2) Approval requirement. A national bank or Federal savings association must file an application and obtain the prior written approval of the OCC before engaging in a substantial asset change. (3) Factors—(i) General. (A) In determining whether to approve an application under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the OCC considers the following factors: (1) The capital level of any resulting national bank or Federal savings association; (2) The conformity of the transaction to applicable law, regulation, and supervisory policies; (3) The purpose of the transaction; VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (4) The impact of the transaction on safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings association; and (5) The effect of the transaction on the national bank or Federal savings association’s shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and customers. (B) The OCC may deny the application if the transaction would have a negative effect in any of these respects. (ii) Additional factors. The OCC’s review of any substantial asset change that involves the purchase or other acquisition or other expansions of the bank’s or savings association’s operations will include, in addition to the foregoing factors, the factors governing the organization of a bank or savings association under § 5.20. (e) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply with respect to applications filed pursuant to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all of the provisions of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. ■ 33. Section 5.55 is added to read as follows: § 5.55 Capital Distributions by a Federal Savings Association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1831o, and 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. A Federal savings association must file an application or notice before making a capital distribution, as provided in this section. (c) Scope. This section applies to all capital distributions by a Federal savings association and sets forth the procedures and standards relating to a capital distribution. (d) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section: (1) Affiliate means an affiliate, as defined under regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System regarding transactions with affiliates, 12 CFR part 223 (Regulation W). (2) Capital means total capital, as computed under 12 CFR part 3 or part 167, as applicable. (3) Capital distribution means: (i) A distribution of cash or other property to owners of a Federal savings association made on account of their ownership, but excludes: (A) Any dividend consisting only of the shares of the savings association or rights to purchase the shares; or (B) If the savings association is a Federal mutual savings association, any payment that the savings association is PO 00000 Frm 00116 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 required to make under the terms of a deposit instrument and any other amount paid on deposits that the OCC determines is not a distribution for the purposes of this section; (ii) A Federal savings association’s payment to repurchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire any of its shares or other ownership interests; any payment to repurchase, redeem, retire, or otherwise acquire debt instruments included in its total capital under 12 CFR part 3 or part 167, as applicable; and any extension of credit to finance an affiliate’s acquisition of the savings association’s shares or interests; (iii) Any direct or indirect payment of cash or other property to owners or affiliates made in connection with a corporate restructuring. This includes the Federal savings association’s payment of cash or property to shareholders of another association or to shareholders of its holding company to acquire ownership in that association, other than by a distribution of shares; (iv) Any other distribution charged against a Federal savings association’s capital accounts if the savings association would not be well capitalized, as set forth in 12 CFR 6.4, following the distribution; and (v) Any transaction that the OCC determines, by order or regulation, to be in substance a distribution of capital. (4) Net income means a Federal savings association’s net income computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (5) Retained net income means a Federal savings association’s net income for a specified period less total capital distributions declared in that period. (6) Shares means common and preferred stock, and any options, warrants, or other rights for the acquisition of such stock. The term ‘‘share’’ also includes convertible securities upon their conversion into common or preferred stock. The term does not include convertible debt securities prior to their conversion into common or preferred stock or other securities that are not equity securities at the time of a capital distribution. (e) Filing requirements—(1) Application required. A Federal savings association must file an application with the OCC if: (i) The savings association is not an eligible savings association; (ii) The total amount of all of the savings association’s capital distributions (including the proposed capital distribution) for the applicable calendar year exceeds its net income for that year to date plus retained net income for the preceding two years; E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules (iii) The savings association would not be at least adequately capitalized, as set forth in 12 CFR 6.4, as applicable, following the distribution; or (iv) The savings association’s proposed capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any applicable statute, regulation, or agreement between the savings association and the OCC or the OTS, or violate a condition imposed on the savings association in an application or notice approved by the OCC or the OTS. (2) Notice required. Unless it is required to file an application under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, a Federal savings association that is an eligible savings association must file a notice with the OCC if: (i) The savings association would not remain well capitalized, as set forth under 12 CFR 6.4, or would otherwise not remain an eligible savings association following the distribution; (ii) The savings association’s proposed capital distribution would reduce the amount of or retire any part of its common or preferred stock or retire any part of debt instruments such as notes or debentures included in capital under 12 CFR part 3 or part 167, as applicable, (other than regular payments required under a debt instrument approved under 5.56; (iii) The savings association’s proposed capital distribution is payable in property other than cash; (iv) The savings association is a direct or indirect subsidiary of a mutual savings and loan holding company; or (v) The savings association is a direct or indirect subsidiary of a company that is not a savings and loan holding company. (3) No prior notice required. A Federal savings association does not need to file a notice or an application with the OCC before making a capital distribution if the Federal savings association is not required to file an application under paragraph (e)(1) or a notice under paragraph (e)(2) of this section. (4) Informational copy of notice required. If the Federal savings association is a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company that is filing a notice with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) for a dividend solely under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(f) and not also under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(o)(11), and neither an application under paragraph (e)(1) nor a notice under paragraph (e)(2) is required, then the savings association must provide an informational copy to the OCC of the notice filed with the Board, at the same time the notice is filed with the Board. (f) Filing format—(1) Contents. The notice or application must: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (i) Be in narrative form; (ii) Include all relevant information concerning the proposed capital distribution, including the amount, timing, and type of distribution; and (iii) Demonstrate compliance with § 5.55(h). (2) Schedules. The notice or application may include a schedule proposing capital distributions over a specified period, not to exceed 12 months. (3) Combined filings. A Federal savings association may combine the notice or application required under § 5.55(e) with any other notice or application, if the capital distribution is a part of, or is proposed in connection with, another transaction requiring a notice or application under this chapter. If submitting a combined filing, the Federal savings association must state that the related notice or application is intended to serve as a notice or application under this section. (g) Filing procedures—(1) Application. When a Federal savings association is required to file an application under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, it must file the application at least 30 days before the proposed declaration of dividend or approval of the proposed capital distribution by its board of directors. The Federal savings association shall not effect the proposed declaration of dividend or approval of the proposed capital distribution unless it has received prior written approval of the OCC. (2) Prior notice with expedited review. A Federal savings association that is an eligible savings association and that is required to file a notice under paragraph (e)(2) must file the notice at least 30 days before the proposed declaration of dividend or approval of the proposed capital distribution by its board of directors. The notice is deemed approved by the OCC upon the expiration of 30 days after the filing date of the notice unless, before the expiration of that time period, the OCC notifies the Federal savings association that: (i) Additional information is required to supplement the notice; (ii) The notice is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited reviewed process is extended, under 5.13(a)(2); or (iii) The notice is disapproved. (h) OCC review of capital distributions. The OCC reviews applications and notices submitted pursuant to paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this section. The OCC may disapprove the notice or deny the application in whole or in part, if it PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33375 makes any of the following determinations: (1) The Federal savings association will be undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized as set forth in 12 CFR 6.4, as applicable, following the capital distribution. If so, the OCC will determine if the capital distribution is permitted under 12 U.S.C. 1831o(d)(1)(B). (2) The proposed capital distribution raises safety or soundness concerns. (3) The proposed capital distribution violates a prohibition contained in any statute, regulation, agreement between the Federal savings association and the OCC or the OTS, or a condition imposed on the Federal savings association in an application or notice approved by the OCC or the OTS. If so, the OCC will determine whether it may permit the capital distribution notwithstanding the prohibition or condition. (i) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to capital distributions made by Federal savings associations. ■ 34. Section 5.56 is added to read as follows: § 5.56 Inclusion of subordinated debt securities and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock as Federal savings association supplementary (tier 2) capital. (a) Applicability and scope—(1) Applicability. (i) For purposes of this section, an advanced approaches savings association means a Federal savings association that is subject to 12 CFR part 3, subpart E, and a nonadvanced approaches savings association means a Federal savings association that is not subject to 12 CFR part 3, subpart E. (ii) An advanced approaches savings association, beginning on March 31, 2014, must comply with paragraphs (h) through (q) of this section. (iii) A non-advanced approaches savings association, prior to January 1, 2015, must comply with paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section. Beginning on January 1, 2015, a non-advanced approaches savings association must comply with paragraphs (h) through (q) of this section. (2) Scope. Prior to January 1, 2015, a non-advanced approaches savings association must comply with paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section in order to include subordinated debt securities or mandatorily redeemable preferred stock (‘‘covered securities’’) in supplementary capital (tier 2 capital) under part 167 of this chapter. If a savings association does not include covered securities in supplementary E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33376 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules capital, it is not required to comply with this section. Covered securities not included in tier 2 capital are subject to the requirements of § 163.80. (b) Application and notice procedures—(1) Application. Unless a Federal savings association is an eligible savings association filing a notice under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, it must file an application seeking the OCC’s approval of the inclusion of covered securities in supplementary capital. The savings association may file its application before or after it issues covered securities, but may not include covered securities in supplementary capital until the OCC approves the application. (2) Notice with expedited review. An eligible savings association must file a notice seeking the OCC’s approval of the inclusion of covered securities in supplementary capital. The savings association may file its notice before or after it issues covered securities, but may not include covered securities in supplementary capital until the OCC approves the notice. The OCC is deemed to have approved the notice upon the expiration of 30 days after the filing date of the notice unless, before the expiration of that time period, the OCC notifies the Federal savings association that: (i) Additional information is required to supplement the notice; (ii) The notice is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited reviewed process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2); or (iii) The OCC denies the notice. (3) Securities offering rules. A savings association must also comply with the securities offering rules at 12 CFR part 197 by filing an offering circular for a proposed issuance of covered securities, unless the offering qualifies for an exemption under that part. (c) Securities requirements. To be included in supplementary capital, covered securities must meet the following requirements: (1) Form. (i) Each certificate evidencing a covered security must: (A) Bear the following legend on its face, in bold type: ‘‘This security is not a savings account or deposit and it is not insured by the United States or any agency or fund of the United States;’’ (B) State that the security is subordinated on liquidation, as to principal, interest, and premium, to all claims against the savings association that have the same priority as savings accounts or a higher priority; (C) State that the security is not secured by the savings association’s assets or the assets of any affiliate of the savings association. An affiliate means VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 any person or company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the savings association; (D) State that the security is not eligible collateral for a loan by the savings association; (E) State the prohibition on the payment of dividends or interest at 12 U.S.C. 1828(b) and, in the case of subordinated debt securities, state the prohibition on the payment of principal and interest at 12 U.S.C. 1831o(h), 12 CFR 3.11, and any other relevant restrictions; (F) For subordinated debt securities, state or refer to a document stating the terms under which the savings association may prepay the obligation; and (G) State or refer to a document stating that the savings association must obtain OCC’s approval before the voluntary prepayment of principal on subordinated debt securities, the acceleration of payment of principal on subordinated debt securities, or the voluntary redemption of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock (other than scheduled redemptions), if the savings association is undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized as described in § 6.4 of this chapter, fails to meet the regulatory capital requirements at 12 CFR part 167, or would fail to meet any of these standards following the payment. (ii) A Federal savings association must include such additional statements as the OCC may prescribe for certificates, purchase agreements, indentures, and other related documents. (2) Maturity requirements. Covered securities must have an original weighted average maturity or original weighted average period to required redemption of at least five years. (3) Mandatory prepayment. Subordinated debt securities and related documents may not provide events of default or contain other provisions that could result in a mandatory prepayment of principal, other than events of default that: (i) Arise from the Federal savings association’s failure to make timely payment of interest or principal; (ii) Arise from its failure to comply with reasonable financial, operating, and maintenance covenants of a type that are customarily included in indentures for publicly offered debt securities; or (iii) Relate to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, or similar events. (4) Indenture. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section, a Federal savings association must use an PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 indenture for subordinated debt securities. If the aggregate amount of subordinated debt securities publicly offered (excluding sales in a non-public offering as defined in 12 CFR 197.4) and sold in any consecutive 12-month or 36month period exceeds $5,000,000 or $10,000,000 respectively (or such lesser amount that the Securities and Exchange Commission shall establish by rule or regulation under 15 U.S.C. 77ddd), the indenture must provide for the appointment of a trustee other than the savings association or an affiliate of the savings association (as defined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of this section) and for collective enforcement of the security holders’ rights and remedies. (ii) A Federal savings association is not required to use an indenture if the subordinated debt securities are sold only to accredited investors, as that term is defined in 15 U.S.C. 77d(6). A savings association must have an indenture that meets the requirements of paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section in place before any debt securities for which an exemption from the indenture requirement is claimed, are transferred to any non-accredited investor. If a savings association relies on this exemption from the indenture requirement, it must place a legend on the debt securities indicating that an indenture must be in place before the debt securities are transferred to any non-accredited investor. (d) Review by the OCC. (1) In reviewing notices and applications under this section, the OCC will consider whether: (i) The issuance of the covered securities is authorized under applicable laws and regulations and is consistent with the savings association’s charter and bylaws. (ii) The savings association is at least adequately capitalized under § 6.4 of this chapter and meets the regulatory capital requirements at part 167 of this chapter. (iii) The savings association is or will be able to service the covered securities. (iv) The covered securities are consistent with the requirements of this section. (v) The covered securities and related transactions sufficiently transfer risk from the Deposit Insurance Fund. (vi) The OCC has no objection to the issuance based on the savings association’s overall policies, condition, and operations. (2) The OCC’s approval or nonobjection is conditioned upon no material changes to the information disclosed in the application or notice submitted to the OCC. The OCC may impose such additional requirements or E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules conditions as it may deem necessary to protect purchasers, the savings association, the OCC, or the Deposit Insurance Fund. (e) Amendments. If a Federal savings association amends the covered securities or related documents following the completion of the OCC’s review, it must obtain the OCC’s approval or non-objection under this section before it may include the amended securities in supplementary capital. (f) Sale of covered securities. The Federal savings association must complete the sale of covered securities within one year after the OCC’s approval or non-objection under this section. A savings association may request an extension of the offering period by filing a written request with the OCC. The savings association must demonstrate good cause for the extension and file the request at least 30 days before the expiration of the offering period or any extension of the offering period. (g) Reports. A Federal savings association must file the following information with the OCC within 30 days after the savings association completes the sale of covered securities includable as supplementary capital. If the savings association filed its application or notice following the completion of the sale, it must submit this information with its application or notice: (1) A written report indicating the number of purchasers, the total dollar amount of securities sold, the net proceeds received by the savings association from the issuance, and the amount of covered securities, net of all expenses, to be included as supplementary capital; (2) Three copies of an executed form of the securities and a copy of any related documents governing the issuance or administration of the securities; and (3) A certification by the appropriate executive officer indicating that the savings association complied with all applicable laws and regulations in connection with the offering, issuance, and sale of the securities. (h) Scope. (1) Beginning March 14, 2014, an advanced approaches savings association must comply with paragraphs (h) through (q) of this section in order to include subordinated debt securities or mandatorily redeemable preferred stock (‘‘covered securities’’) in tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20(d) and to prepay covered securities included in tier 2 capital. (2) Beginning January 1, 2015, a nonadvanced approaches savings VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 association must comply with paragraphs (h) through (q) of this section in order to include covered securities in tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20(d) and to prepay covered securities included in tier 2 capital. A Federal savings association that does not include covered securities in tier 2 capital is not required to comply with this section. Covered securities not included in tier 2 capital are subject to the requirements of § 163.80. (3) For purposes of this section, mandatorily redeemable preferred stock means mandatorily redeemable preferred stock that was issued before July 23, 1985 or issued pursuant to regulations and memoranda of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and approved in writing by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation for inclusion as regulatory capital before or after issuance. (i) [Reserved] (j) Application and notice procedures—(1) Application or notice to include covered securities in tier 2 capital—(i) Application. Unless a Federal savings association is an eligible savings association filing a notice under paragraph (j)(ii) of this section, it must file an application seeking the OCC’s approval of the inclusion of covered securities in tier 2 capital. The savings association may file its application before or after it issues covered securities, but may not include covered securities in tier 2 capital until the OCC approves the application. (ii) Notice with expedited review. An eligible savings association must file a notice seeking the OCC’s approval of the inclusion of covered securities in tier 2 capital. The savings association may file its notice before or after it issues covered securities, but may not include covered securities in tier capital until the OCC approves the notice. The OCC is deemed to have approved the notice upon the expiration of 30 days after the filing date of the notice unless, before the expiration of that time period, the OCC notifies the Federal savings association that (A) Additional information is required to supplement the notice; (B) The notice is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited reviewed process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2); or (C) The OCC denies the notice. (iii) Securities offering rules. A savings association also must comply with the securities offering rules at 12 CFR part 197 by filing an offering circular for a proposed issuance of covered securities, unless the offering qualifies for an exemption under that part. PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33377 (2) Application required to prepay covered securities included in tier 2 capital—(i) General. A Federal savings association must file an application to, and receive prior approval from, the OCC before prepaying covered securities included in tier 2 capital. For purposes of this requirement, prepayment includes acceleration of a covered security, repurchase of a covered security, redemption of a covered security prior to maturity, and exercising a call option in connection with a covered security. (ii) Prepayment in the form of a call option. (A) If the prepayment will be in the form of a call option, the application must include: (1) A statement explaining why the Federal savings association believes that following the proposed prepayment the savings association would continue to hold an amount of capital commensurate with its risk; or (2) A description of the replacement capital instrument that meets the criteria for tier 1 or tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20, including the amount of such instrument, and the time frame for issuance. (B) Notwithstanding paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section, if the OCC conditions approval of prepayment in the form of a call option on a requirement that a Federal savings association must replace the covered security with a covered security of an equivalent amount that satisfies the requirements for a tier 1 or tier 2 instrument, the savings association must file an application to issue the replacement covered security and must receive prior OCC approval. (k) General requirements. A covered security issued under this section must satisfy the requirements for tier 2 capital in 12 CFR 3.20(d). (l) Securities requirements for inclusion in tier 2 capital. To be included in tier 2 capital, covered securities must satisfy the requirements in 12 CFR 3.20(d). In addition, such covered securities must meet the following requirements: (1) Form. (i) Each certificate evidencing a covered security must: (A) Bear the following legend on its face, in bold type: ‘‘This security is not a savings account or deposit and it is not insured by the United States or any agency or fund of the United States;’’ (B) State that the security is subordinated on liquidation, as to principal, interest, and premium, to all claims against the savings association that have the same priority as savings accounts or a higher priority; (C) State that the security is not secured by the savings association’s E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33378 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules assets or the assets of any affiliate of the savings association. An affiliate means any person or company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the savings association; (D) State that the security is not eligible collateral for a loan by the savings association; (E) State the prohibition on the payment of dividends or interest at 12 U.S.C. 1828(b) and, in the case of subordinated debt securities, state the prohibition on the payment of principal and interest at 12 U.S.C. 1831o(h), 12 CFR 3.11, and any other relevant restrictions; (F) For subordinated debt securities, state or refer to a document stating the terms under which the savings association may prepay the obligation; and (G) Where applicable, state or refer to a document stating that the savings association must obtain OCC’s prior approval before the acceleration of payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt securities, redemption of subordinated debt securities prior to maturity, repurchase of subordinated debt securities, or exercising a call option in connection with a subordinated debt security. (ii) A Federal savings association must include such additional statements as the OCC may prescribe for certificates, purchase agreements, indentures, and other related documents. (2) Indenture. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section, a Federal savings association must use an indenture for subordinated debt securities. If the aggregate amount of subordinated debt securities publicly offered (excluding sales in a non-public offering as defined in 12 CFR 197.4) and sold in any consecutive 12-month or 36month period exceeds $5,000,000 or $10,000,000 respectively (or such lesser amount that the Securities and Exchange Commission shall establish by rule or regulation under 15 U.S.C. 77ddd), the indenture must provide for the appointment of a trustee other than the savings association or an affiliate of the savings association (as defined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of this section) and for collective enforcement of the security holders’ rights and remedies. (ii) A Federal savings association is not required to use an indenture if the subordinated debt securities are sold only to accredited investors, as that term is defined in 15 U.S.C. 77d(6). A savings association must have an indenture that meets the requirements of paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section in place before any debt securities for which an exemption from the indenture VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 requirement is claimed, are transferred to any non-accredited investor. If a savings association relies on this exemption from the indenture requirement, it must place a legend on the debt securities indicating that an indenture must be in place before the debt securities are transferred to any non-accredited investor. (m) Review by the OCC. (1) In reviewing notices and applications under this section, the OCC will consider whether: (i) The issuance of the covered securities is authorized under applicable laws and regulations and is consistent with the savings association’s charter and bylaws; (ii) The savings association is at least adequately capitalized under § 6.4 of this chapter and meets the regulatory capital requirements at 12 CFR 3.10; (iii) The savings association is or will be able to service the covered securities; (iv) The covered securities are consistent with the requirements of this section; (v) The covered securities and related transactions sufficiently transfer risk from the Deposit Insurance Fund; and (vi) The OCC has no objection to the issuance based on the savings association’s overall policies, condition, and operations. (2) The OCC’s approval or nonobjection is conditioned upon no material changes to the information disclosed in the application or notice submitted to the OCC. The OCC may impose such additional requirements or conditions as it may deem necessary to protect purchasers, the savings association, the OCC, or the Deposit Insurance Fund. (n) Amendments. If a Federal savings association amends the covered securities or related documents following the completion of the OCC’s review, it must obtain the OCC’s approval or non-objection under this section before it may include the amended securities in tier 2 capital. (o) Sale of covered securities. The Federal savings association must complete the sale of covered securities within one year after the OCC’s approval or non-objection under this section. A savings association may request an extension of the offering period by filing a written request with the OCC. The savings association must demonstrate good cause for the extension and file the request at least 30 days before the expiration of the offering period or any extension of the offering period. (p) Issuance of a replacement regulatory capital instrument in connection with exercising a call option. PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Pursuant to 12 CFR 3.20(d)(1)(v)(C), the OCC may require a Federal savings association seeking prior approval to exercise a call option in connection with a covered security included in tier 2 capital to issue a replacement covered security of an equivalent amount that qualifies as tier 1 or tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20. If the OCC imposes such a requirement, the savings association must complete the sale of such covered prior to, or immediately after, the prepayment.4 (q) Reports. A Federal savings association must file the following information with the OCC within 30 days after the savings association completes the sale of covered securities includable as tier 2 capital. If the savings association filed its application or notice following the completion of the sale, it must submit this information with its application or notice: (1) A written report indicating the number of purchasers, the total dollar amount of securities sold, the net proceeds received by the savings association from the issuance, and the amount of covered securities, net of all expenses, to be included as tier 2 capital; (2) Three copies of an executed form of the securities and a copy of any related documents governing the issuance or administration of the securities; and (3) A certification by the appropriate executive officer indicating that the savings association complied with all applicable laws and regulations in connection with the offering, issuance, and sale of the securities. ■ 35. Section 5.58 is added to read as follows: § 5.58 Pass-through investments by a Federal savings association. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1828, 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Scope. Federal savings associations are permitted to make various types of equity investments pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1464 and other statutes, including pass-through investments authorized under 12 CFR 160.32(a). These investments are in addition to those subject to §§ 5.35, 5.37, 5.38, and 5.59. This section describes the procedure governing the filing of the application or notice that the OCC requires in connection with certain of these investments. The OCC may review other permissible equity investments on a case-by-case basis. (c) Licensing requirements. A Federal savings association must file a notice or 4 A Federal savings association may replace tier 2 capital instruments concurrent with the redemption of existing tier 2 capital instruments. E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules application as prescribed in this section to make a pass-through investment authorized under 12 CFR 160.32(a). (d) Definitions. For purposes of this § 5.58: (1) Enterprise means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or similar business entity. (2) Well capitalized means the capital level described in 12 CFR 6.4. (3) Well managed has the meaning set forth in § 5.38(d)(2) for Federal savings associations. (e) Pass-through investments; notice procedure. A Federal savings association may make a pass-through investment, directly or through its operating subsidiary, in an enterprise that engages in the activities described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section by filing a written notice. The Federal savings association must file this written notice with the appropriate OCC licensing office no later than 10 days after making the investment. The written notice must: (1) Describe the structure of the investment and the activity or activities conducted by the enterprise in which the Federal savings association is investing. To the extent the notice relates to the initial affiliation of the Federal savings association with a company engaged in insurance activities, the savings association should describe the type of insurance activity that the company is engaged in and has present plans to conduct. The Federal savings association must also list for each state the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the state where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable; (2) State (i) which paragraphs of § 5.38(e)(5)(v) describe the activity or (ii) state that, and describe how, the activity is substantively the same as that contained in published OCC precedent for Federal savings associations, including published former OTS precedent, approving a pass-through investment by a Federal savings association or its operating subsidiary, state that the activity will be conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the activity covered by the precedent, and provide the citation to the applicable precedent; (3) Certify that the Federal savings association is well managed and well capitalized at the time of the investment; (4) Describe how the Federal savings association has the ability to prevent the enterprise from engaging in an activity that is not set forth in § 5.38(e)(5)(v) or not contained in published OCC VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 precedent for Federal savings associations, including published former OTS precedent, approving a pass-through investment by a Federal savings association or its operating subsidiary, or how the savings association otherwise has the ability to withdraw its investment; (5) Describe how the investment is convenient and useful to the Federal savings association in carrying out its business and not a mere passive investment unrelated to the savings association’s banking business; (6) Certify that the Federal savings association’s loss exposure is limited as a legal matter and that the savings association does not have unlimited liability for the obligations of the enterprise; and (7) Certify that the enterprise in which the Federal savings association is investing agrees to be subject to OCC supervision and examination, subject to the limitations and requirements of section 45 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a). (f) Pass-through investments; application procedure—(1) Investments not qualifying for notice procedure. A Federal savings association must file an application and obtain prior approval before making or acquiring, either directly or through an operating subsidiary, a pass-through investment in an enterprise if the pass-through investment does not qualify for the notice procedure set forth in paragraph (e) of this section because the savings association is unable to make the representation required by paragraph (e)(2) or the certification required by paragraph (e)(3) of this section. The application must include the information required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(7) of this section and paragraphs (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this section, as appropriate. If the Federal savings association is unable to make the representation set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the savings association’s application must explain why the activity in which the enterprise engages is a permissible activity for a Federal savings association and why the applicant should be permitted to hold a pass-through investment in an enterprise engaged in that activity. A Federal savings association may not make a passthrough investment if it is unable to make the representations and certifications specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(7) of this section. (2) Investments requiring a filing under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m). PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33379 Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, if an enterprise in which a Federal savings association proposes to invest would be a subsidiary of the Federal savings association for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 1828(m) and the enterprise would not be an operating subsidiary or a service corporation, the Federal savings association must file an application with the OCC under this paragraph (f)(2) at least 30 days prior to making the investment and obtain prior approval from the OCC before making the investment. The application must include the information required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(7) of this section and paragraphs (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this section, if applicable. If the Federal savings association is unable to make the representation set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the savings association’s application must explain why the activity in which the enterprise engages is a permissible activity for a Federal savings association and why the applicant should be permitted to hold a pass-through investment in an enterprise engaged in that activity. A Federal savings association may not make a pass-through investment if it is unable to make the representations and certifications specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(7) of this section. (g) Pass-through investments in entities holding assets in satisfaction of debts previously contracted. Certain pass-through investments may be eligible for expedited treatment where the Federal savings association’s investment is in an entity holding assets in satisfaction of debts previously contracted or the savings association acquires shares of a company in satisfaction of debts previously contracted. (1) Notice required. A Federal savings association that is well capitalized and well managed may acquire a passthrough investment, directly or through its operating subsidiary, in an enterprise that engages in the activities of holding and managing assets acquired by the parent savings association through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted, by filing a written notice in accordance with this paragraph (g)(1)(i). The activities of the enterprise must be conducted pursuant to the same terms and conditions as would be applicable if the activity were conducted directly by a Federal savings association. The Federal savings association must file the written notice with the appropriate OCC licensing office no later than 10 days after making E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33380 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules the pass-through investment. This notice must include a complete description of the Federal savings association’s investment in the enterprise and the activities conducted, a description of how the savings association plans to divest the passthrough investment or the underlying assets within applicable statutory time frames, and a representation and undertaking that the savings association will conduct the activities in accordance with OCC policies contained in guidance issued by the OCC regarding the activities. Any Federal savings association receiving approval under this paragraph (g)(1)(i) is deemed to have agreed that the enterprise will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance. (2) No notice or application required. A Federal savings association is not required to file a notice or application under this § 5.58 if it acquires a noncontrolling investment in shares of a company through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted. (h) Additional exception to filing requirement. A Federal savings association may make a pass-through investment without filing a notice or application to the OCC if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The investment is in an investment company the portfolio of which consists exclusively of assets that the Federal savings association may hold directly; (2) The Federal savings association is not investing more than 10% of its total capital in one company; (3) The book value of the Federal savings association’s aggregate noncontrolling investments does not exceed 25% of its total capital after making the investment; (4) The investment would not give Federal savings association direct or indirect control of the company; and (5) The Federal savings association’s liability is limited to the amount of its investment. (i) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 of this part do not apply to filings for pass-through investments. ■ 36. Section 5.59 is added to read as follows: § 5.59 Service corporations of Federal savings associations. (a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1828, 5412(b)(2)(B). (b) Licensing requirements. When required by section 18(m) of the Federal VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Deposit Insurance Act, a Federal savings association must file an application as prescribed in this section to: (1) Acquire or establish a service corporation; or (2) Commence a new activity in an existing service corporation subsidiary. (c) Scope. This section sets forth the OCC’s requirements regarding service corporations of Federal savings associations, and sets forth procedures governing OCC review and approval of filings by Federal savings associations to establish or acquire service corporations and filings by Federal savings associations to conduct new activities in existing service corporation subsidiaries, pursuant to the authority provided in section 5(c)(4)(B) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B). (d) Definitions. (1) Control has the meaning set forth at 12 U.S.C. 1841 and the Federal Reserve Board’s regulations thereunder, at 12 CFR part 225. (2) GAAP-consolidated subsidiary means a service corporation in which a Federal savings association has a direct or indirect ownership interest and whose assets are consolidated with those of the savings association for purposes of reporting under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘‘GAAP’’). (3) Ownership interest means any equity interest in a business organization, including stock, limited or general partnership interests, or shares in a limited liability company. (4) Service corporation means any entity that satisfies all of the requirements for service corporations in 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B) and this part, and that is designated by the investing Federal savings association as a service corporation pursuant to this section. A service corporation may be a first-tier service corporation of a Federal savings association or may be a lower-tier service corporation. (5) Service corporation subsidiary means a service corporation of a Federal savings association that is controlled by that savings association. (e) Standards and requirements.—(1) Ownership. Only Federal or statechartered savings associations with home offices in the state where the relevant Federal savings association has its home office may have an ownership interest in a first-tier service corporation. A Federal savings association need not have any minimum percentage ownership interest or have control of a service corporation in order to designate an entity as a service corporation. (2) Geographic restrictions. A first-tier service corporation must be organized PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 under the laws of the state where the relevant Federal savings association’s home office is located. (3) Authorized activities. A service corporation may engage in any of the designated permissible service corporation activities listed in paragraph (f) of this section, subject to any applicable filing requirement under paragraph (h) of this section. In addition, a Federal savings association may request OCC approval for a service corporation to engage in any other activity reasonably related to the activities of financial institutions. (4) Investment limitations. A Federal savings association’s investment in service corporations is subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (g) of this section. The assets of a Federal savings association’s service corporations are not subject to the investment limitations applicable to the savings association under section 5(c) of the HOLA. (5) Form of organization. A service corporation may be organized as a corporation, or may be organized in any other organizational form that provides the same protections as the corporate form of organization, including limited liability. (6) Qualified thrift lender test. In accordance with 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m)(5), a Federal savings association may determine whether to consolidate the assets of a particular service corporation for purposes of calculating qualified thrift investments. If a service corporation’s assets are not consolidated with the assets of the Federal savings association for that purpose, the savings association’s investment in the service corporation will be considered in calculating the savings association’s qualified thrift investments. (7) Supervisory, legal or safety or soundness considerations. (i) Each service corporation must be well managed and operate safely and soundly. In addition, each service corporation must pursue financial policies that are safe and consistent with the purposes of savings associations. Each service corporation must maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure its safe and sound operation. (ii) The OCC may, at any time, limit a Federal savings association’s investment in a service corporation, or limit or refuse to permit any activity of a service corporation, for supervisory, legal, or safety or soundness reasons. (8) Separate corporate identity. Federal savings associations and service corporations thereof must be operated in a manner that demonstrates to the public that each maintains a separate E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules corporate existence. Each must operate so that: (i) Their respective business transactions, accounts, and records are not intermingled; (ii) Each observes the formalities of their separate corporate procedures; (iii) Each is held out to the public as a separate enterprise; and (iv) Unless the parent Federal savings association has guaranteed a loan to the service corporation, all borrowings by the service corporation indicate that the savings association is not liable. (9) Issuances of securities by service corporations. A service corporation shall not state or imply that the securities it issues are covered by Federal deposit insurance. A service corporation subsidiary shall not issue any security the payment, maturity, or redemption of which may be accelerated upon the condition that the controlling Federal savings association is insolvent or has been placed into receivership. For as long as any securities are outstanding, the controlling Federal savings association must maintain all records generated through each securities issuance in the ordinary course of business, including but not limited to a copy of the prospectus, offering circular, or similar document concerning such issuance, and make such records available for examination by the OCC. (f) Authorized service corporation activities. Subject to the prior filing requirements set forth in paragraph (h) of this section and the provisions of paragraph (e)(3) of this section, a service corporation may engage in the following activities: (1) Any activity that all Federal savings associations may conduct directly. (2) Business and professional services. Service corporations may engage in the following activities only when such activities are limited to financial documents or financial clients or are generally finance-related: (i) Accounting or internal audit; (ii) Advertising, market research and other marketing; (iii) Clerical; (iv) Consulting; (v) Courier; (vi) Data processing; (vii) Data storage facilities operation and related services; (viii) Office supplies, furniture, and equipment purchasing and distribution; (ix) Personnel benefit program development or administration; (x) Printing and selling forms that require Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) encoding; (xi) Relocation of personnel; VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 (xii) Research studies and surveys; (xiii) Software development and systems integration; and (xiv) Remote service unit operation, leasing, ownership or establishment. (3) Credit-related activities. (i) Abstracting; (ii) Acquiring and leasing personal property; (iii) Appraising; (iv) Collection agency; (v) Credit analysis; (vi) Check or credit card guaranty and verification; (vii) Escrow agent or trustee (under deeds of trust, including executing and delivery of conveyances, reconveyances and transfers of title); and (viii) Loan inspection. (4) Consumer services. (i) Financial advice or consulting; (ii) Foreign currency exchange; (iii) Home ownership counseling; (iv) Income tax return preparation; (v) Postal services; (vi) Stored value instrument sales; (vii) Welfare benefit distribution; (viii) Check printing and related services; and (ix) Remote service unit operation, leasing, ownership, or establishment. (5) Real estate related services. (i) Acquiring real estate for prompt development or subdivision, for construction of improvements, for resale or leasing to others for such construction, or for use as manufactured home sites, in accordance with a prudent program of property development; (ii) Acquiring improved real estate or manufactured homes to be held for rental or resale, for remodeling, renovating or demolishing and rebuilding for resale or rental, or to be used for offices and related facilities of a stockholder of the service corporation; (iii) Maintaining and managing real estate; and (iv) Real estate brokerage for property owned by a savings association that owns capital stock of the service corporation, or a lower-tier service corporation in which the service corporation invests. (6) Securities activities, liquidity management, and coins. (i) Execution of transactions in securities on an agency or riskless principal basis solely upon the order and for the account of customers or the provision of investment advice. The service corporation must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators, as required by applicable Federal and state law and regulations; (ii) Liquidity management; (iii) Issuing notes, bonds, debentures, or other obligations or securities; PO 00000 Frm 00123 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33381 (iv) Purchase or sale of coins issued by the U.S. Treasury. (7) Investments. (i) Tax-exempt bonds used to finance residential real property for family units; (ii) Tax-exempt obligations of public housing agencies used to finance housing projects with rental assistance subsidies; (iii) Small business investment companies and new markets venture capital companies licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration; (iv) Rural business investment companies; and (v) Investing in savings accounts of an investing thrift. (8) Community development investments. Community development investments that are permissible under part 24 of this Chapter. (9) Charitable activities. Establishing or acquiring a corporation that is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as organized for charitable purposes under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and making a reasonable contribution to capitalize it, provided that the corporation engages exclusively in activities designed to promote the well-being of communities in which the owners of the service corporation operate. (10) Activities conducted as agent. Activities conducted on behalf of a customer on other than an ‘‘as principal’’ basis. (11) Incidental activities. Activities reasonably incident to those listed in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(10) of this section if the service corporation engages in those activities. (g) Limitations on investments in service corporations—(1) General. Under the authority of section 5(c)(4)(B) of the HOLA, a Federal savings association may invest up to 3 percent of its assets in the capital stock, obligations, and other securities of service corporations. Any investment that would cause a Federal savings association’s investment in service corporations, in the aggregate, to exceed 2 percent of assets, or made while the savings association’s investments in service corporations exceeds 2 percent of assets, must serve primarily community, inner city, or community development purposes consistent with § 24.6. A Federal savings association must designate the investments serving those purposes. (2) Loans. In addition to the amounts that a Federal savings association may invest under paragraph (g)(1), and to the extent that a Federal savings association has authority under other provisions of section 5(c) of the HOLA and OCC regulations thereunder, and available E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 33382 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules capacity within any applicable investment limits, a Federal savings association may make loans to any service corporation subject to the following conditions: (i) Loans to service corporations other than a GAAP-consolidated subsidiary are subject to the lending limits in part 32 of this chapter. (ii) The OCC may limit the amount of loans to any service corporation where safety and soundness considerations warrant such action. (3) Definition. For purposes of this paragraph, the terms ‘‘loans’’ and ‘‘obligations’’ include all loans and other debt instruments (except accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business and paid within 60 days) and all guarantees or take-out commitments of such loans or debt instruments. (4) GAAP-consolidated subsidiaries. Both debt and equity investments in service corporations that are GAAPconsolidated subsidiaries are considered investments in subsidiaries for purposes of the capital regulations applicable to Federal savings associations. (h) Filing requirements—(1) Application. (i) When required by section 18(m) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, a Federal savings association must file an application at least 30 days before: (A) Acquiring or establishing a service corporation; or (B) commencing a new activity in an existing service corporation subsidiary. (ii) The application must include a complete description of the savings association’s investment in the service corporation, the proposed activities of the service corporation, the organizational structure and management of the service corporation, the relations between the savings association and the service corporation, and other information necessary to adequately describe the proposal. If the service corporation proposes to engage in insurance activities, the savings association must describe the type of insurance activity in which the service corporation proposes to engage. The savings association must also list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the service corporation holds a resident license or charter, as applicable. The OCC may require an applicant to submit a legal analysis if the proposal is novel, unusually complex, or raises substantial unresolved legal issues. In these cases, the OCC encourages applicants to have a pre-filing meeting with the OCC. Any savings association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 agreed that the service corporation will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance. (2) Expedited review. (i) An application to establish or acquire a service corporation, or to perform a new activity in an existing service corporation subsidiary, that meets the requirements of this paragraph is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the applicant prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review under 5.13(a)(2). Any savings association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the service corporation will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance. (ii) An application is eligible for expedited review if the following requirements are met: (A) The savings association is ‘‘well capitalized’’ and ‘‘well managed’’; and (B) The service corporation engages only in one or more of the preapproved activities listed in § 5.59(f). (3) OCC review and approval. The OCC reviews a Federal savings association’s application to determine whether the proposal is legally permissible and to ensure that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of this section, safe and sound banking practices and OCC policy and does not endanger the safety or soundness of the parent Federal savings association. As part of this process, the OCC may request additional information and analysis from the applicant. (4) Redesignation. A Federal savings association that proposes to redesignate an operating subsidiary as a service corporation must submit a notification to the OCC at least 30 days prior to the redesignation date. The notification must include a description of how the redesignated entity will meet all of the requirements of this section, a resolution of the savings association’s board of directors approving the redesignation, and the proposed effective date of the redesignation. The savings association may effect the redesignation on the proposed date unless the OCC notifies the savings association otherwise prior to that date. The OCC may require an application if the redesignation presents policy, supervisory, or legal issues. (5) Exception to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10 and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, PO 00000 Frm 00124 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. (i) Exercise of salvage powers through service corporations.—(1) In accordance with this section, a Federal savings association may exercise its salvage power to make a contribution or a loan (including a guarantee of a loan made by any other person) to a service corporation (‘‘salvage investment’’) that exceeds the maximum amount otherwise permitted under law or regulation. A Federal savings association must notify the appropriate supervisory office at least 30 days before making such a salvage investment. The notification must demonstrate: (i) The salvage investment protects the savings association’s interest in the service corporation; (ii) The salvage investment is consistent with safety and soundness; and (iii) The savings association considered alternatives to the salvage investment and determined that such alternatives would not adequately satisfy paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section. (2) If the OCC notifies the Federal savings association within 30 days of the filing of the notification that the notification presents supervisory concerns, or raises significant issues of law or policy, the Federal savings association must apply for and receive the OCC’s prior written approval before making the salvage investment. (3) If a service corporation is a GAAPconsolidated subsidiary, the salvage investment will be considered an investment in a subsidiary for purposes of 12 CFR part 3 or part 167, as applicable. (j) Failure to comply with the requirements applicable to service corporations. If a service corporation fails to meet any of the requirements of this section, the Federal savings association must notify the appropriate OCC licensing office. Unless the Federal savings association is otherwise advised by the OCC, if the service corporation cannot comply with the requirements of this section within 90 days of failing to meet such requirements, or otherwise resolve such failure to comply with this section, the Federal savings association must promptly dispose of its investment in the service corporation. (k) Annual Report on Service Corporations (1) Filing requirement. Each Federal savings association shall prepare and file with the OCC an Annual Report on Service Corporations containing the information set forth in paragraph (k)(2) of this section for each E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules of its service corporation subsidiaries that: (i) Is not functionally regulated within the meaning of section 5(c)(5) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1844(c)(5)); and (ii) Does business directly with consumers in the United States. For purposes of this paragraph, a service corporation does business directly with consumers if, in the ordinary course of its business, it provides products or services to individuals to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. (2) Information required. The Annual Report on Service Corporations must contain the following information for each covered service corporation subsidiary listed: (i) The name and charter number of the parent Federal savings association; (ii) The name (include any ‘‘dba’’ (doing business as), abbreviated names, or trade names used to identify the service corporation when it does business directly with consumers), mailing address (include the street address or post office box, city, state, and zip code), email address (if any), and telephone number of the service corporation; (iii) The principal place of business of the service corporation; (iv) The lines of business in which the service corporation is doing business directly with consumers by designating the appropriate code contained in appendix B (NAICS Activity Codes for Commonly Reported Activities) to the Instructions for Preparation of Report of Changes in Organizational Structure, Form FR Y– 10, a copy of which is set forth on the OCC’s Web site at www.occ.gov. If the service corporation is engaged in an activity not set forth in this list, a Federal savings association shall report the code 0000 and provide a brief description of the activity; and (v) The nature of the Federal savings association’s ownership interest in the service corporation. (3) Filing time frames and availability of information. Each Federal savings association’s Annual Report on Service Corporations shall contain information current as of December 31st for the year prior to the date the report is filed. The Federal savings association shall submit its first Annual Report on Service Corporations (for information as of December 31, 201x) to the OCC on or before January 31, 201x, and on or before January 31st each year thereafter. The Federal savings association may submit the Annual Report on Service Corporations electronically or in another format prescribed by the OCC. The OCC will make available to the public the information contained in the VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Annual Report on Service Corporations on its Web site at www.occ.gov. ■ 37. The heading of subpart E of part 5 is revised to read as follows: Subpart E—Payment of Dividends by National Banks § 5.64 [Amended] 38. Paragraph (c)(3) of § 5.64 is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘the appropriate district office’’ and inserting in its place the phrase ‘‘the appropriate OCC supervisory office’’. ■ PART 7—ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS 39. The authority citation for part 7 is revised as set forth below. ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 25b, 29(First), 71, 71a, 92, 92a, 93, 93a, 371d, 481, 484, 1818, 1464(a), 1464(c)(4)(B), 1828(m), and 5412(b)(2)(B). 40. The heading of part 7 is revised to read as set forth above. ■ 41. The heading of subpart A to part 7 is revised to read as follows: ■ Subpart A—National Bank and Federal Savings Association Powers * * * * * 42. Section 7.1000 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.1000 National bank or Federal savings association ownership of property. (a) Investment in real estate necessary for the transaction of business—(1) General. A national bank or Federal savings association may invest in real estate that is necessary for the transaction of its business. (2) Type of real estate. Real estate investments permissible under this section include: (i) Premises that are owned and occupied (or to be occupied, if under construction) by the national bank or Federal savings association, or its respective branches or consolidated subsidiaries; (ii) Real estate acquired and intended, in good faith, for use in future expansion; (iii) Parking facilities that are used by customers or employees of the national bank or Federal savings association, or its respective branches or consolidated subsidiaries; (iv) Residential property for the use of officers or employees of the national bank or Federal savings association who are: (A) Located in remote areas where suitable housing at a reasonable price is not readily available; or (B) Temporarily assigned to a foreign country, including foreign nationals PO 00000 Frm 00125 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33383 temporarily assigned to the United States; and (v) Property for the use of national bank or Federal savings association officers, employees, or customers, or for the temporary lodging of such persons in areas where suitable commercial lodging is not readily available, provided that the purchase and operation of the property qualifies as a deductible business expense for Federal tax purposes. (3) Permissible means of holding. (i) A national bank or Federal savings association may acquire and hold real estate under this paragraph (a) by any reasonable and prudent means, including ownership in fee, a leasehold estate, or in an interest in a cooperative. The national bank or Federal savings association may hold this real estate directly or through one or more subsidiaries. The national bank or Federal savings association may organize a banking premises subsidiary as a corporation, partnership, or similar entity (e.g., a limited liability company). (ii) A Federal savings association also may acquire and hold banking premises through a service corporation in accordance with 12 CFR 5.59. (b) Fixed assets. A national bank or Federal savings association may own fixed assets necessary for the transaction of its business, such as fixtures, furniture, and data processing equipment. (c) Investment in banking premises— (1) Investment limitation. Twelve CFR 5.37(d)(1)(i) and (d)(3)(i) provide quantitative investment limitations that govern when OCC approval is required for a national bank or Federal savings association to invest in banking premises. (2) Premises approval. (i) A national bank or Federal savings association shall seek approval from the OCC in accordance with 12 CFR 5.37(d). (ii) A Federal savings association that invests in banking premises through a service corporation shall comply with the quantitative limitations in 12 CFR 5.37(d) and, to the extent applicable, 12 CFR 5.59. (3) Option to purchase. An unexercised option to purchase banking premises or stock in a corporation holding banking premises is not an investment in banking premises. However, a national bank or Federal savings association seeking to exercise such an option must comply with the requirements in 12 CFR 5.37(d). (d) Future national bank or Federal savings association expansion. A national bank or Federal savings association normally should use real estate acquired for future national bank E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33384 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules or Federal savings association expansion within five years. After holding such real estate for one year, the national bank or Federal savings association shall state, by resolution of its board of directors or an appropriately authorized bank or savings association official or subcommittee of the board, definite plans for its use. The resolution or other official action must be available for inspection by OCC examiners. (e) Transition. If, on June 10, 2014, a Federal savings association holds an investment in real estate, fixed assets, banking premises, or other real property that complies with the legal requirements in effect prior to June 10, 2014, but would violate any provision of this section or § 5.37, the savings association may continue to hold such investment in accordance with the prior legal requirements. However, a Federal savings association that holds such an investment shall not modify, expand or improve this investment, except for routine maintenance, without the prior approval of the appropriate OCC supervisory office. ■ 43. The section heading for § 7.1003 is revised to read as follows: § 7.1012 Establishment, operation or use of a messenger service by a national bank. § 7.1003 Money lent by a national bank at banking offices or at facilities other than banking offices. * * * * * * * 50. The section heading for § 7.1014 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.1014 Sale money orders at nonbanking outlets by a national bank. * * * * * 51. The section heading for § 7.1015 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.1015 National bank receipt of stock from a small business investment company. * * * * * 52. The section heading for § 7.1016 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.1016 Independent undertakings issued by a national bank to pay against documents. * * * * * 53. The section heading for § 7.1018 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.1018 National bank automatic payment plan accounts. * * * * * 54. The section heading for § 7.1020 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.1020 Purchase of open accounts by a national bank. * * * * 55. The title of subpart B of part 7 is revised to read as follows: ■ ■ * * * * 44. The section heading for § 7.1004 is revised to read as follows: Subpart B—National Bank Corporate Practices § 7.1004 Loans originating at facilities other than banking offices of a national bank. ■ * Subpart C—Operations * * * * * 56. The title of subpart C of part 7 is revised to read as follows: * * * * 45. The section heading for § 7.1005 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.1005 Credit decisions at other than banking offices of a national bank. * * * * * ■ 46. The section heading for § 7.1006 is revised to read as follows: § 7.1006 Loan agreement providing for a national bank share in profits, income, or earnings or for stock warrants. * * * * * 47. The section heading for § 7.1007 is revised to read as follows: ■ emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 § 7.1007 National Bank Acceptances. * * * * * ■ 48. The section heading for § 7.1008 is revised to read as follows: § 7.1008 Preparation by a national bank of income tax returns for customers or public. * * * * * 49. The section heading for § 7.1012 is revised to read as follows: ■ VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 * * * * * 57. The section heading for § 7.3000 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.3000 National bank hours and closings. * * * * * 58. Section 7.3001 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.3001 Sharing national bank or Federal association space and employees. (a) Sharing space. A national bank or Federal savings association may: (1) Lease excess space on national bank or Federal savings association premises to one or more other businesses (including other financial institutions); (2) Share space jointly held with one or more other businesses; or (3) Offer its services in space owned by or leased to other businesses. (b) Sharing employees. When sharing space with other businesses as described in paragraph (a) of this PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 section, a national bank or Federal savings association may provide, under one or more written agreements between the national bank or Federal savings association, the other businesses, and their employees, that: (1) A national bank or Federal savings association employee may act as agent for the other business; or (2) An employee of the other business may act as agent for the national bank or Federal savings association. (c) Supervisory conditions. When a national bank or Federal savings association engages in arrangements of the types listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the national bank or Federal savings association shall ensure that: (1) The other business is conspicuously, accurately, and separately identified; (2) Shared employees clearly and fully disclose the nature of their agency relationship to customers of the national bank or Federal savings association and of the other businesses so that customers will know the identity of the national bank, Federal savings association, or other business that is providing the product or service; (3) The arrangement does not constitute a joint venture or partnership with the other business under applicable state law; (4) All aspects of the relationship between the national bank or Federal savings association and the other business are conducted at arm’s length, unless a special arrangement is warranted because the other business is a subsidiary of the national bank or Federal savings association; (5) Security issues arising from the activities of the other business on the premises are addressed; (6) The activities of the other business do not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings association; (7) The shared employees or the entity for which they perform services are duly licensed or meet qualification requirements of applicable statutes and regulations pertaining to agents or employees of such other business; and (8) The assets and records of the parties are segregated. (d) Other legal requirements. When entering into arrangements of the types described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, and in conducting operations pursuant to those arrangements, a national bank or Federal savings association must ensure that each arrangement complies with all applicable laws and regulations. If the arrangement involves an affiliate or a shareholder, director, officer or E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules employee of the national bank or Federal savings association: (1) The national bank or Federal savings association must ensure compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory provisions governing national bank or Federal savings association transactions with these persons or entities; (2) The parties must comply with all applicable fiduciary duties; and (3) The parties, if they are in competition with each other, must consider limitations, if any, imposed by applicable antitrust laws. (e) Transition. If, on June 10, 2014, a Federal savings association shares space or employees with another business under an agreement that complies with the legal requirements that were in effect prior to June 10, 2014 but which would violate any provision of this section, the Federal savings association may continue sharing under the existing agreement but it may not amend, renew, or extend the agreement without prior approval of the appropriate OCC supervisory office. ■ 59. The section heading for § 7.4000 is revised to read as follows: 65. The heading of subpart E to part 7 is revised to read as follows: ■ Subpart E—National Bank Electronic Activities * * * * PART 14—CONSUMER PROTECTION IN SALES OF INSURANCE 66. The authority citation for part 14 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 24(Seventh), 92, 93a, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1818, 1831x, and 5412(b)(2)(B). 67. Section 14.10(b) is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘§ 159.3(h) of this chapter’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘§ 5.38(e)(3) of this chapter’’. ■ PART 32—LENDING LIMITS § 32.1 Authority, purpose and scope. 68. The authority citation for part 32 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 12 U.S.C. 84, 93a, 1462a, 1463, 1464(u), and 5412(b)(2)(B). 69. Section 32.3(d)(2) is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.4000 Visitorial powers with respect to national banks. § 32.3 * * * * * * 60. The section heading for § 7.4001 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.4001 Charging interest by national banks at rates permitted competing institutions; charging interest to corporate borrowers. * * § 7.4003 * * * [Amended] 61. Section 7.4003 is amended by: a. Removing the word ‘‘and’’ before the phrase ‘‘automated device for receiving deposits’’; and ■ b. Adding the phrase ‘‘, personal computer, telephone, and other similar electronic devices’’ after the phrase ‘‘automated device for receiving deposits’’. ■ 62. The section heading for § 7.4005 is revised to read as follows: ■ ■ § 7.4005 Combination of national bank loan production office, deposit production office, and remote service unit. * emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 * * * * * 63. The section heading for § 7.4007 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 7.4007 Deposit-taking by national banks. * * * * * ■ 64. The section heading for § 7.4008 is revised to read as follows: § 7.4008 * * Lending by national banks. * VerDate Mar<15>2010 * * 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 Lending limits. * * * * (d) * * * (2) Loans by savings associations to develop domestic residential housing units. (i) Subject to paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, a savings association may make loans to one borrower to develop domestic residential housing units, not to exceed the lesser of $30,000,000 or 30 percent of the savings association’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus, including all loans and extensions of credit subject to paragraph (a) of this section, provided that: (A) The savings association is, and continues to be, in compliance with 12 CFR part 3, part 167, part 390, subpart Z, or part 324, as applicable; (B) Upon application by a savings association under paragraph (d)(2)(iv) of this section, the appropriate Federal banking agency permits, subject to conditions it may impose, the savings association to use the higher limit set forth under this paragraph (d)(2)(i); (C) The loans and extensions of credit made under this paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section to all borrowers do not, in aggregate, exceed 150 percent of the savings association’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus; and (D) The loans and extensions of credit made under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section comply with the applicable loan-to-value requirements. PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 33385 (ii) The authority of a savings association to make a loan or extension of credit under the exception in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section ceases immediately upon the association’s failure to comply with any one of the requirements set forth in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section or any condition(s) set forth in an order issued by the appropriate Federal banking agency under paragraphs (d)(2)(i)(B) and (d)(2)(iv) of this section. (iii) As used in this section, the term ‘‘to develop’’ includes each of the various phases necessary to produce housing units as an end product, such as acquisition, development and construction; development and construction; construction; rehabilitation; and conversion; and the term ‘‘domestic’’ includes units within the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Pacific Islands; (iv) Procedures—(A) Federal savings associations—(1) Application. A Federal savings association must submit an application to, and receive approval from, the appropriate OCC supervisory office before using the higher limit set forth under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section. The supervisory office may approve a completed application if it finds that approval is consistent with safety and soundness. To be deemed complete, the application must include: (i) If applicable, certification that the savings association is an ‘‘eligible savings association’’; (ii) A demonstration that the savings association meets the requirements of paragraphs (d)(2)(i)(A), (C), and (D) of this section; (iii) A copy of a written resolution by a majority of the savings association’s board of directors approving the use of the limits provided in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) of this section, and confirming the terms and conditions for use of this lending authority; and (iv) A description of how the board will exercise its continuing responsibility to oversee the use of this lending authority. (2) Expedited review. An application by an eligible savings association is deemed approved as of the 30th day after the application is received by the OCC, unless before that date the OCC informs the savings association it must obtain prior written approval from the OCC. (B) State savings associations. A state savings association shall seek approval to use the higher limit set forth under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section from its appropriate Federal banking agency, under the rules and procedures E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 33386 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules established by the appropriate Federal banking agency. * * * * * ■ 70. Section 32.7(b) is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘An eligible bank or eligible savings association’’ and inserting in its place the phrase ‘‘An eligible national bank or eligible savings association’’. PART 34—REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS PART 144—FEDERAL MUTUAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS— COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MEMBERS place the phrase ‘‘in § 5.26 of this chapter’’. 80. The authority citation for part 144 continues to read as follows: ■ ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2901 et seq., 5412(b)(2)(B). 81. The heading of part 144 is revised to read as set forth above. ■ §§ 144.1 through 144.7 [Removed] 82. Sections 144.1 through 144.7 are removed. ■ 71. The authority citation for part 34 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 25b, 29, 93a, 371, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1701j–3, 1828(o), 3331 et seq., 5101 et seq., 5412(b)(2)(B) and 15 U.S.C. 1639h. PART 145—FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS—OPERATIONS § 34.84 ■ 73. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 5412(b)(2)(B), 5414(b)(2). [Amended] 74. Section 100.1 is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘The regulations set forth in parts 100 through 197 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘The regulations set forth in parts 1 through 197 of this chapter, as applicable, with respect to savings associations’’. [Amended] PART 116—[REMOVED] 76. Part 116 is removed. PART 143—FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS—GRANDFATHERED AUTHORITY 77. The authority citation for part 143 continues to read as follows: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2901 et seq., 5412(b)(2)(B). [Amended] 85. Section 145.92(b) is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘at §§ 145.93 and 145.95 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘at § 5.31 of this chapter’’. PART 146—[REMOVED] ■ 86. Part 146 is removed. 87. The authority citation for part 150 continues to read as follows: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 5412(b)(2)(B). 88. Section 150.70 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 150.70 Must I obtain OCC approval or file a notice before I exercise fiduciary powers? Except for fiduciary activities subject solely to subpart E, you should refer to 12 CFR 5.26 to determine if you must obtain OCC approval or file a notice with the OCC before you exercise fiduciary powers. A Federal savings association may not exercise fiduciary powers unless it obtains prior approval from the OCC to the extent required under 12 CFR 5.26. §§ 150.80 through 150.125 78. The heading of part 143 is revised as set forth above. 143.1 through 143.11 and 143.14 [Removed] § 150.130 [Removed] ■ Jkt 232001 89. Sections 150.80 through 150.125 are removed. [Amended] 90. Paragraph (a) of § 150.130 is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘in subpart A of this part’’ and adding in its ■ 79. Sections 143.1 through 143.11 and 143.14 are removed. 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 PART 160—LENDING AND INVESTMENT 93. The authority citation for part 160 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1701j–3, 1828, 3803, 3806, 5412(b)(2)(B); 42 U.S.C. 4106. § 160.30 [Amended] PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4701 ■ Sfmt 4702 Pass-through investments. * * * * * (b) Your pass-through investments are subject to the requirements and filing procedures of 12 CFR 5.36. ■ 96. Section 160.35(d)(3) is amended by revising the second sentence to read as follows: § 160.35 PART 150—FIDUCIARY POWERS OF FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS ■ VerDate Mar<15>2010 92. Part 159 is removed. § 160.32 ■ ■ 75. Section 100.2 is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘any provision of parts 100 through 197’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘any provision of parts 1 through 197 of this chapter, as applicable, with respect to Federal savings associations’’. ■ ■ ■ 84. Sections 145.91 and 145.93 through 145.96 are removed. § 145.91 and §§ 145.93 through 145.96 [Removed] ■ ■ ■ PART 159—[REMOVED] 94. Footnote 16 to § 160.30 is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘part 159 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘§ 5.59 of this chapter’’. ■ 95. Section 160.32 is amended by: ■ a. Revising paragraph (b); and ■ b. Removing paragraph (c). The revision reads as follows: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1828. 5412(b)(2)(B). PART 100—RULES APPLICABLE TO SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS § 100.2 91. Part 152 is removed. § 145.92 [Removed] 72. Section 34.84 is removed. § 100.1 83. The authority citation for part 145 continues to read as follows: ■ PART 152—[REMOVED] Adjustments to home loans. * * * * * (d) * * * (3) * * * If the OCC provides such notice to the Federal savings association, the Federal savings association may not use that index unless it applies for and receives the OCC’s prior written approval. § 160.37 ■ [Removed] 97. Section 160.37 is removed. PART 161—DEFINITIONS FOR REGULATIONS AFFECTING ALL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS 98. The authority citation for part 161 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 5412(b)(2)(B). § 161.45 [Amended] 99. Section 161.45 is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘under part 159 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘under § 5.59 of this chapter’’. ■ PART 162—REGULATORY REPORTING STANDARDS 100. The authority citation for part 162 continues to read as follows: ■ E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 / Proposed Rules Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1463, 5412(b)(2)(B). § 162.4 [Amended] 101. Section 162.4(b) is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘, as defined at § 116.5(c) of this chapter’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System’’. ■ § 192.25 part? PART 163—SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS—OPERATIONS Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1817, 1820, 1828, 1831o, 3806, 5101 et seq., 5412(b)(2)(B); 31 U.S.C. 5318; 42 U.S.C. 4106. ■ ■ [Removed] [Removed] 106. Subpart E of part 163 is removed. Part 163, Subpart H [Removed] 107. Subpart H of part 163, consisting of §§ 163.550 through 163.590, is removed. ■ 108. Part 174 is removed. PART 192—CONVERSIONS FROM MUTUAL TO STOCK FORM 109. The authority citation for part 192 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2901, 5412(b)(2)(B); 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78w. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 ■ 110. Section 192.25 is amended by: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Jun 09, 2014 § 192.185 [Amended] 112. Section 192.185 is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘in subpart C of part 116 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘in § 5.10 of this chapter’’. ■ § 192.430 [Amended] 113. Section 192.430 is amended in paragraphs (a) and (c) by: ■ a. Removing the phrase ‘‘part 152 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘§ 5.22 of this chapter’’; and ■ b. Removing the sentence ‘‘See 12 CFR 152.4(b)(8).’’ and adding in its place ‘‘See § 5.22(g)(7).’’. ■ PART 174—[REMOVED] ■ [Amended] 111. Section § 192.180 is amended in paragraph (a) by removing the phrase ‘‘in subpart B of part 116 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘in § 5.8 of this chapter’’. ■ 105. Section 163.81 is removed. Part 163, Subpart E ■ * * * * Acting in concert has the same meaning as in § 5.50(d)(2) of this chapter. The rebuttable presumptions of § 5.50(f)(2) of this chapter, other than § 5.50(f)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) of this chapter, apply to the share purchase limitations at §§ 192.355 through 192.395. * * * * * § 192.180 [Removed] 104. Section 163.22 is removed. § 163.81 ■ [Removed] 103. Section 163.1 is removed. § 163.22 What definitions apply to this * 102. The authority citation for part 163 continues to read as follows: ■ § 163.1 a. Revising the definition of Acting in concert; and ■ b. Amending the definition of Control by removing the phrase ‘‘in part 174 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘in § 5.50 of this chapter’’. The revision reads as follows: ■ Jkt 232001 § 192.510 [Amended] 114. Paragraph (c)(1) of § 192.510, is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘at part 163, subpart E of this chapter’’ and ■ PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 33387 adding in its place ‘‘at § 5.55 of this chapter’’. § 192.520 [Amended] 115. Paragraph (c) of § 192.520, is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘under part 163, subpart E of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘under § 5.55 of this chapter’’. ■ § 192.525 [Amended] 116. Section 192.525 is amended by: a. In paragraph (b), removing the phrase ‘‘under §§ 174.4(a) and (b) of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘under § 5.50 of this chapter’’; and ■ b. In paragraph (c)(5), removing the phrase ‘‘under part 174 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘under § 5.50 of this chapter’’. ■ ■ § 192.660 [Amended] 117. Paragraph (g)(2) of § 192.660 is amended by removing the phrase ‘‘under part 174 of this chapter’’ and adding in its place ‘‘under § 5.50 of this chapter’’. ■ PART 193—ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS 118. The authority citation for part 193 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 5412(b)(2)(B); 15 U.S.C. 78c(b), 78m, 78n, 78w. § 193.101 [Amended] 119. In paragraph (c) of § 193.101, remove the phrase ‘‘and § 163.81 of this chapter’’ and add in its place the phrase ‘‘and § 5.56 of this chapter’’. ■ Dated: May 13, 2014. Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency. [FR Doc. 2014–11473 Filed 6–9–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–01–P E:\FR\FM\10JNP2.SGM 10JNP2

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 111 (Tuesday, June 10, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33259-33387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11473]

[[Page 33259]]

Vol. 79

Tuesday,

No. 111

June 10, 2014

Part II

Department of the Treasury

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

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

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

12 CFR Parts 4, 5, 7, et al.

Integration of National Bank and Federal Savings Association
Regulations: Licensing Rules; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 111 / Tuesday, June 10, 2014 /
Proposed Rules

[[Page 33260]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Parts 4, 5, 7, 14, 32, 34, 100, 116, 143, 144, 145, 146,
150, 152, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 174, 192, 193

[Docket ID OCC-2014-0007]
RIN 1557-AD80

Integration of National Bank and Federal Savings Association
Regulations: Licensing Rules

AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is
proposing to integrate its rules relating to policies and procedures
for corporate activities and transactions involving national banks and
Federal savings associations, to revise some of these rules in order to
eliminate unnecessary requirements consistent with safety and
soundness, and to make other technical and conforming changes. The OCC
also is proposing amendments to update its rules for agency
organization and function.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to the OCC by any of the methods set
forth below. Paper mail in Washington, DC and at the OCC may be subject
to delay, however, and the OCC encourages commenters to submit comments
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by email. For comments
submitted to the OCC, please use the title ``Integration of National
Bank and Savings Association Regulations: Licensing Rules'' to
facilitate the organization and distribution of these comments.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov,
enter ``Docket ID OCC-2014-0007'' in the Search Box, and click
``Search''. You can filter results by using the filtering tools on the
left side of the screen. Click on ``Comment Now'' to submit public
comments. Alternatively, click on the ``Help'' tab on the site's home
page to get information on using this site, including instructions for
submitting public comments.
Email: Submit comments at regs.comments@occ.treas.gov.
Paper Mail: Legislative and Regulatory Activities
Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street
SW., Suite 3E-218, Mail Stop 9W-11, Washington, DC 20219.
Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th Street SW., Suite 3E-218,
Mail Stop 9W-11, Washington, DC 20219.
Fax: (571) 465-4326.
Instructions: Include ``OCC'' as the agency name and ``Docket ID
OCC-2014-0007'' in each comment. In general, the OCC will enter each
comment received into the docket and publish each comment on the
Regulations.gov Web site without change, including any business or
personal information, name and address, email addresses, and phone
numbers. Comments received, including attachments and other supporting
material, are part of the public record and subject to public
disclosure. Do not enclose any information in a comment or supporting
material that is confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure.
You may review all comments received by the OCC and related
materials by the following methods:
Viewing Comments Electronically: Go to
www.regulations.gov, enter ``Docket ID OCC-2014-0007'' in the Search
box, and click ``Search''. Comments can be filtered using the filtering
tools on the left side of the screen. Alternatively, click on the
``Help'' tab on the site's home page to get information on using this
site, including instructions for viewing public comments, other
supporting and related material, and the complete docket after the
close of the comment period.
Viewing Comments in Person: You may inspect and photocopy
comments in person at the OCC, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC
20219. For security reasons, you first must call (202) 649-6700 to make
an appointment. Upon arrival at the OCC, you must present a valid
government-issued photo identification and submit to a security
screening.
Docket: You may also view or request available background
documents and project summaries using the methods described above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact
Heidi Thomas, Special Counsel; Melissa Lisenbee, Law Clerk; or Stuart
Feldstein, Director, Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division,
(202) 649-5490, for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202)
649-5597; or Kevin Corcoran, Assistant Director, or Richard Cleva,
Senior Counsel, Bank Activities and Structure, (202) 649-5500, or
Stephen Lybarger, Deputy Comptroller for Licensing, (202) 649-6319,
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20219.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Title III of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376
(2010), transferred to the OCC all functions of the former Office of
Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the Director of the OTS relating to
Federal savings associations. As a result, the OCC is now responsible
for the ongoing examination, supervision, and regulation of Federal
savings associations, in addition to national banks and Federal
branches and agencies. With a few exceptions, the OCC has one set of
rules applicable to national banks and another set of rules applicable
to Federal savings associations, or, where appropriate, to all savings
associations.\1\ The OCC is now reviewing its rules to determine
whether it is appropriate to integrate them into a single set of rules
for both national banks and savings associations, taking into account
consistency with the underlying statutes that apply to each type of
institution. The key objectives of this review are to reduce regulatory
duplication, promote fairness in supervision, eliminate unnecessary
burden consistent with safety and soundness, and create efficiencies
for both national banks and savings associations, as well as the
OCC.\2\ In

[[Page 33261]]

addition, the OCC is in the latter stages of developing an electronic
applications filing system capable of handling applications and other
filings from both national banks and Federal savings associations.
Accordingly, another important objective of this proposal is to
complete the integration of our licensing rules expeditiously so that
we can include these integrated rules in this new applications system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Title III of the Dodd-Frank Act transferred the functions of
the former OTS relating to state savings associations to the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Dodd-Frank Act, section
312(b)(2)(C), 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(C). The Act also transferred to
the OCC the rulemaking authority of the OTS relating to all savings
associations, both State and Federal, unless rulemaking authority is
provided to another agency by a specific statute. See Dodd-Frank
Act, section 312(b)(2)(B)(i)(II), 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(B)(i)(II). On
July 21, 2011, the OCC issued an interim final rule and request for
comments that restated the former OTS regulations as 12 CFR parts
100 through 197, with nomenclature and other technical changes. See
76 FR 48950 (Aug. 9, 2011). The FDIC has identified a number of
independent bases for rulemaking authority for State savings
associations in some cases. Where there is no such independent
rulemaking authority, the FDIC will enforce applicable OCC
regulations for State savings associations.
\2\ Concurrent with our integration of national bank and Federal
savings association rules, the OCC also is reviewing OTS-issued
supervisory policies to integrate them into the OCC's policy
framework and to rescind any issuances that are duplicative,
outdated, or replaced by other supervisory guidance. Our goal is to
produce uniform policies for national banks and Federal savings
associations, while recognizing differences that exist in statute.
This policy review is occurring in conjunction with this integration
rulemaking project. Many OTS-issued supervisory policies already
have been integrated, rescinded, or replaced by new or existing OCC
guidance. We will update this policy guidance, as appropriate, to
reflect the integration of OCC rules as of the effective date of the
final rules. Until that time, the Dodd-Frank Act provides that all
such OTS issuances continue in effect until modified, terminated,
set aside, or superseded. See Dodd-Frank Act section 316(b)(2) (12
U.S.C. 5414(b)(2)); OCC Bulletins 2011-47 (Dec. 11, 2011), 2012-2
(Jan. 06, 2012), 2012-3 (Jan. 06, 2012), 2012-15 (May 17, 2012), and
2013-34 (Nov. 20); and www.occ.gov/publications/publications-by-type/comptrollers-handbook/index-comptrollers-handbook.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Based on this review of our national bank and savings association
rules, the OCC is proposing to integrate its rules relating to
corporate activities and transactions involving national banks and
Federal savings associations (licensing rules).\3\ This integration
would create, where possible, filing parity for all activities and
transactions addressed in the OCC's licensing rules. The OCC believes
that it is more equitable and efficient to have a single filing and
review process for corporate activities and transactions of national
banks and Federal savings associations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\3\ The OCC previously has issued rulemakings that integrated,
or proposed to integrate, its rules for national banks and Federal
savings associations relating to lending limits, capital, flood
insurance, and safety and soundness standards. See 78 FR 37930 (June
25, 2013); 78 FR 62018 (Oct. 11, 2013), 78 FR 65108 (October 30,
2013), and 79 FR 4282 (Jan. 27, 2014), respectively. Furthermore,
the OCC recently issued a final rule that integrates its rules
relating to consumer protection in insurance sales, Bank Secrecy Act
compliance, management interlocks, appraisals, disclosure and
reporting of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related agreements,
and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. See 79 FR 28393 (May 16, 2014).
Because the OCC and the OTS adopted these rules on an interagency
basis with other Federal regulators, the OCC did not make any
substantive changes to these rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Review Pursuant to the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1996

The OCC also will be participating in an interagency review of
regulations pursuant to section 2222 of the Economic Growth and
Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 (EGRPRA).\4\ EGRPRA requires
the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) and the
OCC, the FDIC, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(Federal Reserve Board) (collectively, the Agencies) to conduct a
review of all their regulations to identify outdated, unnecessary, or
unduly burdensome regulations applicable to insured depository
institutions. The FFIEC and the Agencies must conduct this review at
least once every 10 years, and the next review must be completed by
December 31, 2016. Over the next two years the OCC, FDIC and Federal
Reserve Board will issue joint notices requesting comments on their
rules pursuant to EGRPRA. The EGRPRA contemplates that the Agencies
will initiate appropriate rulemakings to change or eliminate outdated,
unnecessary, or unduly burdensome rules, as appropriate, based on the
comments received.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\4\ 12 U.S.C. 3311.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Agencies published the first EGRPRA notice on June 4, 2014.\5\
This interagency notice requests comments on three categories of rules,
including the Agencies' licensing rules. Thus, the timing of the OCC's
licensing integration review and the EGRPRA review of licensing rules
overlaps. To ensure that the OCC's final licensing rules take account
of all comments we receive, the OCC will consider comments received on
both this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and this first EGRPRA
notice when finalizing its licensing integration rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\5\ 79 FR 32172.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

To minimize the potential for overlap and confusion going forward,
and to afford the OCC the benefit of public comment through the EGRPRA
process on potential ways to streamline and reduce burden for all of
our rules, the OCC does not intend to publish further integration-
specific proposals until the Agencies have completed the EGRPRA notice
process. However, as has been the practice since the OCC assumed
supervisory oversight of Federal savings associations, the OCC will
continue to evaluate whether to integrate rules as they are otherwise
revised (for example, as we did when amending the OCC's lending limits
rules to conform to the Dodd-Frank Act).\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\6\ See 78 FR 37930 (June 25, 2013).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Overview of the Proposal

Part 5 sets forth the OCC's rules, policies and procedures for
national bank corporate activities and transactions. Subpart A sets
forth the generally applicable rules and procedures, while subparts B
through D contain the rules for national bank initial activities, the
expansion of activities, and other changes in activities and
operations. Subpart E addresses a national bank's payment of dividends,
and subpart F addresses Federal branches and agencies. The OCC's
equivalent rules, policies and procedures for Federal savings
associations are dispersed throughout parts 100-199, with the generally
applicable rules and procedures in part 116. The OCC proposes to revise
part 5 to include the rules applicable to Federal savings associations
and, to the extent appropriate, to delete the corresponding provisions
found in parts 100 through 199.
The proposal would consolidate most licensing provisions for
Federal savings associations into the existing national bank rule in
part 5 of the OCC's regulations and would eliminate parts 116, 146,
152, 159, 174 and the corresponding provision in parts 143, 144, 145,
150, 160, and 163. These combined rules would be as follows:
Rules of general applicability (subpart A)
Organizing a national bank or Federal savings association
(Sec. 5.20)
Conversion from a national bank or Federal savings
association (Sec. 5.25)
Fiduciary powers of national banks or Federal savings
associations (Sec. 5.26)
Business combinations involving a national bank or Federal
savings association (Sec. 5.33)
Bank service company investments of a national bank or
Federal savings association (Sec. 5.35)
Investment in national bank or Federal savings association
premises (Sec. 5.37)
Change in location of a main office of a national bank or
home office of Federal savings association (Sec. 5.40)
Corporate title of a national bank or Federal savings
association (Sec. 5.42)
Voluntary liquidation of a national bank or Federal
savings association (Sec. 5.48)
Change in control of a national bank or Federal savings
association; reporting of stock loans (Sec. 5.50)
Changes in directors and senior executive officers of a
national bank or Federal savings association (Sec. 5.51)
Change of address of national bank or Federal savings
association (Sec. 5.52)
Substantial asset change by a national bank or Federal
savings association (Sec. 5.53)
In other cases, we propose separate rules for national banks and
Federal savings association in part 5 because the rules do not apply to
both charters, are better organized as separate rules, or because their
differences and complexity make integration difficult. The new Federal
savings association rules would be as follows:
Federal mutual savings association charters and bylaws
(Sec. 5.21)
Federal stock savings association charters and bylaws
(Sec. 5.22)
Conversion to become a Federal savings association (Sec.
5.23)

[[Page 33262]]

Establishment, acquisition, and relocation of a branch of
a Federal savings association (Sec. 5.31)
Operating subsidiaries of a Federal savings association
(Sec. 5.38)
Increases in permanent capital of a Federal savings
association (Sec. 5.45)
Capital distributions by a Federal savings association
(Sec. 5.55)
Inclusion of subordinated debt securities and mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock as supplementary (tier 2) capital (Sec.
5.56)
Pass-through investments by a Federal savings association
(Sec. 5.58)
Service corporations of a Federal savings association
(Sec. 5.59)
The remaining rules in part 5 would continue to be applicable only
to national banks, with the exception of subpart E. (Subpart E applies
only to Federal branches and agencies, and we do not propose to amend
it in this proposal.) We propose to revise some of these rules to be
consistent with the changes proposed for Federal savings associations,
revise the titles of some of these rules to reflect the inclusion of
rules applicable to Federal savings associations in part 5, and to make
other technical changes. These national bank-only rules would be as
follows:
Establishment, acquisition, and relocation of a branch of
a national bank (Sec. 5.30)
Expedited procedures for certain reorganizations of a
national bank (Sec. 5.32)
Operating subsidiaries of a national bank (Sec. 5.34)
Other equity investments by a national bank (Sec. 5.36)
Financial subsidiaries of a national bank (Sec. 5.39)
Changes in permanent capital of a national bank (Sec.
5.46)
National bank subordinated debt as capital (Sec. 5.47)
Conversion to become a national bank (Sec. 5.24)
Payment of Dividends by National Banks, Subpart E
In addition to the placement and integration of Federal savings
association rules, this proposal would make substantive changes to the
OCC's licensing rules in order to eliminate unnecessary requirements or
further the safe and sound operation of the institutions the OCC
supervises. Furthermore, the proposal would make conforming and
technical changes to the rules in parts 5, 7, and 34 and in various
provisions of parts 100 through 199 to reflect the movement of the
licensing rules for savings associations to part 5, to adjust section
titles, and to conform cross-references. In particular, the OCC is
proposing to replace, where appropriate, references to ``bank'' with
``national bank,'' the term that parallels ``Federal savings
association.'' Finally, the proposal would amend the OCC's licensing
rules to make consistent the OCC office to which a national bank or
Federal savings association must file its notice or application.
Specifically, the proposal would amend each rule in part 5 to direct
such filings to the institution's appropriate OCC licensing office or
appropriate OCC supervisory office, as applicable, and, in clarifying
amendments, would update the description of the OCC's supervisory
structure in part 4.
A detailed description of each amendment in this NPRM is set forth
below in Section IV of the preamble. Section V of the preamble
summarizes the significant changes for national banks and Federal
savings associations that would result from this NPRM. Section VIII of
the preamble contains a redesignation table that indicates changes in
the numbering of the rules as proposed. Sections V and VIII may be used
as a quick-reference guide to our rulemaking and are intended to assist
national banks and Federal savings associations, especially community
institutions, in understanding the changes we propose.

IV. Description of the Proposed Rule

A. Part 4--District Offices (Sec. 4.5)

Part 4 comprises regulations on a range of topics, including
regulations pertaining to the OCC's organizational structure. Section
4.4 describes the role of the OCC's Washington office. Section 4.5
describes the role of the OCC's district and field offices and sets
forth the address of, and the geographical area covered by, each
district office. However, Sec. 4.4 and Sec. 4.5 do not completely
describe all of the OCC's supervisory offices. The OCC proposes to
amend 12 CFR part 4 by restructuring 12 CFR 4.5 to reflect more
accurately the current supervisory structure for national banks and
Federal savings associations. Specifically, the proposal revises Sec.
4.5 to include a description and address of the OCC's Midsize Bank
Supervision program, and to provide that the district offices supervise
community banks not otherwise supervised by the Washington office or
Midsize Bank Supervision. The proposal also replaces the outdated
reference to ``duty stations'' with the currently used ``field office
satellite offices.''

B. Part 5--Rules, Policies, and Procedures for Corporate Activities
Rules of General Applicability (Part 5, Subpart A)

Twelve CFR part 5, subpart A, and 12 CFR part 116 set forth the
OCC's generally applicable rules and procedures for processing filings
\7\ related to corporate activities and transactions of national banks
and Federal savings associations, respectively. Both sets of
regulations include filing requirements and explain where and how to
file. The OCC believes that it is more efficient to have a single
filing process for national banks and Federal savings associations,
where possible, and proposes to amend subpart A to apply to both sets
of institutions and to remove part 116. The OCC also proposes
additional substantive and technical subpart A changes, as explained
below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\7\ Current rules use slightly different terminology for
national banks and Federal savings associations. Under 12 CFR
5.3(i), a ``filing'' is an application or notice submitted under
part 5. Twelve CFR 116.1(a) uses the word ``application'' to mean an
application, notice or filing related to a Federal savings
association. In this preamble, when it is not necessary to
distinguish among the three, we use the word ``filing'' to refer to
an application, notice, or filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 5.2 Rules of General Applicability. Current rules differ with
respect to the scope and applicability of the generally applicable
licensing procedures for national banks and Federal savings
associations. The national bank rule at 12 CFR 5.2(a) states that the
subpart A procedures apply to all part 5 filings, unless otherwise
stated.\8\ Section 5.2(b) states that the OCC may adopt materially
different procedures if it provides notice to affected parties. In
contrast, the Federal savings association rule at Sec. 116.1 states
that the part 116 prefiling and filing procedures and the rules on OCC
review apply to all required filings related to Federal savings
associations, but that the publication requirements and the comment and
meeting procedures apply only when an OCC regulation specifically
incorporates these procedures or the OCC otherwise requires. Section
116.1(b) also specifies that part 116 does not apply to filings related
to transactions under sections 13(c) or (k) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act (FDI Act); \9\ certain final agency action requests;
certain requests related to litigation, enforcement proceedings, or
supervisory directives or agreements; or applications filed

[[Page 33263]]

under an OCC regulation that prescribes other application processing
procedures and time frames.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\8\ Certain substantive activity or transaction rules in part 5
specify that one or more of the procedures in subpart A do not
apply. In some cases, the rule specifies other procedures.
\9\ 12 U.S.C. 1823(c) and (k).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As proposed, all subpart A procedures would apply to all part 5 OCC
filings, unless the substantive rule specifically exempts the filing or
the OCC states otherwise. This change would create filing parity for
all national banks and Federal savings association activities and
transactions addressed in proposed part 5. The effect of this change on
a specific activity or transaction is discussed below, in the context
of that activity or transaction.
Section 5.2(c) also states that the Comptroller's Licensing Manual
(Manual) provides additional filing information and is available on-
line and, for a fee, in print. The OCC proposes to revise this
provision to state only that the Manual is available on-line. This
proposed revision reflects the OCC's decision to stop printing the
Manual in hard copy, in order to reduce paper consumption and to ensure
that the public receives only the most up-to-date information. The OCC
also is in the process of updating the Manual, as well as filing forms,
to contain information on both national bank and Federal savings
association filings. As indicated earlier in this preamble discussion,
we also anticipate updating our electronic filing system so that a
single system can receive filings from both national banks and Federal
savings associations.
Finally, Sec. 5.2(d) states that the OCC may permit electronic
filing for any class of filings. In order to reflect the agency's move
toward the more efficient and less costly electronic filings, we
propose to revise this provision to state that the OCC encourages all
filings to be made electronically.
Sec. 5.3 Definitions. Section 5.3 contains definitions of terms
used throughout part 5. The OCC is proposing amendments to this section
as part of the proposal to address both national bank and Federal
savings association filings in part 5. For example, we propose to amend
the definition of ``capital and surplus'' to include reference to
Federal savings associations.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\10\ We note that the OCC issued a final rule on October 11,
2013 that, among other things, integrates the OCC's national bank
and Federal savings association capital rules. This integration has
a two-tier effective date, with the integration complete for all
savings associations on January 1, 2015. See 78 FR 62018. The OCC
issued an interim final rule on February 28, 2014 that amends the
OCC's rules, including part 5, to reflect this integration. 79 FR
11300.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC also proposes to amend the Sec. 5.3 definition of
``eligible bank'' to add ``eligible savings associations.'' Currently,
an ``eligible bank'' is a national bank that (1) is well capitalized
under the OCC's Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) regulations, (2) has a
composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions
Rating System (CAMELS), (3) has an ``Outstanding'' or ``Satisfactory''
CRA rating, and (4) is not subject to a cease and desist order, consent
order, formal written agreement, or PCA directive, or, if it is, the
OCC has informed the bank that it may nonetheless be treated as an
``eligible bank.'' Under certain of the substantive activity or
transaction rules in part 5, an eligible bank may receive expedited
review of a filing in the manner set out in the rule. Section
5.13(a)(2) sets out additional information about the expedited review
process.
Part 116 also has an expedited review process for certain filings.
Specifically, Sec. 116.5 provides that a Federal savings association
filing will receive expedited treatment unless: (1) It has a composite
or compliance rating below 2 or a CRA rating of Needs to Improve or
Substantial Noncompliance, (2) it fails any part 3 or 167 capital
requirement, as applicable, and has been notified that it is in
troubled condition,\11\ (3) it does not have a composite, compliance,
or CRA rating, or (4) the applicable regulation does not specifically
state that expedited treatment is available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\11\ ``Troubled condition'' is currently defined at 12 CFR
163.555.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC proposes to amend Sec. 5.3 by defining ``eligible bank or
eligible savings association'' (instead of ``eligible bank'') and by
adding an OCC compliance rating of 1 or 2 to the eligibility
requirements for all institutions. This proposal will create parity for
all OCC filings with respect to the criteria that a filing must satisfy
to receive expedited processing. Furthermore, because some limited
purpose banks, such as trust banks, are not subject to the CRA, the
proposal also would clarify that the CRA rating component applies only
if the CRA is applicable to the institution.
The addition of the OCC compliance rating would be a change for
national banks, but not for Federal savings associations. The OCC
believes that a bank's compliance with statutes and regulations,
particularly consumer-related laws, should be a factor imposed by
regulation in determining whether a bank may qualify for expedited
treatment. Furthermore, as explained in greater detail below, because
Sec. 5.13(a)(2) permits the OCC to remove a filing from expedited
review if it raises certain issues, including compliance concerns,\12\
this proposal would not be a significant change for national banks and
would in fact provide more certainty regarding their eligibility for
expedited review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\12\ In addition, Sec. 5.2(b) provides the OCC with the
authority to make exceptions for particular filings, where
appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

With respect to Federal savings associations, the proposal may
result in changes for some filings because the criteria in Sec. Sec.
5.3 and 116.5 are not identical. Under the current rules, the two tests
are similar in that they both require a composite CAMELS rating of 1 or
2 and a CRA rating of outstanding or satisfactory. In addition, if an
institution has not received a rating, it is not eligible for expedited
treatment under either set of current rules and would remain ineligible
under the proposed rule. However, there are some differences. The first
difference involves the capital requirement. Under the current savings
association rule, both well and adequately capitalized institutions are
eligible for expedited treatment. Under the proposal, only savings
associations that are well capitalized would qualify for expedited
review. The OCC proposes to apply the well capitalized requirement to
savings associations because, in the OCC's experience, national banks
and Federal savings associations that are less than well capitalized
are more likely than other institutions to present supervisory concerns
such that expedited review is not necessarily appropriate. This
requirement may exclude some savings associations that qualify for
expedited treatment under the current rule.
A second difference involves the supervisory condition of the
savings association. Under the current savings association rule, the
institution must not have been notified it is in troubled condition,
while under the proposal, an eligible savings association must not be
subject to certain orders, agreements or directives. Although
different, these supervisory condition tests generally should have
similar outcomes.
The OCC also proposes to amend the definition of ``eligible
depository institution'' to address the fact that either a national
bank or a Federal savings association may enter into a transaction with
an eligible depository institution, consistent with the changes
proposed to 12 CFR 5.33 and discussed elsewhere in this rulemaking.
Another proposed change is to the Sec. 5.3 definition of
``notice.'' Section 5.3 defines a notice as a submission informing the
OCC that a national bank intends to engage in or has commenced certain
corporate activities or

[[Page 33264]]

transactions. Under Sec. 5.3, an ``application'' is a submission
requesting prior OCC approval to engage in various corporate activities
and transactions. The two definitions suggest that a ``notice'' does
not require OCC approval. However, the rules use the term ``notice'' in
several different ways. In some rules, a ``notice'' is the same as an
application in that the filer must obtain prior OCC approval before
engaging in the activity or transaction. In other rules, a ``notice''
is similar to an application in that, while the OCC does not
``approve'' the filing, the OCC may disapprove it. In still other
rules, the notice only informs the OCC that the filer intends to engage
in or has engaged in a transaction. The OCC may review the notice, but
there is no requirement of prior OCC approval. Some of the latter
notices can be filed after-the-fact. We propose to add provisions to
Sec. 5.3(j) to clarify the scope of ``notice,'' as well as adding
Federal savings associations to Sec. 5.3(j).
The OCC also proposes to strike the Sec. 5.3 definition of
``appropriate district office'' and, instead, to define ``appropriate
OCC licensing office'' as described at OCC.gov and ``appropriate OCC
supervisory office'' as described in subpart A of 12 CFR part 4. This
change will eliminate confusion caused by the current definition with
respect to where a filing should be made. Conforming changes are
proposed throughout part 5.
Another proposed change is to the current definition of ``short-
distance relocation,'' a term that is used in current national bank
branch and main office relocations regulations.\13\ The OCC proposes to
amend this definition to reference both national bank main office
relocations and Federal savings association home office relocations,
consistent with the changes proposed in 12 CFR 5.40 and discussed
elsewhere in this rulemaking.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\13\ See 12 CFR 5.30(h)(2) and 12 CFR 5.40(d)(5)(ii),
respectively.
\14\ As explained in the discussion of the proposed changes to
12 CFR 5.40, the Federal savings association home office is the
equivalent of a national bank main office.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The current ``short-distance relocation'' definition also
references whether a branch is located within a ``central city of a MSA
(metropolitan statistical area).'' The Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), which designates MSAs, uses the term ``principal city'' in
describing MSAs.\15\ The OCC proposes to amend its current rule to use
the term ``principal city,'' thereby bringing the rule into conformity
with the MSA terminology used by OMB. In addition, we propose to strike
the Sec. 5.3 definition of ``central city'' and add a definition of
``principal city.'' ``Principal city'' will be defined as an area
designated as such by OMB. These changes have no material effect. Under
this proposal, this definition will apply to Federal savings
associations without any other change to the current regulatory
language. The current Federal savings association regulation uses the
term ``principal city.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\15\ See, e.g., www.ffiec.gov/Geocode/help1.aspx (referencing
MSAs and principal cities).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under this proposal, other definitions also will apply to Federal
savings association filings without any language changes. These include
the definitions of ``applicant,'' ``application,'' ``depository
institution,'' and ``filing.'' Other non-substantive and technical
changes are proposed to Sec. 5.3. As noted above, the effect, if any,
of a proposed Sec. 5.3 change is discussed in the context of the
substantive provision at issue.
Sec. 5.4 Filing required. Section 5.4(a) directs a depository
institution to file an application or notice with the OCC to engage in
national bank activities and transactions described in part 5. As a
result of the other proposed changes to part 5, this directive would
apply to Federal savings associations with respect to part 5
transactions and activities. No change is needed to the regulatory
language in Sec. 5.4 to achieve this result.
Section 5.4(b) states that forms and instructions for filings are
available in the Manual or from an OCC district office. The OCC
proposes to revise this section to reflect the fact that the Manual is
now available only on-line. As noted above, the OCC will be updating
this Manual and it will contain information on both national bank and
Federal savings association filings.
Section 5.4(c) states that, at a filer's request, the OCC may
accept another agency's form or filing if it contains substantially the
same information required by the OCC. Section 116.25(c), which allows
the OCC to waive certain filing requirements, has been used for this
same purpose with respect to Federal savings association filings. Under
proposed Sec. 5.4(c), this option will remain available for both
national banks and Federal savings associations with no changes to the
regulatory text.
Section 5.4(d) directs a filer to submit a filing or other
submission to the OCC's Director for District Licensing at the
appropriate district office, unless directed otherwise in a pre-filing
communication. For Federal savings associations, Sec. 116.40(a)
directs filings to the Director for District Licensing at the
appropriate OCC licensing office or the OCC licensing office at OCC
headquarters. In addition, under Sec. 116.40(b), if a filing involves
significant issues of law or policy, or if the applicable regulation or
form so directs, the applicant must also file copies at the OCC
headquarters licensing office.
As proposed, Sec. 5.4(d) directs that part 5 filings and related
submissions be addressed to the appropriate OCC licensing or
appropriate OCC supervisory office (unless the OCC advises otherwise
through a pre-filing communication) and states that the relevant
addresses are on the OCC's Internet Web page, www.OCC.gov.
Furthermore, the OCC's current rules do not specify the number of
copies of a filing that must be provided to the OCC. This information
generally is stated on the form itself or in the Manual. In contrast,
Sec. 116.40(a) states that Federal savings association filers must
submit to the appropriate licensing office or the OCC licensing office
at headquarters the original form plus the number of copies specified
on the application. If none is specified, Sec. 116.40(a) directs
applicants to submit the original plus two copies. The OCC is removing
this requirement and, instead, directs Federal savings association
filers to consult the appropriate form and the Manual for information
on the number of required copies.
Section 5.4(e) permits an applicant to incorporate by reference
relevant, current information contained in another OCC application or
filing, provided that the material (1) is attached to the application,
(2) is current, and (3) is responsive to the requested information. The
filing must clearly indicate that the information is incorporated and
include a cross-reference to the incorporated information. With respect
to Federal savings association filings, Sec. 116.25(c), which allows
the OCC to waive certain filing requirements, is currently used to
allow incorporation by reference. Moreover, the Federal savings
association filing forms themselves typically provide for incorporating
by reference other documents. As proposed, Sec. 5.4(e) would apply to
all filings with the OCC, without any change to the regulatory language
and with no material change to affected institutions or persons.
Finally, Sec. 116.15(b)(2) encourages all applicants to contact
the appropriate OCC licensing office to determine whether the applicant
must attend a prefiling meeting or whether the submission of a draft
business plan or other information would expedite the application
review process. Section 116.20 describes the required contents

[[Page 33265]]

of a draft business plan.\16\ In contrast, part 5, subpart A does not
include rules on prefiling meetings, although specific activity or
transaction rules may address these meetings,\17\ and the OCC may
request such a meeting on a case-by-case basis under Sec. 5.2(b).
Subpart A also does not address the submission of business plans to the
OCC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\16\ Certain Federal savings association activity and
transaction rules also address these meetings. See, e.g., 12 CFR
116.15(a)(1) (discussing prefiling meetings when organizing a
Federal savings association).
\17\ See, e.g., 12 CFR 5.20(i) (discussing prefiling meetings
when organizing a national bank); 12 CFR 5.24(d)(2) (discussing
prefiling meetings when converting to a national bank); and 12 CFR
116.15(a)(1) (discussing prefiling meetings when organizing a
Federal savings association).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC has found that prefiling meetings, as well as the
submission of business plans or other information before such meetings,
often result in a more efficient review process. In order to highlight
this opportunity, the OCC proposes to revise subpart A by adding a new
Sec. 5.4(f) that encourages application filers to contact the OCC to
determine the need for a prefiling meeting, regardless of whether a
prefiling meeting is specifically required by another regulation. This
new provision also states that the OCC will decide on a case-by-case
basis whether a meeting is necessary and states that the prior
submission of a draft business plan or other relevant information may
expedite the process. Unlike part 116, however, the proposal does not
specify what must be included in a draft business plan because the OCC
does not believe that this level of detail is necessary in regulatory
text. The proposed rule does note, however, that information on model
business plans can be found in the Manual.
Sec. 5.5 Filing fees. Section Sec. 5.5 states that an applicant
shall submit filing fees in the form of a check made payable to the
OCC. The rule also states that the OCC publishes a fee schedule
annually and does not generally refund filing fees. Section
116.45(a)(3) addresses the payment of Federal savings association
filings fees, directing applicants to submit fees to the appropriate
OCC licensing office and permitting fees to be paid by check, money
order, cashier's check, or wire transfer.
Under this proposal, Sec. 5.5 will apply to all fees paid to the
OCC and will be revised to state that fees may be paid by check, money
order, cashier's check, or wire transfer. This statement is consistent
with both the current Federal savings association rule and the OCC's
ability to accept these forms of payment from all filers. The section
also will state that additional filing fee information, including where
to submit the fee, can be found in the Manual. Finally, as a technical
amendment, the OCC proposes to remove the word ``annually'' from the
Sec. 5.5 description of when it publishes a fee schedule, to clarify
that, as stated in 12 CFR 8.8, the OCC may publish an interim or
amended filing fee schedule, in addition to its annual publication.
Sec. 5.7 Investigations. Section 5.7 states that the OCC may
examine or investigate and evaluate facts related to a filing to the
extent necessary to reach an informed decision. Section 116.230 has a
somewhat narrower scope and time frame, providing that the OCC may
conduct an eligibility examination at any time before it deems an
application complete. As proposed, Sec. 5.7 would apply to all filings
received by the OCC, including those related to Federal savings
associations, because the OCC believes that the more flexible approach
in Sec. 5.7 is preferable.
Section 5.7 also states that, as described in 12 CFR 8.6, the OCC
has the authority to assess fees for special examinations and
investigations. Section 8.6 is currently applicable to both national
banks and Federal savings associations and related filings, as a result
of the July 21, 2011 final rule,\18\ discussed above. As a result, the
application of Sec. 5.7 under this proposal to Federal savings
association filings will be a technical change only.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\18\ 76 FR 43549.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 5.8 Public notice. Under Sec. 5.8(a), on the date of filing
or as soon as practicable before or after filing, a national bank
applicant shall publish a public notice in a general circulation
newspaper in the community in which the applicant proposes to engage in
business. The rules do not specify the language in which the notice
must be published.
Under Sec. 116.60, a Federal savings association applicant shall
publish notice no earlier than seven days before and no later than the
date of the filing. Under Sec. 116.80, this notice must be published
in an English-language newspaper unless the OCC determines that the
primary language of a significant number of adult residents of the
community is not English, in which case the agency may require the
applicant simultaneously to publish one or more additional notices in
the appropriate language or languages.
Under this proposal, Sec. 5.8(a) would apply to all applicants. As
a result, Federal savings associations would no longer have to publish
a public notice within the seven days before the filing date but may
publish as soon as practicable before or after filing, unless otherwise
required.\19\ This change would provide Federal savings association
filers with the same flexibility that national bank filers have with
respect to when to publish a public notice while still providing the
public with timely notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\19\ Certain activities and transactions are exempt from the
Sec. 5.8 notice requirements and subject to other notice
requirements. See, e.g., 12 CFR 5.50(g) (notice of change in bank
control).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition, the OCC proposes to add to Sec. 5.8(a) the
requirements in Sec. 116.80 that notices must be published in English
and, if the OCC determines it is necessary, also in other languages. As
a result, national bank filers would be required to publish their
notices in English and may be required simultaneously to publish in
languages other than English, as is currently the case for Federal
savings associations. This change will further ensure that interested
persons have meaningful access to the Sec. 5.8(a) notice.
Section 5.8(b) now states that a public notice must include: (1) A
statement that a filing is being made, (2) the date of the filing, (3)
the applicant's name, (4) the subject matter of the filing, (5) a
statement that the public may submit comments to the OCC and where such
comments should be sent, (6) the comment period closing date, and (7)
any other information that the OCC requires. Section Sec. 116.55
requires that similar, but not identical, information be included in a
public notice.
The OCC proposes to revise Sec. 5.8(b) to include Federal savings
associations and to add some requirements to the notice included in
Sec. 116.55. As a result, in addition to what Sec. 5.8(b) currently
requires, a public notice related to a national bank filing also would
be required to include (1) the name of the institution that is the
subject of the filing, (2) a statement that the public portion of the
filing is available on request, and (3) the address of the applicant.
The public notice also would need to state that the public may submit
comments to the appropriate OCC licensing office and provide the
address of this office. A public notice related to a Federal savings
association filing, in addition to the information currently required
under Sec. 116.55, also would need to include a specific statement
that a filing is being made and the date of the filing. The OCC
believes that proposed Sec. 5.8(b) would provide the public with the
full range of helpful information and treat all part 5 filings
consistently, while requiring negligible additional work from filers.
We also propose other minor technical changes to Sec. 5.8(b).

[[Page 33266]]

Section 5.8(c) currently requires a filer to confirm that the Sec.
5.8(a) notice has been published by delivering to the OCC a statement
of the date of publication, the name and address of the paper in which
notice was published, and a copy of the notice. Federal savings
association filers are required to do the same, although this
requirement is set forth on the application itself and not included in
the regulatory text. The OCC proposes to apply Sec. 5.8(c) to both
national bank and Federal savings association filings pursuant to part
5.
Section 5.8(d) currently states that the OCC may consider more than
one transaction, or a series of transactions, to be a single filing for
purposes of the publication requirements of this section. When filing a
single public notice for multiple transactions, the filer shall explain
in the notice how the transactions are related. Although this is not
specifically permitted under part 116, it has been an accepted practice
for Federal savings association filings. Under this rulemaking, both
national banks and Federal savings associations may continue to engage
in this practice, which eliminates unnecessary publications while
ensuring that the public's need for notice is met.
Under Sec. 5.8(e), upon the request of an applicant for a
transaction subject to a public notice requirement of both the OCC and
another Federal agency, the OCC may accept publication of a single
joint notice containing the information required by both the OCC and
the other Federal agency, provided that the notice states that comments
must be submitted to both the OCC and, if applicable, the other Federal
agency. For example, a merger filing where there is an application to
the OCC for approval of the merger and a filing with the FDIC for
approval under the Bank Merger Act when the merger is between an
insured national bank and an entity that is not FDIC-insured. Although
there is no specific part 116 provision addressing this practice, the
OCC has permitted such joint notices for Federal savings associations.
As part of the integration of Federal savings associations into part 5,
the OCC also will accept joint public notices for both national bank
and Federal savings association transaction or activity applications.
This provision would benefit filers and serve the public's needs.
Section 5.8(f) allows the OCC to require or give public notice and
request comment on any filing and in any manner that it determines is
appropriate for a particular filing. There is no specific equivalent to
this provision in part 116. As part of this proposal, this provision
would apply to both national banks and Federal savings association
filings, allowing the OCC to ensure that the notice provided to the
public is appropriate for each filing.
Finally, Sec. 116.240(b) provides that, prior to the end of the
applicable review period, if the OCC determines that an issue of law or
change in circumstances has arisen that will substantially affect an
application, it may require an applicant to publish, among other
things, a new public notice. Although no specific national bank rule
provides for this result, the OCC has a similar practice for national
bank filings. In order to codify and clarify this practice, the OCC
proposes to add a new Sec. 5.8(g) that states that the OCC, at its
discretion, may require an applicant to publish a new public notice if
(1) the applicant submits either a revised filing or new or additional
information related to a filing, (2) there is a major issue of law or a
change in circumstances arises after a filing, or (3) the agency
determines that a new public notice is appropriate. This provision does
not represent a material change for either national bank or Federal
savings association filers.
Sec. 5.9 Public availability. Section 5.9 addresses both access to
the public portion of a filing and the confidential treatment that may
be provided to certain information in a filing. Specifically, Sec.
5.9(a) states that the OCC will provide a copy of the public portion of
a pending filing in response to a written request made to the
appropriate district office. A person may submit a written request to
the OCC's Communication's Division for a copy of the public portion of
a decided or closed application. In either case, the OCC may impose a
fee for the copy. Section 5.9(b) explains that a public file consists
of the portions of the filing, supporting data, supplementary
information, and information submitted by interested persons to the
extent that these items have not been afforded confidential treatment.
Section 5.9(c) addresses the confidential treatment of information
included in a filing, explaining both that an applicant and an
interested person submitting information may request that specific
information be treated as confidential under the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552) and how to make this request. The provision
also states that if the OCC does not consider the information to be
confidential, the agency may include that information in the public
portion of a filing after providing notice to the submitter. It also
permits the OCC to determine, on its own initiative, that certain
information should be treated as confidential and to withhold that
information from the public file.
Section 116.35 addresses the public and confidential aspects of a
Federal savings association filing. Paragraph (a) states that the OCC
generally makes part 116 submissions available to the public but may
keep portions confidential. Section 116.35(b) provides that an
applicant may request confidential treatment of certain portions of a
filing and explains specifically how to make this request. It also
states that the OCC will not treat as confidential the portion of a
filing that describes how an applicant plans to meet its CRA objectives
and notes that the agency will advise an applicant before it makes
information designated as confidential available to the public.
Under this proposal, Sec. 5.9 would apply to all filings made
pursuant to part 5, as revised. This revision is not intended to result
in material changes for either national bank or Federal savings
association filings. It should be noted that although Sec. 5.9 does
not explicitly address the OCC's treatment of filing information about
how a filer plans to meet its CRA objectives, the OCC does not treat
this information as confidential. The proposal contains other minor
changes to Sec. Sec. 5.9(a) and (c), including which OCC office a
request should be submitted either to obtain the public portion of a
decided or closed application or to withhold information from a public
file.
Sec. 5.10 Comments. Section 5.10(a) provides that during the
comment period, any person may submit a comment to the appropriate
district office. Section 5.10(b)(1) provides that, unless otherwise
stated, the comment period runs for 30 days after publication of the
Sec. 5.8(a) public notice. Under Sec. 5.10(b)(2), the OCC may extend
the comment period if an applicant either fails to file in a timely
manner all required publicly available information or makes a request
for confidential treatment that is not granted by the OCC and that
delays the public availability of information. The comment period also
may be extended to develop factual information needed to consider the
application or if the OCC determines that other extenuating
circumstances exist. In addition, the rule provides that the OCC may
give an applicant an opportunity to respond to comments received during
the comment period.
The Federal savings association rules are much more detailed,
particularly with respect to application comments. Section 116.110
provides that any person may comment on a filing and Sec. 116.120(a)
states that a comment

[[Page 33267]]

should include all relevant facts supporting the commenter's position.
It further provides that a comment should address at least one reason
why the OCC may deny the application under relevant law, recite facts
and data supporting these reasons, and discuss how the approval could
harm the commenter or any community. Under Sec. 116.120(b), any
request for a meeting must be included with the comment. Section
116.130 states that a commenter must file with the appropriate OCC
licensing office and further directs that a copy of any written comment
shall simultaneously be provided to the applicant. Under Sec. 116.140,
a commenter must file a comment within 30 days after publication of the
initial public notice and further states that the OCC may consider
later filed comments if the comment will assist in the disposition of
the application.
The OCC has found that the less detailed and prescriptive approach
in the current part 5 rules works well for both filers and the public
and proposes to apply Sec. 5.10 to all filings received by the OCC,
with one clarification. This application would result in two changes
with respect to Federal savings association filings. First, the
proposal does not specify what information should be included in a
comment. Second, a commenter on a Federal savings association filing
would not be required to provide a copy of the comment to the Federal
savings association. Instead, the Federal savings association would
obtain a copy of the public portion of any comment from the OCC. The
proposal would clarify that comments relating to either a national bank
or a Federal savings association should be submitted to the appropriate
OCC licensing office, as provided in the current Federal savings
association rule.
As both sets of current rules include a 30-day comment period that
begins when the public notice is published, the proposal generally does
not affect the length of the comment period. In addition, although
neither current nor proposed Sec. 5.10(b) expressly states that the
OCC can consider late-filed comments, as is stated in Sec. 116.140,
the OCC's practice generally has been to consider all comments,
including late-filed comments.
The OCC proposes other changes to Sec. 5.10 that would affect both
national banks and Federal savings associations. First, as revised,
Sec. 5.10(b)(1) would provide that the OCC may require a new comment
period of up to 30 days if a new public notice is required under
proposed Sec. 5.8(g). This change is necessary to provide interested
parties with an opportunity to comment when a new notice is published,
which, as explained in the discussion of proposed Sec. 5.8(g), may be
required in certain circumstances. Finally, a minor change is proposed
to Sec. 5.10(b)(2) to clarify that the OCC can extend any comment
period, either an original or a new comment period.
Sec. 5.11 Hearings and other meetings. Pursuant to Sec. 5.11(a),
any person can request a hearing on a filing by submitting to the
appropriate district office a description of the issues or facts to be
presented and explaining why a written submission is not adequate. The
requestor must simultaneously provide the request to the applicant. As
noted above, under Sec. 116.120(b), a request for a meeting must be
included in a comment and explain why written submissions are
insufficient. Also under Sec. 116.130, this comment and hearing
request must be filed with the appropriate OCC licensing office, with a
copy to the applicant.
As proposed, Sec. 5.11(a) would apply to all OCC hearing requests.
Therefore, a person seeking a hearing on a filing pertaining to a
Federal savings association would no longer be required to request a
hearing as part of a comment submission, and a hearing request would be
submitted to the appropriate OCC office. This revision would provide
added flexibility to those requesting hearings related to Federal
savings association filings.
Section 5.11(b) states that the OCC may grant or deny a hearing
request, limit the issues to those it deems relevant or material, and
order a hearing in the public's interest. Under Sec. 5.11(c), if the
OCC denies a hearing request, the agency will notify the requestor of
the reason for the denial. Sections 116.170(a) and (b) are
substantively the same as Sec. Sec. 5.11(b) and (c). Under this
proposal, Sec. Sec. 5.11(b) and (c) would apply to all hearings with
no substantive change for affected parties.
Section Sec. 5.11(d) describes the OCC's pre-hearing procedures.
Specifically, under Sec. 5.11(d)(1), if the OCC decides to hold a
hearing, it sends a Notice of Hearing to the applicant, the person
requesting the hearing, and anyone else who requests a copy. The Notice
states the subject and date of the filing, the time and place of the
hearing, and the issues to be addressed at the hearing. Section
5.11(d)(2) states that the OCC appoints a presiding officer to conduct
a hearing.
There are no equivalent provisions in the Federal savings
association regulations. Instead, Sec. 116.170(a) states that the OCC
may either grant a meeting request or hold one on its own initiative,
and it may limit the issues considered at a meeting to those it deems
relevant or material. Under this proposal, Sec. 5.11(d)(1) will apply
to all part 5 OCC hearings and all interested persons will receive a
Notice of Hearing when a hearing is scheduled. This revision ensures
that all interested parties are notified of an upcoming hearing. The
OCC also proposes to amend Sec. 5.11(d)(1) to state, as in Sec.
116.170(a), that the agency may limit the issues considered at a
hearing to those it determines are relevant or material.
Section 5.11(e) states that a person who wishes to appear at a
hearing shall notify the appropriate district office within 10 days of
when the OCC issues a Notice of Hearing. It also requires, at least
five days before the hearing, that each participant submit the names of
witnesses and one copy of each exhibit to be presented, to the OCC, the
applicant, and any other person the OCC requires. There are no
equivalent rules in the Federal savings association regulations. As
proposed, Sec. 5.11(e) would be applicable to all persons who wish to
appear at an OCC hearing. Section 5.11(e) allows the OCC and other
persons to prepare for a hearing and yields a more efficient and
productive hearing.
Section 5.11(f) explains that the OCC arranges for a hearing
transcript and states that the person requesting a hearing generally
bears the cost of one copy of the transcript. There is no equivalent
part 116 provision. The OCC proposes to apply this provision to all OCC
hearings and also to replace the ``generally bears'' phrase with ``may
be required to bear.'' This change reflects the fact that the OCC
generally has not passed this cost onto a hearing requestor but, in
certain cases, may find it appropriate to do so. Although this is a
technical change with respect to national bank filers, a person
requesting a hearing on a filing pertaining to a Federal savings
association should be aware that, under this proposal, a hearing
transcript will be prepared and that the requestor may be required to
pay its cost.
Section 5.11(g) explains how a part 5 hearing is conducted,
providing generally that the applicant and participants may make
opening statements and present witnesses, material, and data. It also
requires a copy of any documentary material to be provided to the OCC,
the applicant, and each participant. In contrast, the Sec. 116.180
procedures for Federal savings association hearings provide that the
OCC may conduct a meeting in any format, including telephone
conferences, face-to-face meetings, or

[[Page 33268]]

formal meeting. In addition, both Sec. Sec. 5.11(g) and 116.180
provide that the Administrative Procedure Act, the Federal Rules of
Evidence, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the OCC's relevant
rules of practice and procedure (12 CFR part 19 and part 109,
respectively) do not apply to these hearings.
Under this proposal, Sec. 5.11(g) would apply to all subpart A
hearings. As a result, all applicants and hearing participants may be
permitted to make opening statements and to present witnesses,
material, and data. Any person presenting documentary material at a
hearing must furnish a copy to the OCC, the applicant, and each
participant.
The OCC also proposes to add a new paragraph Sec. 5.11(g)(4),
stating that the OCC may conduct a meeting in any format that it
determines is appropriate, including a telephone conference, a face-to-
face meeting, or a more formal meeting. This new provision, which
mirrors Sec. 116.180(a), is not a change to what is permissible for
the OCC, but rather highlights the options available to the agency.
Under Sec. 5.11(h), at an applicant's or participant's request,
the OCC may keep the hearing record open for up to 14 days following
its receipt of the hearing transcript. The agency resumes processing
the filing after the record closes. Section 116.190 states that if the
OCC conducts a meeting, it may suspend the applicable filing time
frames. If suspended, the time period will resume when the OCC
determines that the record has been sufficiently developed to support a
determination on the issue(s) considered at the meeting.
Under this proposal, Sec. 5.11(h) will apply with respect to all
filings on which a hearing is held. As a result, all applicants,
commenters, and other interested persons should be aware that the
hearing record may be kept open for up to 14 days following receipt of
the transcript, after which the OCC will resume processing the filing.
The OCC believes that the public and affected parties benefit from
knowing how long the record will remain open, following a hearing.
Finally, Sec. 5.11(i) addresses meetings other than hearings that
the OCC may hold in connection with an application. Section 5.11(i)(1)
states that the OCC may hold a public meeting, either in response to a
written request received during the comment period or on its own
initiative. These public meetings are arranged and presided over by a
presiding officer. Alternatively, under Sec. 5.11(i)(2), the OCC may
arrange a private meeting with an applicant or other interested parties
to clarify and narrow the issues and to facilitate the resolution of
the issues. As noted above, Sec. 116.180 states that the OCC may
conduct meetings related to Federal savings association filings in any
format.
Under this proposal, Sec. 5.11(i) would apply to all applications
received by the OCC and does not represent a change from what is
currently permitted for filings related to Federal savings
associations. In addition, the OCC proposes to add paragraph (i)(3) to
Sec. 5.11, stating that the OCC may limit the issues considered at a
meeting to those it determines to be relevant or material. This
provision is substantively the same as the provision the agency
proposes to add to Sec. 5.11(d) (regarding hearings) and permits the
agency to ensure that meetings are meaningful and efficient. The OCC
also proposes minor, clarifying changes to Sec. 5.11(i).
Section 116.185 states that the OCC will not approve or deny an
application at a meeting. Although no similar language is included in
either current or proposed Sec. 5.11, it is the OCC's practice not to
decide on applications at hearings or other meetings. While hearings
and meetings provide an opportunity for interested persons to share
information with the OCC, the OCC considers information obtained at a
hearing together with other materials and information pertaining to the
application, before rendering a decision. Decisions on filings are
discussed in greater detail below.
In addition, Sec. 116.190 explains that if the OCC decides to
conduct a meeting, it may suspend the application processing time
frames. Although the part 5, subpart A, rules do not state this
directly, current and proposed Sec. 5.10(b)(2) allow the OCC to extend
a comment period when necessary, current and proposed Sec. 5.11(h)
allow the OCC to keep a hearing record open for 14 days after a hearing
and resume processing the filing only when the record closes, and
proposed Sec. 5.13(a)(2) allows the OCC to extend the expedited review
period in certain circumstances or remove a filing from expedited
review when necessary. These provisions provide the OCC with the tools
it needs to adjust the processing time frames when appropriate, while
balancing the need for interested persons to have a predictable set of
procedures on which to rely.
Sec. 5.12 Computation of time. In computing the relevant time
periods related to a national bank filing, the OCC includes the day of
the act or event (e.g., the date an application is received by the OCC)
and the last day of a time period, regardless of whether that day is a
Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Under Sec. 116.10, in computing
the relevant time period with respect to a Federal savings association
filing, the OCC does not include the day of the act or the event that
commences the time period. When the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or
Federal holiday, the time period runs until the end of the next day
that is not a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday.
Efficiency would be promoted by a single set of time computation
rules for OCC filings. Accordingly, the OCC proposes to change Sec.
5.12 to mirror the current Federal savings association rule. As a
result, when computing time for national bank filings, the day of the
act would no longer be included and the time period would no longer end
on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday but would end on the next day
that is not a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday. It also should be
noted that proposed Sec. 5.12 replaces ``legal holiday'' with
``Federal holiday,'' consistent with the current Federal savings
association rule, to eliminate confusion when a legal state holiday is
not also a Federal holiday.
Sec. 5.13 Decisions. Under Sec. 5.13(a), the OCC may approve or
deny a national bank filing based on its review and consideration of
the record, including the activities, resources, or condition of a
filer's affiliate to the extent relevant. Under Sec. 5.13(a)(1), it
may impose conditions on an approval, including to address significant
supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concerns.
Section 5.13(a)(2) explains the OCC expedited review process for
filings concerning ``eligible'' banks, as defined in Sec. 5.3.
Specifically, these filings are deemed approved a certain number of
days after the filing date or the close of the public comment period
(or extension of the comment period under Sec. 5.10), unless, prior to
this date, the OCC notifies the filer otherwise. The number of days
after which a particular filing is deemed approved varies depending on
the activity or transaction at issue and is set out in the substantive
part 5 rule for that particular activity or transaction.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\20\ For example, Sec. 5.20(j) provides that certain
applications to establish a national bank are deemed preliminarily
approved as of the 15th day after the close of the public comment
period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC,
whichever is later, unless the OCC takes certain action to remove
the filing from expedited review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under Sec. 5.13(a)(2)(i), the OCC may extend the expedited review
period for filings subject to CRA up to 10 days if the OCC receives
comments containing certain assertions about the bank's CRA

[[Page 33269]]

performance. Section 5.13(a)(2)(ii) states that the OCC will remove a
filing from expedited review if a filing or a comment raises a
significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), compliance, legal, or
policy concern or issue. If this removal happens, the OCC will provide
a written explanation. Section 5.13(a)(2)(iii) explains that not all
adverse comments cause the OCC to extend the expedited review period or
remove a filing from expedited review.
Finally, Sec. 5.13(a)(2)(iv) provides that if a filing is
dependent upon the approval of another filing, or if multiple requests
for approval are combined in a single application, none of the filings
is deemed approved unless all of the applications are subject to
expedited review procedures and the longest time period expires without
the OCC issuing a decision or notifying the bank that the filings are
not eligible for expedited review.
Filings that are not eligible for or do not receive expedited
review are considered under the standard review process. The process
and timeframes associated with the standard review process vary
depending on the nature and circumstances of a filing and are set forth
in the applicable substantive activity or transaction rule.
Section 5.13(b) explains that the OCC may deny a filing if a
significant supervisory, CRA, compliance, legal, or policy concern
exists or if an applicant fails to provide the OCC with information
that it requests. Pursuant to Sec. 5.13(c), a filing must contain the
information required in the applicable substantive part 5 activity or
transaction rule, and the OCC may require additional information as
well. Section 5.13(c) further provides that the OCC may deem a filing
abandoned if information that is required or requested is not provided
within a specified time period and may return a filing found to be
materially deficient.
Section 5.13(d) explains that the OCC will notify a filer and other
interested party (or parties) of the final disposition of a filing,
including a notification confirming expedited review. If a filing is
denied, the OCC will explain why. Under Sec. 5.13(e), the OCC will
make a decision public if it represents new or changed policy or issues
of general interest. In rendering decisions, the OCC also may elect not
to disclose information that it deems to be private or confidential.
Section 5.13(f) explains that a filer can appeal a decision by
writing to the Deputy Comptroller for Licensing or the OCC Ombudsman
(or, in some cases, to the Chief Counsel). Section Sec. 5.13(g)
explains that when the OCC approves or conditionally approves a filing,
the agency generally gives the filer a specified period of time in
which to commence the activity and generally does not grant extensions.
Finally, Sec. 5.13(h) states that the OCC can nullify a filing
decision if, for example, it discovers a misrepresentation or omission
in a filing or supporting material after it renders a filing decision.
A person responsible for a material misrepresentation or omission may
be subject to various sanctions, including criminal penalties. The OCC
also may nullify a filing decision that is contrary to law, regulation,
or OCC policy or that was granted due to clerical or administrative
error or a material mistake of law or fact.
Pursuant to part 116, a savings association filing may receive
either expedited treatment or standard treatment. If a filer is
eligible for expedited treatment, as determined under Sec. 116.5, it
may file its application in the form of a notice. Pursuant to Sec.
116.200, 30 days after filing a notice, the filer may engage in the
proposed activity or transaction unless the OCC (1) requests additional
information,\21\ (2) determines that standard treatment is appropriate,
(3) suspends the applicable time frame under Sec. 116.190, or (4)
disapproves the notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\21\ Section 116.200(a) explains the sequence of events and
timing when the OCC requests additional information about a notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pursuant to Sec. 116.25, a filer files a standard application if
it is not eligible for expedited treatment. Under Sec. 116.210, within
30 calendar days after receiving a standard application, the OCC will
(1) notify the applicant that the application is complete and review
will commence, (2) request more information, or (3) determine that the
application is materially deficient, in which case, the OCC will not
process the filing. If the OCC takes no action, an application is
deemed complete and the review period begins. Under Sec. 116.270, this
review period is generally 60 calendar days after an application is
complete but may be extended. For example, under Sec. 116.270(c), the
OCC may extend the review period for up to 30 days for any reason or
for as long as needed if the application presents a significant issue
of law or policy requiring additional time to resolve. In either
situation, the OCC must provide a written notification of any
extension.
Section 116.280 explains that the OCC will approve or deny an
application before the end of the applicable review period and will
notify applicants of the decision. If the OCC fails to notify an
applicant, under Sec. 116.280(b), the application is approved.
Section 116.220 provides a detailed explanation of how the OCC will
process an application if it requests more information to complete a
filing, including the time frames within which certain actions must be
taken. Section 116.240(a) explains that even if an application is
deemed complete under Sec. 116.210, the OCC may still require the
filer to provide additional information to resolve or clarify an issue
presented by the application. Or, if the OCC determines that a major
issue or law or change of circumstances has arisen, it may notify the
filer that the application is now incomplete and require a new public
notice to be filed under Sec. 116.250. Under Sec. 116.290, an
application that is not approved or denied within two calendar years of
filing is deemed withdrawn, subject to certain exceptions.
As is clear, the OCC has two different, albeit similar, sets of
application processing procedures. In order to gain the efficiencies
inherent in administering a single set of procedures and to create
parity for OCC-regulated institutions, the OCC proposes to apply Sec.
5.13 to all OCC filings. As a result, Federal savings association
filers will need to determine whether a filing is eligible for
expedited review under subpart A based on the proposed Sec. 5.3(h)
definition of ``eligible bank or eligible savings association.'' The
OCC does not anticipate that there will be a significant difference in
which filings are eligible for expedited review under the current and
proposed rules because, as explained above, the criteria in Sec. 5.3
and Sec. 116.5 are substantively similar.
Unlike Sec. 116.200, part 5, subpart A, does not state the
applicable expedited review time frames. These time frames are unique
to the type of activity or transaction and set out in the relevant part
5 section detailing that activity or transaction. If a filing is not
eligible for expedited review, the filer will have to follow the
standard review procedures set out in the rules applicable to the
particular activity or transaction at issue.
In addition, as part of this rulemaking, the OCC is proposing other
changes to Sec. 5.13, which would apply to filings related to both
national banks and Federal savings associations. Specifically, it
proposes to add a statement to the Sec. 5.13(a) introductory language
providing that when reviewing a filing, the OCC may consider
information available from any source, including any comments submitted
by interested parties or views expressed by

[[Page 33270]]

interested parties at meetings with the OCC.
With respect to Sec. 5.13(a)(2) concerning expedited review, the
OCC proposes to strike the Sec. 5.13(a)(2) clause that states that the
OCC grants eligible banks expedited review within a specified time,
``including any extension of the comment period granted pursuant to
Sec. 5.10.'' This change reflects the fact that when the OCC grants an
extension of the comment period under Sec. 5.10, a filing is no longer
considered under the expedited review procedures. The circumstances
that lead to an extended comment period are generally not compatible
with expedited review.
In addition, as discussed above, Sec. 5.13(a)(2)(i) provides that
the OCC may extend the expedited review period for a filing subject to
CRA for up to 10 days if a comment makes certain assertions about CRA
and Sec. 5.13(a)(2)(ii) provides that the OCC will remove a filing
from expedited review if the filing presents significant supervisory,
CRA, compliance, legal or policy concerns or issues and explains
specifically what constitutes a significant CRA concern in this
context. The OCC proposes to combine Sec. Sec. 5.13(a)(2)(i) and (ii)
into proposed Sec. 5.13(a)(2)(i) that addresses both extending the
expedited review period and removing a filing from expedited review and
to strike the description of CRA-related assertions in comments and
what constitutes a significant CRA concern. These changes would
simplify Sec. 5.13(a)(2) and are not intended to have a substantive
effect on expedited review procedures. Comments and concerns about CRA
will continue to be given the same weight. Other minor, technical, or
conforming changes are also proposed to Sec. 5.13.
Finally, as part of this rulemaking, the OCC proposes to delete
part 116 in its entirety. Organizing a National Bank or Federal Savings
Association; Federal Savings Association Charters and Bylaws (Sec.
5.20, new Sec. 5.21, new Sec. 5.22)
Twelve CFR 5.20 sets forth the requirements and procedures involved
in organizing a de novo national bank. Specifically, Sec. 5.20(e)
provides that the OCC will verify that organizers have fulfilled
certain statutory requirements such as filing articles of association
with the OCC, Sec. 5.20(f) sets forth policy considerations that the
OCC considers in evaluating an application, Sec. 5.20(g) discusses the
OCC's requirements with respect to the organizing group, Sec. 5.20(h)
lists requirements for the organizers' business plan or operating plan,
Sec. 5.20(i) lists the procedures that the organizers must follow,
Sec. 5.20(j) specifies the requirements for expedited review of an
application, and Sec. 5.20(l) lists requirements for the establishment
of special purpose banks.
Corresponding rules applicable to organizing Federal savings
associations are set forth in three CFR parts: Part 143, Federal Mutual
Savings Associations--Incorporation, Organization, and Conversion; part
144, Federal Mutual Savings Associations--Charter and Bylaws; and part
152, Federal Stock Associations--Incorporation, Organization, and
Conversion. In addition, Sec. 163.1 imposes certain rules concerning a
Federal savings association's charter and bylaws.
Part 143 sets forth the requirements and procedures for organizing
a Federal mutual savings association. For example, Sec. Sec. 143.2 and
143.3 describe the requirements for applying for a Federal mutual
savings association charter and the factors the OCC will consider in
such an application. Section 143.4 provides that the OCC's approval of
the application constitutes the issuance of a charter and Sec. 143.5
specifies the initial steps the organizers must undertake after
issuance of the charter. Certain provisions of part 143 set forth rules
and prohibitions, such as Sec. 143.1(a), which prohibits a Federal
savings association from adopting a title that misrepresents the nature
of the institution or the services it offers, and Sec. 143.6, which
prohibits a Federal savings association from transacting any business
other than as provided in part 143. Finally, Sec. 143.7 clarifies that
part 143 does not apply to a Federal savings association chartered in
connection with a Federal savings association in default or in danger
of default.
Part 144 covers the charter and bylaws of Federal mutual savings
associations. Section 144.1 sets forth the form and required provisions
of the charter, Sec. 144.2 lists the requirements for amending a
charter, and Sec. 144.4 states that the issuance of a Federal mutual
savings association charter constitutes the incorporation of that
association. Section 144.5 sets forth the required provisions of the
bylaws and Sec. Sec. 144.6 and 144.7 set forth rules with respect to
the effect of a change to a charter or bylaws subsequent to a Federal
mutual savings association's transaction; and the availability of the
charter and bylaws.
Part 152 sets forth the requirements and procedures for organizing
a Federal stock savings association and also contains the requirements
for the charter and bylaws of Federal stock savings associations, as
well as related matters including shareholders, board of directors, and
officers. More specifically, Sec. 152.1 describes the initial steps
organizers must take in establishing a Federal stock savings
association and also indicates the factors the OCC will consider in
such an application; Sec. 152.3 sets forth the form and required
provisions of the charter; Sec. 152.4 lists the requirements for
amending a charter; Sec. 152.5 covers the bylaws of Federal stock
savings associations; Sec. Sec. 152.6, 152.7 and 152.8 address
shareholders, the board of directors, and officers, respectively; and
Sec. 152.9 covers certificates for shares and their transfer.
Section 163.1 requires a de novo Federal savings association to
file its charter and bylaws with the OCC prior to commencing operations
and requires a Federal savings association to make its charter and
bylaws available to accountholders.
Many of the procedures organizers must follow to charter a national
bank or Federal savings association are substantively similar, with
only minor differences. With respect to many of these regulations, the
OCC believes these rules should be coordinated and harmonized in order
to promote consistency and equal treatment between the two types of
institutions and to remove unnecessary regulatory burden where
possible. These goals are accomplished by amending Sec. 5.20 to
include Federal savings associations, adding to Sec. 5.20 some
provisions that address the organizing process currently in parts 143
and 152, and removing other provisions in part 143, 152, and 163 that
address the organizing process (Sec. Sec. 143.2 through 143.7, 152.1
and 152.2, and 163.1).
The regulations for national banks and those for Federal savings
associations treat the provisions related to ``organizing documents''
(organization certificate and articles of association for national
banks, charter for Federal savings associations, and bylaws)
differently.\22\ For national banks, there are several applicable
statutes, but few regulations.\23\ For

[[Page 33271]]

Federal savings associations, there are no statutory requirements, but
Sec. Sec. 144.1 and 152.3 contain specific language and requirements
to be used for the charter of Federal mutual savings associations and
Federal stock savings associations, respectively, and Sec. Sec. 144.2
and 152.4 contain specific requirements for the bylaws of Federal
mutual savings associations and Federal stock savings associations,
respectively. Also, the charter provisions for Federal mutual savings
associations are substantially different from national banks and
Federal stock savings associations. These differences stem from the
unique characteristics of Federal mutual charters, such as the
inability of members to communicate directly with each other (because
membership is based on the depository relationship) under Sec. 144.8,
the use of ``running proxies,'' and the potential that certain charter
or bylaw provisions could later affect a mutual-to-stock conversion by
the association. These characteristics require a need to place greater
controls over changes to the Federal mutual charter in order to prevent
the inappropriate transfer of the association's equity and to prevent
the introduction of provisions that may impede a mutual-to-stock
conversion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\22\ It may be helpful to clarify terminology. For national
banks, the term ``charter'' is used to refer to the certificate of
authority to commence banking issued by the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 27.
A national bank's ``articles of association'' is similar to a
business corporation's articles of incorporation setting out the
general features of the business's organizational structure and
purpose. A Federal savings association's ``charter'' issued by the
OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1464(a)(2) is the agency's authorization to
engage in business as a savings association, but it also contains
provisions comparable to a national bank's articles of association.
\23\ Additional guidance for national banks is provided by
sample articles and bylaws in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual
(www.occ.gov/publications/publications-by-type/licensing-manuals/index-licensing-manuals.html#sd) and by review of the proposed
documents during the application process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In order to preserve the enforceability of the Federal savings
association charter and bylaw requirements and to ensure the necessary
controls unique to the Federal mutual savings association charter, the
OCC believes it is necessary and appropriate to continue to include
separate provisions concerning a Federal savings association's charter
and bylaws.
Therefore, the OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR part 5, subpart B, by:
(1) Revising Sec. 5.20 to apply to both national banks and Federal
savings associations and to make certain other changes as described
below; (2) adding a new Sec. 5.21 (based on part 144) to specify the
language and requirements for the Federal mutual savings association
charter, bylaws, and charter amendments and to require a Federal mutual
savings association to make its charter and bylaws available to
accountholders; and (3) adding a new Sec. 5.22 (based on Sec. Sec.
152.3 through 152.11) to specify the language and requirements for the
Federal stock savings association charter, bylaws, charter amendments,
and related matters. In addition, the OCC proposes to amend parts 143,
144, 152, and 163 by rescinding various provisions in those parts
concerning charters and bylaws.
As a result of this rulemaking, organizers of de novo Federal
savings associations and national banks and existing Federal savings
associations and national banks should be aware of the proposed changes
that are detailed below.
Applying Existing National Bank Requirements to Federal Savings
Associations. The majority of the proposed changes to Sec. 5.20 apply
existing requirements for organizing a national bank to organizing a
Federal savings association by inserting ``Federal savings
association'' where appropriate. Most of these amendments will result
in little or no change to existing practices concerning an application
to charter a Federal savings association. However, potential organizers
should carefully review the following amendments that would change the
current process.
First, under the proposal, an application to charter a Federal
savings association would be subject to the two-part approval process
contained in Sec. 5.20(i)(5). Based on statute and longstanding
practice, the OCC uses a two-part approval process for de novo national
bank charters. After an application is filed, if the OCC determines it
meets the applicable standards, the OCC issues a ``preliminary
approval.'' Once it has received this approval, the national bank in
organization proceeds to take the steps needed to organize, raise
capital, obtain any other regulatory approvals, and generally become
ready to commence business. Many of these steps are not specified in
Sec. 5.20 but instead are provided in the OCC's preliminary approval
and in the Charters Booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual. The
OCC issues a ``final approval'' and the national bank's charter only
after all these steps are concluded, including compliance with any
conditions imposed in the preliminary approval. Under the current
Federal savings association rule, the OCC issues only one approval
before it issues the charter but this approval is subject to the
institution completing various post-approval organizational steps and
other requirements before it can commence business. These steps and
requirements are specified in Sec. Sec. 143.4, 143.5, 143.6, and
152.1(c) through 152.1(i). We propose to remove these provisions
because they will no longer be necessary since final approval will be
granted only after all organizational steps and other requirements are
met. The two processes in practice may not be different, but use of a
formal two-part approval framework provides more certainty and reduces
any risk of an institution inadvertently operating before it has
completed all required steps. Applying the bank rule's two-step
approval process to savings associations also will enhance consistency
between the chartering application process for national banks and
Federal savings associations.
Second, Sec. 5.20(i)(5)(iv) provides that preliminary approval
expires if the national bank has not raised the required capital within
twelve months or has not commenced business within eighteen months.
Sections 143.5(d) and 152.1(i) provide that a Federal savings
association's charter becomes void if organization is not completed
within six months after approval. The proposal would amend Sec.
5.20(i)(5)(iv) to apply the same twelve- and eighteen-month expiration
periods to Federal savings associations, rather than the six-month
period.
Third, the OCC proposes to amend Sec. 5.20(j), which allows for
expedited review of an application to establish a full-service national
bank filed by a bank holding company with a lead depository institution
that is an eligible depository institution. We propose to add Federal
savings associations and savings and loan holding companies. The
current regulations for chartering a de novo Federal savings
association do not have a comparable expedited review process. We also
propose to limit the availability of this expedited review to
applications to charter a national bank or Federal savings association
where the existing lead depository institution is an eligible national
bank or eligible Federal savings association. In those cases, the OCC
will have knowledge and experience of the holding company's and lead
institution's operations. In cases where a state institution is the
lead depository institution, the OCC would not have that knowledge and
experience, and we believe expedited review would not be appropriate.
Fourth, the proposal would add Federal savings associations to
Sec. 5.20(k)(3), which addresses investments in bankers' banks and
Sec. 5.20(l), which addresses chartering special purpose institutions.
These provisions reflect authority that national banks and Federal
savings associations possess.
Fifth, parts 143, 144, 152, and 163 contain various filing
procedural matters. As discussed above, this proposed rule amends part
5, subpart A, rules of general applicability, to include filing rules
and procedures for Federal savings associations for all matters

[[Page 33272]]

covered by part 5. Thus, once Federal savings associations are included
in Sec. 5.20 and new Sec. Sec. 5.21 and 5.22 are added to part 5,
filings related to the organizing process and to charters and bylaws
will be governed by the filing provisions in subpart A. We therefore
have not included the filing procedures provisions in parts 143, 144,
152, and 163 in the amendments to Sec. 5.20, or in new Sec. Sec. 5.21
and 5.22.
Amendments that Specifically Cover Federal Savings Association
Matters. The OCC is proposing to incorporate certain provisions
contained in parts 143 and 152 into Sec. 5.20. Specifically, with
respect to an application to organize a Federal savings association,
section 5(e) of the Home Owners' Loan Act (HOLA) \24\ requires the OCC
to consider whether: (1) The applicants are of good character and
responsibility; (2) there is a need for the association in the
community to be served; (3) there is a reasonable probability of
usefulness and success; and (4) there will be undue injury to existing
local thrift and home financing institutions. These criteria are
included in Sec. 143.2(g)(1) and Sec. 152.1(b)(1), and this proposed
rule adds them to Sec. 5.20(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\24\ 12 U.S.C. 1464(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sections 143.2(g)(2)(i) and 152.1(b)(3)(i) provide that approval of
an application to organize a Federal mutual or stock savings
association, respectively, is conditioned on OCC receipt of written
confirmation from the FDIC that accounts will be insured. Similar
requirements appear in Sec. Sec. 143.5(c) and 152.1(f) (when a charter
is issued, a Federal savings association, or a Federal stock savings
association, respectively, must promptly meet all requirements
necessary to obtain FDIC insurance of its accounts), as well as
Sec. Sec. 143.5(d) and 152.1(h)(1) (organization of a Federal savings
association, or a Federal stock savings association, respectively, is
complete when, among other things, the OCC receives confirmation of
FDIC insurance).
For these reasons, the OCC is proposing in Sec. 5.20(e)(3) to
retain the requirement that all Federal savings associations be insured
by the FDIC. Nonetheless, we invite further comment on this matter.
Proposals to Apply Federal Savings Association Application
Requirements to National Bank Applications. The OCC is proposing to
amend Sec. 5.20 to apply certain requirements applicable to Federal
savings associations to both national banks and Federal savings
associations. First, Sec. 143.1(a) prohibits a Federal savings
association from adopting a title that misrepresents the nature of the
institution or the services it offers. The OCC believes that
incorporating such a provision in a regulation is good public policy
because it protects both customers and the institution. Therefore, the
OCC proposes to amend Sec. 5.20(e)(1) to apply this requirement to
both Federal savings associations and national banks.
Second, Sec. 143.3(b)(1) requires that all securities of a
particular class in an initial offering must be sold at the same price.
The proposal would amend Sec. 5.20(i)(5)(iii) to apply this
requirement to both Federal savings associations and national banks.
Such a requirement promotes fairness and uniformity, does not allow
insiders to gain an unfair advantage over other shareholders, and
discourages the formation of an institution for speculative purposes.
Moreover, the FDIC also imposes this requirement in determining whether
to approve an application for deposit insurance.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\25\ FDIC Statement of Policy on Applications for Deposit
Insurance. 63 FR 44752, 44757 (August 20, 1998).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third, Sec. Sec. 143.5(d) and Sec. 152.1(i) require that, in the
event the organization of a Federal savings association is not
completed, all cash collected on subscriptions shall be returned. The
proposal would amend Sec. 5.20(i)(5)(iv) to apply this requirement to
both Federal savings associations and national banks.
Proposals to Eliminate Certain Federal Savings Association Approval
Criteria. Sections 143.2(g)(1) and 152.1(b)(1) require the OCC to
consider whether the Federal savings association will provide credit
for housing in a safe and sound manner and whether the factors in Sec.
143.3 (regarding capitalization, business and investment plans, the
board of directors, management) will be met. These approval criteria
are not statutorily required. In most cases, these factors are similar
to factors the OCC currently considers either under Sec. 5.20 or as a
matter of practice. Moreover, provision of housing credit also is
addressed by the lending and investment provisions of 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)
and the qualified thrift lender test of 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m). Therefore,
the OCC is not proposing to include these provisions in Sec. 5.20.
The OCC is proposing to rescind provisions of parts 143 and 152
that are redundant, unnecessary, or no longer appropriate. For example,
the OCC is proposing to rescind Sec. Sec. 143.7 and 152.17, which
exempt from the requirements of parts 143 and 157 Federal stock
associations created in connection with an association in default or in
danger of default. These provisions are not necessary in light of the
FDIC's authority, as part of the resolution process, to create new and
bridge Federal savings associations under 12 U.S.C. 1821(m) and (n).
Similarly, the OCC proposes to rescind Sec. 143.3(f), which
provides that the normal requirements that apply to an application to
charter a Federal savings association do not apply to a supervisory
transaction. This provision is not necessary because the OCC has the
ability to waive such requirements under 12 CFR 5.2(b). Also, the OCC
proposes to rescind the requirements in Sec. Sec. 143.5(c) and
152.1(f) for a proposed Federal savings association to promptly qualify
as a member of a Federal Home Loan Bank. The HOLA no longer requires
such membership.
Proposals to Reflect Current OCC Policy or Practice. The OCC is
proposing several amendments that would update Sec. 5.20 to reflect
current OCC policy or practice. Specifically, the proposal would amend
Sec. 5.20(f)(1) to update the OCC's general policy in making
determinations regarding charter applications to reflect the OCC's
statutory mission as amended in section 314 of the Dodd-Frank Act.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\26\ 12 U.S.C. 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second, Sec. 5.20(g)(2) notes that, as a condition of a charter
approval, the OCC retains the right to object to the hiring of any
officer or appointment or election of any director for a two-year
period from the date the institution commences business. We propose to
clarify that, in appropriate instances, the OCC may impose this
condition for a longer period. This regulatory change reflects current
authority and practice.
Third, Sec. 5.20(g)(3)(ii) requires a proposed director to be able
to supply or have a realistic plan to enable the institution to obtain
capital when needed. The OCC is proposing to clarify that this
requirement applies to the proposed directors as a group, rather than
each director individually.
Federal Mutual Savings Association Charter, Bylaws and Related
Provisions. As discussed above, the OCC believes it is necessary and
appropriate to continue to include separate regulations setting forth
the provisions concerning a Federal savings association's charter and
bylaws. With respect to Federal mutual savings associations, these
provisions are currently in part 144. The OCC is proposing to add a new
Sec. 5.21, ``Federal Mutual Savings Associations Charters and
Bylaws,'' which will incorporate most of part 144.
Proposed Sec. 5.21(d) sets forth exceptions to the rules of
general

[[Page 33273]]

applicability. More specifically, it provides that Sec. Sec. 5.8
through 5.11 do not apply to this section. These sections provide for
public notice, public availability, comments and hearings on an
application. The OCC believes it is not appropriate to subject the
charter and bylaws requirements to these provisions. This belief is
consistent with current requirements for Federal mutual savings
associations as well as national banks.
Proposed Sec. 5.21(e) prescribes the language and requirements for
a Federal mutual savings association charter and is substantively
identical to Sec. 144.1. Proposed Sec. Sec. 5.21(f) through (h) cover
matters related to charter amendments and are substantively identical
to Sec. 144.2. Proposed Sec. 5.21(i) requires a Federal mutual
savings association to make its charter, bylaws, and all amendments
available to accountholders at all times in each savings association
office, and to deliver to any accountholders a copy of the charter,
bylaws or amendments, upon request. This provision is substantively
identical to Sec. 144.7.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\27\ See related discussion concerning 12 CFR 163.1(b) infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Sec. 5.21(j) would specify the language and requirements
for Federal mutual savings association bylaws. This proposed new
paragraph reflects the provisions in Sec. 144.5.
Section 144.5(b)(11) provides that directors may only be removed
``for cause'' as defined in Sec. 163.39 of this chapter, by a vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an
election of directors,'' and Sec. 144.5(b)(10) provides that ``[a]ny
officer may be removed by the board of directors with or without cause,
but such removal, other than for cause, shall be without prejudice to
the contractual rights, if any of the person so removed.'' For ease of
use, the OCC is proposing to include the definition of ``for cause'' in
proposed Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B), the first time it appears in Sec.
5.21, rather than cross-referencing Sec. 163.39. Where the term
``cause'' is used elsewhere in Sec. 5.21, and in Sec. 5.22, for
Federal stock savings associations, the regulation references the
definition at Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B).
The OCC believes that many of the bylaw provisions in Sec. 144.5
are unnecessarily detailed or self-evident. Therefore, the proposal
does not include the following provisions.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\28\ Federal mutual savings associations would not be required
to amend existing bylaws to conform to these changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 144.5(b)(1) discusses the annual meeting of members. It
provides, among other things, that the meeting be held ``as designated
by its board of directors, at a location within the state that
constitutes the principal place of business of the association, or at
any other any convenient place the board of directors may designate.''
Proposed Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(i) does not include the requirement that the
meeting be held in the state that constitutes the principal place of
business of the association. The OCC believes that this requirement
introduces unnecessary detail into the regulation, and that in certain
cases there may be locations outside the state constituting the
association's principal place of business at which the annual meeting
may be held that are appropriately convenient to members.
Section 144.5(b)(2) provides, among other things, that the subject
matter of a special shareholder meeting must be established in the
notice for such meeting. The OCC believes this provision is self-
evident and unnecessarily detailed and proposes not to include this
requirement in Sec. 5.21(j).
Section 144.5(b)(3) covers the requirements for providing notice of
meetings to members. Among other things, it provides that notice must
be provided at a member's last address appearing on the books of the
association. The OCC believes this provision merely states the obvious
and proposes not to include this requirement in Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(iii).
Section 144.5(b)(4) states that the purpose of determining the
record date is to determine the ``members entitled to notice of or to
vote at any meeting of members or any adjournment thereof, or in order
to make a determination of members for any other proper purpose.'' The
OCC believes this provision is self-evident and proposes not to include
this requirement in Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(iv).
Section 144.5(b)(6) provides that procedures must be established
for voting by proxy pursuant to the rules and regulations of the OCC,
``including the placing of such proxies on file with the secretary of
the association, for verification, prior to the convening of such
meeting.'' The OCC believes the inclusion language is self-evident and
unnecessarily detailed and proposes not to include this requirement in
Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(vi).
Section 144.5(b)(9) provides that board of director meetings
``shall be under the direction of a chairman, appointed annually by the
board; or in the absence of the chairman, the meetings shall be under
the direction of the president.'' The OCC believes this provision is
unnecessarily detailed and proposes not to include this requirement in
Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(ix).
Section 144.5(b)(10) provides, among other things, that ``[a]ll
officers and agents of the association, as between themselves and the
association, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the
management of the association as may be provided in the bylaws, or as
may be determined by resolution of the board of directors not
inconsistent with the bylaws. In the absence of any such provision,
officers shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to
their respective offices.'' The OCC believes this provision is
unnecessary and self-evident and proposes not to include this
requirement in Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(x).
Section 144.5(b)(11) covers vacancies, resignation, and removal of
directors. Proposed Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(xi) does not include the
requirements in Sec. 144.5(b)(11) that directors be elected by ballot
and that resignation of a director be by written notice. The OCC
believes that these provisions are self-evident.
Section 144.5(b)(12) covers the powers of the board of directors.
It provides, among other things, that a board may, by resolution,
``appoint from among its members and remove an executive committee and
one or more other committees, which committee[s] shall have and may
exercise all the powers of the board between the meetings or the board;
but no such committee shall have the authority of the board to amend
the charter or bylaws, adopt a plan of merger, consolidation,
dissolution, or provide for the disposition of all or substantially all
the property and assets of the association. Such committee shall not
operate to relieve the board, or any member thereof, of any
responsibility imposed by law.'' This section further provides that a
board may fix the compensation of directors, officers, and employees.
The OCC believes these provisions are self-evident and unnecessarily
detailed and therefore proposes not to include these requirements in
Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(xii).
Section 144.5(b)(14) provides in part that procedures for the
introduction of new business at the annual meeting may require that
such new business be stated in writing and filed with the secretary
prior to the annual meeting at least 30 days prior to the date of the
annual meeting. The OCC believes this provision is overly detailed and
unnecessary. Accordingly, the OCC is proposing not to include this
provision in Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(xiv).
Finally, Sec. 144.5(b)(16) provides that the bylaws may address
age limitations for directors or officers as long as they are
consistent with applicable Federal

[[Page 33274]]

law, rules or regulations. The OCC believes this provision is self-
evident and unnecessary and therefore is proposing not to include this
provision in Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(xvi).
Federal Stock Savings Association Charter, Bylaws and Related
Provisions. The provisions concerning the charter and bylaws of a
Federal stock savings association, as well as related provisions, are
currently in Sec. Sec. 152.3 through 152.9. The OCC is proposing to
add a new Sec. 5.22, ``Federal Stock Savings Associations Charters and
Bylaws,'' which will incorporate most of Sec. Sec. 152.3 through
152.9.
Proposed Sec. 5.22(d) sets forth exceptions to the rules of
general applicability. More specifically, it provides that Sec. Sec.
5.8 through 5.11 do not apply to this section. These sections provide
for public notice, public availability, comments and hearings on an
application. The OCC believes it is not appropriate to subject the
charter and bylaws requirements to these provisions. This belief is
consistent with current requirements for Federal savings associations
as well as national banks.
Proposed Sec. 5.22(e) prescribes the language and requirements for
a Federal stock savings association charter and is substantively
identical to Sec. 152.3. Proposed Sec. Sec. 5.22 (f) through (i)
cover matters related to charter amendments and are substantively
identical to Sec. 152.4, with the addition of one provision. Section
152.4(b)(8) provides that a Federal stock savings association may amend
its charter by adding certain anti-takeover provisions following mutual
to stock conversions. One such provision is a prohibition on a person
acquiring more than 10 percent of any class of equity securities of the
association, unless ``the purchase of shares [is] by a tax-qualified
employee stock benefit plan which is exempt from the approval
requirements under Sec. 174.3(c)(2)(i)(D) of the OCC's regulations.''
The OCC proposes to eliminate the cross-reference and include the
appropriate language in Sec. 5.22(g)(8). The OCC does not intend for
this amendment to have any substantive effect.
Proposed Sec. 5.22(j) would specify the requirements for adopting
and filing Federal stock savings association bylaws. This proposed new
paragraph reflects the provisions in Sec. 152.5 with two exceptions.
The first sentence of Sec. 152.5(a) provides that ``[a]t its first
organizational meeting, the board of directors of a Federal stock
association shall adopt a set of bylaws for the administration and
regulation of its affairs.'' The third sentence requires the bylaws to
contain sufficient provisions to govern the association in accordance
with the requirements of other sections of part 152 and prohibits the
bylaws from containing a provision that is inconsistent with those
sections or with applicable laws, rules, regulations or the
association's charter. The OCC believes that these two provisions are
unnecessarily detailed and self-evident and is therefore proposing not
to include these provisions in proposed Sec. 5.22(i).
The OCC is proposing to add a new Sec. 5.22(k) to address
shareholder meetings and related matters. This proposed new paragraph
reflects the provisions in Sec. 152.6 with two exceptions. Section
152.6(a) provides, among other things, that shareholder meetings must
be held in the state in which the association has its principal place
of business. With respect to shareholder voting by proxy, Sec.
152.6(f) provides, in part, that a ``proxy may designate as holder a
corporation, partnership or company as defined in part 174 of this
chapter, or other person.'' Proposed Sec. 5.22(k) does not include
these provisions because the OCC believes they are unnecessary.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\29\ Federal stock savings associations would not be required to
amend their existing bylaws to conform to these changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC is proposing to add a new Sec. 5.22(l) addressing matters
involving a Federal stock savings association's board of directors.
This proposed new paragraph reflects the provisions in Sec. 152.7,
with certain exceptions. Section 152.7(b) sets forth the permissible
number and terms of directors to be included in an association's
bylaws. It provides, among other things, that in ``the case of a
converting or newly chartered association where all directors shall be
elected at the first election of directors, if a staggered board is
chosen, the terms shall be staggered in length from one to three
years.'' Section 152.7(g) addresses matters concerning executive and
other committees of a board of directors. It provides in pertinent part
that each committee, to the extent provided in the resolution or bylaws
of the association, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of
the board of directors, subject to certain exceptions. The OCC believes
these provisions are overly detailed and unnecessary. Accordingly,
proposed Sec. Sec. 5.22(l)(2) and (7), respectively, do not include
these provisions.
The OCC is proposing to add a new Sec. 5.22(m) addressing matters
involving a Federal stock savings association's officers. This proposed
new paragraph is substantively identical to Sec. 152.8, with one
exception. Section 152.8 mandates that a Federal stock savings
association have certain officers. It further provides that the ``board
of directors may also elect or authorize the appointment of such other
officers as the business of the association may require. The officers
shall have such authority and perform such duties as the board of
directors may from time to time authorize or determine. In the absence
of action by the board of directors, the officers shall have such
powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices.''
The OCC believes that the quoted provision is self-evident and
unnecessary and therefore is not including it in new Sec. 5.22(m).
The OCC is proposing to add a new Sec. 5.22(n) concerning stock
certificates. This proposed new paragraph is substantively identical to
Sec. 152.9, with one exception. Section 152.9(a) provides in pertinent
part that the ``certificates shall be signed by the chief executive
officer or by any other officer of the association authorized by the
board of directors, attested by the secretary or an assistant
secretary, and sealed with the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof.
The signatures of such officers upon a certificate may be facsimiles if
the certificate is manually signed on behalf of a transfer agent or a
registrar other than the association itself or one of its employees.
Each certificate for shares of capital stock shall be consecutively
numbered or otherwise identified.'' The OCC believes this provision is
overly detailed and is proposing not to include it in new Sec.
5.22(n)(1).
Federal Savings Association Charter and Bylaws Availability
Requirement. Section 163.1(b) requires each Federal savings association
to cause a true copy of its charter and bylaws and all amendments
thereto to be available to accountholders at all times in each office
of the savings association, and to deliver to any accountholders a copy
of such charter and bylaws or amendments thereto, upon request. As
discussed above, Sec. 144.7 imposes the same requirement, but is
applicable only to Federal mutual savings associations.
There is no comparable requirement for national banks and the OCC
believes this provision is no longer necessary for Federal stock
savings associations, as this information is relatively easy for
accountholders of these types of institutions to obtain. Conversely,
accountholders of Federal mutual savings associations may not have easy
access to these documents in light of the inability of accountholders
to communicate directly with each other under Sec. 144.8. Accordingly,
the proposal would continue applying this requirement only with respect
to

[[Page 33275]]

Federal mutual savings associations under new Sec. 5.21(i).
Disposition of current Federal savings association organization,
charter, and bylaws provisions. The proposed amendments discussed above
would remove from Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations
Sec. Sec. 143.2 through 143.7, all of part 144 except Sec. 144.8,
Sec. 152.1(b)(1), Sec. Sec. 152.1(c) through 152.1(i), Sec. Sec.
152.2 through 152.9, Sec. 152.17, Sec. 163.1(b), and Sec. Sec.
163.22(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2).
Section 144.8, which addresses communication between members of a
Federal mutual savings association, is not a licensing regulation and
does not involve an application process. The OCC proposes leaving it
unchanged. Because it will be the only section that remains in part
144, the OCC proposes renaming part 144 as part 144--Federal mutual
savings associations--communication between members.
Other provisions of Sec. 152.2, which provides procedures for the
organization of interim Federal savings associations, are addressed in
revisions to the business combinations regulation--Sec. 5.33,
described below. The remaining provisions of part 143, part 152, and
part 163 contain other provisions applicable to Federal mutual and
stock savings associations. The OCC is proposing to rescind some of
these provisions elsewhere in this proposal.
Charter Conversions (New Sec. 5.23, Sec. 5.24, New Sec. 5.25)
Twelve CFR 5.24 sets forth the rules and procedures that a state
bank, state savings association, or Federal savings association must
follow to convert to a national bank and for a national bank to convert
to a state bank or Federal or state savings association. The OCC's
rules for a mutual depository institution to convert to a Federal
mutual savings association are at 12 CFR 143.8 through 143.14 and the
rules for a stock form depository institution to convert to a Federal
stock savings association are at 12 CFR 152.18. The rules for a Federal
savings association to convert to a national bank or state bank are set
forth at 12 CFR 152.19 and 163.22(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2). While there are
some differences in procedures, as discussed below, the rules for
national banks and Federal savings associations are substantively
similar.
The OCC proposes to simplify this regulatory framework by (1)
revising Sec. 5.24 to include only rules for converting into a
national bank, (2) placing all rules for converting into a Federal
savings association (either stock or mutual) in new Sec. 5.23, and (3)
placing rules for conversion from national bank and Federal savings
association charters in new Sec. 5.25. The agency also proposes
additional substantive and technical changes to these rules. The
substantive changes include provisions implementing section 612 of the
Dodd-Frank Act, which prohibits conversions from state to Federal
charter, or Federal to state charter, in certain circumstances and adds
requirements to the conversion process. The changes to the OCC's
regulations implementing section 612 are discussed as a group later in
the preamble.
Conversion to a national bank charter. As part of the
reorganization of the conversion rules, the OCC proposes to move the
rules governing a national bank converting to a state bank or Federal
savings association from Sec. 5.24 to a new Sec. 5.25. As a result,
Sec. 5.24 would apply only to conversions to become a national bank.
The OCC also proposes to make several other changes in Sec. 5.24.
Specifically, the proposal adds ``stock state savings
associations'' to the description of the types of institutions that can
apply to convert to a national bank and the word ``stock'' before the
phrase ``Federal savings associations'' throughout revised Sec. 5.24.
Stock state savings associations currently are included in the rule
because they are within the definition of ``state bank'' incorporated
from 12 U.S.C. 214(a). We are proposing to add the express term both in
the interest of eliminating any confusion and because section 612 added
the term ``state savings association'' to 12 U.S.C. 35. We are adding
the term ``stock'' to Federal savings association for clarity as well.
National banks are corporate bodies, and so a mutual institution cannot
become a national bank unless it has first changed into corporate form
under other law. These changes merely clarify the existing regulation
and would have no substantive impact.
In Sec. 5.24(d), which states the OCC's policy for approving and
disapproving conversions to national bank charters, the proposal adds a
statement that the institution seeking to convert to a national bank
charter must obtain all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Although this requirement is not new, it was not previously stated in
Sec. 5.24. There is a similar provision in the current Federal savings
association regulation, Sec. 143.8(a)(2). The OCC is continuing it for
Federal savings associations in proposed Sec. 5.23, and has determined
it would be helpful to include it for national banks as well.
The proposal also clarifies the information the applicant must
include in the application. First, proposed Sec. 5.24(e)(2)(vii) would
add bank service company investments and other equity investments to
the current requirement to identify subsidiaries. This requirement
reflects the current practice of the OCC to review the legal
permissibility for the converted national bank to continue to hold
these other investments when evaluating a conversion application.
Second, proposed Sec. 5.24(e)(2)(ix) would require the application to
include a business plan if the converting institution has been
operating for less than three years, plans to make significant changes
to its business after the conversion, or at the request of the OCC. The
OCC currently requests this information on a case-by-case basis.
However, the OCC believes this requirement should be applied to all
such applications, as it would provide valuable information about the
financial institution's safety and soundness, thereby allowing the OCC
to make a more informed decision as to whether to grant the
application. Appendix G of the ``Charters'' booklet of the
Comptroller's Licensing Manual (Significant Deviations after Opening)
contains a discussion of what constitutes a ``significant change.''
Section 5.24 currently addresses the OCC's authority to permit a
national bank to retain nonconforming assets of a converting state
bank, subject to the requirements in 12 U.S.C. 35. The proposal would
add language to this provision (which would be paragraph (e)(4) in the
revised regulation) clarifying that a converted national bank also may
be permitted to retain nonconforming activities of a state bank or
stock state savings association and nonconforming assets or activities
of a Federal stock savings association for a transition period after
conversion. The OCC believes such retention is appropriate to
facilitate the transition from a state institution or Federal savings
association to a national bank. These additions also reflect current
OCC practice.
The OCC also proposes to amend Sec. 5.24(g) which allows for
expedited review of a conversion application filed by an eligible
depository institution. We propose to limit the availability of
expedited review to applications by institutions already supervised by
the OCC (i.e., conversions from a Federal savings association to a
national bank or from a national bank to a Federal savings
association). In those cases, the OCC is already familiar with the
institution. In cases where a state institution is the applicant, the
OCC would require more time to review the institution's condition and
proposal, and we believe expedited review would

[[Page 33276]]

not be appropriate. We are also proposing to extend the expedited
review period from 30 days to 60 days. The expedited review provision
in proposed Sec. 5.23(d)(4) is similar.
In addition, the proposal adds a new paragraph (h) to Sec. 5.24
codifying that the resulting national bank after a conversion is the
same business and corporate entity as the converting institution, and
all assets, rights, liabilities, obligations, and other business of the
converting institution continue in the resulting national bank by
operation of law. This paragraph reflects longstanding case law under
12 U.S.C. 35 and is similar to statutory provisions in 12 U.S.C. 214b
(continuation in conversion of national bank to state bank or merger of
national bank into state bank) and 12 U.S.C. 215(e) and 215a(e)
(continuation in consolidation or merger of national or state bank into
national bank). The specific language is based on 12 U.S.C. 214b and on
current provisions governing Federal savings associations at Sec. Sec.
146.14 (Federal mutual savings associations) and 152.18(b) (Federal
stock savings associations).
Finally, the proposal adds provisions to Sec. 5.24 to implement
section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which are discussed below, and makes
several technical or housekeeping changes to Sec. 5.24 to make it
easier to read.
Conversion to a Federal savings association charter. As noted
above, the OCC proposes to create a new Sec. 5.23 to address
conversions of a mutual depository institution to a Federal mutual
savings association or of a stock depository institution to a Federal
stock savings association. This new section is similar to the proposed
Sec. 5.24 rules applicable to converting to a national bank, except
that references to national banking laws are replaced by references to
the HOLA, including the statutory criteria in section 5(e) of the HOLA
for granting a Federal savings association charter. The requirements of
proposed Sec. 5.23 include many of the requirements in the current
Federal savings association conversion regulations. However, the OCC is
proposing not to continue certain provisions in parts 143 and 152 for
which there is no statutory requirement in the HOLA. These include the
confidentiality provisions set forth at Sec. 143.8, which the OCC
believes are addressed under its general confidentiality regulations,
12 CFR part 4, and the public notice and inspection requirements set
forth at Sec. 143.9(a)(2) (incorporating Sec. 143.2(d)), which the
OCC believes generally are unnecessary in the case of conversions. We
note that if there are instances where the OCC believes publication is
warranted, the OCC could require publication under Sec. 5.2(b), which
allows the OCC to require materially different procedures for a
particular filing. We also are not continuing in the regulation a
number of provisions included in Sec. 143.9 that advise applicants of
the various steps in the process. Instead, the OCC addresses this
information through its guidance to applicants in the Comptroller's
Licensing Manual, application forms, and the application process.
There are four significant differences between proposed Sec. 5.24
and proposed Sec. 5.23. First, the definition of ``depository
institution'' for purposes of Sec. 5.23, which is based on the
definition in Sec. Sec. 143.8(a) and 152.13, includes credit unions,
unlike the definition in Sec. 5.3(f) applicable to Sec. 5.24. Second,
as included in the Sec. Sec. 143.8(a)(1) and 152.18(a) and because all
Federal savings associations are required to be FDIC-insured, paragraph
(c) of proposed Sec. 5.23 provides that the converting institution
must have deposits insured by the FDIC or, if it is not so insured,
must obtain insurance before converting. Third, proposed paragraph
(d)(2)(ii)(K) of Sec. 5.23, would require a converting institution
that does not meet the qualified thrift lender test of 12 U.S.C.
1467a(m) to include a plan to achieve compliance within a reasonable
period of time and to request an exception from the OCC in the
application. This requirement reflects agency practice but is not
expressly included in the current regulation. Fourth, paragraph (e) of
Sec. 5.23 includes certain provisions contained in Sec. 143.10 that
are unique to conversions of a mutual depository institution to a
Federal mutual savings association. These provisions reflect the unique
organizational structure of mutual depository institutions, which are
largely member based.
Finally, the proposal includes provisions in Sec. 5.23 to
implement section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, as discussed below.
Conversion from a national bank or Federal savings association
charter. Proposed Sec. 5.25 sets forth a new provision that addresses
conversions from a national bank or Federal savings association to
another charter. Specifically, paragraph (d) covers conversions from a
national bank or Federal savings association to a state bank or state
savings association charter, while paragraph (e) covers conversions
between a national bank and a Federal savings association. The
provisions concerning a national bank conversion to a different charter
mostly reflect current provisions in Sec. 5.24(e) that are being moved
to Sec. 5.25. Because section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act applies to
conversions from Federal to state charters, but does not apply to
conversions between different Federal charters, Sec. 5.25 applies
different provisions for these different transactions.
Consistent with Sec. 5.24(e), proposed Sec. 5.25(d) provides that
converting from a Federal charter does not require prior OCC
approval.\30\ Instead, the institution must file only a notice with the
OCC. This process would be a change for some Federal savings
associations. Under the current regulations, Federal savings
associations that are not eligible for expedited treatment must file an
application to convert to a national bank or state bank.\31\ Under the
proposal, this notice must contain a copy of its conversion application
to the regulator to which it is applying for approval to convert (as
required by section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act), a showing of its
compliance with applicable requirements for converting from the
charter, and a discussion of any issues regarding the permissibility of
the conversion under section 612 of Dodd-Frank Act. This section also
would require the institution to file a copy of its conversion
application with the Federal banking agency that would become its
appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion, pursuant to
section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, as discussed below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\30\ If it is a conversion between a national bank and a Federal
savings association, the institution would require OCC approval for
the ``converting-in'' perspective of the transaction under Sec.
5.24 or Sec. 5.25, as applicable. In essence, the institution must
satisfy the requirements, and receive OCC approval, to convert in
under the statutes and regulations governing conversions in. It must
also satisfy the requirements under other laws to ``convert out''
and notify the OCC it has done so. The OCC believes having the
requirements in separate regulations makes it easier to follow them
and will help ensure that a converting institution is mindful of
meeting the requirements of both ``sides'' of the transaction.
\31\ See 12 CFR 152.19 and 163.22(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

For conversions between a national bank and a Federal savings
association, proposed Sec. 5.25(e) requires the institution planning
to convert to file a notice for the conversion-out aspect of the
transaction with the OCC. Currently, Federal savings associations must
file an application, unless they qualify for expedited review. This
notice must contain a showing of its compliance with applicable
requirements for converting from the Federal charter. As discussed in
footnote 29 of this preamble, the applicable ``converting-in''
regulation (Sec. Sec. 5.24 or 5.23) would require the institution to
file an application with the OCC with respect

[[Page 33277]]

to the ``converting-in'' aspect of the transaction.
Implementation of section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Section 612 of
the Dodd-Frank Act added several provisions to Federal law regarding
conversions. First, section 612(b) amended 12 U.S.C. 35 to provide that
the OCC may not approve an application by a state bank or a state
savings association to convert to a national bank or Federal savings
association during any period in which the state bank or state savings
association is subject to a cease and desist order (or other formal
enforcement order) issued by, or a memorandum of understanding entered
into with, a state banking supervisor or the appropriate Federal
banking agency with respect to a significant supervisory matter or a
final enforcement action by a state Attorney General. The OCC does not
need to amend its regulations to implement this basic prohibition; the
current and proposed regulations already include compliance with
applicable law among the criteria for approval or denial.\32\ Proposed
Sec. Sec. 5.24(e)(2)(x) and 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(J) require the conversion
application to include information about enforcement actions and other
supervisory criticisms and the applicant's analysis of whether
conversion is permissible under 12 U.S.C. 35, as amended by section
612. The OCC would use this information to assess the permissibility of
the proposed conversion under section 35, including the possibility of
using the exception to the prohibition on conversions provided in
section 612.\33\ The information also will assist in making the OCC
aware of the condition of the applicant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\32\ See proposed Sec. Sec. 5.24(d) and 5.25(d)(1) (each
incorporating Sec. 5.13(b)).
\33\ Subsection (d) of section 612 provides for an exception to
the prohibition. Specifically, the prohibition on conversion does
not apply if: (1) The Federal banking agency that would be the
appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion (the OCC in
conversions of a state-chartered institution to a national bank or
Federal savings association) gives written notice of the proposed
conversion to the current Federal appropriate banking agency or
state bank supervisor that issued the enforcement action, including
a plan to address the significant supervisory matter in a manner
that is consistent with the safe and sound operation of the
institution; (2) the current Federal appropriate banking agency or
state bank supervisor that issued the enforcement action does not
object to the conversion or the plan; (3) after conversion, the plan
is implemented; and (4) in the case of a final enforcement action by
a state Attorney General, approval of the conversion is conditioned
on the institution's compliance with the terms of such final
enforcement action. Section 612(d) is codified as a note attached to
12 U.S.C. 35. Applicants should be aware that the Agencies have
issued interagency guidance stating the Agencies' position that such
exceptions would be rare, and generally would occur only when the
institution already has substantially addressed the matters in the
enforcement action or there are substantial changes in
circumstances. See Interagency Statement on Section 612 of the Dodd-
Frank Act: Restrictions on Conversions of Troubled Banks (November
26, 2012), available at www.occ.gov/news-issuances/bulletins/2012/bulletin-2012-39a.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second, section 612(b) added a new section 12 U.S.C. 214d
prohibiting a national bank from converting to a state bank or state
savings association during any period in which the national bank is
subject to a cease and desist order (or other formal enforcement order)
issued by, or a memorandum of understanding entered into with, the OCC
with respect to a significant supervisory matter. Section 612(c)
similarly added a new paragraph (6) to the end of the HOLA \34\
prohibiting a Federal savings association from converting to a state
bank or state savings association during any period in which the
Federal savings association is subject to a cease and desist order (or
other formal enforcement order) issued by, or a memorandum of
understanding entered into with, the OTS or the OCC with respect to a
significant supervisory matter. The exception to the prohibitions on
conversions in section 612(d), discussed above, applies to the
prohibitions in sections 214d and 1464(i)(6). Proposed Sec. 5.25(d)(3)
would require that the information that must be submitted to the OCC
when a national bank or Federal savings association plans to convert to
a state bank or state savings association must include a discussion of
the impact of any enforcement action on the permissibility of the
conversion under 12 U.S.C. 214d or 1464(i)(6). This discussion will
assist the OCC in monitoring compliance with these statutes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\34\ Section 5(i), 12 U.S.C. 1464(i)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third, paragraph (e)(1) of section 612 requires that at the time an
insured depository institution files a conversion application, it must
transmit a copy of the conversion application to both the appropriate
Federal banking agency for the institution and the Federal banking
agency that would become the appropriate Federal banking agency for the
institution after the proposed conversion. Reflecting this statutory
requirement, as noted above, the proposal adds to our regulations at
Sec. Sec. 5.24(e)(2), 5.23(d)(2)(ii), 5.25(d)(3)(i)(last sentence),
and 5.25(d)(3)(ii)(A) a requirement to send a copy of the conversion
application to the appropriate Federal banking agencies. Including the
requirement in our regulations will help ensure applicants are aware of
this requirement.
Disposition of current Federal savings association conversion
regulations. Sections 5.23 and 5.25 will replace most of the current
Federal savings association regulations on conversions. Accordingly,
this proposal removes Sec. Sec. 143.8, 143.9, 143.10, 143.14, 152.18,
and 152.19.\35\ We also propose to remove Sec. 143.11, which provides
for an organizational plan for governance during the first six years
after a state mutual savings bank converts to a Federal charter. The
OCC believes it can provide this oversight of the process for the
converting institution to come into compliance with the requirements
for Federal mutual savings banks through the application process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\35\ This preamble discusses the removal of Sec.
163.22(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2) in the discussion of amendments to the
OCC's rules regarding the organization a national bank or Federal
savings association and Federal savings association charters and
bylaws, above. Other provisions of this proposal would remove the
remaining provisions of part 143 (except for Sec. 143.12), part 152
and Sec. 163.22.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 1: The OCC requests comment on the benefit to converting
institutions of retaining this organizational governance provision in
Sec. 143.11 as a regulation.
Section 143.12, which implements section 5(i)(4) of the HOLA,\36\
addresses grandfathered authority of certain Federal savings
associations. It is not a licensing regulation and does not involve an
application process. The OCC proposes leaving it unchanged. As a result
of other changes in this rulemaking, it will be the only section that
remains in part 143. Therefore, the OCC proposes renaming part 143 as
part 143--Federal Savings Associations--Grandfathered Authority.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\36\ 12 U.S.C. 1464(i)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fiduciary Powers (Sec. 5.26)
Twelve 12 CFR 5.26 contains the application requirements and
processes for national banks that wish to engage in the exercise of
fiduciary powers. Twelve CFR part 150, subpart A (Sec. Sec. 150.70
through 150.125) addresses the application requirements and processes
for Federal savings associations that wish to engage in the exercise of
fiduciary powers. We propose to consolidate the application and notice
filing procedures for fiduciary powers for national banks and Federal
savings associations by revising Sec. 5.26 to cover Federal savings
associations, incorporating certain provisions from part 150 in Sec.
5.26, amending Sec. 150.70 to remove the current language regarding
filing requirements and direct Federal savings associations to Sec.
5.26 for the application and notice procedures they should

[[Page 33278]]

follow, and deleting Sec. Sec. 150.80 through 150.125, which contain
additional current Federal savings association filing requirements.
In general, the proposal would revise Sec. 5.26 by adding language
that will make it applicable to both national banks and Federal savings
associations. The proposal also would make the following revisions to
the application requirements in Sec. 5.26.
First, we propose to add Sec. 5.26(e)(2)(iii) that would provide
examples of factors the OCC will consider when reviewing an application
to exercise fiduciary powers. These factors include financial
condition, adequacy of capital, character and ability of proposed trust
management, the adequacy of any proposed business plan, and the needs
of the community served.
These factors will help clarify the standard of review that will be
used by the OCC. Three of the factors are requirements found in both
the National Bank Act \37\ and the HOLA: \38\ capital adequacy,
requiring that the needs of the community be served, and providing that
the OCC may consider any other factors or circumstances that the agency
considers proper. A review of the financial condition of the national
bank or Federal savings association, the experience and character of
the management of the institution, and the adequacy of any proposed
business plan are all factors that the OCC already takes into account
when reviewing an application submitted by a national bank or Federal
savings association to conduct fiduciary powers. In addition, the
Federal savings association rule, Sec. 150.100, includes the factors
requiring assessment of the financial condition, the overall
performance, and the proposed supervision of the Federal savings
association.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\37\ 12 U.S.C. 92a(i).
\38\ 12 U.S.C. 1464(n)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second, we propose to add a new paragraph (e)(5) to Sec. 5.26.
This amendment would require a national bank or a Federal savings
association that has not conducted previously approved fiduciary powers
for 18 consecutive months to provide a notice to the OCC containing the
information required by Sec. 5.26 (e)(2)(i) 60 days in advance of
commencing the activities. This amendment is similar to the requirement
in the Federal savings association rule at Sec. 150.560, which
requires filing a notice if the savings association has not conducted
the fiduciary activity for five years after it was approved to engage
in the activity. We have determined, however, that 18 months is a more
appropriate timeframe for this notice because the management and
condition of a national bank or Federal savings association may change
in a shorter period of time. This amendment will ensure that both a
national bank and a Federal savings association previously granted
fiduciary powers would still have the financial ability and managerial
expertise necessary to conduct fiduciary activities in a safe and sound
manner. This transfer also is consistent with the National Bank Act
\39\ and the HOLA,\40\ which provide that if a national bank or Federal
savings association, respectively, has not exercised previously granted
fiduciary powers, the OCC may use specified procedures to revoke the
authorized fiduciary powers. The OCC also believes this notification is
important because it will enable the agency to allocate supervisory
resources needed to evaluate the institution when it resumes fiduciary
activities it has not engaged in for a long period of time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\39\ 12 U.S.C. 92a(k).
\40\ 12 U.S.C. 1464(n)(10).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third, we propose adding a new Sec. 5.26(e)(1)(iv) that specifies
that a national bank or Federal savings association that has received
approval from the OCC to offer limited fiduciary services and desires
to offer full fiduciary services must apply to the OCC. This reflects
current practice for national banks. An applicant can apply for
approval for limited powers (authority for one or more specific type of
fiduciary powers described in the application) or for full powers
(authority to exercise all powers authorized under the law). If an
institution that had previously been approved only for certain powers
planned to begin exercising others, it would need to apply. However, an
institution that had applied, and been approved, for full powers could
add to the activities it engages in without additional application.
In addition, incorporating Federal savings associations in the
application framework of Sec. 5.26 also results in some other minor
changes or clarifications of requirements for Federal savings
associations. New paragraphs (b)(2) and (4) of Sec. 5.26 set out
circumstances in which a Federal savings association does not need to
apply for fiduciary powers in connection with certain mergers. The new
provision in Sec. 5.26(e)(1)(iv), discussed above, requiring an
application when an institution previously approved only to exercise
specified limited powers planned to exercise more powers would replace
a current provision requiring a Federal savings association to apply if
it planned to conduct fiduciary activities that are ``materially
different'' from those previously approved, regardless of whether the
prior approval had been for limited or full powers. Section 5.26(e)(3)
provides for expedited review of applications by eligible national
banks and eligible Federal savings associations. Part 150 does not
provide for expedited treatment of fiduciary powers applications by
Federal savings associations.
Establishment, Acquisition, and Relocation of a Branch (Sec. 5.30 and
Sec. 5.31)
Overview. Section 5.30 of the OCC's rules addresses the
establishment, acquisition, and relocation of branch offices of
national banks. Sections 145.92, 145.93, 145.95 and 145.96 address
these subjects, as well as agency offices, for Federal savings
associations.\41\ While these national bank and Federal savings
association rules address a common subject there are two important
differences between them, namely the definition of ``branch'' (and many
provisions related to the definition) and the scope of the requirement
for prior OCC approval.\42\ As discussed below, these differences stem
from the statutes applicable to national banks and Federal savings
associations. At this time, the OCC is proposing to retain these
differences. Accordingly, we are not proposing to add Federal savings
associations to 12 CFR 5.30. Instead, we propose to add a new Sec.
5.31 to part 5 in order to bring the establishment and relocation of
branches by a Federal savings association within the licensing
procedures of part 5. Section 5.31 would be similar in format to Sec.
5.30, but would include provisions based on Sec. Sec. 145.92 and
145.93 regarding the definition of ``branch'' and the scope of the
application requirements. Section 5.31 also would include the
provisions of Sec. 145.96 regarding agency offices. We then also
propose to remove 12 CFR 145.93, 145.95 and 145.96, and make a
conforming change to Sec. 145.92. Under this proposal, national banks
and

[[Page 33279]]

Federal savings associations generally would continue to be subject to
different branching application provisions and requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\41\ An agency office is an office of a Federal savings
association that services, originates, or approves loans and
contracts; manages or sells real estate owned by the savings
association; or conducts fiduciary activities or activities
ancillary to the savings association's fiduciary business, or, with
the approval of the OCC, provides other services. See 12 CFR 145.96.
\42\ There are also differences in the locations at which a
national bank or a Federal savings association may establish a
branch. Generally, Federal savings associations have somewhat
broader branching authority than national banks. The relevant
application procedure regulations do not address this subject.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As an alternative to this proposal, the OCC is considering whether
to harmonize the treatment of the branch licensing regulations of
national banks and Federal savings associations in order to simplify
our licensing procedures and provide for comparable treatment of
national banks and Federal savings associations. As a second
alternative approach, we also are considering whether to adopt an
after-the-fact branch notice requirement for Federal savings
associations. These alternatives are discussed below, and the OCC
invites comment on the desirability of adopting one of them rather than
the proposal.
For national banks, the term ``branch'' is defined by statute. The
McFadden Act defines a ``branch'' as an office ``at which deposits are
received, or checks paid, or money lent.'' \43\ Over the years, the
meaning of the term in various contexts has been addressed extensively
in case law and regulatory interpretation. The OCC codified much of
that interpretive explanation in Sec. 5.30 and in a number of
provisions in part 7 that specify what constitutes a branching activity
and what does not. For Federal savings associations, the HOLA does not
have a general definition of ``branch.'' \44\ Consideration of whether
an office of a Federal savings association is a branch office has
focused only on activities involving deposit accounts, not lending.
Furthermore, there is little in the regulations specifying which
activities are branching activities and which are not. The proposal
retains this difference between national banks and Federal savings
associations. In the alternative, harmonized approach, discussed below,
the regulation would apply the national bank definition to Federal
savings associations, and Federal savings associations would be added
to all the provisions in Sec. 5.30 and part 7 that address branching.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\43\ Section 5155 of the Revised Statutes, 12 U.S.C. 36(j).
\44\ There is a definition in section 5(m) of the HOLA, 12
U.S.C. 1464(m), but it addresses branching only in the District of
Columbia. In that subsection, branch is defined as an office ``at
which accounts are opened or payments are received or withdrawals
are made.'' 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition, the statutes authorizing a national bank to establish
a branch require that it obtain approval from the OCC.\45\ Accordingly,
the OCC licensing regulations at 12 CFR 5.30 require national banks to
file an application and obtain OCC approval for every branch. The HOLA
does not have a general provision requiring approval for a Federal
savings association to establish a branch.\46\ By regulation, at Sec.
145.93, the OCC (continuing a provision originally adopted by the OTS)
requires an application for a Federal savings association to establish
or relocate a branch, but this rule also provides certain exceptions.
The proposal also retains this difference between national banks and
Federal savings associations. In the first alternative approach below,
the regulation would require Federal savings associations to file
applications to establish or relocate a branch without exceptions. The
second alternative approach would require Federal savings to file an
after-the-fact notice instead of an application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\45\ See 12 U.S.C. 36(b), 36(c), 36(g).
\46\ However, the provision regarding branching in the District
of Columbia does require prior regulatory approval. 12 U.S.C.
1464(m)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Branches of national banks (Sec. 5.30). We are proposing several
minor substantive clarifications in Sec. 5.30. First, the proposal
would revise Sec. 5.30(c), the scope section, to divide it into
paragraphs. Second, Sec. 5.30(c)(2) (formerly part of Sec. 5.30(c))
would continue to provide that the standards of Sec. 5.30 (governing
review and approval of applications by the OCC) and, as applicable, 12
U.S.C. 36(b), would apply to branches acquired or retained in a
conversion approved under Sec. 5.24 or a business combination approved
under Sec. 5.33, but such branches would be subject only to the
application procedures set forth in Sec. Sec. 5.24 or 5.33. The
addition of branches acquired or retained in a conversion under Sec.
5.24 to this section reflects current practice.
Third, the OCC is proposing revisions to portions of the definition
of ``branch.'' Section 5.30(d)(1)(ii)(B), which currently excepts from
the definition of ``branch'' a facility that is located at the site of,
or is an extension of, an approved main office or branch office of the
national bank, would be amended to state that the OCC will consider a
drive-in or pedestrian facility located within 500 feet of a public
entrance to an existing main office or branch office to be such an
extension, provided the functions performed at the drive-in or
pedestrian facility are limited to functions ordinarily performed at a
teller window. This ``bright-line'' 500-foot test for national banks
that a facility is an extension of an existing branch rather than a
new, separate branch is consistent with Sec. 145.93(b)(1), which
provides an exception to the application requirement for branches for
such a facility for Federal savings associations. The proposal also
adds new Sec. 5.30(d)(1)(iii) to describe more clearly what is not a
branch, including ATMs and remote service units,\47\ as well as loan
production offices, deposit production offices, administrative offices,
and any other office that does not engage in any of the activities set
out in paragraph (d)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\47\ We also are proposing to amend Sec. 7.4003 (establishment
and operation of a remote service unit) to add a number of
additional examples of remote service units. The proposal expands
this illustrative list in order to modernize the regulation to
capture new technology with similar functional capability.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fourth, the proposal updates Sec. 5.30(e), relating to the
principles that guide the OCC in making determinations on applications
under this section, to reflect the OCC's statutory mission as amended
in section 314 of the Dodd-Frank Act.\48\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\48\ 12 U.S.C. 1(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, the proposal amends Sec. 5.30(f)(6), which sets forth the
procedures for expedited review of applications by eligible national
banks, to clarify that the time period for review of an application for
a short-distance relocation is the 15th day after the close of the
comment period or the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC,
whichever is later, to be consistent with the shorter comment period
for applications for short-distance relocations (15 days rather than
the standard 30 days).
Branches and agency offices of Federal savings associations (Sec.
5.31). The OCC is proposing to add a new Sec. 5.31 to address the
establishment or relocation of branches, or the establishment of agency
offices, by Federal savings associations. Its format follows that of
Sec. 5.30, but it does not include provisions from Sec. 5.30 that
apply only to national banks.
Section 5.31(a) recites the statutory authority under which the
rule is issued. Section 5.31(b) sets out the basic requirement that a
Federal savings association must file an application to establish or
relocate a branch, unless the transaction would qualify for one of the
exceptions in the rule.
Section 5.31(c), the scope section, generally describes what the
section covers--namely, the procedures and standards for review and
approval of applications to establish or relocate a branch, the
circumstances in which an application is not required, and the
authority to establish agency offices. Section 5.31(c)(2) (similar to
proposed Sec. 5.30(c)(2) and part of current Sec. 5.30(c)) provides
that the standards of Sec. 5.31

[[Page 33280]]

(governing review and approval of applications by the OCC) would apply
to branches acquired or retained in a conversion approved under Sec.
5.23 or a business combination approved under Sec. 5.33, but that such
branches would be subject only to the application procedures set forth
in Sec. Sec. 5.23 or 5.33. Section 5.31(c)(3) says that Sec. 5.31
also implements section 5(m) of the HOLA,\49\ which addresses branching
by Federal and state savings associations in the District of Columbia.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\49\ 12 U.S.C. 1464(m).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Sec. 5.31(d), we are proposing to add a definition of ``branch
office'' for Federal savings associations for purposes of Sec. 5.31 by
referring to the definition in 12 CFR 145.92(a). We are also proposing
to include a definition of ``home state''--the state in which the
association's home office is located.
In Sec. 5.31(e) we are proposing the policy principles that guide
the OCC's review of an application to establish or relocate a branch.
These principles reflect the OCC's statutory mission as amended in
section 314 of the Dodd-Frank Act, and are identical to those
principles set forth in Sec. 5.30(e) for the OCC's review of a
national bank branch application or relocation.\50\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\50\ 12 U.S.C. 1(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paragraph (f)(1) of Sec. 5.31 sets out the general requirement
that each Federal savings association that wants to establish or
relocate a branch must submit a separate application for each proposed
branch, unless the transaction qualifies for one of the exceptions in
paragraph (f)(2). Sections 145.93 and 145.95 contain a number of
provisions regarding the filing of notices and applications with the
OCC as well as notices to the public. These provisions will no longer
be necessary once Federal savings association branch filings are
subject to part 5 and part 5's corresponding procedural provisions. One
of the provisions in Sec. 145.93--paragraph (e)--does not have an
analogue in Sec. 5.30, and the OCC does not propose to include it in
Sec. 5.31. Under Sec. 145.93(e), a Federal savings association may
not file an application or notice, or use any of the exceptions, to
establish a branch if the association has filed an application to merge
or otherwise surrender its charter and the application has been pending
for less than six months.
Paragraph (f)(2) of Sec. 5.31 would carry forward three of the
exceptions to the requirement to file an application that are now
included in Sec. 145.93(b).\51\ Paragraph (f)(2)(i) continues the
exception for the establishment of a drive-in or pedestrian office that
is located within 500 feet of an existing home or branch office.
Paragraph (f)(2)(ii) continues the exception for a short-distance
relocation of a branch. Paragraph (f)(2)(iii) continues the exception
for the establishment or relocation of a branch by highly-rated Federal
savings associations. Under Sec. 145.93(b)(3), certain highly-rated
Federal savings associations are not required to file an application to
change the permanent location of an existing branch or to establish a
new branch if it meets certain requirements. Those requirements are:
(1) The Federal savings association is eligible for expedited
treatment, (2) it publishes notice, at a time period specified in the
rule, of its intent to establish or relocate a branch, (3) in the case
of a relocation, it posts notice of its intent to relocate the branch
at the existing branch, and (4) no person files a comment opposing the
action, or if a comment is filed, the OCC determines the comment raises
issues that are not relevant to the standards for approving a branch
application. The proposal continues this exception and these
requirements except that, as with other sections in part 5, the
condition for qualifying is that the Federal savings association is an
``eligible savings association'' rather than eligible for expedited
treatment. As discussed earlier in this preamble, there are some
differences in these tests.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\51\ We are proposing to replace the fourth exception (which
provides that a Federal savings association may re-designate an
existing branch office as a home office at the same time that it re-
designates its existing home office as a branch office) with
provisions in Sec. 5.40. Section 5.40 would govern changes in the
locations of a national bank's main office or a Federal savings
association's home office. Changes in the location of a home office,
including to an existing branch office, are subject to Sec. 5.40.
If the Federal savings association proposes to establish a branch at
its former home office location, paragraph (c)(3) of Sec. 5.40
directs the association to follow Sec. 5.31.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paragraph (d) of Sec. 145.93 addresses maintenance of branches
following a conversion or business combination and provides that such
branches may be maintained after the conversion or combination unless
the approval of the transaction specifies otherwise. The proposal does
not retain this provision in Sec. 5.31. In part 5, retention of
branches in a conversion or business combination is addressed in the
conversion and business combination regulations (in this proposal,
Sec. 5.23 for conversions to become a Federal savings association and
Sec. 5.33 for business combinations resulting in a Federal savings
association).
Paragraph (g) of Sec. 5.31 would set out exceptions to the rules
of general applicability for applications by a Federal savings
association to establish or relocate a branch. Specifically, the OCC
would be able to waive or reduce the public notice and comment period
in certain emergency situations or with respect to certain temporary
branches.
Paragraph (h) of Sec. 5.31 would provide that the OCC's approval
of a branch expires if the branch has not commenced business within 18
months, unless the OCC grants an extension. This period is longer than
the current twelve month expiration period for branch approvals for
Federal savings associations under Sec. 145.95(c).
Paragraph (i) of Sec. 5.31 would provide that Federal savings
associations must comply with the portions of 12 U.S.C. 1831r-1 that
apply to Federal savings associations with respect to branch closings.
The proposal would add Sec. 5.31(j) to implement section 5(m)(1)
of the HOLA.\52\ Section 5(m)(1), which applies to both Federal and
state savings associations, provides that no savings association
incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia or organized in
the District or doing business in the District shall establish any
branch or move its principal office or any branch without the
Comptroller's prior written approval and that no savings association
shall establish any branch in the District or move its principal office
or any branch in the District without the Comptroller's prior written
approval. Section 145.93(c) currently provides prior approval for any
savings association branch that would be subject to section 5(m)(1), if
the association meets the requirements of Sec. 145.93(b) for an
exception to the branch application filing requirement. After
reconsideration, the OCC believes requiring an application and issuing
a prior written approval for each application is more consistent with
the statutory language of section 5(m)(1). Accordingly, we are changing
the provisions implementing section 5(m)(1) of the HOLA to require an
application. The proposal provides a short paraphrase of the statutory
provision and instructs savings associations requiring approval under
section 5(m)(1) to follow the application procedures of 12 CFR 5.31.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\52\ 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 2: The OCC invites commenters' views on whether section
5(m) is outdated.
Finally, we are proposing to add paragraph (k) to Sec. 5.31, which
would include provisions currently in Sec. 145.96 regarding agency
offices.
Alternative approaches to harmonize licensing rules for branching.
As

[[Page 33281]]

mentioned above, the OCC also is considering whether it would be
preferable to integrate the licensing rules for establishing branches
by adding Federal savings associations to Sec. 5.30. Under this
approach, both national banks and Federal savings associations would be
required to file an application and obtain prior OCC approval to
establish or relocate a branch. This requirement would be a change from
the current rule for Federal savings associations, which provides that
certain highly-rated Federal savings associations are not required to
file an application to change the permanent location of an existing
branch or to establish a new branch if it meets certain requirements
and no person files a relevant comment opposing the action.
We note, however, that under this alternative approach even though
these highly-rated institutions would have to file an application, they
most likely would qualify for expedited review of their applications.
Moreover, the alternative approach would grandfather branches in
existence as of the date the final rule would be published in the
Federal Register.
The alternative approach also would apply the definition of
``branch'' in Sec. 5.30(d) to both national banks and Federal savings
associations.\53\ As a result of this change, Federal savings
associations would be subject to all the provisions in Sec. 5.30 that
interpret, explain, or apply the definition of ``branch'' or that
address when various activities are or are not branching activities. In
addition, because this definition of ``branch'' (an office at which
deposits are received, checks paid, or money lent) is established by
statute,\54\ the meaning of ``branch'' has an extensive case law and
regulatory history that also may apply to Federal savings associations.
This alternative proposal also would describe more clearly what is not
a branch, including ATMs, electronic means or facilities used in
providing financial services, loan production offices, deposit
production offices, administrative offices, and any other office that
does not engage in any of the activities set out in Sec. 5.30(d)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\53\ However, under this alternative, while the OCC would adopt
the same definition for both national banks and Federal savings
associations, we would clarify that the locations at which each type
of institution may maintain a branch are governed by the separate
and different legal authorities applicable to each type of
institution, as indicated in the scope paragraph.
\54\ 12 U.S.C. 36(j).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because of the application of the branch definition to Federal
savings associations, a Federal savings association agency office at
which loan proceeds are disbursed in the manner described in 12 CFR
7.1003(a) would be a branch,\55\ but an agency office that conducts its
lending related activities in such a manner as to be a loan production
office would not be a branch. However, this alternative would
grandfather existing agency offices that were in existence on the date
the final rule would be published in the Federal Register and that
engaged in the disbursal of loan proceeds in the manner described in 12
CFR 7.1003(a) as of that date and continue to do so, provided they do
not engage in any other branching activity. (We note that such an
office could alter the manner in which it conducts business so that it
would be a loan production office rather than a grandfathered Federal
savings association agency office or a branch.) If a Federal savings
association with a grandfathered Federal savings association agency
office were to convert to or merge into a national bank or be acquired
by or merge into another Federal savings association, or if the
grandfathered Federal savings association agency office itself were
acquired by a national bank or another Federal savings association, the
agency office would lose its grandfathered status. The alternative
proposal also would remove Sec. 145.96 so that Federal savings
associations would not be required to obtain OCC approval for offices
to conduct permitted activities that are not considered branching
activities, unless approval is required under some other provision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\55\ Under Sec. 7.1003(a), for purposes of what constitutes a
branch, `` `money' is deemed to be `lent' only at the place, if any,
where the borrower in-person receives loan proceeds directly from
bank funds.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, this alternative proposal would amend Sec. Sec. 7.1003,
7.1004, 7.1005, 7.1012, 7.1014, 7.4003, 7.4004, and 7.4005, which
interpret, explain, or apply the definition of ``branch,'' or that
address when various activities are or are not branching activities, to
apply them to Federal savings associations as well as national banks.
These activities currently are permitted in Federal savings association
agency offices.
The OCC notes that the additional application requirement of the
alternative approach described above could strengthen the ability of
the OCC to monitor Federal savings association branching activity. In
particular, branch applications could allow the OCC to identify
emerging issues that have not yet affected the institution's rating and
allow the OCC to put into place appropriate safeguards that address
those risks before they might be exacerbated by the establishment of
the branch. Moreover, a branch application requirement would mean the
proposed establishment of a branch would be an application listed in
the OCC's Weekly Bulletin. This would provide those who may be
interested in commenting on a proposal to establish a branch another
form of notice in addition to the publication of notice by the
association. A branch application requirement also would enable the OCC
to maintain comprehensive supervisory and structural data for Federal
savings associations, in addition to national banks. Because the
current rule requires Federal savings associations to comply with a
public notice process for each new branch, the OCC believes that filing
an application with the OCC at the time of this notice may add only
incremental time and burden to the process of opening a new branch,
especially for the majority of Federal savings associations that would
qualify for expedited review of the application.
However, there is no statutory requirement that Federal savings
associations seek approval from the OCC to open a new branch, and the
OCC is mindful that the imposition of this requirement on Federal
savings associations could be perceived as unnecessary and burdensome,
especially given the fact that the last EGRPRA review of savings
association rules resulted in the elimination of the branch application
requirement for 1- and 2-rated savings associations.\56\ Furthermore,
the OCC is able to obtain some branch information through other
sources, such as through the examination process and from the FDIC's
annual Summary of Deposits.\57\ In addition, the OCC notes that CRA
rules require institutions to maintain a list of their branches, their
street addresses, and geographies, as well as a list of branches opened
or closed during the current year and each of the prior two calendar
years.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\56\ The OTS published an interim final rule on November 24,
2004 modifying application and reporting requirements as part of its
review under EGRPRA. (69 FR 68239).
\57\ See www2.fdic.gov/idasp/main.asp.
\58\ See 12 CFR 195.43(a)(3) and (4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 3: The OCC specifically requests comment on whether the
alternative integrated rule approach should be adopted as the final
rule.
As a second alternative approach, the OCC could require Federal
savings associations to submit an after-the-fact notice, either as an
amendment to Sec. 5.31 as proposed in this rulemaking or in lieu of an
application in the alternative approach of an integrated rule,
described above. Under this after-the-

[[Page 33282]]

fact notice alternative, a Federal savings association would be
required to provide a written notice to the OCC no later than 10 days
after the opening or relocation of a branch. The written notice would
identify the address of the branch, the date of opening the branch, and
the type of branch. Such a notice would enable the OCC to obtain timely
information on Federal savings association branching activity without
requiring a 1- or 2-rated Federal savings association to obtain prior
OCC approval to engage in an activity that they now may do without
approval.
Question 4: The OCC specifically requests comment on whether the
final rule should include in Sec. 5.31 an after-the-fact notice for
Federal savings associations, or, if the alternative integrated rule
approach is adopted, whether such an after-the-fact notice should be
required in lieu of an application requirement for savings
associations.
Expedited Procedures for Certain Reorganizations (Sec. 5.32)
Twelve CFR 5.32 provides the procedures for OCC review and approval
of a national bank's reorganization to become a subsidiary of a bank
holding company or a company that will, upon consummation of such
reorganization, become a bank holding company. Section 5.32 currently
does not expressly exempt such reorganizations from the general
procedures in part 5 for public notice, public availability, and
hearings and other meetings (Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.9, and 5.11). When
originally adopted, it was not the OCC's intent to apply these
procedures to these reorganizations, and, in general, the OCC has not
required national banks to comply with these procedures. The proposal
would amend Sec. 5.32 to make clear in the regulation that these
procedural requirements do not apply unless the OCC concludes that an
application presents significant and novel policy, supervisory, or
other legal issues. This is consistent with procedural exceptions for
conversions (Sec. 5.23), fiduciary powers (Sec. 5.26), operating
subsidiaries (Sec. 5.34), bank service companies (Sec. 5.35), and
change in asset composition (Sec. 5.53).
Business Combinations (Sec. 5.33)
Business combinations include mergers and consolidations, as well
as certain purchase and assumption transactions. The OCC's regulations
governing the application requirements and procedures for national
banks engaging in business combinations are contained in 12 CFR 5.33.
The regulations governing the application requirements and procedures
for Federal savings associations engaging in business combinations are
contained in 12 CFR 163.22. The statutes governing mergers and
consolidations by national banks contain extensive specifications for
their authority, the procedures the bank must follow, and the effect of
the merger or consolidation.\59\ Thus, there are few OCC regulations on
these matters. By contrast, the statutes governing mergers and
consolidations by Federal savings associations contain few provisions
addressing these matters.\60\ Accordingly, the OCC (and its predecessor
regulators of Federal savings associations) has adopted extensive
regulations addressing the authority of Federal savings associations to
engage in mergers and consolidations, the procedures the savings
association must follow, and the effect of the merger or consolidation.
These rules are contained in 12 CFR part 146 for Federal mutual savings
associations and in 12 CFR 152.13, 152.14, and 152.15 for Federal stock
savings associations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\59\ See 12 U.S.C. 214-214d, 215-215b, and 215c, respectively.
\60\ See 12 U.S.C. 1464(d)(3)(A) and 1467a(s).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

While these rules address a common subject there are a number of
differences between them. We are proposing to harmonize the treatment
of the business combination activities of national banks and Federal
savings associations where consistent with the underlying statutory
authorities of each type of institution and to consolidate our
regulations by amending 12 CFR 5.33 to apply to Federal savings
associations and by removing 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13, 152.14,
152.15, and 163.22.\61\ This harmonization is intended to reduce
regulatory duplication and promote fairness in supervision. We also
propose to include in Sec. 5.33 some provisions from the Federal
savings association application requirements and procedures, to make
several other substantive changes in Sec. 5.33, and to make a number
of clarifying or technical amendments. Under this proposal, as
explained below, national banks and Federal savings associations
generally would be subject to the same application requirements and
procedures. In addition, we propose to add to Sec. 5.33 new
paragraphs, based on 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13 and 152.14, to
continue to provide regulations addressing the authority of Federal
savings associations to engage in mergers and consolidations, the
procedures the savings association must follow, and the effect of the
merger or consolidation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\61\ The removal of part 146 and Sec. 163.22 also is discussed
elsewhere in this proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specifically, we propose to modify the scope section, Sec.
5.33(b), to remove the reference to a merger between a national bank
and its nonbank affiliate, as those transactions are now covered in the
revised definition of ``business combination,'' discussed below. We
also propose to revise the language regarding notices to the OCC when a
national bank or Federal savings association is not the resulting
institution to address situations in which the merger is with an entity
that is not a ``depository institution'' as defined for purposes of
Sec. 5.33.\62\ We also propose to add a footnote to the licensing
requirements section indicating that some of the transactions that do
not require an application under Sec. 5.33 may require an application
under 12 CFR 5.53 for a substantial asset change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\62\ Under Sec. 5.3(f), ``depository institution'' means any
bank or savings association.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 5.33(d) contains definitions. The OCC is proposing to
revise the definition of ``business combination'' in several ways.
First, we propose to include consolidations and mergers of Federal
savings associations with state trust companies in the definition. A
consolidation or merger of a state trust company with a national bank
is included in current Sec. 5.33(g)(1) because 5.33(g)(1) covers
merger and consolidations with a state bank as defined in 12 U.S.C.
215b, and that definition includes state trust companies. Second, new
Sec. 5.33(d)(2)(ii) includes mergers and consolidations between a
Federal savings association and a credit union in the definition of
business combinations. Federal savings associations have this
authority, but national banks do not. Third, new Sec. 5.33(d)(2)(iii)
includes mergers between a national bank and its nonbank affiliate.
National banks have this authority, but Federal savings associations do
not.
Fourth, new Sec. 5.33(d)(2)(v) revises an existing provision in
Sec. 5.33(d)(2), which currently includes in the definition only the
assumption of deposit liabilities from another depository institution,
to also include the assumption, from a credit union or any other
institution that is not FDIC-insured, of deposit accounts or other
liabilities that will become deposits at the assuming national bank or
Federal savings association. Section 163.22(c) requires an application
by a Federal savings association in such cases.\63\ We propose to keep
the requirement and extend it to national

[[Page 33283]]

banks. This requirement will assist the OCC in monitoring acquisitions
of deposit liabilities from outside the FDIC-insured system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\63\ Section 163.22(c) also is discussed elsewhere in this
preamble in connection with 12 CFR 5.53.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fifth, new Sec. 5.33(d)(2)(vi) includes in the definition purchase
and assumption transactions which involve the acquisition by a national
bank or a Federal savings association of all or substantially all, of
the assets, or the assumption of all or substantially all of the
liabilities, of companies in addition to depository institutions,
including credit unions, nonbank affiliates, or any other company (a
``whole entity purchase and assumption''). This definition is intended
to cover a whole entity purchase and assumption with an entity other
than a depository institution (which is covered by proposed Sec.
5.33(d)(2)(iv), continuing a provision in the current rule). Currently,
a Federal savings association has authority to engage in such
transactions only with an entity with which it could engage in a
consolidation or merger (i.e., a bank, savings association, or credit
union), not a nonbank affiliate or other company. A Federal savings
association is required to file an application for such transactions. A
national bank has authority to engage in a whole entity purchase and
assumption transaction without regard to whether it has authority to
consolidate or merge with the counterparty. The purchase and assumption
of bank-permissible assets and liabilities is an exercise of a bank's
power to engage in the business of banking under 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh),
not the power to combine organically with another institution, as in a
merger. The OCC proposes to adopt the same position regarding the power
of a Federal savings association to engage in purchase and assumption
transactions. Thus, a Federal savings association would have the
authority to engage in a whole entity purchase and assumption without
regard to whether it has authority to consolidate or merge with the
counterparty. While national banks have had this authority, there has
not been a requirement to apply to the OCC for approval of a whole
entity purchase and assumption other than one with a depository
institution. The OCC believes such transactions with parties other than
depository institutions can have an impact on the acquiring national
bank or Federal savings association if they are material, and so should
have regulatory review. The OCC proposes to require an application if
the whole entity purchase and assumption would result in an increase in
the asset size of the bank or savings association of 25 percent or
more.
Question 5: The OCC requests comment on whether an increase in
asset size of 25 percent or more is the appropriate threshold for
materiality for whole entity purchase and assumption transactions or
whether there are there other possible measures of materiality.
We are proposing to add a new term ``other combination'' in Sec.
5.33(d)(10). It would be used in Sec. 5.33 to refer to those
combinations that do not require application to the OCC under Sec.
5.33 (i.e., those in which a national bank or Federal savings
association is not the resulting institution). The OCC also is
proposing to add definitions of ``credit union,'' ``savings
association'' and ``state savings association,'' and ``state trust
company'' in Sec. 5.33(d)(6), (11), and (12), respectively.
The OCC is proposing expressly to include in Sec. 5.33(e)(1)(i)
the factors the OCC uses to evaluate all business combination
applications, including both those the OCC reviews under the Bank
Merger Act and those the OCC does not. These factors are: The
institution's capital level; the conformity of the transaction to
applicable law, regulation, and supervisory policies; the purpose of
the transaction; the impact of the transaction on safety and soundness;
and the effect of the transaction on the institution's shareholders,
depositors, other creditors, and customers. These factors all reflect
current practice. Some of them are included in Sec. 5.33(g)(4) and (5)
now for a merger with a nonbank affiliate, in which the OCC does not
have Bank Merger Act review. Others are included in the Federal savings
association regulations at Sec. 163.22(d). Section 163.22(d)(1)(vi)
also has a factor relating to the fairness of the transaction,
disclosure regarding the transaction, and equitable treatment that
includes a detailed presentation of considerations involved in
assessing the factor. The OCC believes it is not necessary to include
this detailed material in the regulation. We believe the factor in
Sec. 5.33(e)(1)(i)(E) regarding the effect of the transaction on the
institution's shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and customers
is sufficient to provide a basis to review such matters in appropriate
cases.
We are proposing to include three additional factors in Sec.
5.33(e)(1)(ii) for applications in which the OCC reviews the
transaction under the Bank Merger Act. First, we are moving the money
laundering factor included in current Sec. 5.33(e)(1)(iii) to the Bank
Merger Act paragraph because it is a factor in the Bank Merger Act. We
are adding the other two factors, financial stability and deposit
concentration limit, because the Dodd-Frank Act added these factors to
the Bank Merger Act.\64\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\64\ Public Law 111-203, sections 604(f) and 623(a), 124 Stat.
1376, 1602 and 1634 (2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The proposal also would clarify the information the applicant must
include in the application. Section 5.33(e)(2) currently requires an
applicant to disclose the location of any branch it will acquire and
retain in a business combination. We propose to amend this requirement
to clarify that this disclosure include the location of any branches
that are approved but not yet opened. Proposed Sec. 5.33(e)(3) would
add a financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment,
service corporation investment, and other equity investment to the
current requirement to identify subsidiaries and provide an analysis of
the permissibility for the national bank or Federal savings association
to hold the subsidiary or investment. This requirement reflects the
current practice of the OCC to review the legal permissibility for the
resulting national bank or Federal savings association to continue to
hold these other investments when evaluating a business combination
application.
In the provision regarding retention of nonconforming assets for a
limited period of time after consummation of a business combination,
Sec. 5.33(e)(5), we propose to add Federal savings associations to the
current provision and to add a new paragraph (e)(5)(ii) applicable to
Federal savings associations to address provisions in the HOLA
regarding certain nonconforming assets.
In the provision regarding the exercise of fiduciary powers by the
resulting national bank or Federal savings association, Sec.
5.33(e)(6), we propose to add a new paragraph (e)(6)(ii) clarifying
that if the applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the
combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, it must include
in the business combination application the information required in
Sec. 5.26 for a request for fiduciary powers. This requirement
reflects current practice.
In the provision regarding the expiration of approval, Sec.
5.33(e)(7), we propose to shorten the time within which an approval
expires if the transaction has not been consummated from one year to
six months and add a provision under which the OCC can extend the six
month period.
Section 5.33(f) contains the exceptions to the rules of general
applicability for filings under Sec. 5.33. Paragraph (f)(1) addresses
filings in which a national bank (and, as

[[Page 33284]]

proposed, a Federal savings association) is the applicant. We propose
to amend paragraph (f)(1) to clarify that the requirement of public
notice and comment would apply only when the application is subject to
a public notice requirement under the Bank Merger Act or other
applicable statute that requires notice to the public. In such cases,
the statutory requirements apply. In other cases, the public notice and
comment provisions in Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10 and 5.11 would not apply
unless the OCC concludes a particular application presents significant
or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues.\65\ This publication
requirement would not be a change for national banks or Federal savings
associations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\65\ Section 5.33(f) currently includes a list of several other
statutory or regulatory requirements for publication in connection
with certain mergers or consolidations that also except those
transactions from the one-time publication of notice requirement of
Sec. 5.8(a). However, those provisions concern publication of
notice of the shareholders' meeting being called to vote on the
proposed merger or consolidation. They are not notices to the public
inviting comment on the merger or consolidation application. The OCC
is proposing to remove them in revised Sec. 5.33(f)(1)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition, another change for Federal savings associations would
be the frequency and timing of publication for transactions that are
subject to the Bank Merger Act. Section 163.22(e)(1)(i) requires an
initial publication and then publication on a weekly basis during the
public comment period. For national banks, the OCC requires an initial
publication and two subsequent publications at intervals during the
standard 30 day public comment period.
Paragraph (f)(1)(ii) continues the current provisions under which a
merger between a national bank and its nonbank affiliate is excepted
from public notice and comment. Such mergers are merely internal
reorganizations of the company's existing operations.
Section 5.33(f)(3) addresses filings in which a national bank (and
as revised, a Federal savings association) is the target company and
will not be the resulting institution. We are clarifying this provision
so that it no longer includes a Federal savings association as a
resulting institution, as Federal savings associations now apply to the
OCC under proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(3). We also are adding credit unions,
as a merger or consolidation of a Federal savings association into a
credit union will be within the scope of Sec. 5.33. In addition, we
propose to remove Sec. 5.2 (rules of general applicability) and Sec.
5.5 (fees) from the list of sections excepted. They include provisions
that may be useful to apply in some situations.
We are proposing to amend Sec. 5.33(g)(1) (merger or consolidation
of a national bank or a state bank into a national bank) to require
that a national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a merger or
consolidation with another national bank must file a notice to the OCC
under Sec. 5.33(k). This notice, which would also be required whenever
a national bank or Federal savings association merges or consolidates
into another institution, provides the OCC information about the target
national bank's compliance with requirements to ``merge-out'' and sets
in motion the steps for the disappearing national bank to end its
separate existence. Section 5.33(k) is discussed further below.
We are proposing to amend Sec. 5.33(g)(2) (merger or consolidation
of a Federal savings association into a national bank) to reflect the
fact that the OCC now is the regulator of Federal savings associations.
First, requirements similar to those in 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR
152.13 and 163.22 would now be required in Sec. 5.33(g)(2)(i)(B)
(referring to Sec. Sec. 5.33(n) and (o)), replacing current Sec.
5.33(g)(2)(i)(B). In addition, proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(2)(i)(B) also
would include a provision under which a whole purchase and assumption
of the target Federal savings association would be treated as a
consolidation for the Federal savings association, so that the
procedural requirements in paragraph (o) would apply. The current
regulations, at 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13, apply these
requirements to such transactions now through the definition of
``combination'' in Sec. 152.13(b)(1), which includes a whole purchase
and assumption transaction between depository institutions, in addition
to a consolidation and a merger.
Second, the provision in Sec. 5.33(g)(2)(ii), under which the OCC
may conduct an appraisal of dissenters' shares of stock in a national
bank involved in a consolidation with a Federal savings association if
all the parties agree, would be changed in proposed Sec.
5.33(g)(2)(ii)(A) from a voluntary to a required process, as the OCC
has regulatory authority over both the national bank and the Federal
savings association. Third, proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(2)(ii)(B) and (C)
would set out the process for appraisal of dissenters' shares of stock
in a Federal stock savings association involved in a consolidation or
merger into a national bank. Mergers and consolidations of Federal
savings associations into national banks are authorized under 12 U.S.C.
215c, but the statute has no provisions addressing dissenters' rights.
The OCC is proposing to apply the statutory provisions governing
national bank dissenters' rights in 12 U.S.C. 215 and 215a to
transactions in which a Federal savings association is merging or
consolidating into a national bank, rather than continuing the
regulatory dissenters' rights provision in 12 CFR 152.14. Applications
in which there are dissenting shareholders and the appraisal process is
used are rare. The basic frameworks of the national bank and Federal
savings association processes are similar. In the interest of
simplicity of administration and similar treatment for each type of
institution, the OCC prefers to use only one dissenters' rights
process. We propose to use the process for national banks because it is
mandated by statutes for the transactions covered by those statutes.
However, since we would be applying the dissenters' rights process
based on regulation, not statute, to the transactions covered by Sec.
5.33(g)(2), we propose to include one element from Sec. 152.14 that is
different from the national bank statutes. Under the statutes, the bank
is required to bear all costs.\66\ Under Sec. 152.14(c)(9), the OCC
may apportion costs. When we apply the national bank process to
transactions to which it is not applicable by statute, we propose to
include the authority to apportion costs for both participating Federal
savings associations and participating national banks. Thus, in
proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(2)(ii)(C), we propose to do so for the type of
consolidation or merger subject to Sec. 5.33(g)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\66\ See 12 U.S.C. 214a(b), 215(d), and 215a(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Sec. 5.33(g)(2)(iii), we propose to include a requirement that
the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and
the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other
participating institution by the resulting institution. This
requirement is based on provisions in Sec. Sec. 146.2(b)(9) and
152.13(f)(9). Although not currently in Sec. 5.33, it is a requirement
for national banks as discussed in the OCC Licensing Manual.
We propose to add a new Sec. 5.33(g)(3) addressing consolidations
and mergers of other institutions into a Federal savings
association.\67\ The proposed section would require application to the
OCC and, in Sec. 5.33(g)(3)(i)(A) (referring to Sec. Sec. 5.33(n) and
(o)), would require the

[[Page 33285]]

Federal savings association to comply with requirements and procedures
similar to those in 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13 and 163.22.
Proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(3)(i)(A) also would provide that if a
combination involves a whole purchase and assumption of a Federal
savings association, then the combination would be treated as a
consolidation for participating Federal savings associations, so that
the procedural requirements in paragraph (o) would apply. As discussed
above, the current regulations, at 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13,
apply these requirements to such transactions now through the
definition of ``combination'' in Sec. 152.13(b)(1), which includes a
whole purchase and assumption transaction between depository
institutions, in addition to a consolidations and a merger.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\67\ The proposal would move the provisions in current Sec.
5.33(g)(3) that address a consolidation or merger of a national bank
into a state chartered depository institution to become Sec.
5.33(g)(6). The provisions in current Sec. 5.33(g)(3) that address
a consolidation or merger of a national bank into a Federal savings
association would remain here in new Sec. 5.33(g)(3) with
modifications, as discussed in the text.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 5.33(g)(3)(i)(B)(1) would continue the provisions in
current Sec. 5.33(g)(3)(iii)(A) requiring a target national bank to
follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a and 12 U.S.C. 214c, as if the
Federal savings association were a state bank. Section
5.33(g)(3)(i)(B)(2) would continue the provisions in current Sec.
5.33(g)(3)(iii)(B), under which the OCC may conduct an appraisal of
dissenters' shares of stock in a target national bank involved in a
merger or consolidation with a Federal savings association if all the
parties agree. However, the proposal would make the appraisal of
dissenters' rights in proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(3)(i)(B)(2) a required
process, as the OCC has regulatory authority over both the national
bank and the Federal savings association as a result of the Dodd-Frank
Act. As above, because we are applying this process by regulation to
types of transactions that do not have statutory dissenters' rights
provisions, we propose to include a cost allocation provision for both
national banks and Federal savings associations.
Section 5.33(g)(3)(i)(C) would set out the process for appraisal of
dissenters' shares of stock in a Federal stock savings association
involved in a consolidation or merger into another Federal savings
association. In applications in which a Federal savings association is
merging into another Federal savings association, the OCC is proposing
to apply the statutory provisions governing national bank dissenters'
rights in 12 U.S.C. 214a to Federal savings associations, as if the
Federal savings association were a national bank merging into a state
bank under section 214a. We are proposing to use the national bank
dissenters' right process rather than continuing the regulatory
dissenters' rights provision in 12 CFR 152.14 for the reasons discussed
above. As above, because the process is being applied in these
situations by regulation, not statute, we propose to include a cost
allocation provision. We are also proposing to include the requirement
from 12 U.S.C. 214a(b) that the plan of merger or consolidation must
provide the manner of disposing of the shares of the resulting Federal
savings association not taken by the dissenting shareholders. This
requirement is a change from Sec. 152.14(c)(11), under which such
shares shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the
resulting association. The plan of merger or consolidation could still
provide such status for these shares, but such status no longer would
be mandatory.
In Sec. 5.33(g)(3)(i)(D), we propose to provide that a state bank,
state savings association or credit union that engages in a
consolidation or merger into a Federal savings association would follow
the procedures and dissenters' rights process set out for such
transactions in the law of the state or other jurisdiction under which
it is organized. This provision is similar to the current provisions in
Sec. 5.33(g)(4) and (g)(5) for mergers between a national bank and its
nonbank affiliate.
In Sec. 5.33(g)(3)(ii), we propose to include a requirement that
the consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon and
the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other
participating institution by the resulting institution. This is based
on provisions in Sec. Sec. 146.2(b)(9) and 152.13(f)(9). Although not
currently in Sec. 5.33, it is a requirement for national banks as
discussed in the OCC Licensing Manual.
Sections 5.33(g)(4) and (g)(5) address mergers between a national
bank and its nonbank subsidiary or affiliate. Section 5.33(g)(4) covers
mergers into the national bank; Sec. 5.33(g)(5) covers mergers into
the nonbank subsidiary or affiliate. They implement a statute
applicable only to national banks, not Federal savings
associations.\68\ In Sec. 5.33(g)(4), we propose to add a
clarification that the transaction is subject to review by the FDIC
under the Bank Merger Act only when the national bank is insured. We
also are removing the factors the OCC considers in reviewing these
applications from Sec. 5.33(g)(4)(i) and Sec. 5.33(g)(5)(i). These
factors would no longer be needed in these provisions as we have
included them in proposed Sec. 5.33(e)(1)(i) and applied them to all
business combinations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\68\ See 12 U.S.C. 215a-3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(6) addresses a consolidation or merger under
12 U.S.C. 214a of a national bank with a state bank resulting in a
state bank (as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a)). This new paragraph is
based on the portions of current Sec. 5.33(g)(3) that address a
consolidation or merger of a national bank into a state bank.\69\ We
also propose to add express provisions on procedures and dissenters'
rights. These requirements are statutory and were implied in current
Sec. 5.33(g)(3)(i). We propose to move the provisions on termination
of charter and notice to the OCC in current Sec. 5.33(g)(3)(i) and
(ii) to new Sec. 5.33(k). In Sec. 5.33(g)(6)(iv), we propose to
include a requirement that the consolidation or merger agreement must
address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any
liquidation account of any other participating institution by the
resulting institution. This requirement is based on provisions in
Sec. Sec. 146.2(b)(9) and 152.13(f)(9). Although not currently in
Sec. 5.33, it is a requirement for national banks as discussed in the
OCC Licensing Manual.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\69\ The portions of current Sec. 5.33(g)(3) that address a
consolidation or merger of a national bank into a Federal savings
association would remain in revised Sec. 5.33(g)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

We propose to add a new Sec. 5.33(g)(7), similar to proposed Sec.
5.33(g)(6), that would address a consolidation or merger of a Federal
savings association into a state bank, state savings bank, state
savings association, state trust company, or credit union. Under
proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(7)(i), such transactions would require only a
notice to the OCC, not application and approval. This requirement is a
change for Federal savings associations because, under Sec. 163.22(c),
an application is required for a combination with an uninsured bank,
savings association or trust company or a credit union. Proposed Sec.
5.33(g)(7)(ii) would address the procedures Federal savings association
must follow to engage in the consolidation or merger and would require
the association to follow the provisions of Sec. 5.33(n) and (o),
which are based on provisions in 12 CFR part 146 and 12 CFR 152.13 and
163.22. In addition, proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(7)(ii) would include a
provision under which a whole purchase and assumption of the target
Federal savings association would be treated as a consolidation for the
Federal savings association, so that the procedural requirements in
paragraph (o) would apply. The current regulations, at 12 CFR part 146
and 12

[[Page 33286]]

CFR 152.13, apply these requirements to such transactions now through
the definition of ``combination'' in Sec. 152.13(b)(1), which includes
a whole purchase and assumption transaction between depository
institutions, in addition to a consolidation and a merger.
Proposed Sec. 5.33(g)(7)(iii) would set out the process for
appraisal of dissenters' shares of stock in a Federal stock savings
association involved in a consolidation or merger into a state bank,
state savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or
credit union. The process is similar to the process included in Sec.
5.33(g)(3)(C), described above, for appraisal of dissenters' shares of
stock in a Federal stock savings association involved in a
consolidation or merger into a another Federal savings association. In
Sec. 5.33(g)(7)(iv), we propose to include a requirement that the
consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the
terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other
participating institution by the resulting institution. This
requirement is based on provisions in Sec. Sec. 146.2(b)(9) and
152.13(f)(9). Although not currently in Sec. 5.33, it is a requirement
for national banks as discussed in the OCC Licensing Manual.
Section 5.33(i) provides for expedited review of business
reorganizations (defined in Sec. 5.33(d)(3)) and streamlined
applications (described in Sec. 5.33(j)). We propose to add Federal
savings associations to Sec. 5.33(d)(3) and Sec. 5.33(j), so that
Federal savings association applications that meet the requirements
would be eligible for expedited review. Under expedited review, an
application is deemed approved as of the later of the 45th day after
the application was filed or the 15th day after the close of the
comment period, unless the OCC notifies the applicant that the
application is not eligible for expedited review or the expedited
review process is extended. Business reorganizations are (1) a business
combination between eligible depository institutions owned by the same
holding company or (2) a business combination between an eligible bank
or savings association and an interim national bank or interim Federal
savings association that is being effected to form a holding company
that would own the eligible bank or savings association. For both
business reorganizations and streamlined applications, the acquiring
bank must be an eligible bank and the resulting institution must be
well capitalized. There are several types of streamlined applications.
The different types of streamlined applications vary depending on the
other institutions' status as eligible institutions, the amount by
which the resulting institution would grow in size, and, in some cases,
a pre-filing approval from the OCC to use a streamlined application.
Under the proposal, expedited review under Sec. 5.33(j) would
replace the automatic approval provision in Sec. 163.22(f) for Federal
savings associations. Under Sec. 163.22(f), an application is deemed
to be approved automatically 30 days after the OCC sends the applicant
a written notice that the application is complete. An application would
fall out of the automatic approval process in a number of specified
circumstances. Many of these circumstances are the same as those that
would cause an application not to be eligible for expedited review
under Sec. 5.33(j). However, the size-based limit included in Sec.
163.22(f) is more restrictive than eligibility for expedited review as
a business reorganization or streamlined application in Sec. 5.33.
Specifically, under Sec. 163.22(f)(10), an application does not
qualify for the automatic approval process if the acquiring institution
has assets of $1 billion or more and proposes to acquire assets of $1
billion or more. Business reorganizations have no size limit.
Streamlined applications under Sec. 5.33(j) have limits based on the
relative size of the acquiring institution and the assets to be
acquired but do not have a fixed maximum dollar amount limit on the
size. In addition, under Sec. 163.22(f) a number of the other
disqualifying conditions are based on the competitive impact of the
proposed combination, creating safe harbors that the proposal must meet
in order qualify for the automatic approval process. The OCC believes
it is not necessary to include competitive impact thresholds in the
regulation. When a streamlined application is filed, the OCC would
review it, and if it raised potential competitive concerns, the OCC
would notify the applicant that the application is not eligible for
expedited review. Accordingly, the OCC proposes not to include the
automatic approval process of Sec. 163.22(f), but to add one of the
disqualifying factors set forth in Sec. 163.22(f) to the streamlined
application provision. Specifically, under proposed Sec. 5.33(j)(2),
an applicant would not qualify for a streamlined business combination
application if the transaction is part of a mutual to stock conversion
under 12 CFR part 192.
We are proposing to add a new Sec. 5.33(k) regarding notices to be
filed when a national bank or Federal savings association is
consolidating or merging with another national bank or Federal savings
association or with a state chartered institution or credit union and
the target national bank or Federal savings association is not the
resulting institution. It also includes provisions regarding the steps
to be taken to terminate the institution's status as a national bank or
Federal savings association. This new provision gathers in one place
material from current Sec. Sec. 5.33(g)(3), 163.22(b) and
163.22(h)(1)(i) on filing the notice and the timing of the filing,
material from Sec. 163.22(h)(1)(i) and (ii) on the content of the
notice, and material from Sec. Sec. 5.33(g)(3), 146.2(g) and 152.13(k)
on termination of the institution's status as a national bank or
Federal savings association. There would be no change for Federal
savings associations. However, national banks would be required to
include more information in the notice than currently required in Sec.
5.33. This additional information would include a short description of
the transaction or a copy of the filing made by the acquiring
institution to its regulators for approval of the transaction and
information showing the target national bank or Federal savings
association has complied with the requirements to engage in the
transaction (e.g., board and shareholder approval). The OCC is adding
the requirement to include the information in order to monitor the
transaction to ensure the national bank or Federal savings association
complies with applicable law. The information involved is information
the institution already would have compiled. Finally, under proposed
Sec. 5.33(k)(5), if the business combination contemplated by the
notice has not occurred within six months after receipt of the notice,
a new notice must be submitted, unless the OCC grants an extension of
time. This requirement is in Sec. 163.22(h)(1)(ii), except that the
time period is shortened from one year to be consistent with the
expiration period for OCC approvals under Sec. 5.33(e)(7). This
expiration provision would be new for national banks. After six months
the information in the original notice could be out of date. Moreover,
such a delay in consummation of the transaction may indicate changes in
the condition or circumstances of the parties. Treating the notice as
having expired and requiring a new one is similar to the requirement in
various sections of part 5 that an approval expires after the passage
of a specified amount of time.
The OCC is proposing to add new Sec. 5.33(l) addressing the
transfer of assets, liabilities, rights, franchises,

[[Page 33287]]

interests, and fiduciary appointments to the resulting national bank or
Federal savings association and its status as the continuation of each
participating institution, sometimes referred to as corporate
succession. It reflects the corporate succession provisions in national
bank statutes \70\ and continues the substance of current regulations
providing succession for a Federal savings associations when it is the
resulting institution in a consolidation or merger.\71\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\70\ 12 U.S.C. 214b, 215(e) and 215a(e).
\71\ 12 CFR 146.3 (Federal mutual savings associations); 12 CFR
152.13(l) (stock Federal savings associations).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC is proposing to add new Sec. 5.33(m) addressing
certification of a consolidation or merger and documentation of its
effective date. Specifically, proposed Sec. 5.33(m) would require the
applicant to submit information showing that all steps needed to
complete the transaction have been met and to notify the OCC of the
planned consummation date. The OCC would then issue a certification
letter documenting that the consolidation or merger occurred and
specifying the effective date. This new section reflects current OCC
practice for national banks. The new section accomplishes through an
applicant notification letter and issuance of an OCC certification
letter what Sec. 152.13(j) does in requiring the applicant to submit
two sets of ``Articles of Combination'' that are filed with the OCC,
and then endorsed by the OCC, with one set returned to the applicant
with a specification of the effective date. The difference in forms and
terminology would not represent a change in substance for Federal
savings associations.
The OCC is proposing to add a new Sec. 5.33(n). It would include
provisions in Sec. 146.2 and Sec. 152.13 that set out the authority
for Federal savings associations to engage in various types of business
combinations and limitations on that authority. Section 5.33(n)(1) is
based on Sec. 152.13(a). Section 5.33(n)(2) is based on Sec. 146.2(a)
and Sec. 152.13(c). However, we propose to add authority to engage in
other business combinations listed in current Sec. 5.33(d)(2),
including the authority to enter whole entity purchase and assumptions
with any entity (by the cross-reference to 5.33(d)(2)(vi)) and the
other combinations listed in Sec. 5.33(d)(10). We also propose to omit
the requirement to meet the requirements for Federal Home Loan Bank
membership, since membership in a Federal Home Loan Bank is no longer
mandatory. Section 5.33(n)(3) is based on Sec. 146.2(d). Section
5.33(n)(4) is based on Sec. 163.22(e)(2).
The OCC is proposing to add a new Sec. 5.33(o). It would include
various provisions in Sec. 146.2 and Sec. 152.13 that set out the
procedural requirements for board, shareholder (in the case of stock
savings associations), and, if required by the OCC, voting member (in
the case of mutual savings associations) approval of business
combinations involving the Federal savings association. As noted
earlier, Sec. 146.2 and Sec. 152.13 use the term ``combination'' to
include a whole purchase and assumption transaction, as well as a
consolidation or merger, and therefore apply these procedural
requirements to those transactions. Section 5.33 uses the term business
combination more broadly. In order to avoid applying the requirements
to a broader set of transactions and achieve the same result as Sec.
146.2 and Sec. 152.13, we propose to use ``consolidation or merger''
instead of ``combination'' in Sec. 5.33(o), and require in Sec.
5.33(g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(7) that a whole purchase and assumption
transaction be treated as a consolidation by a Federal savings
association for purposes of applying the requirements of Sec. 5.33(o).
Section 5.33(o)(1) is based on Sec. 146.2(b) and 152.13(e), except
that we propose to reduce the required majority for the board of
directors approval for Federal stock savings associations from two-
thirds to a majority. We are not proposing to reduce the requirement
for Federal mutual savings associations, since the board of directors
vote is the principal vote; there typically is not a vote of the voting
members, unless the OCC requires it as provided in proposed Sec.
5.33(o)(4). Section 5.33(o)(2) is based on Sec. 146.2(g). Section
5.33(o)(3) is based on Sec. 152.13(h). Section 5.33(o)(4) is based on
Sec. 146.2(e). We are not proposing to include in Sec. 5.33 the
requirements in Sec. 146.2(b)(1) and 152.13(f) that require the
savings association to include all terms regarding the combination in a
combination agreement and set out in some detail provisions that the
agreement must contain. OCC practice with respect to national banks has
not been to include these requirements in detailed regulations, as the
drafting of a merger agreement is a business matter for the
participating parties. However, we note that the OCC Licensing Manual
includes sample agreements.
Operating Subsidiaries of a National Bank (Sec. 5.34)
The proposal would make a number of changes to the provisions
governing operating subsidiaries of national banks set forth at 12 CFR
5.34. Some of these changes would incorporate elements of the Federal
savings association operating subsidiary regulations currently
contained in 12 CFR 159 in order to promote consistency between the
regulations for operating subsidiaries for both charters.\72\ We also
are proposing a number of other changes to clarify existing provisions
in Sec. 5.34.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\72\ Elsewhere in this proposal we are proposing to add a new
Sec. 5.38 to part 5 of our regulations to address Federal savings
association operating subsidiaries. The proposed new Sec. 5.38 is
based on Sec. 5.34, and many of its provisions are nearly identical
or very similar. However, there are differences that reflect some
differences between national bank operating subsidiaries and Federal
savings association operating subsidiaries based on certain
statutory provisions. The similarities and differences are discussed
in the Sec. 5.38 portion of the preamble.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specifically, the OCC is proposing to amend the scope section in
Sec. 5.34(c) by including language from Sec. 159.1(a) that provides
that the OCC may, at any time, limit a national bank's investment in an
operating subsidiary, or may limit or refuse to permit any activities
in an operating subsidiary, for supervisory, legal, or safety and
soundness reasons. While the OCC currently has this authority, we are
proposing to clarify the regulation by explicitly including this
language.
The proposal would add a new Sec. 5.34(e)(1)(ii), which would
provide that before beginning business, an operating subsidiary must
comply with other laws applicable to it, including applicable licensing
or registration requirements. This is not a new requirement for
national banks. We are adding the language to clarify that compliance
with Sec. 5.34 and approval of an operating subsidiary by the OCC are
not the only requirements that must be met.
Section 5.34(e)(2) provides the criteria for a subsidiary to
qualify as a national bank operating subsidiary. Section
5.34(e)(2)(i)(A) currently states that the national bank must have the
ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary. The
proposal would clarify this provision by adding that no other person or
entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the
subsidiary. This reflects OCC practice regarding national bank
operating subsidiaries. The language is based on a provision in Sec.
159.3(c)(1) and we have added it to be consistent with that provision
and the new Federal savings association operating subsidiary
regulation. Section 5.34(e)(5)(ii)(A)(3), as redesignated in the
proposal, would also include this language. The redesignation is
discussed below. The OCC also is proposing to revise Sec.
5.34(e)(2)(i)(B) to clarify that, in

[[Page 33288]]

instances where the bank owns less than 50 percent of an operating
subsidiary (but still controls it), no other party can own a greater
percentage than the bank. This reflects current OCC practice, as set
out in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual. We also are proposing a new
Sec. 5.34(e)(2)(iii) to clarify that the national bank must have
reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of
the bank and its operating subsidiaries. This provision has been
adapted from Sec. 159.10 and would be consistent with the new
operating subsidiary rule for Federal savings associations. It
clarifies that the requirement that the bank must control the operating
subsidiary does not mean they should be treated as a single entity.
The OCC also is proposing to revise Sec. 5.34(e)(3) to clarify
that there are other instances where different treatment of the
operating subsidiary and the parent national bank may occur in addition
to those regarding the application of state law addressed by the Dodd-
Frank Act.
Section 5.34(e)(5)(i) provides that national banks meeting certain
requirements are not required to file a prior application but may give
after-the-fact notice when establishing or acquiring an operating
subsidiary or performing a new activity in an existing operating
subsidiary. Section 5.34(e)(5)(ii) requires a prior application and OCC
approval in other instances and sets out the information that must be
included in the filing. We are proposing to reverse the order of the
application and notice provisions so that the application provision is
first. The change in order simplifies and clarifies the opening
language of each paragraph. It also will make the order of these
provisions the same as that of the similar provisions in the regulation
for operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations. The
proposal would make technical revisions in Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(ii)(A)(3),
as redesignated in the proposal (current Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(i)(A)(3)), to
account for instances in which the operating subsidiary is a limited
liability company. We also propose other clarifying and technical
changes in redesignated Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(i) through (v).
Section 5.34(e)(5)(vi) provides that no application or notice is
required for a national bank that is well managed and adequately
capitalized or well capitalized to acquire or establish an operating
subsidiary or perform a new activity in an existing operating
subsidiary, if the activities of the new subsidiary are limited to
those previously reported to the OCC in connection with a prior
operating subsidiary and certain other requirements are met. We are
proposing to change the requirement from adequately capitalized to well
capitalized. This is consistent with the well capitalized requirement
to be eligible for the after-the-fact notice procedure.
The proposal also would amend Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(vii) by codifying
the OCC's position that when a national bank operating subsidiary
wishes to act as a fiduciary, its national bank parent must have
fiduciary powers and the operating subsidiary also must have its own
fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. The
operating subsidiary may not rely on the national bank's fiduciary
powers. Further, this provision also would explicitly provide that when
an operating subsidiary that exercises investment discretion on behalf
of customers or provides investment advice for a fee is a registered
investment adviser, it is not necessary for its national bank parent to
have fiduciary powers. These provisions reflect OCC practice as set out
in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual.
Finally, a new Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(viii) would be added, providing
that OCC approvals granted under Sec. 5.34 expire within 12 months if
a national bank has not established or acquired the operating
subsidiary or commenced the new activity in an existing operating
subsidiary, unless the OCC shortens or extends the time period. This is
similar to provisions in other sections of part 5 regarding the
expiration of an OCC approval.
National Bank and Federal Savings Association Investments in Service
Companies (Sec. 5.35)
Twelve CFR 5.35 addresses national bank investments in bank service
companies pursuant to the Bank Service Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1861-
1867. The Bank Service Company Act was amended in 2006 to permit
Federal savings associations to invest in bank service companies.\73\
The OTS did not adopt implementing regulations. The OCC is proposing to
amend Sec. 5.35 to make it applicable to Federal savings associations,
to state explicitly certain authority of the OCC, to conform
definitions to Dodd-Frank Act changes, and to make a number of
technical changes. The changes for Federal savings associations are not
likely to be very significant because Federal savings associations are
already subject to the statute and the filing procedures in Sec. 5.35
follow the statute.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\73\ Public Law 109-351, section 602, 120 Stat. 1965 (2006).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The authority of Federal savings associations to invest in bank
service companies under the Bank Service Company Act is separate from
the authority to invest in service corporations under section
5(c)(4)(B) of the HOLA.\74\ Accordingly, a Federal savings
association's investments in bank service companies are not included in
the investment limits for service corporations in section 5(c)(4)(B).
They instead are subject to the separate limits of the Bank Service
Company Act, codified at 12 U.S.C. 1862.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\74\ 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC is proposing to amend the scope section in Sec. 5.35(c) by
including language, based on 12 CFR 159.1(a), that provides that the
OCC may, for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness reasons, limit
at any time a national bank's or Federal savings association's
investment in a bank service company or limit or refuse to permit any
activities of any bank service company for which a national bank or
Federal savings association is the principal investor.
In addition, the OCC is proposing a technical amendment to the
definition of the term ``depository institution'' in Sec. 5.35(d)(3)
to conform it to 12 U.S.C. 1861(b)(4) as amended by section 357 of the
Dodd-Frank Act. Section 357 of the Dodd-Frank Act also amended 12
U.S.C. 1861(b)(5) by striking the definition of ``insured depository
institution'' and adding in its place a second definition of
``depository institution'' that refers to section 3 of the FDI Act. The
OCC believes that the deletion of the term ``insured depository
institution'' was inadvertent and not intended to effect a change
because the statute continues to use this term throughout. Therefore,
we have not changed the definition of ``insured depository
institution'' in Sec. 5.35(d)(4).
The OCC is also proposing to change the filing and review process
of Sec. 5.35(f)(2). It provides for an after-the-fact notice with no
requirement for OCC approval before the bank makes the investment if
specified eligibility conditions are met. We are proposing to change it
to a prior notice with OCC approval through an expedited review
process, under which the notice is deemed approved on the 30th day
after filing unless the OCC notifies the filer otherwise. We believe
this process follows the statutory provisions more directly. Along with
this change we are adding some of the provisions in Sec. 5.35(f)(2)
regarding what must be

[[Page 33289]]

included in the notice to the general provision covering the required
information in paragraph (g) of Sec. 5.35, since paragraph (g) will
now apply to all filings, and eliminating duplication between current
Sec. 5.35(f)(2) and (g).
Finally, we are proposing to make a number of technical changes in
Sec. Sec. 5.35(c), (d)(3), (d)(4), (d)(6), (e), (f)(1), (f)(2),
(f)(3), (f)(5) and (i).
Investment in National Bank or Federal Savings Association Premises
(Sec. Sec. 5.37, 7.1000, 7.3001)
Under 12 U.S.C. 29, a national bank can purchase and hold real
property necessary to transact business and may hold real estate in
exchange for debts previously contracted subject to certain divestiture
requirements. Under 12 U.S.C. 371d, a national bank is required to
obtain prior OCC approval to invest in bank premises, unless its
aggregate investment and related indebtedness is less than or equal to
either the bank's capital stock or 150 percent of the bank's capital
and surplus (and the bank meets certain other criteria, as described
below).
National banks are subject to several regulations that further
delineate the parameters of their investment in and use of real
property. Specifically, 12 CFR 7.1000 details the types of real estate
that are necessary, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 29, for a national bank's
transaction of business, including premises owned and occupied by the
bank, its branches, and its subsidiaries; property intended to be used
for future bank expansion; and other property to be used by bank
customers and employees. Section 7.1000 cross-references 12 CFR 5.37,
which contains the quantitative limitations based on a national bank's
capital that are specified in 12 U.S.C. 371d. Section 5.37 also
prescribes the OCC premises approval process. Twelve CFR 7.3001 sets
forth the rules that apply when a national bank shares its space and
employees with other entities. Finally, 12 CFR 34.84 sets forth
specific requirements for property held for future bank expansion.
No statute specifically addresses a Federal savings association's
investment in banking premises.\75\ However, regulatory provisions
governing banking premises are issued pursuant to the OCC's general
supervisory and rulemaking authority under the HOLA. Specifically, 12
CFR 160.37 permits a Federal savings association to invest in real
estate, whether improved or unimproved, to be used for office and
related facilities of the association if such investment is made and
maintained under a prudent program of property acquisition to meet the
association's present needs for office and related facilities and the
outstanding book value of these investments does not exceed the
association's total capital. In addition, OCC regulations at 12 CFR
part 159 recognize certain real estate-related activities as
permissible for a Federal savings association service corporation,
including real estate development and the acquisition of real estate
for use by a stockholder of the service corporation. OCC guidance
provides that a Federal savings association ordinarily must obtain
prior OCC approval if such investments would exceed the amount of its
total capital.\76\ Currently, a Federal savings association seeking to
exceed the total capital limitation would request a waiver under 12 CFR
100.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\75\ The OCC is using the term ``banking premises'' instead of
``bank premises'' in revised Sec. Sec. 5.37, 7.1000, and 7.3001 to
alleviate any confusion with respect to Federal savings
associations.
\76\ OTS Handbook, Section 252, Fixed Assets, April 1999.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC proposes numerous changes to these regulations, including
applying the national bank regulations to Federal savings associations,
rescinding 12 CFR 160.37, and making clarifying amendments. The details
of these proposed changes are set forth below.
National bank ownership of property (12 CFR 7.1000). The OCC
proposes to amend 12 CFR 7.1000 to make it applicable to Federal
savings associations and to make other changes described below. While
we do not believe that there are significant substantive differences
between Sec. 7.1000 and Sec. 160.37 and related OTS guidance, Sec.
7.1000 provides additional detailed regulatory guidance that we
believe, as a supervisory matter, is appropriate to apply to both
national banks and Federal savings associations.
Under proposed Sec. 7.1000(a), a Federal savings association would
be permitted to invest in real estate necessary to transact its
business. Proposed Sec. 7.1000(a)(2) would provide a non-exclusive
list of permissible real estate investments for Federal savings
associations. These investments are generally permitted for Federal
savings associations under Sec. 160.37, with the addition of lodging
for customers, officers, or employees of the Federal savings
association, its branches or consolidated subsidiaries in areas where
suitable commercial lodging is not readily available, which is
currently permissible for national banks.
Under Sec. 7.1000(a)(3), a national bank is permitted to hold
premises through any reasonable and prudent means, including fee
ownership, leasehold estate, and interest in a cooperative. It also is
permitted to hold such premises directly or through one or more
subsidiaries and to organize a premises subsidiary as a corporation,
partnership, or similar entity, such as a limited liability company.
Section 160.37 permits a Federal savings association to invest in real
estate, whether improved or unimproved, to be used for office and
related facilities of the association under certain conditions, though
it does not address how a Federal savings association may hold such
premises. By adding Federal savings associations to proposed Sec.
7.1000(a)(3), the OCC is making clear that a Federal savings
association may hold its premises in any of the means set forth in that
section. In addition, the proposal adds a new paragraph to recognize a
Federal savings association's separate authority under part 159, as
proposed to be amended and redesignated as 12 CFR 5.59 in this
rulemaking, to acquire and hold banking premises in a service
corporation.
In paragraph (c)(1) of Sec. 7.1000, we propose to delete the
reference to 12 U.S.C. 371d and replace it with language to clarify
that the quantitative limitations in Sec. 5.37(d)(1)(i) and (d)(3)(i)
govern when OCC approval is required to invest in banking premises, in
order to encompass Federal savings associations. We propose to amend
Sec. 7.1000(c)(2) by dividing it into two separate paragraphs.
Proposed paragraph (c)(2)(i) would clarify that a national bank or
Federal savings association must seek approval to invest in banking
premises in accordance with Sec. 5.37(d). New paragraph (c)(2)(ii)
would clarify that a Federal savings association that invests in
banking premises through a service corporation must comply with the
quantitative limitations in Sec. 5.37(d), and, to the extent
applicable, Sec. 5.59. As described below, proposed amendments to
Sec. 5.37(d) would clarify which requirements in Sec. 5.37(d) would
apply to service corporations.
Under redesignated Sec. 7.1000(c)(3), a national bank must receive
OCC approval to exercise an option to purchase banking premises or
stock in a corporation holding banking premises if the price of the
option and the bank's other investments in banking premises exceed the
amount of the bank's capital stock. We propose to simplify paragraph
(c)(3) by removing the unnecessary language explaining when approval is
required and replacing it with a statement that the national bank or
Federal savings association must comply with the requirements in

[[Page 33290]]

Sec. 5.37(d). The procedures in Sec. 5.37(d) are discussed below. In
addition, we propose to make other nonsubstantive, clarifying changes.
Section 160.37 does not address an option to purchase banking premises
or stock in a corporation holding banking premises; therefore, this
would be a new requirement for a Federal savings association.
We propose to delete Sec. 7.1000(d), Other real property, because
the two examples provided are based on well-established precedent and
we believe it is unnecessary to include them in Sec. 7.1000. Section
7.1000(d) was not intended to be a limitation on ownership of real
property, and deleting it would eliminate the need to add clarifying
language stating that national banks and Federal savings associations
may have other sources of authority. Furthermore, deleting Sec.
7.1000(d) would simplify Sec. 7.1000 by limiting it to real estate
necessary for the transaction of business.
Section 34.84 provides rules for a national bank's investment in
future banking premises and is contained in the OCC's rules on ``other
real estate owned'' (OREO). Specifically, this section provides that a
national bank normally should use real estate acquired for future
expansion within five years and, after holding such real estate for one
year, must state, by resolution of the board of directors or an
appropriate authorized bank official or a subcommittee of the board of
directors, definite plans for use of such real estate.\77\ This
resolution or other official action must be available for inspection by
bank examiners. We propose to move Sec. 34.84 from part 34, subpart E,
Other real estate owned, to Sec. 7.1000 as paragraph (d) because it
relates to banking premises, not other real estate owned, and amend it
to include Federal savings associations. The revised ``Other Real
Estate Owned'' booklet of the Comptroller's Handbook applies this 5-
year timeframe for the use of real estate acquired for future premises
to Federal savings associations. Thus, the regulatory requirements
regarding future banking premises under proposed Sec. 7.1000(d) would
codify existing OCC policy for Federal savings associations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\77\ National banks and Federal savings associations should be
aware that if they decide not to use real estate acquired for future
banking premises, the investment would be considered other real
estate owned and subject to applicable OREO requirements. For
savings associations, see Comptroller's Handbook, ``Other Real
Estate Owned'' (Sept. 2013) (``OREO Handbook''), and for national
banks, see 12 CFR part 34, subpart E and the OREO Handbook.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

To minimize practical difficulties that may arise as a result of
these changes, we propose to add a transition provision, Sec.
7.1000(e), that would grandfather Federal savings associations'
existing premises investments, provided the investment complies with
the legal requirements in effect prior to the publication date of this
proposal and continues to comply with those requirements. However,
modifying, expanding, or improving such investments, with the exception
of routine maintenance, would require prior approval of the appropriate
OCC supervisory office. We believe it is appropriate to require prior
approval in such circumstances to ensure safety and soundness concerns
are satisfied and to apply consistent standards to national banks and
Federal savings associations.
Sharing space and employees (Sec. 7.3001). The OCC proposes to
amend 12 CFR 7.3001 to make it applicable to Federal savings
associations. While Sec. 7.3001 is more detailed than OTS guidance, as
described below, we do not believe that there are substantive
differences in the way in which savings associations share offices and
employees. Section 7.3001 provides additional guidance on how to share
offices and employees in a manner that protects customers and is
consistent with safe and sound banking practices. The OCC believes
that, as a supervisory matter, it is appropriate to apply similar
specific safety and soundness restrictions to both national banks and
Federal savings associations.
Specifically, section 7.3001 provides for the sharing of office
space and employees. Section 160.37 does not specifically provide for
such sharing arrangements; however, through guidance a Federal savings
association is authorized to share space in a manner similar to that
provided in Sec. 7.3001, and the safety and soundness requirements
imposed are substantially similar, though not identical, to those
imposed by Sec. 7.3001(c). For example, both the guidance and Sec.
7.3001(c) prohibit joint ventures but the methods to determine what
constitutes a joint venture are different. Under Sec. 7.3001(c)(3),
what constitutes a joint venture or partnership is determined by
applicable state law. In addition, under proposed Sec. 7.3001(a), a
Federal savings association would be permitted to: (1) Lease excess
space on banking premises to one or more other businesses (including
other banks, Federal or state savings institutions, or financial
institutions); (2) share space jointly held with one or more other
businesses; or (3) offer its services in space owned or leased to other
businesses. Under proposed Sec. 7.3001(b), as part of such a sharing
arrangement, a Federal savings association may, pursuant to a written
agreement, agree that its employee may act as an agent for the other
business, or an employee of the other business may act as an agent for
the savings association. Under proposed Sec. 7.3001(c), a Federal
savings association sharing office space would be required to satisfy
eight requirements intended to ensure that the practice of sharing
space was conducted in a safe and sound manner and also provides
customer protections. This treatment is substantially similar to that
in OCC guidance for Federal savings associations.\78\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\78\ OTS Handbook, Section 252, Fixed Assets, p. 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

To minimize practical difficulties that may arise as a result of
these changes, we propose to add a transition provision, Sec.
7.3001(e), that would grandfather existing sharing arrangements,
provided such sharing arrangements comply with the legal requirements
in effect prior to the publication date of this proposal and continue
to comply with those requirements. However, the association may not
amend or renew the agreement, or extend the agreement beyond its
current term, without the prior approval of the appropriate OCC
supervisory office. We believe it is appropriate to require prior
approval in such circumstances to ensure customers are protected and
safety and soundness concerns are satisfied and to apply consistent
standards to national banks and Federal savings associations.
Investment in banking premises (Sec. 5.37). The OCC proposes to
amend Sec. 5.37 to make it applicable to Federal savings associations
and to make other changes as described below. The OCC believes that,
for safety and soundness purposes, it would be prudent to apply the
procedures and quantitative investment limitations in Sec. 5.37 to
both national banks and Federal savings associations. In addition, we
believe that consistent standards should be applied to national banks
and Federal savings associations.
Specifically, Sec. 5.37(d)(1)(i) requires a national bank to
submit an application to the appropriate supervisory office to make an
investment in banking premises, or to make loans to or upon the
security of the stock of such a corporation, if the aggregate of all
such investments and loans, together with the indebtedness incurred by
any such corporation that is an affiliate of the national bank, will
exceed the amount of its capital stock. Section 5.37(c) defines ``bank
premises'' as including (but not limited to): (1) Premises that are
owned and occupied (or to be occupied,

[[Page 33291]]

if under construction) by the bank, its branches, or its consolidated
subsidiaries; (2) capitalized leases and leasehold improvements,
vaults, and fixed machinery and equipment; (3) remodeling costs to
existing premises; (4) real estate acquired and intended, in good
faith, for use in future expansion, or (5) parking facilities that are
used by customers or employees of the bank, its branches, and its
consolidated subsidiaries. In contrast, Sec. 160.37 does not contain
such a detailed definition and states, in general, that real estate may
be used for office and related facilities for the association's current
and future use.
Section 5.37(d)(1)(ii) requires the application to include a
description of the bank's present investment in banking premises, the
investment in such premises that the bank intends to make, the business
reason for the investment, and the amount by which the national bank's
aggregate investment will exceed the amount of its capital stock.
Section 5.37(d)(2) provides information regarding the approval process,
including that an application is deemed approved on the 30th day after
the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the national
bank prior to that date that the filing presents a significant
supervisory or compliance concern, or raises a significant legal or
policy issue. We propose to make these provisions applicable to a
Federal savings association and to make other nonsubstantive,
clarifying changes.
Section 5.37(d)(3) provides an alternative, after-the-fact notice
process if a national bank satisfies certain requirements.
Specifically, a national bank may make an aggregate investment in
banking premises up to 150 percent of its capital and surplus without
the OCC's prior approval and instead may provide the OCC with after-
the-fact notice, provided the national bank has a 1 or 2 CAMELS rating,
is well capitalized as defined in 12 CFR part 6, and will continue to
be well capitalized after the investment or loan is made. The proposal
makes these provisions applicable to Federal savings associations.
However, a Federal savings association may not be eligible for after-
the-fact notice if 12 U.S.C. 1828(m)(1) applies to the transaction.
Twelve U.S.C. 1828(m)(1) requires a Federal savings association to file
a 30-day prior notice when it establishes or acquires a subsidiary or
when it conducts a new activity in a subsidiary. Thus, a Federal
savings association would not be eligible for the after-the-fact notice
process described in 5.37(d)(3)(i) if it proposes to establish or
acquire a subsidiary to make an investment in banking premises, or if
investing in banking premises would be a new activity for such a
subsidiary. In those circumstances, the Federal savings association
would be required to comply with the provisions of Sec. 5.38 in the
case of an operating subsidiary or Sec. 5.59 in the case of a service
corporation. Accordingly, we propose to reorganize current Sec.
5.37(d)(3) by redesignating it Sec. 5.37(d)(3)(i), General rule, and
adding a new paragraph (d)(3)(ii), Exception, to describe the
circumstances under which a Federal savings association would not be
eligible for the after-the-fact notice process and to identify what
requirements would apply.
Furthermore, a Federal savings association's investments in banking
premises through a service corporation would not be subject to the
premises application and notice requirements of Sec. 5.37(d); instead,
a Federal savings association wound need to comply with the
requirements in proposed Sec. 5.59. However, the amount of such an
investment must be included when calculating the quantitative
limitations in paragraph (d). Therefore, we propose to redesignate
current Sec. 5.37(d)(4), Exceptions to rules of general applicability,
as proposed paragraph (d)(5), and add a new paragraph (d)(4) to clarify
the treatment of an investment in banking premises through a service
corporation.
As indicated above, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 29 and 371d, Sec. 5.37
provides that the quantitative limitations on a national bank's
investment in banking premises are expressed as a percentage of
``capital stock'' or ``capital and surplus.'' Under Sec. 160.37, the
sole quantitative limit on a Federal savings association's investment
in banking premises is based on ``total capital.'' \79\ We propose to
apply the quantitative investment limitations currently applicable to
national banks to Federal savings associations, with the exception of
Federal mutual savings associations, as discussed more fully below. To
avoid confusion, we also propose to add definitions for the terms
``capital stock'' and ``capital and surplus'' in paragraph (c). Because
the vast majority of national banks and Federal savings associations
have a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2,\80\ we believe the relevant limit for a
Federal savings association generally would be ``capital and surplus,''
which is not materially different from ``total capital.'' In addition,
for a Federal savings association that satisfies the criteria in
proposed Sec. 5.37(d)(3)(i), the quantitative limitation would be 150
percent of capital and surplus, which would be a greater amount than
100 percent of ``total capital.'' Thus, we expect that under the
proposal, the amount that a Federal savings association could invest in
banking premises without OCC approval would be increased, thereby
reducing burden on those Federal savings associations. For Federal
savings associations that do not have a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2 and are
not well capitalized, the relevant limitation would be ``capital
stock,'' which is a significantly lower threshold than ``total
capital'' in Sec. 160.37. While we are aware that this new lower
threshold likely would increase the burden on low-rated Federal savings
associations, we believe that additional scrutiny of investments in
banking premises by such Federal savings associations is warranted for
safety and soundness purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\79\ As mentioned previously in this preamble, the OCC issued a
final rule on October 11, 2013 that, among other things, amends the
OCC's risk-based and leverage capital rules and integrates the OCC's
national bank and Federal savings association capital rules. 78 FR
62018 (Oct. 11, 2013). This final rule has a two-tier effective
date, however, with the rule applicable for all banks and savings
associations on January 1, 2015. Until that time, for a savings
association that is not subject to the advanced approaches rule, the
OCC's capital rule at 12 CFR part 167 will apply. This rules defines
the term ``total capital'' to mean the sum of a savings
association's core capital and supplementary capital (to the extent
that such supplementary capital does not exceed 100% of its core
capital), minus assets required to be deducted from core capital,
reciprocal holdings of depository institution capital instruments,
and all equity investments. The rule for national banks that are not
subject to the advanced approaches rule defines the term ``capital
stock'' to mean the amount of common stock outstanding and
unimpaired plus the amount of perpetual preferred stock outstanding
and unimpaired, and the term ``capital and surplus'' to mean a
bank's Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital calculated under the OCC's risk-
based capital standards set forth in appendix A to 12 CFR part 3, as
reported in the bank's Call Reports, plus the balance of a bank's
allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) not included in the
bank's Tier 2 capital. These definitions of ``total capital and
``capital and surplus'' are substantially similar, except that
``capital and surplus'' includes the ALLL excluded from Tier 2
capital and ``total capital'' includes certain deductions described
above. However, the definition of ``capital stock'' is significantly
more stringent than ``total capital'' because capital stock does not
include undivided profits. As of January 1, 2015, all national banks
and savings associations will be subject to a new definition of
capital.
\80\ According to the OCC's 2013 Annual Report, in the fiscal
year 2013, 80 percent of national banks and Federal savings
associations had a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2. Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency, Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2013, at 72,
available at www.occ.gov/publications/publications-by-type/annual-reports/index-annual-reports.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the case of a Federal mutual savings association, which by
definition does not issue stock, a limit based on capital stock cannot
apply to such associations. However, we believe it is important,
wherever possible, to apply consistent standards to national banks

[[Page 33292]]

and Federal savings associations, both from a safety and soundness
perspective and an administrative perspective. Accordingly, because a
Federal mutual savings association's equity capital consists primarily
of retained earnings, we propose to use retained earnings as a proxy
for capital stock for purposes of the quantitative limitations on
investments in banking premises by Federal mutual savings associations.
Such a limitation based on retained earnings would not be a significant
change for a Federal mutual savings association since generally ``total
capital'' of a Federal mutual savings association mostly consists of
retained earnings. Moreover, under the proposal, a Federal mutual
savings association that is CAMELS 1- or 2-rated would have a higher
limit of 150 percent of retained earnings.
Question 6: We request comments on whether a limit based on the
amount of retained earnings for a Federal mutual savings association's
investment in bank premises provides a basis of measurement that is
most comparable to capital stock for Federal stock savings
associations.
Finally, we propose to amend Sec. 5.37 by adding a new paragraph
(e) to provide an appropriate transition provision that would
grandfather existing banking premises investments, provided the
investment complies with the legal requirements in effect prior to the
publication date of this proposal, and continues to comply with those
requirements. However, modifying, expanding, or improving such an
investment, with the exception of routine maintenance, would require
prior approval of the appropriate OCC supervisory office. We believe it
is appropriate to require prior approval in such circumstances to
ensure safety and soundness concerns are satisfied and to apply
consistent standards to national banks and Federal savings
associations.
Question 7: Because of the differences in corporate organization
between a Federal stock savings association and a Federal mutual
savings association, we request comments on whether it would be more
appropriate and less burdensome to both types of savings associations
to retain separate banking premises rules for national banks and
Federal savings associations.
Operating Subsidiaries of Federal Savings Associations (New Sec. 5.38)
Twelve CFR part 159 addresses subordinate organizations of Federal
savings associations. This part covers both operating subsidiaries and
other subsidiaries of Federal savings associations such as service
corporations. The OCC is proposing to create a new Sec. 5.38 to
address only operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations
\81\ and to remove those provisions of part 159 that address Federal
savings association operating subsidiaries.\82\ In order to harmonize
the regulations applicable to Federal savings associations with those
that apply to national banks, Sec. 5.38 is based on current OCC
regulations at 12 CFR 5.34. Many of the provisions in proposed Sec.
5.38 and Sec. 5.34 are nearly identical. Many of the requirements in
proposed Sec. 5.38 are similar to those in part 159. There are some
differences between the proposal and provisions in part 159, as well as
differences between Sec. 5.38 and Sec. 5.34. These differences are
described below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\81\ In addition, as described elsewhere in this issuance, the
OCC is proposing to create a new separate section for service
corporations of Federal savings associations. The OCC is proposing
to separate the regulations for Federal savings association
operating subsidiaries and service corporations in order to better
organize our rules and to have consistent parallel provisions for
operating subsidiaries of national banks and Federal savings
associations.
\82\ As stated elsewhere in this rulemaking, the OCC proposes to
create a new Sec. 5.59 that would address Federal savings
association service corporations. As a result, all of part 159 would
be removed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paragraph (b) of Sec. 5.38 mirrors paragraph (b) of Sec. 5.34 and
would require a Federal savings association to file an application to
acquire or establish any operating subsidiary or to commence a new
activity in an existing operating subsidiary. Under Sec. Sec. 159.1(a)
and 159.11, Federal savings associations must give 30 days' notice \83\
to the OCC prior to establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary
or commencing a new activity in an operating subsidiary. Section 159.11
requires a filing when it is required under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), and
section 1828(m) does not require a filing if the subsidiary is an
insured depository institution.\84\ Proposed Sec. 5.38(b) would
require an application to acquire an insured depository institution as
an operating subsidiary,\85\ in order to provide the OCC with an
appropriate opportunity to review the proposed transaction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\83\ Under these provisions in part 159, the OCC treats the
notice as an application that is eligible for expedited treatment.
\84\ See 12 U.S.C. 1828(m)(1) and (4).
\85\ Section 159.3(e)(1) explicitly provides that a Federal
savings association may have an insured depository institution as an
operating subsidiary. While this proposition would remain the case
under the proposal, it is not explicitly set out in the proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 159.3(a)(1) also provides that any finance subsidiary that
existed on January 1, 1997 is deemed to be an operating subsidiary
without further action by the savings association. The OCC is proposing
to omit this provision from Sec. 5.38 as not needed and without intent
to make any change in substance.
Question 8: The OCC requests comment on whether the provision
should be retained from any Federal savings associations that may still
have a finance subsidiary that existed on January 1, 1997.
Paragraph (c) of Sec. 5.38 addresses the scope of this section.
This paragraph mirrors proposed paragraph (c) of Sec. 5.34, including
the additional language currently contained in Sec. 159.1(a) that
would permit the OCC to limit a Federal savings association's
investment in an operating subsidiary or limit or refuse to permit any
activities of an operating subsidiary for supervisory, legal, or safety
and soundness reasons. While the OCC currently has this authority, we
are proposing to clarify the regulation by explicitly including this
language.
Paragraph (d) of Sec. 5.38 sets out definitions for ``well
capitalized'' and ``well managed,'' which will be used as part of the
determination of which applications are eligible for expedited review
by the OCC. These definitions are the same as those in Sec. 5.34(d),
and the OCC uses these terms as criteria to permit national banks to
make an after-the-fact notice filing pursuant to Sec. 5.34(e)(5). They
are used similarly in proposed Sec. 5.38 to determine if an
application by a Federal savings association is eligible for expedited
review.
Like Sec. Sec. 159.3(e)(1) and 5.34(e)(1)(i), paragraph (e)(1)(i)
of Sec. 5.38 provides that a Federal savings association may conduct
in an operating subsidiary activities that are permissible for the
savings association to engage in directly. The proposal also would add
a new Sec. 5.34(e)(1)(ii), which would provide that before beginning
business, an operating subsidiary must comply with other laws
applicable to it, including applicable licensing or registration
requirements. This requirement is not new for Federal savings
associations. The language is being added to clarify that compliance
with Sec. 5.38 and approval of an operating subsidiary by the OCC are
not the only requirements that must be met. The proposal would add a
similar provision to Sec. 5.34 for national banks.
Pursuant to Sec. 159.3(c)(1), a Federal savings association must
own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the voting shares
of an operating subsidiary and no one else may exercise effective
operating control. Proposed Sec. 5.38(e)(2) describes what entities
are ``qualifying subsidiaries'' for purposes of Sec. 5.38. This
provision mirrors

[[Page 33293]]

Sec. 5.34(e)(2). Unlike Sec. 159.3(c)(1), the proposal includes as a
qualifying subsidiary one in which the savings association owns less
than 50 percent of the voting shares. Specifically, under the proposal,
a qualifying subsidiary is one in which: (1) The savings association
has the ability to control the management and operations of the
subsidiary and no other person or entity has the ability to do so, and
(2) the savings association owns and controls more than 50 percent of
the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the operating
subsidiary, or the parent savings association otherwise controls the
operating subsidiary and no other party controls a greater percentage
of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the
operating subsidiary than the Federal savings association. In addition,
as is currently the case under part 159, the operating subsidiary would
need to be consolidated with the savings association under Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Proposed Sec. 5.38(e)(2)(iii),
adapted from Sec. 159.10, would expressly require the savings
association to have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the
limited liability of the savings association and its operating
subsidiaries. Furthermore, it clarifies that the requirement that the
savings association must control the operating subsidiary does not mean
they should be treated as a single entity.
Proposed paragraph (e)(3) of Sec. 5.38 mirrors proposed Sec.
5.34(e)(3). Similar to Sec. 159.3(h)(1), paragraph (e)(3) generally
provides that an operating subsidiary of a Federal savings association
conducts activities pursuant to the same authorization, terms, and
conditions that apply to the parent savings association, unless
otherwise specifically provided by statute, regulation or published OCC
policy. It also includes reference to the provisions in the Dodd-Frank
Act regarding the application of state law, the subject of which is
currently addressed in Sec. 159.3(n)(1), and language to clarify that
there are other instances in which different treatment of the operating
subsidiary and the parent Federal savings association may occur, in
addition to those regarding the application of state law addressed by
the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition, this paragraph provides that, subject
to certain statutory limitations, if the OCC determines that an
operating subsidiary is in violation of law, regulation, or written
condition, or in an unsafe or unsound manner or otherwise threatens the
safety or soundness of the bank, the OCC will direct the savings
association or operating subsidiary to take appropriate remedial
action, which may include requiring the savings association to divest
or liquidate the operating subsidiary, or discontinue specified
activities. This is similar to provisions in Sec. 159.3(q)(1).
Proposed Sec. 5.38(e)(4) addresses consolidation of figures and
provides that the savings association and its operating subsidiaries
shall be combined for purposes of applying statutory or regulatory
limitations when the combination is needed to effect the intent of the
statute or regulation. Twelve U.S.C. 1467a(m)(5) governs consolidation
for purposes of calculating portfolio assets and the qualified thrift
lender test. These provisions are consistent with Sec. Sec.
159.3(i)(1), (j)(1), (k)(1), and (m)(1).
Section Sec. 159.11 provides that when required by 12 U.S.C.
1828(m), Federal savings associations must file a notice at least 30
days prior to establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary or
conducting a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. The OCC
processes this notice in a manner similar to the OCC's expedited review
for applications and notices of national banks.\86\ Proposed paragraph
(e)(5) of Sec. 5.38 sets out the detailed procedures a Federal savings
association must follow when filing applications required under Sec.
5.38.\87\ Paragraph (e)(5)(i)(B) of Sec. 5.38 describes the contents
of the application and mirrors Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(i)(B), as redesignated
in this proposal, currently at Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(ii)(B). Paragraph
(e)(5)(ii)(A) of Sec. 5.38 also mirrors Sec. 5.34 and provides for
expedited review of applications to establish or acquire an operating
subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing operating
subsidiary. These applications would be deemed approved by the OCC as
of the 30th day after the filing is received, unless the OCC notifies
the savings association otherwise during the 30-day period.\88\ In
order to be eligible for expedited review, proposed Sec.
5.38(e)(5)(ii)(B) provides that the savings association must be ``well
capitalized'' and ``well managed,'' the activities to be performed by
the operating subsidiary must be listed in Sec. 5.38(e)(5)(v), and the
operating subsidiary must be a corporation, limited liability company,
or limited partnership. In addition, the savings association must
clearly demonstrate control over the operating subsidiary, i.e., the
savings association: (1) Must have the ability to control the
management and operations of the operating subsidiary by holding voting
interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to
control the subsidiary's board and to select and terminate senior
management; (2) must hold more than 50 percent of the voting, or
equivalent, interests in the operating subsidiary, and, in the case of
a limited partnership or limited liability company, the savings
association or an operating subsidiary thereof must be the sole general
partner of the limited partnership or the sole managing member of the
limited liability company; and (3) must be required to consolidate its
financial statements with those of the operating subsidiary under GAAP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\86\ If the OCC determines that the notice presents supervisory
concerns or raises significant issues of law or policy, a Federal
savings association must apply for approval under standard treatment
processing procedures in part 116.
\87\ Applications filed pursuant to Sec. 5.38 also serve to
satisfy the requirement for notice under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m).
\88\ This differs from the national bank regulation. Under Sec.
5.34(e)(5)(ii), as redesignated in this proposal, national banks may
provide after-the-fact notice in certain circumstances. After-the-
fact notice is not available to Federal savings associations due to
a statutory requirement for prior notice. See 12 U.S.C. 1828(m).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The proposed expedited review process would operate much like the
process in Sec. 159.11. As indicated above, under Sec. 159.11 all
Federal savings associations that wish to establish or obtain an
interest in an operating subsidiary file a notice with the OCC when
required under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m). Then, unless the OCC notifies the
savings association within 30 days that the notice presents supervisory
concerns or raises significant issues of law or policy, in which case
the savings association must apply for approval under standard
treatment processing procedures under part 116, the savings association
may proceed with the operating subsidiary. Under Sec. 159.11, all
filings begin and are processed in this manner. Under the proposed
Sec. 5.38 expedited review process, only filings that meet the
eligibility requirements can begin as an expedited review application.
However, we do not believe this change will make a large difference for
savings associations in practice. A filing that would not meet the
eligibility requirements (clear showing of control, clearly permissible
activity, a Federal savings association that is well managed and well
capitalized) under the proposal would have a high likelihood of
presenting supervisory concerns or raising significant issues of law or
policy that would require an application under part 159.
Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(iii) of Sec. 5.38 provides that the
rules of general applicability at 12 CFR 5.8 (requiring public notice),
5.10 (addressing public

[[Page 33294]]

comments received), and 5.11 (addressing requests for hearings or other
meetings) do not apply to Sec. 5.38, but the OCC may determine that
any of these rules apply if the OCC concludes that the application
presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues.
Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(v) of Sec. 5.38 sets out a list of
activities that are eligible for expedited review. This list is based
on the list of activities eligible for notice for national banks in
Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(v), but has been adapted for Federal savings
associations, removing activities that are not permissible for Federal
savings associations to conduct directly and listing only those
activities that have been approved for operating subsidiaries of
Federal savings associations in the past.
Question 9: The OCC requests comments and suggestions for other
activities that should be added to the list of activities that are
eligible for expedited review, and on other changes to the list.
Commenters proposing an activity should include reference to the
precedent approving the activity to be conducted directly by a Federal
savings association or in an operating subsidiary. An approval to
conduct an activity in a service corporation is not sufficient unless
the precedent's analysis states the activity is one that could be
conducted directly in a Federal savings association.
Section 159.3(p)(1) provides that a Federal savings association
must consult with the appropriate OCC licensing office prior to
redesignating a service corporation as an operating subsidiary. It also
requires the Federal savings association to make available for
examination adequate internal records demonstrating that the
redesignated office meets all of the requirements for an operating
subsidiary and that the board of directors has approved of the
redesignation. Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(vi) of Sec. 5.38 would
require a Federal savings association to provide 30 days' prior notice
to the OCC when the savings association wants to redesignate a service
corporation as an operating subsidiary.
Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(vii) of Sec. 5.38 mirrors proposed Sec.
5.34(e)(5)(vii) and provides that when a Federal savings association
operating subsidiary wishes to act as a fiduciary, its savings
association parent must have fiduciary powers and the operating
subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law
applicable to the subsidiary. The operating subsidiary may not rely on
the savings association's fiduciary powers. Further, this provision
also would explicitly provide that when an operating subsidiary that
exercises investment discretion on behalf of customers or provides
investment advice for a fee is a registered investment adviser, it is
not necessary for its savings association parent to have fiduciary
powers. These provisions reflect OCC practice for national banks as set
out in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual.
Proposed paragraph (e)(5)(viii) of Sec. 5.38 would provide that an
OCC approval granted under Sec. 5.38 expires within 12 months if a
Federal savings association has not established or acquired the
operating subsidiary or commenced the new activity in an existing
operating subsidiary, unless the OCC shortens, or extends the time
period. We also are adding this provision to Sec. 5.34 for national
banks. As previously indicated, this provision is similar to others in
part 5 regarding the expiration of an OCC approval.
Proposed paragraph (e)(6) of Sec. 5.38 contains provisions
regarding grandfathered Federal savings association operating
subsidiaries. It is modeled on Sec. 5.34(e)(6) and provides that,
notwithstanding the requirements for a qualifying operating subsidiary
in Sec. 5.38(e)(2) and unless otherwise notified by the OCC with
respect to a particular operating subsidiary, an operating subsidiary
that a Federal savings association lawfully acquired or established
before June 10, 2014 may continue to operate as a Federal savings
association operating subsidiary, provided that the savings association
and the operating subsidiary were, and continue to be, conducting
authorized activities in compliance with the standards and requirements
applicable when the operating subsidiary was established or acquired.
Proposed paragraph (e)(7) addresses the issuance of securities by
an operating subsidiary. It is based on portions of Sec. 159.12(a) and
(c).
Proposed paragraph (e)(8) of Sec. 5.38 requires Federal savings
associations to file an annual report on operating subsidiaries that do
business directly with consumers in the United States and are not
functionally regulated subsidiaries, which the OCC will make available
to the public at www.OCC.gov. This provision mirrors Sec. 5.34(e)(7)
as well as the proposed provision in Sec. 5.59 with respect to service
corporations. There is no similar provision in part 159. This report
enables the public to be aware of when they are dealing with an
operating subsidiary of a Federal savings association. This report also
provides information to the OCC on which Federal savings association
operating subsidiaries are currently active.
Finally, a chart in Sec. 159.3 provides a detailed side-by-side
comparison of operating subsidiaries and service corporations. The
proposal includes some of this information from this chart in various
provisions of Sec. 5.38, such as the specific items that are necessary
to set out qualifying requirements and licensing requirements.
Furthermore, proposed Sec. 5.38(e)(4), consolidation of figures,
covers provisions included in the chart at Sec. Sec. 159.3(i)(1),
(k)(1), (l)(1), and (m)(1).\89\ Other provisions of the chart are not
necessary to include in a regulation as they merely repeat applicable
law and are in the chart for purposes of the comparison with service
corporations. These provisions include Sec. Sec. 159.3(b)(1), (d)(1),
(f)(1), (g)(1), and (j)(1). While the OCC is proposing to remove the
chart from its regulations, we are considering including a similar
chart in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual as a reference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\89\ Part 32, lending limits, currently provides the information
that had been included in Sec. 159.3(k)(1). See 78 FR 37930 (June
25, 2013).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Change in Location of Main Office/Home Office (Sec. 5.40)
Twelve CFR 5.40 addresses changes in location of a national bank's
main office. Twelve CFR 145.91, 145.93 and 145.95 address changes in
location of a Federal savings association's home office.\90\ While
these rules address a common subject there are a number of differences
between them. We are proposing to harmonize the procedures for national
banks and Federal savings associations and to consolidate our
regulations by amending 12 CFR 5.40 to apply to Federal savings
associations and to remove 12 CFR 145.91, 145.93 and 145.95.\91\ As
described below, as a result of this proposal, Federal savings
associations would be subject to certain additional notices and
applications to assist the OCC in monitoring these institutions'
activities. Although these procedures are different from those that
savings associations currently follow when taking certain actions with
respect to their home offices, we expect those institutions that would
qualify for treatment as highly-rated savings associations under the
current regulation will also qualify for expedited treatment under the
proposed

[[Page 33295]]

regulation, resulting in only minimal additional requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\90\ The terms ``main office'' and ``home office'' are
functionally the same. However, both terms are used in our
regulations in order to be consistent with the relevant statutes
that govern national banks and Federal savings associations,
respectively.
\91\ Sections 145.93 and 145.95 also address branch offices. The
preamble discusses these provisions with respect to branch offices,
above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pursuant to Sec. 145.93(a), a Federal savings association must
file an application or notice with the OCC and receive approval or non-
objection prior to changing the permanent location of its home office
or prior to establishing a new home office. However, Sec. 145.93(b)
provides that an application or notice is not required for a Federal
savings association to: (i) Establish a drive-in or pedestrian office
within 500 feet of a public entrance to its existing home office; (ii)
make a short-distance relocation of its home office; or (iii)
redesignate an existing branch office as a home office when
redesignating the existing home office as a branch office. In addition,
Sec. 145.93(b) permits certain highly-rated Federal savings
associations to change the permanent location of their home office or
establish a new home office if the associations meet certain
requirements without filing a notice or application. Section 145.95
contains processing procedures that apply to the aforementioned
transactions.
The proposal would reorganize Sec. 5.40 slightly and apply it to
Federal savings associations, discontinuing the exceptions to filing
applications or notices under Sec. 145.93(b) and replacing the
applicable processing procedures contained in Sec. 145.95 with those
contained in part 5 of our regulations.
Currently, Sec. 5.40(b) generally sets out the licensing
requirements for national banks to relocate their main office and Sec.
5.40(c) sets out the scope of the rule. Section 5.40(d)(1) provides
that national banks may relocate their main office to an authorized
branch location within the same city, town, or village limits by giving
prior notice to the OCC and Sec. 5.40(d)(2) provides that a national
bank may relocate its main office to any other location, by filing an
application with the OCC. Section 5.40(d)(3) requires national banks to
obtain OCC approval pursuant to the standards in Sec. 5.30 in order to
establish a branch at the site of a former main office. Section
5.40(d)(4) provides that an application submitted by an eligible
national bank to move its main office to a location other than an
authorized branch location will be approved by the OCC as of the 15th
day after the close of the public comment period or the 45th day after
the filing is received by the OCC, whichever is later, unless the OCC
notifies the bank prior to that time that the filing is not eligible
for expedited review, or the expedited review period is extended under
Sec. 5.13(a)(2). Section 5.40(d)(5) provides for exceptions to rules
of general applicability in part 5 for relocations to an authorized
branch location within the same city, town, or village limits. Finally,
Sec. 5.40(e) provides that an OCC approval of a main office relocation
shall expire if the national bank has not opened its main office at the
relocated site within 18 months of the date of the approval.
The proposal would redesignate the scope section as Sec. 5.40(b)
and would combine former paragraphs (b) and (d), which address
licensing requirements and procedures, into a redesignated Sec.
5.40(c). The proposal also generally would amend these newly
redesignated provisions to apply to Federal savings associations.
Proposed Sec. 5.40(c)(1) would require national banks and Federal
savings associations to give prior notice to the OCC when relocating a
main office or home office, as applicable, to an authorized branch
location within city, town, or village limits. Propose Sec.
5.40(c)(2)(i) would require national banks to submit an application to
the appropriate OCC licensing office in order to relocate a main office
to any location other than an authorized branch location in the city,
town, or village in which the main office of the bank is located or to
any other location within 30 miles of the limits of such city, town, or
village. As in the current rule, if a national bank is relocating its
main office outside the limits of its city, town, or village, the
national bank also would be required to obtain the approval of
shareholders owning two-thirds of the voting stock of the bank and to
amend its articles of association. Proposed Sec. 5.40(c)(2)(ii) would
require a Federal savings association to submit an application to the
appropriate OCC licensing office and obtain prior OCC approval to
relocate its home office to any location other than an authorized
branch location within the city, town, or village in which the home
office of the savings association is located. As with a national bank,
a Federal savings association relocating the home office outside the
limits of its city, town, or village would be required to amend its
charter. Proposed Sec. 5.40(c)(3) would require a national bank or
Federal savings association to follow the provisions of Sec. 5.30 or
Sec. 5.31, respectively, in order to establish a branch at the site of
a former main office or home office. Proposed Sec. 5.40(c)(4) would
provide expedited review for applications submitted under paragraph
(c)(2) (relocations of a main office or home office to any location
other than an authorized branch location) for eligible Federal savings
associations as well as eligible national banks. The proposal also
would revise the expedited review time for short-distance relocations
of a main office or home office so that they would be deemed approved
15 days after the close of the comment period or 30 days after the date
the notice is filed, whichever is later. This change would reflect the
shorter 15-day comment period for short-distance relocations.
Proposed Sec. 5.40(c)(5) would provide exceptions to the OCC's
rules of general applicability in part 5 of the OCC's regulations for
relocations of a main office or home office to an authorized branch
location within city, town, or village limits under paragraph (c)(1)
and applies these exceptions to Federal savings associations.
Redesignated Sec. 5.40(d) of the proposal would require Federal
savings associations, like national banks, to open a relocated home
office within 18 months from the date of OCC approval, unless the OCC
grants an extension. Under Sec. 145.95(c), Federal savings
associations currently must open or relocate a home office for which
they have received approval or non-objection from the OCC within 12
months.
Corporate Title (Sec. 5.42)
Sections 5.42 and 143.1 of Title 12 set forth applicable standards
and procedures for when a national bank or Federal savings association,
respectively, seeks to change its corporate title. Under Sec. 5.42(c),
a national bank may change its corporate title without prior notice to
the OCC if the new title includes the word ``national'' and complies
with other OCC guidance and Federal laws, including laws regarding
false advertising and misuse of names. In addition, if the national
bank's articles of association specify the corporate title, Sec.
5.42(d)(2) requires the bank to amend the articles in accordance with
12 U.S.C. 21a, which specifically addresses amendments to national bank
articles of association.
Pursuant to Sec. 143.1(b), a Federal savings association must
provide the OCC with prior notice of a change in corporate title. If
the OCC does not object within 30 days, the Federal savings association
may change its title by amending its charter in accordance with the
Federal mutual savings association or Federal stock association charter
amendment regulatory procedures in Sec. Sec. 5.21 or 5.22,
respectively. There is no specific statute addressing Federal savings
association charter amendments. In addition, Sec. 143.1(a) prohibits a
Federal savings association from adopting a title that

[[Page 33296]]

misrepresents the nature of the institution or the services it offers.
The OCC proposes to amend Sec. 5.42 to include Federal savings
associations. The primary substantive effect of this proposal is to
eliminate the advance notice requirement currently applicable to
Federal savings association corporate title changes. Instead, Federal
savings associations would be required promptly to provide a notice to
the appropriate OCC licensing office subsequent to any change in its
corporate title. The OCC believes that the advance notice of a change
in corporate title is not necessary and that an after-the-fact notice
will provide the OCC with adequate information for regulatory purposes
and will reduce burden on Federal savings associations without
affecting safety and soundness.
The proposal does not incorporate the provision in Sec. 143.1(a)
that prohibits a Federal savings association from adopting a title that
misrepresents the nature of the institution or the services it offers.
This statement is implicit in the current national bank rule and would
be implicit under the revised rule for both national banks and Federal
savings associations. Furthermore, the issue addressed by the savings
association provision is not an area of concern in the current banking
environment, and, if necessary, can be addressed through the
supervisory process. For these reasons, we find it unnecessary to
include a similar prohibition in Sec. 5.42.
The OCC also proposes a number of conforming edits. Specifically,
the proposal would add to Sec. 5.42 a cross-reference to Sec. Sec.
5.21(g) or 5.22(g), the regulatory charter amendment procedures that a
Federal mutual savings association or Federal stock association must
follow when amending its charter to reflect a corporate title change.
This cross-reference simply transfers these requirements from the
current Federal savings association rule to the proposed integrated
rule. In addition, the OCC proposes to remove the word ``Federal'' in
Sec. 5.42(c)(1) to clarify that the new title must comply with all
applicable laws, whether Federal or state.
Increases in Permanent Capital by a Federal Stock Savings Association
(New Sec. 5.45)
Twelve CFR 5.46 sets out the OCC's rules addressing changes in
permanent capital by national banks. These rules implement statutory
provisions that establish the processes and requirements for a national
bank to increase or decrease its permanent capital (i.e., capital stock
and capital surplus), including 12 U.S.C. 51a, 51b, 51b-1, 52, 56, 57,
59, and 60. The statutes require OCC approval for all increases and
decreases in permanent capital at a national bank.
The OCC has established a streamlined approval process for most
increases in permanent capital by national banks. However, in certain
specified instances, the OCC requires a full application and prior
approval. These instances, listed below, involve situations in which
there are supervisory concerns with the institution or the capital
contribution is not in cash, raising issues of proper valuation of the
capital increase.
These statutes do not apply to Federal savings association, and
there are not comparable provisions in the HOLA requiring a savings
association to receive prior approval for any increase in permanent
capital. Accordingly, the OCC is not proposing to add Federal savings
associations to Sec. 5.46. However, we are proposing to add a new
Sec. 5.45 to require a Federal stock savings association to apply to
the OCC and obtain prior approval in the same circumstances in which a
national bank would be required to file a full application under Sec.
5.46. Those circumstances are: (1) When the savings association is
required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order, directive,
written agreement or otherwise, (2) when the savings association is
selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than cash, or
(3) when the savings association is receiving a material noncash
contribution to capital surplus.
We propose to base this new section on the provisions in Sec. 5.46
that address increases in permanent capital, except that provisions
that are required by statute for national banks, but are not needed for
the OCC's supervisory objectives regarding Federal savings
associations, are not included.
We are limiting the requirement to Federal stock savings
associations. Federal mutual savings associations generally do not
raise additional capital, other than through retained earnings, by
methods comparable to Federal stock savings associations and national
banks. The OCC will review any proposed capital increases at Federal
mutual savings associations on a case-by-case basis.
Changes in Permanent Capital by a National Bank (Sec. 5.46)
Twelve CFR 5.46 sets out the OCC's rules addressing changes in
permanent capital by national banks. These rules implement statutory
provisions that establish the processes and requirements for a national
bank to increase or decrease its permanent capital (i.e., capital stock
and capital surplus), including 12 U.S.C. 51a, 51b, 51b-1, 52, 56, 57,
59, and 60. The statutes require OCC approval for increases and
decreases in permanent capital. These statutes do not apply to Federal
savings association, and there are not comparable provisions in the
HOLA. Accordingly, the OCC is not proposing to add Federal savings
associations to Sec. 5.46.\92\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\92\ Reductions in capital are included in the regulations
governing capital distributions by Federal savings associations, 12
CFR part 163, subpart E (which is proposed to become new Sec. 5.55
in this rulemaking), discussed elsewhere in this preamble. Those
regulations treat a reduction in capital by a Federal savings
association that is comparable to a reduction in capital that would
be subject to Sec. 5.46 for a national bank (i.e., a reduction
other than a dividend from undivided profits) in a similar manner,
requiring an application to the OCC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

We propose to clarify existing provisions in Sec. 5.46 regarding
increases in capital. Specifically, we propose to revise paragraph
(g)(1) to describe more fully those increases for which an application
and prior approval are not required and when such increases are
considered approved by the OCC. Portions of this provision are
currently in paragraph (i)(3) which principally deals with the bank's
notification to the OCC that the increase has occurred and the
certification of the increase by the OCC. In the proposed revision, all
of the discussion of the approval process would be in paragraph (g)(1),
and paragraph (i)(3) would cover only the bank's notice of increase and
OCC certification We also propose to revise paragraph (i)(3) to divide
it into separate provisions, one about the bank's notice of increase,
and the other about OCC certification. This layout makes the paragraph
easier to follow. We also propose to describe more fully the
certification process and clarify that the effective date of a capital
increase is the date the increase occurred, not the date on which the
OCC issues its certification. No changes in substance are intended in
these clarifications.
We also propose to make a small number of technical changes,
including revising the section's title to indicate it applies only to
national banks.
Voluntary Liquidation (Sec. 5.48)
Twelve U.S.C. 181 and 182 establish liquidation standards and
procedures for national banks, including requirements for public notice
of liquidation plans.\93\ Twelve CFR 5.48

[[Page 33297]]

implements these statutes, setting forth the standards and procedures
for voluntary liquidation by a national bank. Specifically, Sec. 5.48
provides that a national bank: (1) May liquidate in accordance with 12
U.S.C. 181; (2) must notify the OCC when it is considering voluntary
liquidation; (3) must provide the public notice required by 12 U.S.C.
182, as well as notice to the OCC, after its shareholders have voted to
voluntarily liquidate; and (4) must file reports of both condition and
progress with the OCC. In addition, Sec. 5.48(f) contains provisions
for expedited voluntary liquidations in connection with certain
acquisitions and Sec. 5.48(g) addresses a national bank as the
acquirer of a liquidating national bank.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\93\ Twelve U.S.C. 181 sets forth the liquidation standards and
procedures with respect to shareholder approval, liquidating agents,
progress reports, and OCC examination of a liquidating bank. It
requires, inter alia, that two-thirds of a national bank's
shareholders vote to liquidate in order for a liquidation to
proceed. Twelve U.S.C. 182 requires, inter alia, that a liquidating
national bank's board of directors publish for two months a notice
of liquidation in every newspaper published where the bank is
located (or nearby, if no paper is published in that city or town).
The notice must state that the bank is closing up its affairs and
notify creditors to present their claims for payment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are no statutory requirements similar to 12 U.S.C. 181 and
182 that apply to Federal savings associations. However, Sec. 146.4
contains standards and procedures for a Federal savings association to
dissolve voluntarily. Under these rules, a Federal savings
association's board of directors may propose a dissolution plan, which
must be submitted to the OCC for approval. The OCC may approve the
plan, make recommendations concerning the plan, or disapprove the plan.
Once approved by both the board of directors and the OCC, the Federal
savings association must submit the plan to the savings association's
members for a vote. If approved by a majority of the members, the plan
becomes effective. After dissolution, the savings association must
provide a certificate evidencing such dissolution to the OCC, after
which the OCC will cancel the savings association's charter.\94\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\94\ These rules do not apply to transactions such as mergers or
consolidations, which are governed by 12 CFR 163.22.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC proposes to amend Sec. 5.48 to incorporate certain
provisions from Sec. 146.4, to make Sec. 5.48 applicable to both
Federal savings associations and national banks, and to rescind Sec.
146.4. These changes would provide the OCC with additional methods by
which to ensure the safety and soundness of national banks and Federal
savings associations. These changes also would streamline and improve
the process by which an OCC-regulated institution may liquidate,
thereby reducing regulatory burden for the institution. The proposal
would result in changes to the liquidation procedures for both types of
institutions.
Specifically, under proposed Sec. 5.48(b), a Federal savings
association would be required to provide preliminary notice to the OCC
when it is considering voluntary liquidation and again when its
liquidation plan is definite. These requirements currently apply only
to national banks. The OCC has found that these advance notices are
helpful to the agency in ensuring the liquidations are planned and
executed in a safe and sound manner and in anticipating any issues that
may arise as liquidation commences. Also under proposed Sec. 5.48(b),
neither a national bank nor a Federal savings association may commence
liquidation until the OCC has notified it that the agency does not
object to the liquidation plan. Although this requirement is included
only in the current Federal savings association regulation, it is
consistent with the OCC's current supervisory practice for national
banks. The OCC has found that it can identify and communicate
supervisory concerns in a timely manner if it reviews liquidation plans
prior to the commencement of liquidation and believes that it is
appropriate to include this requirement in the proposal.
Proposed Sec. 5.48(d) specifies the factors the OCC will consider
when reviewing a proposed liquidation plan. Neither Sec. 5.48 nor
Sec. 146.4 currently sets out these factors; however, the OCC believes
that the additional specificity provided by the proposed amendment will
aid filers in the efficient preparation of liquidation plans and,
accordingly, finds that it is appropriate to provide notice of what the
OCC will consider in reviewing a proposed plan.
Specifically, proposed Sec. 5.48(d)(1) states that in reviewing a
liquidation plan, the OCC will consider the purpose of the liquidation,
its impact on the liquidating institution's safety and soundness, and
its impact on the institution's depositors, other creditors, and
customers. These factors are similar to those that the OCC currently
considers when reviewing the merger of a national bank with a nonbank
affiliate and substantial changes in the composition of a national
bank's assets.\95\ Furthermore, the OCC currently uses similar
considerations in reviewing voluntary dissolutions of Federal savings
associations and bulk transfers by Federal savings associations.\96\
These factors provide the OCC with a clear understanding of a plan's
potential effect and help to ensure that liquidations are carried out
in a safe and sound manner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\95\ See 12 CFR 5.33(g) and 5.53.
\96\ See 12 CFR 146.4(b) and 163.22(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Sec. 5.48(d)(2) states that the OCC also will review a
national bank's liquidation plan for compliance with 12 U.S.C. 181 and
182. These statutory requirements do not apply to Federal savings
associations and the OCC does not believe it is necessary to extend
them to these institutions by regulation. Finally, because of the
unique structure of mutual savings associations, proposed Sec.
5.48(d)(3) states that the OCC will assess the advisability and effect
of liquidation, as well as any alternatives to such action, when a
mutual savings association plans to liquidate. As stated above, the OCC
believes it must consider these factors in assessing a plan and that it
is appropriate to provide affected parties with notice that these
factors will be considered.
Proposed Sec. Sec. 5.48(e)(1) and (e)(2) describe the procedures
that apply to the proposed requirements to provide notice of
consideration of a plan, to submit a plan, and to receive OCC non-
objection before proceeding with a plan. Proposed Sec. 5.48(e)(3)
provides that a national bank or Federal savings association's board of
directors and its shareholders (or, in the case of a Federal mutual
savings association, directors and members) must vote to approve a
voluntary liquidation plan. While this requirement is included in Sec.
146.4, only shareholders are required to vote on a liquidation plan
under Sec. 5.48(e). The OCC believes that it is prudent and
appropriate for a national bank's board of directors also to vote to
liquidate because of its direct role in governing the operation of the
institution and its role in liquidation, and that the addition of this
requirement reflects existing practices of boards of directors in
voluntary liquidations.
Currently, only a national bank is required to notify the OCC of a
vote to liquidate. The OCC believes that each institution that it
regulates should inform the OCC of such a vote so that the OCC knows
the status of the liquidation process. Therefore, proposed Sec. 5.48
(e)(3)(A) states that a national bank or Federal savings association
must file a notice with the OCC once the specified parties vote to
liquidate. In addition, proposed Sec. 5.48(e)(3)(A) requires the bank
or savings association to provide notice to depositors, other known
creditors, and known claimants. Currently, Sec. 146.4 has no specific
notice requirement and, as noted above, Sec. 5.48(e)(1) simply directs
a bank to publish notice in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 182. The OCC
believes that the

[[Page 33298]]

public will be best served when notice to depositors, creditors, and
claimants is provided and, therefore, the OCC has drafted the proposal
to require this notice. Proposed Sec. 5.48(e)(3)(B) makes clear,
however, that the statutory vote and notice requirements of 12 U.S.C.
181 and 182 are applicable only to national banks.
The OCC also proposes to extend to Federal savings associations the
Sec. 5.48(e)(4) and (e)(5) requirements to submit reports of condition
and progress to the OCC. The OCC has found these reports useful in
determining whether a national bank is following its plan of
liquidation and conducting the liquidation in a safe and sound manner.
The OCC believes that it would be useful to have this same information
for a liquidating Federal savings association. In addition, the
proposal would require the bank's or savings association's liquidating
agent or committee to submit to the OCC a report at the start of
liquidation showing the bank's current balance sheet.
Proposed Sec. 5.48(e)(6) would require a national bank and Federal
savings association to submit a final report of the liquidation to the
OCC. This requirement currently exists only for Federal savings
associations. However, the OCC believes that this report allows the
agency to confirm that the liquidation was accomplished in accordance
with the liquidation plan. Furthermore, this requirement is consistent
with the OCC's current supervisory practice. Both national banks and
Federal savings associations also would be specifically required to
return the charter certificate to the OCC.
Both Sec. Sec. 5.48(f) and 146.4(b) contain substantively similar
provisions for expedited liquidations, and the OCC proposes to
consolidate the two provisions by applying Sec. 5.48(f) to Federal
stock savings associations. The Sec. 146.4(b) provision excepting from
the voluntary liquidation requirements the transfer of a Federal
savings association's assets to a national bank remains in effect under
proposed Sec. 5.48(f). Consistent with Sec. 146.4(b), however, the
proposal does not extend paragraph (f) to Federal mutual savings
associations because of the unique ownership structure of those savings
associations. The OCC also proposes to eliminate Sec. 5.48(g),
concerning a national bank as an acquirer of a liquidating national
bank, because it does not impose requirements beyond those stated in
current law. Finally, the OCC proposes other technical changes to
clarify the rule where necessary.
Change in Control (Sec. 5.50)
Twelve CFR 5.50, Change in bank control; Reporting of stock loans,
and 12 CFR part 174, Acquisition of control of Federal savings
associations, set forth the policy and establish the process for
acquisitions of control of national banks and Federal savings
associations, respectively. These rules provide the framework with
which prospective acquirers are required to comply when they seek to
acquire control of a national bank or Federal savings association.
Specifically, Sec. 5.50 and part 174 describe the application process
and the factors the OCC considers in reviewing the qualifications of
the prospective acquirer, and address the factors that prospective
acquirers should consider when exploring possible acquisitions.
While both Sec. 5.50 and part 174 implement the Change in Bank
Control Act \97\ and many of the substantive requirements are the same,
part 174 includes certain substantive requirements that are not
included in Sec. 5.50. For example, the rules for Federal savings
associations contain many of the same thresholds and control concepts
included in Sec. 5.50, but part 174 includes rebuttable control
presumptions and rebuttable presumptions of concerted action that are
absent in Sec. 5.50.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\97\ 12 U.S.C. 1817(j).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

We propose to amend 12 CFR 5.50 by making it applicable to both
national banks and Federal savings associations and to rescind 12 CFR
part 174. The amendments to Sec. 5.50 would make uniform the treatment
of ownership interests held in all Federally chartered depository
institutions and provide the market and its participants with clarity
as to what the OCC considers important when the agency reviews an
application for change in control, whether for a national bank or a
Federal savings association. The proposal also would give additional
guidance to investors contemplating purchasing shares in a national
bank or Federal savings association by providing information about what
transactions would be covered by the requirements and when a notice
would be necessary. The proposed amendments would clarify the OCC's
supervisory expectations for these transactions.
Specifically, we propose to amend Sec. 5.50 to include a number of
the definitions and substantive provisions found in part 174. In some
instances, these amendments would be codifying substantive differences,
as described below. Therefore, national banks, Federal savings
associations and prospective acquirers of national banks and Federal
savings associations should be aware of the following proposed changes
to the rule.
We are proposing to amend the definition section in Sec. 5.50 and
to add a number of definitions from part 174. The proposed additional
definitions would provide clarity since the terms are used in the
proposed substantive provisions. They include ``controlling
shareholder,'' ``management official,'' ``company,'' and several
definitions that are necessary because the proposed rule would be
applicable to Federal savings associations. We also propose to replace
the definition of ``acquisition'' with that of ``acquire'' from part
174, which contains a more detailed description of transactions that
would be covered by the proposed rule. ``Acquire'' is defined as
obtaining ownership, control, power to vote, or sole power of
disposition of stock, directly or indirectly or through one or more
transactions or subsidiaries, through purchase, assignment, transfer,
pledge, exchange, succession, or other disposition of voting stock, and
includes specific examples. The proposed definition is more detailed
than the current definition of ``acquisition'' included in Sec. 5.50,
and thereby provides a clearer description of what would be covered by
the proposal. Finally, the proposal retains and applies to Federal
savings associations the current definition of ``voting securities,''
which would replace the part 174 definition of ``voting stock.'' The
use of this definition would affect the standard for convertible
securities. Currently, part 174 includes as voting stock any security
that, upon transfer or otherwise, is convertible into voting stock or
exercisable to acquire voting stock where the holder of the convertible
security has the preponderant economic risk in the underlying voting
stock. Section 5.50, by contrast, defines voting securities to include
securities that are immediately convertible into voting securities at
the option of the owner or holder. The OCC believes the immediately
convertible standard is simpler and easier to apply than the
preponderant economic risk standard, and provides an appropriate
standard for the treatment of securities that are convertible into, or
exchangeable for, voting securities.
The proposed amendments to Sec. 5.50 would add several
presumptions of concerted action. These additional presumptions of
concerted action would provide clarity and guidance about how and when
parties are presumed to be acting in concert for purposes of Sec.
5.50, and help ensure compliance with the regulation. Currently,
pursuant to Sec. 5.50,

[[Page 33299]]

an acquirer that proposes to rebut control of a national bank cannot
have a representative on the board. The proposed regulation would allow
acquirers to rebut a presumption of control in cases where the acquirer
will have a representative on the board of directors of the national
bank or Federal savings association to be acquired. The proposal to
allow a rebutting party to have a board seat provides greater
flexibility for acquirers; in addition, these changes help harmonize
the OCC's proposed change in control regulations with the Federal
Reserve System's regulations addressing acquisitions of control of bank
holding companies and savings association holding companies.
Additionally, the proposal would establish specific limitations, in the
rebuttal of control context, on the total equity invested, where an
acquirer proposes to acquire more than fifteen percent of the national
bank's or Federal savings association's voting stock. The proposed
regulatory changes have the effect of eliminating most of the
rebuttable presumptions of control with respect to Federal savings
associations that are currently set forth in Sec. 174.4(b) and (c).
The proposed regulatory changes also remove certain of the rebuttable
presumptions of concerted action currently set forth in Sec. 174.4(d).
The proposal does not include the detailed part 174 procedures for
rebuttal of control and concerted action, retaining instead the
provisions from Sec. 5.50(f)(2)(vi) and applying them to Federal
savings associations. The OCC believes that rebuttals are processed in
a timely manner under Sec. 5.50, and that the processing procedures
established in part 174 are unnecessarily detailed. The amended Sec.
5.50 will also exclude certain other provisions from part 174,
resulting in changes for Federal savings associations. For instance,
the proposed Sec. 5.50 will retain the current prior notice exemption
provisions for acquisition of control as a result of testate or
intestate succession. Thus, both national banks and Federal savings
associations would need to file a notice and pay the appropriate filing
fee within 90 calendar days after the transaction occurs. Previously,
persons who acquired control of a Federal savings association as a
result of testate or intestate succession needed only to file a
notification of acquisition to the OCC within 60 days of the
acquisition and provide information requested by the OCC. The OCC
believes this change is appropriate, because it enables the OCC to
review acquisitions of control through testate or intestate succession
under the standards set forth in Sec. 5.50.
Likewise, the proposed Sec. 5.50 does not include the presumptive
disqualifiers from part 174--a list of factors, which, if present, may
show a lack of integrity or lack of financial capability to proceed
with a proposed transaction. While the OCC believes that the
presumptive disqualifiers provide helpful guidance regarding
circumstances in which the OCC might consider a change of control
notice to be objectionable under the standards for disapproval, the OCC
does not consider it necessary to include these detailed provisions in
the regulation. The OCC intends to amend the Change in Bank Control Act
booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual to address the situations
described in the presumptive disqualifiers to the extent it considers
appropriate. The proposed regulation retains the standards for
disapproval set forth in the Sec. Sec. 5.50(e)(5) and (6).
Proposed Sec. 5.50 also excludes the requirement at Sec. 174.5(a)
that acquirers of beneficial ownership exceeding 10 percent of any
class of stock of a Federal savings association that does not file a
control notice or control rebuttal file a certification of ownership.
The OCC believes that the regulatory burden of these filings exceeds
the benefits derived from them. These acquirers would no longer need to
file a certification of ownership with the OCC.
Finally, the proposal would eliminate Appendix A to 174--Rebuttal
of Control Agreement.
Question 10: Both the current and proposed rule provide that a
person and the members of the person's immediate family will be
presumed to be acting in concert for purposes of Sec. 5.50. It has
been the practice of the OCC, as well as the former OTS, to apply this
presumption only to immediate family members who own stock in the
institution or are institution-affiliated parties, as defined in
sections 3(u)(1), (2), or (3) of the FDI Act.\98\ We request comment on
whether Sec. 5.50 should be amended to provide this clarification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\98\ 12 U.S.C. 1813(u)(1), (2), or (3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Change in Directors & Senior Executive Officers (Sec. 5.51)
Twelve CFR 5.51, Changes in directors and senior executive
officers, and 12 CFR part 163, subpart H, Notice of change of director
or senior executive officer (Sec. Sec. 163.550 through 163.590),
implement 12 U.S.C. 1831i, which requires certain national banks and
Federal savings associations to notify the OCC of a change in a
director or senior executive officer. In order to harmonize the
treatment of national banks and Federal savings associations, we
propose to amend Sec. 5.51 by adding language to make it applicable to
both national banks and Federal savings associations and to rescind 12
CFR part 163, subpart H. In so doing, we also propose to amend Sec.
5.51 by including certain requirements currently applicable only to
Federal savings associations and by making various clarifying changes.
As a result of this consolidation, Federal savings associations should
be aware of the differences between Sec. 5.51 and part 163, subpart H,
and national banks should be aware of the proposed changes to Sec.
5.51, as described below.
Definitions. The definition in Sec. 5.51(c)(1) of a ``director''
for a national bank is not as broad as the definition of the same term
in Sec. 163.555 for a Federal savings association. Specifically, the
definition in the bank rule includes an advisory director who is
authorized to vote on any matters before, or provides more than general
advice to, the board of directors. The savings association rule
includes an advisory director who votes or provides such advice to a
committee of the board in addition to the board of directors. We
propose to amend Sec. 5.51(c)(1)(ii) to include this broader
definition. As a result, an advisory director of a national bank who
may vote on matters before, or provides more than general advice to,
any committee of the board of directors would now be subject to the
requirements of Sec. 5.51.
Section 5.51(c)(2) defines the term ``national bank.'' To provide
parallel treatment, we propose to redesignate Sec. 5.51(c)(2) as Sec.
5.51(c)(3) and add a definition for the term ``Federal savings
association'' at Sec. 5.51(c)(2).
``Senior executive officer'' is defined in Sec. 5.51(c)(3) for a
national bank and in Sec. 163.555 for a Federal savings association.
In addition to minor differences in wording, the definitions have two
primary differences. First, the definition in Sec. 163.555 includes an
individual serving as president of the institution, while Sec.
5.51(c)(3) does not. To eliminate any ambiguity, this final rule adds
``president'' to the definition of senior executive officer and
redesignates Sec. 5.51(c)(3) as Sec. 5.51(c)(4). Second, the
definition in Sec. 163.555 specifies that a ``senior executive
officer'' also includes any other person identified by the OCC or the
OTS in writing as an individual who exercises significant influence
over, or participates in, major policymaking decisions, whether or not
hired as an employee, while Sec. 5.51(c)(3) does not specify that the
notification by the OCC be in writing. We propose to amend

[[Page 33300]]

redesignated Sec. 5.51(c)(4) to clarify that the notification must be
in writing.
Section 5.51(c)(4) defines the term ``technically complete notice''
for a national bank to mean a notice that includes all information
required by Sec. 5.51(e)(2), and includes information that may be
requested by the OCC after the original submission of the notice. While
Sec. 163.555 does not include a specific definition of this term for a
Federal savings association, the term ``technically complete notice''
as defined in the bank rule is generally consistent with the content
requirements in Sec. 163.570 and the procedures in Sec. 163.575
governing review of a notice for completeness. We are proposing to
amend this definition to delete the phrase ``original submission of the
notice'' and replace it with ``notice'' to allow for subsequent OCC
requests for additional information.
Redesignated Sec. 5.51(c)(6) defines the term ``technically
complete notice date'' to mean the date on which the OCC has received a
technically complete notice for a national bank or Federal savings
association. A Federal savings association should be aware of this
definition because it triggers the 90-day time period for OCC review
and decision discussed below.
``Troubled condition'' is defined in Sec. 5.51(c)(6) for a
national bank and in Sec. 163.555 for a Federal savings association.
The definitions are substantially similar, and we believe the
definition of troubled condition for a national bank encompasses all of
the actions included in the definition for a Federal savings
association. However, Sec. 5.51(c)(6) provides that a national bank
may be designated in troubled condition based on information obtained
as a result of an examination, while Sec. 163.555 provides that a
Federal savings association may be designated in troubled condition
based on information available to the OCC. The language in Sec.
163.555 is broader and thus provides the OCC with greater ability to
ensure the safety and soundness of the institutions we supervise.
Accordingly, we propose to amend Sec. 5.51(c)(6) by redesignating it
Sec. 5.51(c)(7) and by deleting the phrase ``as a result of an
examination'' and replacing it with the phrase ``based on information
pertaining to such national bank or Federal savings association.''
Prior Notice. Sections 5.51(d) and (e)(6)(ii) prescribe when a
national bank must provide prior notice to the OCC, and Sec. Sec.
163.560, 163.585(a)(2), and 163.590(b) are the corresponding provisions
for a Federal savings association. The description of circumstances
requiring prior notice are similar in most respects, but there are
differences in the timeframe for prior notice and the treatment of an
individual seeking election to the board of directors who has not been
nominated by management. Under Sec. 5.51(d), a national bank must
provide 90 days prior notice before adding or replacing any director or
senior executive officer, or changing the position of a current senior
executive officer, if the bank is not in compliance with minimum
capital requirements, is otherwise in a troubled condition, or the OCC
determines, under section 38 of the FDI Act,\99\ that prior notice is
appropriate. Section 163.560 requires 30 days prior notice for a
Federal savings association if similar prerequisites are met. The OCC
may extend this review period under Sec. 163.585(a)(2) for an
additional period not to exceed 60 days. Furthermore, in lieu of
following the procedures under Sec. 163.590(b), this 30-day notice
requirement applies to an individual seeking election to the board of
directors who has not been nominated by management.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\99\ 12 U.S.C. 1831o.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a result of our proposed integration of savings associations
into Sec. 5.51, Federal savings associations would be required to
provide 90 days prior notice of a new director or senior executive
officer, instead of 30 days prior notice. We believe this longer prior
notice is appropriate for both banks and savings associations and
conforms with the review of these notices under current OCC practice
pursuant to the notice period extension. In addition, under the revised
rule, only a Federal savings association may file the notice with the
OCC; an individual seeking election to the board of directors of a
Federal savings association who has not been nominated by management
would no longer be allowed to do so. We believe it would be a more
judicious use of the agency's resources to conduct the necessary review
only after an individual has been elected to the board of directors.
We also propose to require that if the OCC determines that prior
notice is required based on review of an agency plan under section 38
of the FDI Act, such determination must be in writing.
Exceptions to rules of general procedure. For a national bank,
under Sec. 5.51(e)(8), notices are not subject to public notice and
comment, are not publicly available, and are excepted from certain
other generally applicable application processing provisions of part 5.
Under part 163, subpart H and the application processing regulations
applicable to Federal savings associations, notices pertaining to
Federal savings associations are treated similarly. We propose to apply
Sec. 5.51(e)(8) to Federal savings associations. In addition, we
propose to amend Sec. 5.51(e)(8) to clarify that the procedures in
Sec. 5.13(c) regarding required information and abandonment of a
filing apply to the extent provided for in proposed Sec. Sec.
5.51(e)(3)(iii) and (e)(7).
Content of Notice. Sections 5.51(e)(2) and 163.570 provide,
respectively, the requirements governing the content of a notice for a
national bank and a Federal savings association. Although Sec.
5.51(e)(2) lists the specific items required and Sec. 163.570 refers
to 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(6)(A) and the Interagency Biographical and
Financial Report (IBFR), these requirements are essentially the same,
except that Sec. 5.51(e)(2) currently does not require the financial
portion of the IBFR for a national bank. Because the financial section
of the IBFR provides information that is useful and relevant to the
disapproval standards and may not be available to the OCC in the
information currently required to be provided, we propose to revise
Sec. 5.51(e)(2) to require the submission of the financial portion of
the IBFR, except when the OCC determines in writing that such
information is not required.
We also propose to add language to Sec. 5.51(e)(2) that would
permit the OCC to require additional information and to require or
accept other information in place of the information required by this
paragraph. This language, which provides valuable flexibility to the
OCC, is currently included in Sec. Sec. 163.570(a)(3) and 163.570(b).
In addition, we propose to add language to Sec. 5.51(e)(2) to clarify
how to calculate the three-year exception for providing fingerprints.
Request for additional information. We propose to amend Sec.
5.51(e)(3), redesignated as Sec. 5.51(e)(3)(i), to remove the
qualification that the OCC's request for information be in writing
``where feasible'' and instead require that the OCC's request must
always be in writing and that the OCC provide an explanation of why the
information is needed. In addition, we propose adding new Sec.
5.51(e)(3)(ii) to provide that a national bank or Federal savings
association that cannot provide the requested information within the
time specified by the OCC may request that the OCC suspend processing
of the notice and that the OCC, in its discretion, may either grant or
deny such request in writing, and if granted, specify the time period
during which the information must be provided. This

[[Page 33301]]

provision is similar to what is included in Sec. 163.575(b). We also
propose to add new Sec. 5.51(e)(3)(iii), which would provide that if a
national bank or Federal savings association fails to provide the
requested information within the time specified in Sec. 5.51(e)(3)(i)
or in the OCC's grant of the suspension request pursuant to Sec.
5.51(e)(3)(ii), the OCC may either deem the filing abandoned under
Sec. 5.13(c), or review the notice based on the information provided.
This provision is included in Sec. 163.575(b). Based on our
supervisory experience, it is appropriate to apply these specific
consequence for failing to provide such additional information to
national banks in addition to Federal savings associations.
Notice of disapproval/notice of intent not to disapprove. Sections
5.51(e)(4) and (5) describe the requirements governing a notice of
disapproval and a notice of intent not to disapprove for a national
bank, and Sec. Sec. 163.580 and 163.585 are the equivalent provisions
for a Federal savings association. Although there are minor differences
in wording, they are substantively the same. Accordingly, we propose to
amend Sec. Sec. 5.51(e)(4) and (5) to include Federal savings
associations. In addition, in Sec. Sec. 5.51(e)(4) and (5), we propose
to clarify that the notice of disapproval and the notice of intent not
to disapprove must be in writing. We also propose to clarify in Sec.
5.51(e)(5) that the OCC provide the notice of intent not to disapprove
to the individual in addition to the institution. This change clarifies
an ambiguity and makes this provision consistent with other provisions
in Sec. 5.51. Finally, we propose to revise Sec. 5.51(e)(5) to
require that all applicable legal requirements must be satisfied in
order for the individual to begin service as a director or senior
executive officer after receiving a notice of intent not to disapprove.
Waiver. Section 5.51(e)(6) prescribes the waiver procedure that
allows an individual to serve as a director or senior executive officer
of a national bank prior to filing a notice, and Sec. 163.590
prescribes corresponding procedures for a Federal savings association.
Although these provisions are similar in terms of standards for
granting a waiver and requiring that a notice be filed within a
specified time period after the waiver has been granted, the savings
association rule does not detail the length of service of such an
interim position. We propose to apply Sec. 5.51(e)(6) to savings
associations, reorganize and renumber Sec. 5.51(e)(6), and make the
changes described below.
First, under redesignated Sec. 5.51(e)(6)(i)(B), we propose to
clarify that the OCC's finding in support of the waiver must be in
writing, which is our current practice and which is included in the
savings association rule.
Second, Sec. 5.51(e)(6) provides that the OCC may waive the prior
notice requirement if delay could harm the national bank or the public
interest, or if other extraordinary circumstances justify waiving the
requirement. Under Sec. 163.590(a), the OCC may grant a waiver if
delay would threaten the safety and soundness of the savings
association, would not be in the public interest, or if there are other
extraordinary circumstances. We propose revising Sec. 5.51(e)(6) to
incorporate the safety and soundness standard, modified slightly from
what is included in the savings association rule. Specifically, as
proposed, the OCC could grant a waiver if delay could adversely affect
the safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings
association, would not be in the public interest, or other
extraordinary circumstances justify the waiver.
Third, both Sec. 5.51(e)(6) and Sec. 163.590 provide that if the
OCC grants a waiver, the national bank must file the required notice
within the time period specified in the waiver. We propose to amend
redesignated Sec. 5.51(e)(6)(i)(C) to clarify that such notices must
be technically complete within this specified time period.
Fourth, we propose to amend redesignated Sec. 5.51(e)(6)(i)(D) by
amending the alternative outcomes that may occur after a waiver is
granted and the proposed individual has assumed the position on an
interim basis. Section 163.590 does not include similar provisions.
Under the current rule, if a proposed director or senior executive
officer who is serving under a waiver receives notice of disapproval,
that person could continue to serve pending resolution of an appeal. We
believe it is not in the best interest of the national bank or Federal
savings association, and would be contrary to safe or sound practices,
to allow an individual to continue to serve pending an appeal.
Therefore, proposed Sec. 5.51(e)(6)(i)(D)(2) would require an
individual who is serving on an interim basis and receives a notice of
disapproval to resign immediately from the board. This person may
assume the position on a permanent basis only if the notice of
disapproval is reversed on appeal and all other applicable legal
requirements are satisfied.
Section 5.51(e)(6) also provides that if the required notice is not
filed within the time period specified in the waiver, the proposed
individual must resign his or her position. Thereafter, the individual
may assume the position on a permanent basis only after the national
bank receives a notice of intent not to disapprove, after the review
period elapses, or after a notice of disapproval has been overturned on
appeal. Section 163.590 does not include a similar provision. The rule
also provides that a waiver does not affect the OCC's authority to
issue a notice of disapproval within 30 days of the expiration of such
waiver. We propose in Sec. 5.51(e)(6)(i)(E) to clarify that the
individual may assume the position under these circumstances only after
a technically complete notice has been filed and all other applicable
requirements are satisfied. Furthermore, we also propose in Sec.
5.51(e)(6)(i)(D)(3) to specify that the ``elapse'' of the review period
occurs when the OCC fails to act within 90 calendar days after
submission of a technically complete notice and the individual
satisfies all other legal requirements. As a matter of practice, the
OCC has taken the position that waiver of prior notice does not affect
the general 90-day review period and this amendment codifies this
position in our rule.
We also propose in Sec. 5.51(e)(6)(i)(D)(1) to clarify that
following receipt of a notice of intent not to disapprove, the
individual may assume the position on a permanent basis, provided all
other applicable legal requirements are satisfied.
Section 5.51(e)(6)(ii) prescribes the requirements for an automatic
waiver for a national bank, and Sec. 163.590(b) is the corresponding
provision for a Federal savings association. Specifically, Sec.
5.51(e)(6)(ii) provides that if a new director not proposed by
management is elected at a shareholder meeting, a waiver of the prior
notice requirement is granted automatically and the elected individual
may begin service as a director. However, the national bank must file
the required notice as soon as practical, and not later than seven days
from the date the individual is notified of the election. This
provision differs from Sec. 163.590(b), which requires the individual,
and not the institution, to file the notice. Federal savings
associations should note this change.
Commencement of Service. For a national bank, Sec. 5.51(e)(7)
prescribes when a proposed individual may assume the office. Section
163.585 is the corresponding provision for a Federal savings
association. Under Sec. 5.51(e)(7),

[[Page 33302]]

an individual may begin service at the end of the OCC's review period
unless the OCC issues a notice of disapproval or the OCC deems the
notice to be abandoned because the bank does not provide additional
requested information. Under Sec. 163.585, an individual may begin
service at the end of the 30-day review period (or, if extended, the
90-day review period) unless the OCC issues a notice of disapproval, or
when the OCC notifies the bank in writing of its intent not to
disapprove.
We propose to add new Sec. 5.51(e)(7)(i) to clarify that an
individual may assume the office on a permanent basis prior to
expiration of the review period only if the OCC notifies the national
bank or Federal savings association in writing that the OCC does not
disapprove the proposed director or senior executive officer. As
indicated above, this provision is included in Sec. 163.585(b). We
also propose to add conforming language in Sec. 5.51(e)(7)(i),
redesignated as Sec. 5.51(e)(7)(ii)(A), to provide that the OCC's
notice of disapproval must be in writing. We note that redesignated
Sec. 5.51(e)(7)(ii)(B) would specifically prohibit individuals from
beginning service at a Federal savings association, in addition to
national banks, if the OCC deems the application abandoned. While Sec.
163.575 applies the concept of abandonment to a Federal savings
association when a notice is not complete, Sec. 163.585 does not
specify this consequence.
Appeal. Section 5.51(f) prescribes the applicable procedures for a
national bank or a proposed individual to appeal a notice of
disapproval. There is no equivalent rule in Sec. 163, subpart H for a
Federal savings association. Accordingly, under Sec. 5.51(f) as
amended by this final rule, this appeal process would be available to
both a Federal savings association and the proposed individual.
Technical changes. We propose to make minor technical changes
throughout Sec. 5.51. For example, Sec. 5.51 uses the terms
``individual'' and ``person'' interchangeably and uses the terms
``lapse,'' ``end,'' and ``expire'' interchangeably. To promote
consistency and conform to the language in 12 U.S.C. 1831i, we propose
to replace the word ``person'' with ``individual'' and to use the word
``expire'' or ``expiration.'' To promote consistency and avoid
confusion, we propose to add the word ``calendar'' before the word
``days.'' Finally, in the definition of ``national bank'' in Sec.
5.51(c)(2), we propose to delete the reference to Sec. 5.3(j) because
it is obsolete.
Change in Address (Sec. 5.52)
Twelve CFR 5.52 requires a national bank to submit a written notice
to the OCC if its main office or post office box address changes.
Twelve CFR 145.91(b) requires a Federal savings association to notify
the appropriate OCC licensing office if it changes the permanent
address of its home office, with certain exceptions. The rules are
substantially similar. In order to consolidate and harmonize these
rules, the OCC proposes to amend Sec. 5.52 by making it applicable to
both national banks and Federal savings associations and to rescind
Sec. 145.91(b). As previously discussed in this preamble with respect
to proposed Sec. 5.40, the OCC's proposal uses the term ``main
office'' when discussing a national bank and ``home office'' when
discussing a Federal savings association.
As noted above, the current national bank and Federal savings
association notice requirements are subject to certain exceptions.
Specifically, Sec. 5.52(b) currently provides that a national bank is
not required to provide notice of a main office or post office box
address change if the change results from a transaction approved under
part 5. Section 145.91(b) provides that a Federal savings association
is not required to provide a change of address notice if the
association submitted an application or notice to relocate or establish
a new home or branch office pursuant to Sec. Sec. 145.93 and 145.95.
The proposal seeks to harmonize these provisions by providing that
neither a national bank nor a Federal savings association would be
required to file a notice if it submitted a notice under Sec. 5.40(b),
which, as proposed, addresses a relocation of a main office or home
office. In addition, a Federal savings association would not be
required to file a notice for a transaction approved under part 5,
consistent with the current treatment for national banks.
We note that under current Federal savings association rules,
highly-rated savings associations are exempt from the Sec. Sec. 145.93
and 145.95 provisions requiring an application or notice for the
relocation or establishment of a new home or branch office, and
therefore must file a change in address notice under 145.91. As a
result of this proposal's integration of Sec. Sec. 145.93 and Sec.
145.95 into Sec. 5.40 and the concurrent removal of the exemption for
highly-rated savings associations, all savings associations that file
an application or notice for the relocation or establishment of a new
home or branch office pursuant to proposed Sec. 5.40 would be exempt
from the change in address notice under proposed Sec. 5.52.
Finally, Sec. 145.91(a) provides that all operations of a Federal
savings association are subject to direction from the home office.
There is no equivalent provision for national banks. The OCC believes
this provision to be unnecessary and proposes to delete it.
Change in Asset Composition (Sec. 5.53)
Twelve CFR 5.53 sets out the OCC's rules addressing changes in
asset composition for national banks. It requires a national bank to
apply to the OCC and obtain prior written approval before changing the
composition of all, or substantially all, of its assets (1) through
sales or other dispositions, or, (2) having sold or disposed of all or
substantially all of its assets, through subsequent purchases or other
acquisitions or other expansions of its operations. It contains
exceptions for changes in asset composition that occur in connection
with an enforcement action, a liquidation under 12 CFR 5.48, or a
bank's ordinary and ongoing business of originating and securitizing
loans.
Twelve CFR 163.22(c) and (h)(2) set out the OCC's rules addressing
changes in asset composition, as well as several other types of changes
in business, for Federal savings associations. Section 163.22(c)
requires a Federal savings association to file either an expedited
treatment notice (which is a form of application) or a standard
treatment application, as specified in Sec. 163.22(h)(2), for
transactions described in Sec. 163.22(c). Section 163.22(c) includes:
(1) Purchases or sales or other transfers of assets in bulk not made in
the ordinary course of business, unless the transaction is a
combination with, or the assumption of deposits from, another insured
depository institution and is subject to the Bank Merger Act, (2)
assumptions or sales or other transfers of savings account liabilities,
deposit accounts, or other liabilities in bulk not made in the ordinary
course of business, unless the transaction is a combination with, or
the assumption of deposits from, another insured depository institution
and is subject to the Bank Merger Act, and (3) combinations with a
depository institution other than an insured depository
institution.\100\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\100\ Transfers and combinations with insured depository
institutions that are subject to the Bank Merger Act are covered by
other parts of Sec. 163.22.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC is proposing to combine these rules in an expanded Sec.
5.53 by including some additional requirements for approval of asset
transfers based on

[[Page 33303]]

Sec. 163.22(c).\101\ We also propose to make clarifications in some of
the existing provisions of Sec. 5.53. In addition, we are revising the
rule's layout to make it easier to follow. Finally, as a result of
these changes and others in this proposal, we propose to remove 12 CFR
163.22(c) and (h)(2).\102\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\101\ We are proposing to address the provisions in Sec.
163.22(c) regarding combinations and transfers of deposits and other
liabilities in proposed revised 12 CFR 5.33 on business
combinations, discussed elsewhere in the preamble.
\102\ Other provision of this proposal would remove the
remaining provisions Sec. 163.22.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specifically, we propose to revise Sec. 5.53(b), the scope
section, making it a single sentence and moving the extended
description of covered transactions and exceptions into a new
definition section. In Sec. 5.53(c)(1)(i) of the definition section,
we propose to amend an existing provision to clarify that a sale of all
or substantially all assets in a series of transactions is covered, not
only the sale of assets in a single transaction to one purchaser.
We propose to add two provisions in the definition that will bring
some of the asset transfers that are covered by Sec. 163.22(c) within
the scope of Sec. 5.53. Section 163.22(c) includes all purchases or
sales or other transfers of assets in bulk not made in the ordinary
course of business, unless the transaction is a combination with, or
the assumption of deposits from, another insured depository institution
and is subject to the Bank Merger Act. We are proposing to add some,
but not all, such transfers to Sec. 5.53. The existing national bank
rule at Sec. Sec. 5.53(b)(second half of first sentence) and
(c)(1)(ii) (which the proposal includes at Sec. 5.53(c)(1)(ii))
includes asset purchases only after a prior asset sale. The first
proposed addition, in Sec. 5.53(c)(1)(iii), would include any other
asset purchases or other expansions of business that are part of a plan
to increase the size of the bank or savings association by more than 25
percent in one year. The second proposed addition, in Sec.
5.53(c)(1)(iv), would include any other material increase or decrease
in the size of the national bank or Federal savings association or a
material alteration in the composition of the types of assets or
liabilities of the national bank or Federal savings association
(including the entry or exit of business lines), on a case-by-case
basis, as determined by the OCC. The proposed rule advises banks and
savings associations that are contemplating transactions that may
constitute a material change to consult the appropriate OCC supervisory
office and sets out factors the OCC would use in determining whether an
application is required. The intent of this provision is to establish a
mechanism for requiring prior approval of significant changes when the
OCC considers it necessary for supervisory reasons without establishing
specific application criteria in the rule that would require banks and
savings associations to file applications in all other cases.
Question 11: The OCC invites comment on other methods of
accomplishing the OCC's review of significant changes.
The net effect of these proposed changes on national banks would be
to require applications for approval in more situations than under
current Sec. 5.53, but these additional situations likely already
would involve discussions between the bank and its supervisory office.
The net effect of these changes on Federal savings associations would
be fewer situations in which applications for approval are required
than now required under current Sec. 163.22(c).
Section 5.53 has three exceptions to the requirement to file an
application. An application under Sec. 5.53 is not required if the
bank is making the asset change in response to direction from the OCC
(e.g., in an enforcement action), if the asset change is part of a
voluntary liquidation under 12 U.S.C. 181 and 182 and 12 CFR 5.48 that
will be completed within one year, or if the asset change occurs as a
result of a bank's ordinary and ongoing business of originating and
securitizing loans. In the exception for asset changes that are part of
a voluntary liquidation, we propose to add that the bank or savings
association has received OCC approval of its plan of liquidation.
Elsewhere in this rulemaking, we are proposing to add a requirement of
OCC approval of the plan of liquidation to Sec. 5.48 and to add
liquidation of Federal savings associations to Sec. 5.48. We also
propose to add an exception for changes in assets that are subject to
OCC approval under another application to the OCC. In such cases, an
additional application under Sec. 5.53 is not required. This exception
is now only implied.
Section 5.53 currently does not have a provision granting expedited
review of applications by eligible banks. The OCC believes the
transactions covered under the current rule and under the proposed rule
would always be significant enough that expedited review is not
appropriate. Section 163.22(c) covered a broader range of transactions
than Sec. 5.53, and Sec. Sec. 163.22(c) and (h)(2) provided for
expedited treatment of bulk transfer filings if all the participating
Federal savings associations meet the conditions for expedited
treatment. We are not proposing to include expedited review in Sec.
5.53.
Finally, we propose to revise the approval requirement provision in
Sec. 5.53(d)(1) to eliminate language that is now covered by the use
of the defined term ``substantial asset change'' and to revise the
manner in which the review factors are set out in Sec. 5.53(d)(2)(i)
to be the same as the similar factors in 12 CFR 5.33.
Capital Distributions by Federal Savings Associations (New Sec. 5.55)
Subpart E of part 163, Capital distributions, sets forth the
procedures and standards for all capital distributions made by a
Federal savings associations. Section 5.46, Changes in permanent
capital, and part 5 of subpart E, Payment of dividends, describes the
procedures and standards relating to a transaction resulting in a
change in a national bank's permanent capital and declaration and
payment of national bank dividends, respectively. Although part 163,
subpart E and Sec. 5.46 and subpart E of part 5 cover similar
transactions, they are structured differently and apply in different
ways to Federal savings associations and national banks. Therefore, the
OCC is not proposing to integrate these rules at this time. However, in
order to include all OCC licensing-related rules in the same part of
Chapter 12, we propose to move the provisions contained in subpart E of
part 163 to part 5 as new 12 CFR 5.55; update the cross-references in
Sec. Sec. 192.510(c)(1) and 192.520(c) to reflect the new Sec. 5.55;
and make other conforming changes.
In addition, we propose to include in new Sec. 5.55 filing
procedures based on provisions in part 5 regarding eligible savings
associations and expedited review. Because the proposal would move this
rule into part 5 and in part 5 a Federal savings association must be an
``eligible savings association'' in order to qualify for expedited
review of applications and notices generally, the OCC believes it is
appropriate to apply the eligibility criterion to Federal savings
associations seeking expedited review of filings for capital
distributions even though the regulation is not being integrated with
its national bank counterpart. These part 5 procedures would result in
filing requirements similar to those in subpart E of part 163. However,
as described in the discussion of the part 5, subpart A, definition of
``eligible bank or eligible savings association'' elsewhere in this
preamble, because the eligibility requirements in part 5 and in the
current Federal savings association rules are not identical, the part 5
eligibility requirements for

[[Page 33304]]

expedited review could affect which savings associations qualify for
the expedited process.
We also have clarified the provisions regarding filing a notice
with the OCC and Federal Reserve Board in proposed Sec. Sec.
5.55(e)(2)(iii), (e)(2)(iv) and (4) to more precisely describe the
requirements.
We do not propose any other substantive changes to this rule.
Subordinated Debt (New Sec. 5.56)
The OCC currently has separate rules for subordinated debt issued
by national banks and Federal savings associations (12 CFR 5.47 and 12
CFR 163.81, respectively). Because of the differences and complexity of
these rules, we are not proposing to integrate them in this rulemaking,
although we may propose to do so at a later date. However, in order to
include all OCC licensing-related rules in the same part of Chapter 12,
we propose to move Sec. 163.81 to part 5 as new 12 CFR 5.56 and update
the cross-reference in Sec. 193.101(c) to reflect the new Sec. 5.56.
In addition, we propose to include in new Sec. 5.56 filing
procedures based on provisions in part 5 regarding eligible savings
associations and expedited review that would result in filing
requirements similar to those in Sec. 163.81. However, as described in
the discussion of the part 5, subpart A, definition of ``eligible bank
or eligible savings association'' elsewhere in this preamble, because
the eligibility requirements in part 5 and in the current Federal
savings association rules are not identical, the part 5 eligibility
requirements for expedited review could affect which savings
associations qualify for the expedited process.
We do not propose any other substantive changes to this rule.
Pass-Through Investments by Federal Savings Associations (New Sec.
5.58)
National banks and Federal savings associations may make, directly
or through an operating subsidiary, non-controlling investments (the
national bank term) or pass-through investments (the Federal savings
association term) in entities pursuant to their respective authority
under 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh) (national banks) and 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)
(Federal savings associations) and other statutes. Twelve CFR 5.36
describes the procedures for making these non-controlling investments
for national banks. Twelve CFR 160.32(a) addresses the authority of
Federal savings associations to make pass-through investments, while
Sec. 160.32(b) and (c) describe the procedures for making pass-through
investments for Federal savings associations.
With respect to Federal savings associations, Sec. 160.32(a)
codifies the authority of Federal savings associations to make pass-
through investments in certain entities that hold only assets and
engage only in activities permissible for Federal savings associations.
When making the pass-through investment, a Federal savings association
must comply with all the statutes and regulations that would apply if
it were engaging in the activity directly. For example, a Federal
savings association must aggregate a proportionate share of its pass-
through investment in an entity with the assets the Federal savings
association holds directly in calculating its investment limits.\103\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\103\ See 12 CFR 160.32(a) (noting, as an example, aggregation
for purposes of the non-residential real estate loan limits under
section 5(c) of the HOLA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 160.32(b) provides that a Federal savings association may
make certain qualifying pass-through investments without prior notice
to the OCC (a ``no-notice procedure'') in any entity that is a limited
partnership, an open-ended mutual fund, a closed-end investment trust,
a limited liability company, or an entity in which the Federal savings
association is investing primarily to use the company's services. To
qualify for this no-notice procedure the investment must satisfy the
conditions set forth in Sec. 160.32(b): (1) The investment is not more
than 15 percent of the association's total capital, (2) the book value
of the association's aggregate pass-through investments does not exceed
50 percent of the association's total capital, (3) the investment does
not give the association direct or indirect control of the company, and
(4) the association's liability is limited to the amount of the
investment. Section 160.32(c) requires a Federal savings association to
provide the OCC with 30 days advance written notice prior to making any
pass-through investment that does not meet these no-notice standards.
The notice is a form of application and may become a standard
application if the OCC notifies the filer that the investment presents
supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness concerns. Section 160.32
does not specify the content of the notice or application, as does
Sec. 5.36.
The OCC proposes to harmonize its filing requirements for non-
controlling and pass-through investments in order to have consistent
review and oversight of such investments for national banks and Federal
savings associations. The proposal would accomplish this by adding a
new Sec. 5.58 to part 5. Section 5.58 is based on Sec. 5.36 and would
subject Federal savings association pass-through investments to filing
requirements very similar to those applicable to national banks. We are
not proposing to add Federal savings associations to Sec. 5.36 at this
time because of differences in the respective statutory authorities,
the regulations implementing them, and their interpretation. We plan to
consider further harmonization of these filing rules, particularly in
conjunction with any combination of the substantive regulations
implementing the statutory authorities. The proposal also would amend
Sec. 160.32(b) to become a cross-reference referring Federal savings
associations to Sec. 5.36, and remove Sec. 160.32(c). We would retain
Sec. 160.32(a) without change.
The scope section at proposed Sec. 5.58(b) would refer to the
authority of Federal savings associations to make equity investments,
including pass-through investments, under 12 U.S.C. 1464 and other
statutes. It also would reflect that the authority to make a pass-
through investment subject to Sec. Sec. 5.58(b) and 160.32(a) is in
addition to authorities to make investments subject to Sec. Sec. 5.35
and 5.37, as amended by this proposal to include Federal savings
associations, and proposed new Sec. Sec. 5.38 and 5.59.
Proposed paragraph (c) of Sec. 5.58 would require a Federal
savings association to file a notice or application for a pass-through
investment when required by Sec. 5.58. Proposed Sec. 5.58(d) contains
definitions used in the section. The definitions are like those in
Sec. 5.36(c).
Proposed paragraph (e) of Sec. 5.58 mirrors Sec. 5.36(e) and
would provide that a well capitalized, well managed Federal savings
association may make certain pass-through investments, directly or
through its operating subsidiary, in certain entities \104\ by filing a
written notice with the OCC no later than 10 days after making the
investment. This after-the-fact notice procedure is available if the
activity conducted by the enterprise is on the list of activities
eligible for a notice filing for operating subsidiaries under proposed
Sec. 5.38, or if it is substantially the same as an activity that has
been previously approved for a Federal savings association (or its
operating subsidiary) in published OCC precedent, including published
former OTS precedent, and is conducted on the

[[Page 33305]]

same terms and conditions that apply to the activity approved in that
precedent. This notice must contain the information enumerated in Sec.
5.58(e), including: (1) A description of the structure of the
investment and the types of activities conducted by the enterprise in
which the bank is investing, (2) how the activity comports with the
activities listed in Sec. 5.38 or OCC precedent, (3) a certification
that the savings association is well managed and well capitalized at
the time of the investment, (4) how the savings association will
prevent the enterprise from engaging in impermissible activities, (5) a
description of how the investment is convenient and useful to the
savings association and not a passive investment, (6) a certification
that the savings association's loss exposure is limited and that it
does not have unlimited liability for the obligations of the
enterprise, and (7) a certification that the enterprise agrees to be
subject to OCC supervision and examination as permitted under certain
Federal statutes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\104\ Under proposed Sec. 5.58(d)(1), a Federal savings
association may invest in an ``enterprise'' that is a corporation,
limited liability company, partnership, trust, or similar business
entity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

If a Federal savings association is not well capitalized and well
managed or if the activity conducted by the enterprise does not qualify
for the after-the-fact notice procedure, the savings association would
be required to apply to the OCC and receive prior approval for the non-
controlling investment under Sec. 5.58(f), which mirrors Sec.
5.36(f). The application must satisfy the other conditions enumerated
in proposed Sec. 5.58(e).
Proposed Sec. 5.58(g)(1), based on Sec. 5.36(g)(1), would provide
for an expedited notice procedure for pass-through investments in
entities holding assets in satisfaction of debts previously contracted.
Under Sec. 5.58(g)(2), based on Sec. 5.36(g)(2), a Federal savings
association would not be required to file a notice or application under
Sec. 5.58 when acquiring a non-controlling investment in shares of a
company through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a
doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt
previously contracted.
The proposal to require Federal savings associations to follow
filing requirement for pass-through investments similar to the filing
requirements for national bank non-controlling investments, to amend
Sec. 160.32(b), and to remove Sec. 160.32(c) would not affect the
authority of Federal savings associations to make pass-through
investments in entities that engage only in activities permissible for
Federal savings associations. In addition, Sec. 5.36 permits national
banks to make non-controlling investments greater than 25 percent of
the company's equity. Under Sec. 5.58, Federal savings associations
would be permitted to do the same. Such an investment, however, would
constitute ``control'' under the definition used in 12 U.S.C. 1828(m)
and applicable to Federal savings associations, making the enterprise a
subsidiary of the association for purposes of section 1828(m) and
triggering a filing with the OCC pursuant to section 1828(m).\105\
Accordingly, proposed Sec. 5.58(f)(2) provides that, in all cases in
which a Federal savings association proposes to invest in an enterprise
that would be a subsidiary of the Federal savings association for
purposes of section 1828(m) and would not be an operating subsidiary or
service corporation, the Federal savings association must submit an
application for approval to the OCC, similar to the application
required under Sec. 5.58(f)(1) for investments that do not qualify for
the notice procedure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\105\ A ``non-controlling'' investment is not defined in Sec.
5.36. It is generally understood to mean an investment other than
one that would constitute ``control'' under the OCC's operating
subsidiary regulation, Sec. 5.34, which is a different standard
than the one applicable for section 1828(m). Because of this general
understanding, national banks' non-controlling investments have not,
in general, exceeded 50 percent of an enterprise's equity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The application of Sec. 5.58 to Federal savings associations also
would change the filing requirements for Federal savings associations'
non-controlling investments. Some pass-through investments could meet
the requirements for the after-the-fact notice procedure, and the
Federal savings association would need to file only the after-the-fact
notice, not an application as under Sec. 160.32(c). However, some non-
controlling investments that currently may qualify for the no-notice
procedure under Sec. 160.32(b) would require a filing under Sec.
5.58. In this regard, we understand the no-notice procedure under Sec.
160.32(b) was primarily used for investments in investment companies
that held assets permissible for a Federal savings association to hold
directly. Proposed Sec. 5.58(h) would continue the no-notice procedure
for such investments by Federal savings associations.\106\ In addition,
some investments that may have qualified for the no-notice procedure
may be eligible for the after-the-fact notice of Sec. 5.58(e). Thus,
the OCC believes there should not be a substantial impact of this
change on Federal savings associations, since the proposal would
continue the most common exception to the application requirement in
Sec. 160.32, and other pass-through investments may qualify for after-
the-fact filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\106\ Currently, national banks similarly are not required to
file under Sec. 5.36 for such investments. The rule contains
exceptions to the Sec. 5.36 filing requirements when the bank is
required to make the investment under another regulation
implementing a specific statutory authority. One of those exceptions
is for investments made under 12 CFR part 1. Investments by national
banks in pooled investment vehicles are covered by 12 CFR 1.3(h).
Thus, a national bank would not be required to file under Sec. 5.36
for such investments. Proposed Sec. 5.58(h) will provide the same
exception to the filing requirement for Federal savings
associations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Service Corporations of Federal Savings Associations (New Sec. 5.59)
Section 5(c)(4)(B) of the HOLA \107\ authorizes savings
associations to invest in service corporations. There is no similar
authority for national banks. OCC rules addressing service corporations
of Federal savings associations (as well as operating subsidiaries of
Federal savings associations) are currently set forth at 12 CFR part
159 (Subordinate organizations). The OCC is proposing to remove these
provisions of part 159 and create a new Sec. 5.59 based on part 159
that would address only Federal savings association service
corporations.\108\ This part would set forth the characteristics of
Federal savings association service corporations, the requirements
applicable to such service corporations, and the filing requirements
that apply to a Federal savings association's establishment or
acquisition of a service corporation or its commencement of new
activities in an existing service corporation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\107\ 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B).
\108\ As stated elsewhere in this rulemaking, the OCC proposes
to create a new Sec. 5.38 that would address Federal savings
association operating subsidiaries. As a result, all of part 159
would be removed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The current service corporation regulation provides that, when
required by section 18(m) of the FDI Act, a Federal savings association
must file a notice under 12 CFR part 116 at least 30 days before
establishing or acquiring a subsidiary or engaging in a new activity in
a subsidiary.\109\ The regulation defines a ``subsidiary'' as a
subordinate organization directly or indirectly controlled by a Federal
savings association.\110\ Accordingly, under the current regulation, a
Federal savings association is not required to file a service
corporation application if the association proposes to make a non-
controlling investment in a service corporation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\109\ 12 CFR 159.11.
\110\ 12 CFR 159.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OCC proposes to amend the service corporation regulation to
require that a Federal savings association file with the OCC before
acquiring or

[[Page 33306]]

establishing any service corporation, including one that it would not
control. The OCC believes that this requirement is more consistent with
the underlying statute, 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), and also is more prudent
from a regulatory standpoint, because it enables the OCC to review the
proposed establishment or acquisition of all service corporations, not
merely ones the Federal savings association controls.\111\ This ability
to review is particularly important because service corporations may
engage in a broader range of activities than Federal savings
associations, and because Federal savings associations may make sizable
investments in service corporations (the aggregate statutory limit for
all service corporation investments is three percent of assets). The
OCC believes that the proposed amendment will not materially increase
the regulatory burden on Federal savings associations, because, in most
cases, the notice process is not lengthy, and information requirements
are not extensive.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\111\ The OCC proposes to retain the requirement that, with
respect to a service corporation that proposes to engage in new
activities, a Federal savings association files with the OCC only if
the association controls the service corporation. This requirement
is also consistent with 12 U.S.C. 1828(m).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The current service corporation regulation uses the definition of
``control'' in 12 CFR part 174. Section 5.59(d)(1), as proposed, states
that ``control'' has the meaning set forth in the Bank Holding Company
Act (BHC Act) and the Federal Reserve Board's regulations thereunder.
The term ``control'' as it relates to the filing requirement, is set
forth in section 18(m)(1) of the FDI Act. The FDI Act defines control
by cross-referencing the definition of the term in the BHC Act, at 12
U.S.C. 1841.\112\ Accordingly, the OCC believes that the appropriate
definition of control is the BHC Act definition. The OCC does not
believe that this definitional change will have a significant impact on
Federal savings associations.\113\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\112\ 12 U.S.C. 1813(w)(5).
\113\ The primary differences between the definition of control
in part 174 and the definition of control in the BHC Act at 12
U.S.C. 1841(a)(2) and the Federal Reserve Board's implementing
regulations (BHC definition) are: (i) Part 174 includes certain
rebuttable control presumptions that are not in the BHC definition;
and (ii) the BHC definition provides that control exists if a
company controls in any manner the election of a majority of
directors or trustees of a bank or holding company.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Sec. 5.59(e)(5) explicitly states that service
corporations may be organized in any organizational form that provides
the same protections as the corporate form of organization, including
limited liability. This provision is consistent with the OTS's intent
in promulgating 12 CFR part 559, the predecessor to part 159,\114\ and
is consistent with OTS precedent. In amending the service corporation
regulation to provide explicitly that service corporations were not
required to be in the corporate form, the OTS stated that it was
following its standard practice of interpreting the HOLA in a manner
that does not elevate form over substance, and that the HOLA
authorization to invest in service corporations should be read ``to
permit any organizational form that provides the same basic protections
as the corporate form of organization.'' \115\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\114\ See 61 FR 66561, at 66564 (Dec. 18, 1996). The OTS noted
that it would review any proposal to organize an LLC or limited
partnership as a first-tier service corporation in the notice
process to ascertain whether liability will in fact be limited and
whether any other safety and soundness concerns are present.
\115\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The current service corporation regulation provides that state law
applies to a service corporation regardless of whether state law
applies to the parent Federal savings association.\116\ The OCC
previously has amended its regulations to reflect the preemption
provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.\117\ Accordingly, the proposal does
not include this statement in proposed Sec. 5.59. This result does not
effect a substantive change from the current regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\116\ 12 CFR 159.3(n)(2).
\117\ 76 FR 43549 at 43552, 43558, and 43565-66 (July 21, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twelve CFR 163.161 includes a requirement that service corporations
must be well managed and operate safely and soundly. That section also
provides that service corporations must pursue financial policies that
are safe and consistent with the purposes of savings associations, and
that service corporations must maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure
their safe and sound operation. These requirements addressing service
corporations are more appropriately included in the service corporation
regulations, and are set forth in proposed Sec. 5.59(e)(7).
The proposed regulation would retain the provisions regarding
separate corporate identity, with one exception. Proposed Sec.
5.59(e)(8) does not include the provision in Sec. 159.10(a)(3) that
requires adequate financing as a separate unit in light of normal
obligations reasonably foreseeable for a business of the service
corporation's size and character because the OCC believes that this
provision may be unnecessarily burdensome. For a service corporation
that the Federal savings association does not control, the savings
association may not have the power to ensure that it is adequately
financed at all times; and such lack of control may help demonstrate
the service corporation's separate corporate identity. Where the
savings association controls the service corporation, the savings
association may find it an ineffective use of resources to finance the
entity far in advance; the proposed change helps provide a savings
association with flexibility as to when it provides financing to the
service corporation and reduces uncertainty regarding what the agency
may consider adequate financing.
Proposed Sec. 5.59(f) would retain the list of preapproved
activities currently in Sec. 159.4, with minor changes. Section
159.4(h) addresses both community development and charitable
activities. The proposal would divide this paragraph into two separate
provisions, one addressing community development (paragraph (f)(8)),
and the other addressing charitable activities (paragraph (f)(9)). In
addition, the community development provision would be simplified by
deleting the current list of examples of preapproved community
development activities (which generally fall within the scope of the 12
CFR 24.3 description of public welfare investments), and revising the
provision to include a reference to community development investments
that are permissible under part 24.
As a related matter, Sec. 159.5(a) specifies several types of
investments as serving primarily community, inner city, or community
development purposes.\118\ Proposed Sec. 5.59(g) would delete these
examples, all of which are within the scope of Sec. 24.6, and provide
that such investments must be consistent with Sec. 24.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\118\ See 12 CFR 159.5(a)(1) through (4). Any investment that
would cause a savings association's investment in service
corporations to exceed two percent of assets must serve one of these
purposes. 12 CFR 159.5(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Sec. 5.59(h)(1)(ii) includes an information requirement
for service corporations with respect to insurance activities that is
similar to the requirement for operating subsidiaries. This provision,
which is intended to help the OCC carry out its statutory
responsibilities,\119\ would require a Federal savings association to
list for

[[Page 33307]]

each state the lines of business for which the service corporation
holds, or will hold, an insurance license, and each state in which the
service corporation holds a resident license or charter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\119\ Section 307(c) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Public Law
106-102, 113 Stat. 1416, codified at 15 U.S.C. 6716, requires the
OCC to consult with the appropriate state insurance regulator, and
take such regulator's views into account, before making any
determination relating to the initial affiliation of, or the
continuing affiliation of, a depository institution with a company
engaged in insurance activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Sec. 5.59(h)(2) would revise the circumstances under
which a Federal savings association would receive expedited review for
a service corporation filing. Currently, the criteria for expedited
review are set forth in 12 CFR part 116. Pursuant to the proposal, a
service corporation filing would be eligible for expedited review if
the savings association is ``well capitalized'' and ``well managed,''
and the service corporation engages only in one or more of the
preapproved activities listed in Sec. 5.59(f).
Proposed Sec. 5.59(k) would require each Federal savings
association to file an annual report listing, for each service
corporation subsidiary that is not functionally regulated and does
business with consumers in the United States, certain information
including the name and principal place of business of the service
corporation, the lines of business in which the service corporation
subsidiary engages directly with consumers, and the nature of the
parent savings association's interest in the service corporation
subsidiary. This would be a new requirement. The OCC currently requires
similar information to be filed regarding bank operating subsidiaries
and is also proposing in this rulemaking to require this information
with respect to operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations.
The OCC makes publicly available a list of national bank operating
subsidiaries that do business with the public, so that the public is
aware when they are dealing with an operating subsidiary of a national
bank. Adding Federal savings association operating subsidiaries and
service corporation subsidiaries to this list will help ensure that the
public is aware when they are dealing with an operating subsidiary or
service corporation that is controlled by a Federal savings
association.

C. Conforming Amendments

As indicated above, the proposal would make conforming and
technical changes to both the rules in parts 5, 7, and 34 and in
various provisions of parts 100 through 199 to reflect the movement of
the licensing rules for savings association rules to part 5, to adjust
section titles, and to conform cross-references. Specifically, the
proposal would amend Sec. 162.4 (audit of savings associations) to
replace the cross-reference to the part 116 definition of composite
ratings with a reference to the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating
System, as referred to in other OCC rules. The proposal also would
amend part 192 (conversions from mutual to stock form) to replace
references to part 116, part 152 (Federal savings associations
incorporation, organization and conversion), subpart E (capital
distributions) and subpart H (notice of change in directors or senior
executive officers) of part 163, and part 174 (change in control) with
the appropriate cross-references in proposed part 5. In addition, the
proposal would replace the reference to the standard treatment
processing procedures of part 116 in Sec. 160.35 (adjustments to home
loans) with a statement that Federal savings associations must apply
for and receive the OCC's prior written approval.
Part 32 (lending limits) also references the expedited and standard
application processing procedures of part 116 at Sec. 32.3(d) (loans
by savings associations to develop domestic residential housing units).
The proposal would replace this reference with a new paragraph that
sets forth the application procedures for Federal savings associations
for this activity. These procedures are based on those in Sec. 32.7(b)
with the addition of an expedited review process. With respect to state
savings associations, the proposal would replace the citation to the
FDIC application processing rule with a more general reference to the
rules and procedures established by the appropriate Federal banking
agency.
In addition, the proposal would conform the cross-references to
part 159 (service corporations) and Sec. 163.81 (subordinated debt) to
proposed Sec. Sec. 5.59 and 5.56, respectively.
Furthermore, the proposal would amend Sec. Sec. 5.39, 5.47, and
5.64, which are not proposed to be integrated in this rulemaking, to
clarify and make consistent the OCC office to which a national bank or
Federal savings association must file a notice or application.
Specifically, the proposal would direct such filings to the
institution's appropriate OCC licensing office or appropriate OCC
supervisory office, as noted, instead of the appropriate district
office.
Finally, the proposal would amend Sec. Sec. 100.1 (certain
regulations superseded) and 100.2 (waiver authority) so that these
provisions would continue to apply to rules pertaining to savings
associations that would be included in parts other than parts 100
through 199 of Chapter 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as a
result of this rulemaking.

V. Summary of Substantive Changes for National Banks and Federal
Savings Associations

A. Proposed Substantive Changes for National Banks

The following is a summary of the substantive changes, listed by
rule, proposed in this rulemaking for national banks.
Rules of General Applicability (Proposed 12 CFR part 5, subpart A)
To qualify for expedited review as an ``eligible bank,'' a
national bank would be required to have an OCC compliance rating of 1
or 2. Currently, a bank's compliance rating is not a factor in the
requirements for eligibility; however, Sec. 5.13(a)(2) currently
permits the OCC to remove a filing from expedited review if it raises
certain issues, including compliance concerns.
A national bank would be required to publish its public
notice of a filing in English and, if the OCC determines necessary,
also in other languages. Currently, the rules do not specify the
language in which the notice must be published.
In addition to what is currently required, a public notice
related to a national bank filing would be required to state (1) the
name of the institution that is the subject of the filing, (2) that the
public portion of the filing is available on request, and (3) the
address of the applicant.
The OCC, at its discretion, could require an applicant to
publish a new public notice if (1) the applicant submits either a
revised filing or new or additional information related to a filing,
(2) there is a major issue of law or a change in circumstances arises
after a filing, or (3) the agency determines that a new public notice
is appropriate. (Although this is not specifically permitted under
current rules, this has been the practice of the OCC.)
When computing time for national bank filings, the day of
the filing would no longer be included and the time period would no
longer end on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday but would end on
the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday.
Articles of Association, Bylaws, Charters and Chartering Procedures
(proposed 12 CFR 5.20, 5.21, 5.22)
National banks would be prohibited by regulation from
adopting a title that misrepresents the nature of the institution or
the services it offers. This reflects current practice.

[[Page 33308]]

National banks would be required to sell all securities of
a particular class in an initial offering at the same price.
In the event the organization of a national bank is not
completed, the organizers would be required to return all cash
collected on subscriptions.
The OCC charter approval could include a condition that
OCC would review proposed directors and officers for more than two
years after the bank commences business. The regulation currently says
two years, but a longer time is sometimes imposed in practice.
Expedited OCC review would be available for an application
to establish a full-service national bank filed by a bank holding
company or savings and loan holding company only when the lead
depository institution is an eligible national bank or eligible Federal
savings and loan associations. Currently, the lead depository
institution can be an eligible state institution.
Conversions (Proposed 12 CFR 5.24, 5.25)
Conversion to a National Bank Charter:
[cir] An institution seeking to convert to a national bank charter
would be required by regulation to obtain all necessary regulatory and
shareholder approvals. (OCC policy currently requires these approvals.)
[cir] The application would be required to:
[ssquf] Identify bank service company investments and other equity
investments, in addition to subsidiaries. (This requirement reflects
current practice.)
[ssquf] Include a business plan if the converting institution has
been operating for less than three years, plans to make significant
changes to its business after the conversion, or at the request of the
OCC. (The OCC currently requests this information on a case-by-case
basis.)
[ssquf] Include information about enforcement actions and other
supervisory criticisms and the applicant's analysis of whether
conversion is permissible under 12 U.S.C. 35, especially the provisions
added to section 35 by section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
[cir] The OCC could permit a converted national bank to retain
nonconforming activities of a state bank or stock state savings
association and nonconforming assets or activities of a Federal stock
savings association for a transition period after conversion. (This
regulatory change reflects current OCC practice.) The regulation now
provides that the OCC may only permit the retention of nonconforming
assets of a converting state bank, subject to requirements in 12 U.S.C.
35.
[cir] Expedited OCC review would be available only for conversion
applications by Federal savings associations, because they are
institutions the OCC already regulates. It would no longer be available
for state-chartered institutions. The time for expedited review is
extended from 30 to 60 days.
Conversions from a national bank to a state-chartered
institution:
[cir] As required by section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, a national
bank must include a copy of its conversion application filed with the
state regulator to which it is applying for approval to convert in its
notice to the OCC to convert, and it must send a copy of the
application to the Federal banking agency that would become its
appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion.
[cir] It must also include a showing of its compliance with
applicable requirements for converting.
Fiduciary Powers Applications (Proposed 12 CFR 5.26)
When reviewing an application to exercise fiduciary
powers, the OCC would by regulation consider the bank's financial
condition and capital adequacy, the character and ability of proposed
trust management, the adequacy of any proposed business plan, and the
needs of the community served. (Some of these factors are statutory and
all reflect current OCC practice.)
A national bank that has not conducted previously approved
fiduciary powers for 18 consecutive months would be required to provide
a notice to the OCC 60 days in advance of commencing the activities.
A national bank that has received approval from the OCC to
offer limited fiduciary services and desires to offer full fiduciary
services would be required to apply to the OCC. (This requirement
reflects current OCC practice.)
Branching (Proposed 12 CFR 5.30 and Branching-Related Sections in Part
7)
A drive-in or pedestrian facility located within 500 feet
of a branch always would be an extension of the branch, not a separate
branch. Currently, this result depends on a case-by-case analysis.
Under the expedited approval process, short-distance
relocations of branches would be deemed approved 15 days after the
close of the comment period or 30 days after the date the notice is
filed, whichever is later. Currently, short-distance relocations are
deemed approved 15 days after the close of the comment period or 45
days after the date the notice is filed, whichever is later.
Expedited Procedures For Certain Reorganizations (Proposed 12 CFR
5.32).
A national bank would not be required to comply with the
public notice, public availability, and hearing requirements of part 5,
subpart A (12 CFR 5.8, 5.9, and 5.11) for an application to reorganize
to become a subsidiary of a bank holding company or a company that
will, upon consummation of such reorganization, become a bank holding
company unless the OCC concludes that an application presents
significant and novel policy, supervisory, or other legal issues.
Currently, such applications are subject to these subpart A
requirements.
Business Combinations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.33)
An application to the OCC would be required for the
assumption of deposit liabilities or other liabilities from a credit
union or any other institution that is not FDIC-insured that will
become deposits at the assuming national bank.
An application to the OCC would be required for the
acquisition by a national bank of all or substantially all of the
assets, or the assumption of all or substantially all of the
liabilities, of companies in addition to depository institutions,
including credit unions, nonbank affiliates, or any other company (a
``whole entity purchase and assumption'') if the whole entity purchase
and assumption would result in an increase in the asset size of the
bank of 25 percent or more.
In the application for a business combination, national
banks would be required to identify a financial subsidiary investment,
bank service company investment, service corporation investment, and
other equity investment in addition to the current requirement to
identify subsidiaries and provide an analysis of the permissibility for
the national bank to hold the subsidiary or investment. This regulatory
change reflects current practice.
If the applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers
after the combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, the
applicant would be required to include in the business combination
application the information required in Sec. 5.26 for a request for
fiduciary powers. This regulatory change reflects current practice.

[[Page 33309]]

Filings in which a national bank is the target company and
will not be the resulting institution will no longer be exempt from
Sec. Sec. 5.2 and 5.5. Section 5.2 (rules of general applicability)
provides that the OCC may adopt different procedures for particular
filings, in exceptional circumstances or for unusual transactions, and
that the OCC permits electronic filing. Section 5.5 provides that an
applicant must pay the applicable filing fee, if any.
If there are dissenting shareholders in a merger or
consolidation between a national bank and Federal savings association,
the OCC will conduct an appraisal of dissenters' shares of stock
according to the statutory dissenters' appraisal processes that apply
to mergers between national banks and state banks. Under the current
rule, the OCC may conduct such an appraisal if all the parties agree.
Now that the OCC regulates both the national bank and the Federal
savings association, the processes can be required.
The OCC would have the authority to apportion costs for
the dissenters' rights process for transactions to which 12 U.S.C. 214a
or 215 and 215a are not applicable. (These statutes require the bank to
bear all costs.) Under the current rule, in transactions that are not
subject to those statutes, the parties must agree how costs are to be
divided. Under the proposal, if the OCC regulates the institutions and
the transaction is not subject to the statutes, then the OCC would have
authority to apportion costs as the OCC determines.
A national bank's consolidation or merger agreement would
be required to address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption
of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the
resulting institution. Although not currently in Sec. 5.33, a
resulting national bank in such transactions is required to establish
and maintain a liquidation account, as discussed in the OCC Licensing
Manual.
The national bank applicant in a consolidation or merger
would be required to submit information showing that all steps needed
to complete the transaction have been met and to notify the OCC of the
planned consummation date. The OCC would then issue a certification
letter documenting that the consolidation or merger occurred and
specifying the effective date. This process reflects current OCC
practice for national banks.
The OCC's approval of a transaction under Sec. 5.33 would
expire in six months instead of 12 months; the OCC could extend this
six month period.
A national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a
merger or consolidation with another national bank would be required to
file a notice to the OCC under Sec. 5.33(k). This notice is discussed
in the next item.
When a national bank is consolidating or merging with a
Federal savings association or a state chartered institution or credit
union and the national bank is not the resulting institution, it would
be required to include more information in the notice than currently
required in Sec. 5.33. This additional information would include a
short description of the transaction or a copy of the filing made by
the acquiring institution to its regulators for approval of the
transaction and information showing the target national bank or Federal
savings association has complied with the requirements to engage in the
transaction (e.g., board and shareholder approval). (The bank should
already have compiled this information.)
If a consolidation or merger of a national bank in which
the national bank is not the resulting institution has not occurred
within six months after the OCC's receipt of the notice of the
transaction, the bank must submit a new notice with the OCC.
Operating Subsidiaries (Proposed 12 CFR 5.34)
Before beginning business, an operating subsidiary would
be required to comply with other laws applicable to it, including
applicable licensing or registration requirements. This change would
codify current OCC policy.
The proposal would make the following changes regarding a
national bank's control of an operating subsidiary:
Where a national bank has the ability to control the
management and operations of an operating subsidiary, no other person
or entity could have the ability to control the management or
operations of the subsidiary. This change would codify current OCC
policy.
Where a bank owns less than 50 percent of an operating
subsidiary (but still controls it), no other party could own a greater
percentage than the bank. This change would codify current OCC policy.
A national bank would be required to have reasonable
policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of the bank
and its operating subsidiaries.
Adequately capitalized banks would no longer be exempt
from the application or notice requirements when acquiring or
establishing an operating subsidiary or performing a new activity in an
existing operating subsidiary when the activities of the new subsidiary
are limited to those previously reported to the OCC in connection with
a prior operating subsidiary and certain other requirements are met.
If a national bank operating subsidiary wishes to act as a
fiduciary, its national bank parent would be required to have fiduciary
powers and the operating subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary
powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. The operating
subsidiary no longer would be able to rely on the national bank's
fiduciary powers, except when the subsidiary exercises investment
discretion on behalf of customers or provides investment advice for a
fee as a registered investment adviser. This change would codify
longstanding OCC practice.
OCC approvals granted under Sec. 5.34 would expire within
12 months if a national bank has not established or acquired the
operating subsidiary or commenced the new activity in an existing
operating subsidiary, unless the OCC shortens or extends the time
period.
Investment in Bank Service Companies (Proposed 12 CFR 5.35)
To invest in a bank service company, a national bank would
be required to file a prior notice for OCC approval through an
expedited review process, under which the notice would be deemed
approved on the 30th day after filing unless the OCC notifies
otherwise. Under the current rule, a national bank files an after-the-
fact notice with no requirement for OCC approval before the bank makes
the investment, if specified eligibility conditions are met.
Other Equity Investments (Proposed 12 CFR 5.36)
No substantive changes.
Banking Premises (Proposed 12 CFR 5.37, 7.1000, 7.3001)
No substantive changes.
Main Office and Home Office Relocations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.40)
Under the expedited approval process, short-distance
relocations of main offices would be deemed approved 15 days after the
close of the comment period or 30 days after the date the notice is
filed, whichever is later. Currently, short-distance relocations are
deemed approved 15 days after the close of the comment period or 45
days after the date the notice is filed, whichever is later.

[[Page 33310]]

Change in Corporate Title (Proposed 12 CFR 5.42)
No substantive changes.
Changes in Permanent Capital (Proposed 12 CFR 5.46)
No substantive changes.
Subordinated Debt as Capital (Proposed 12 CFR 5.47)
No substantive changes.
Voluntary Liquidation (Proposed 12 CFR 5.48)
The following provisions in the proposal would codify
existing OCC or national bank practice:
[cir] A national bank may not commence liquidation until the OCC
has notified it that the agency does not object to the liquidation
plan.
[cir] A national bank's board of directors, in addition to its
shareholders, must vote to approve a voluntary liquidation plan.
[cir] A national bank would be required to provide notice of the
liquidation to depositors, other known creditors, and known claimants
in addition to the current requirement to publish notice in accordance
with 12 U.S.C. 182.
[cir] The national bank's liquidating agent or committee would be
required to submit to the OCC a report at the start of liquidation
showing the bank's current balance sheet and a final report of the
liquidation.
Change in Control (Proposed 12 CFR 5.50)
The proposal would add several presumptions of concerted
action. These additional presumptions would provide clarity and
guidance about how and when parties are presumed to be acting in
concert for purposes of Sec. 5.50.
Acquirers would be permitted to rebut a presumption of
control in cases where the acquirer will have a representative on the
board of directors of the national bank to be acquired. Currently, an
acquirer that proposes to rebut control of a national bank cannot have
a representative on the board.
The proposal would establish specific limitations, in the
rebuttal of control context, on the total equity invested, where an
acquirer proposes to acquire more than fifteen percent of the national
bank's voting stock.
Changes in Directors and Senior Executive Officers (Proposed 12 CFR
5.51)
An advisory director of a national bank who may vote on
matters before, or provides more than general advice to, any committee
of the board of directors, in addition to the board itself, would be
subject to the requirements of Sec. 5.51.
The notice of a change in directors or senior executive
officers for a national bank would need to include financial
information on the individual, except when the OCC determines in
writing that such information is not required.
If the OCC requests additional information regarding the
notice, a national bank that cannot provide the requested information
within the time specified by the OCC may request additional time to
provide the information.
An individual who is serving on an interim basis pursuant
to an OCC-granted waiver and receives a notice of disapproval would be
required to resign immediately from the board, and would be able to
assume the position on a permanent basis only if the notice of
disapproval is reversed on appeal and all other applicable legal
requirements are satisfied. Currently, the individual may continue on
the board pending resolution of an appeal.
Change in Address (Proposed 12 CFR 5.52)
A national bank would not be required to file a notice of
a change in the permanent address of its home office if it submitted a
notice under Sec. 5.40(b) (relocation of a main office to a branch
location in the same city, town or village).
Change in Asset Composition (Proposed 12 CFR 5.53)
With regard to a change in asset composition, the national
bank rule requires approval of only the sale of all or substantially
all of a bank's assets, and the subsequent purchase of assets or
expansion of operations after such a sale. Under the proposal, the
following additional transactions would require approval under Sec.
5.53:
[cir] Any other asset purchases or other expansions of business
that are part of a plan to increase the size of the bank by more than
25 percent in one year.
[cir] As determined by the OCC on a case-by-case basis, any other
material increase or decrease in the size of the bank or a material
alteration in the composition of the types of its assets or liabilities
(including the entry or exit of business lines). The OCC would consider
the size and nature of the transaction and the condition of the
institutions in determining whether to require an application and
believes the additional situations in which the OCC would require an
application likely already would involve discussions between the bank
and its appropriate supervisory office.
The OCC would need to approve a bank's plan of voluntary
liquidation in order for asset changes that are part of such
liquidation to be exempt from the approval requirements of Sec. 5.53.
(The proposal also would amend the regulation governing liquidations,
Sec. 5.48, to require OCC approval of the plan of liquidation.)
Asset changes that are subject to OCC approval under
another application to the OCC would specifically be exempt from the
approval requirements of Sec. 5.53. This exception is now only
implied.

B. Proposed Substantive Changes for Federal Savings Associations

The following is a summary of the substantive changes proposed by
this rulemaking, listed by revised rule, for Federal savings
associations.
Rules of General Applicability (Proposed 12 CFR Part 5, Subpart A)
As a result of removing 12 CFR part 116 and applying 12
CFR part 5, subpart A, Federal savings associations would need to
follow different procedural and processing provisions. While many of
the underlying processes are similar, minor variations and different
terminology is sometimes used. Federal savings associations would need
to adjust to these variations and differences.
Adequately capitalized Federal savings associations would
no longer qualify for expedited treatment; only well capitalized
institutions would be eligible.
A Federal savings association would no longer have to
publish a public notice within the seven days before a filing date but
may publish as soon as practicable before or after filing, unless
otherwise required.
In addition to what is currently required, a public notice
related to a Federal savings association filing also would have to
state that a filing is being made and the date of the filing.
A Federal savings association could publish a single
public notice for multiple transactions or a single notice that would
comply with the notice requirement of both the OCC and another Federal
agency, if accepted by the OCC. (Although this is not specifically
permitted under current rules, this has been an accepted practice for
Federal savings association filings.)
Federal savings associations would obtain from the OCC the
public comments made in response to a filing's public notice.
Currently, the commenter

[[Page 33311]]

is required to send comments directly to the institution.
Articles of Association, Bylaws, Charters and Chartering Procedures
(Proposed 12 CFR 5.20, 5.21, 5.22)
All Federal savings associations:
[cir] An application to charter a Federal savings association would
be subject to the same two-part approval process used for de novo
national bank charters, whereby the OCC first issues a preliminary
approval, followed by a final approval and charter issuance if the
applicant completes all of the steps required by the preliminary
approval and the Comptroller's Licensing Manual. Under the current
Federal savings association rule, there is one approval before the OCC
issues the charter but the approval is subject to the institution
completing various post-approval organizational steps and other
requirements before it can commence business, as specified in 12 CFR
143.4, 143.5, 143.6, and 152.1(c) through 152.1(i).
[cir] Expedited OCC review would be available for an application to
establish a full-service Federal savings association filed by a bank
holding company or savings and loan holding company when the lead
depository institution is an eligible national bank or eligible Federal
savings and loan association. The current regulations for chartering a
de novo Federal savings association do not have a comparable expedited
review process.
[cir] The OCC's preliminary approval of an application for a new
Federal savings association would expire if the savings association has
not raised the required capital within twelve months or has not
commenced business within eighteen months. Under current rules, a
Federal savings association's charter becomes void if organization is
not completed within six months after approval.
[cir] The proposal rescinds de novo chartering approval criteria in
Sec. Sec. 143.2(g)(1) and 152.1(b)(1) that require the OCC to consider
whether the Federal savings association will provide credit for housing
in a safe and sound manner and approval considerations set forth in
Sec. 143.3 regarding the composition of board or directors.
Federal stock savings associations:
[cir] A Federal stock savings associations no longer would be
required to cause a true copy of its charter and bylaws to be available
to accountholders at all times in each office of the savings
association, or to deliver to any accountholders a copy of such charter
and bylaws or amendments upon request.
[cir] The requirements for adopting and filing Federal stock
savings association bylaws would no longer include the requirements
that the adoption of bylaws be by the board of directors at its first
organizational meeting.
[cir] Shareholder meetings no longer would be required to be held
in the state in which the association has its principal place of
business.
[cir] Staggered terms for certain directors would no longer be
specified.
[cir] Stock certificates of a Federal savings association would no
longer be required to be signed by the chief executive officer or by
any other officer of the association authorized by the board of
directors, attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary, and
sealed with the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof. Furthermore,
each certificate for shares of capital would not be required to be
consecutively numbered or otherwise identified.
Federal mutual savings associations:
[cir] Federal mutual savings association bylaws no longer would be
required to provide some of the language or requirements specified in
current Sec. 144.5(b) regarding aspects of: The location of and
notices for the annual meeting of members; reporting requirements at
the annual meeting; record dates; proxy voting; annual meeting
governance; duties of officers and agents of the association; director
election and resignation; executive committees; director, officer and
employee compensation and removal; and age limits for directors.
Conversions (Proposed 12 CFR 5.23, 5.25)
Conversions to a Federal savings association charter:
[cir] The applicant would no longer be required to publish a public
notice of the application, and the application would no longer be
available for public inspection, unless specifically required by the
OCC.
[cir] An applicant that does not meet the qualified thrift lender
test would be required to include in its application a plan for
achieving compliance and a request for an exception. This is agency
practice but is not expressly mentioned in the regulation.
[cir] Many details of the application process would no longer be
included in the regulations. Instead, this information would be found
in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual and other OCC guidance.
[cir] The applicant would be required to include in its conversion
application information about enforcement actions and other supervisory
criticisms and its analysis of whether conversion is permissible under
12 U.S.C. 35, especially the provisions added to section 35 by section
612 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Conversions from a Federal savings association to any
another charter
[cir] Any Federal savings association converting from its charter
would be required to file a notice with the OCC. Under current rules,
Federal savings associations that are not eligible for expedited
treatment must file an application to convert out.
Conversions from a Federal savings association to a state
chartered institution
[cir] As required by section 612 of the Dodd-Frank Act, a Federal
savings association must include a copy of its conversion application
filed with the state regulator to which it is applying for approval to
convert in its notice to the OCC, and it must file a copy of its
conversion application with the Federal banking agency that would
become its appropriate Federal banking agency after the conversion.
[cir] It must also include a showing of its compliance with
applicable requirements for converting.
Fiduciary Powers Applications (Proposed 12 CFR 5.26 and Part 150,
Subpart A)
The time period that triggers the need to re-notify the
agency before beginning to exercise previously approved fiduciary
powers that have not been exercised is shortened from 5 years to 18
months.
The trigger for requiring a new application for a Federal
savings association would be whether the original approval for
fiduciary activities is for limited or full fiduciary powers. Under the
current rule, the trigger for a new application is whether the activity
is ``materially different'' from what had been approved.
Eligible Federal savings associations would receive
expedited review of applications for fiduciary powers.
Branching (Proposed 12 CFR 5.31)
Only well capitalized Federal savings associations could
be ``eligible savings associations'' as defined in part 5, and
therefore exempt from the branch application requirement. Currently
both well and adequately capitalized Federal savings associations are
eligible for expedited treatment and therefore can be exempt from this
requirement.
A Federal savings association would be required to obtain
OCC approval in order to establish a branch at the site of a former
home office unless

[[Page 33312]]

the branch establishment meets one of the exceptions in Sec. 5.31.
Under the current rule, no notice or application is required in all
cases of home office and branch office re-designations.
The OCC's approval of a branch expires after 18 months,
unless the OCC grants an extension. Under the current rule, OCC
approval expires after 12 months.
A state and Federal savings association would be required
to file an application with the OCC to establish a branch in the
District of Columbia.
Business Combinations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.33)
A Federal savings association would be permitted to
acquire all or substantially all of the assets, or to assume all or
substantially all of the liabilities, of nonbank affiliates, or any
other company that is not a depository institution, in addition to
credit unions. Currently, such acquisitions are limited to banks,
savings associations, and credit unions.
In the factors the OCC considers in reviewing a business
combination, the factor covering the fairness of the transaction,
equitable treatment, and disclosure would be replaced by a factor
assessing the effect of the transaction on the association's
shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and customers.
In the application for a business combination, Federal
savings associations would be required to identify a financial
subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service
corporation investment, and other equity investment in addition to the
current requirement to identify subsidiaries and provide an analysis of
the permissibility for the Federal savings association to hold the
subsidiary or investment. This requirement reflects current practice.
If the applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers
after the combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, the
applicant would be required to include in the business combination
application the information required in proposed Sec. 5.26 for a
request for fiduciary powers. This requirement reflects current
practice.
The OCC's approval of a transaction under the proposal
would expire in six months; the OCC could extend this six-month period.
Under current OCC practice, transactions not involving an interim
association must be consummated in 120 days.
A Federal savings association would be required to publish
an initial public notice and two other public notices during the
standard 30-day public comment period. Currently, Sec. 163.22(e)(1)(i)
requires an initial publication and then publication on a weekly basis
during the public comment period.
The statutory provisions governing national bank
dissenters' rights in 12 U.S.C. 215 and 215a would be applied to
transactions in which a Federal savings association is merging or
consolidating into a national bank, rather than the regulatory
dissenters' rights provision in 12 CFR 152.14, with one exception--the
proposal includes authority for the OCC to apportion costs for the
dissenters' rights process.
In consolidation or merger of a state bank, state savings
association, state trust company or a credit union into a Federal
savings association, the institution would follow the procedures and
dissenters' rights process set out for such transactions in the law of
the state or other jurisdiction under which it is organized.
For consolidations or mergers of a Federal stock savings
association into a another Federal savings association, the plan of
merger or consolidation would be required to provide the manner of
disposing of the shares of the resulting Federal savings association
not taken by dissenting shareholders. Under Sec. 152.14(c)(11), such
shares have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the
resulting association. The plan of merger or consolidation could still
provide such status for these shares, but under the proposal such
status no longer would be mandatory.
A consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association
into an uninsured bank, savings association, or trust company, or into
a credit union would require only a notice to the OCC, not application
and approval as required under Sec. 163.22(c).
Federal savings association applications for business
reorganizations (defined in Sec. 5.33(d)(3)) and streamlined
applications (described in Sec. 5.33(j)) that meet the requirements
would be eligible for expedited review, under which an application is
deemed approved as of the later of the 45th day after the application
was filed or the 15th day after the close of the comment period, unless
the OCC notifies the applicant that the application is not eligible for
expedited review or the expedited review process is extended. This
process would replace the automatic approval provision in Sec.
163.22(f), under which an application is deemed to be approved
automatically 30 days after the OCC sends the applicant a written
notice that the application is complete.
[cir] The size-based limit for expedited review of a business
reorganization or streamlined application included in the proposal is
less restrictive than the criteria for automatic approval under the
current savings association rule, 12 CFR 163.22(f), which provides that
an application does not qualify for the automatic approval process if
the acquiring institution has assets of $1 billion or more and proposes
to acquire assets of $1 billion or more. To qualify for expedited
review under the proposal, business reorganizations would have no size
limit and streamlined applications would have limits based on the
relative size of the acquiring institution and the assets to be
acquired but would not have a fixed maximum dollar amount limit on the
size.
[cir] The expedited procedure in the proposal would not include
competitive impact thresholds as a disqualifier, as in the current
savings association rule.
[cir] However, as in the current savings association rule, an
applicant would not qualify for a streamlined business combination
application if the transaction is part of a mutual to stock conversion
under 12 CFR part 192.
Federal savings associations would no longer be required
by regulation to meet the requirements for Federal Home Loan Bank
membership, as membership in a Federal Home Loan Bank is no longer
mandatory.
The approval of a board of directors of a business
combination involving a Federal stock savings association would be
reduced from two-thirds to a majority of the directors.
For a Federal stock savings association, the execution and
filing of Articles of Combination as the method of documenting
shareholder approval of the combination, consummation of the
combination, and its effective date would be replaced by a letter to
the OCC followed by a certification issued by the OCC.
A Federal savings association would not be required to
include all terms regarding the combination in a combination agreement
nor include the specific provisions in the agreement that are required
by the current savings association rule.
If a consolidation or merger of a Federal savings
association in which the savings association is not the resulting
institution has not occurred within six months after the OCC's receipt
of the notice of the transaction, the savings association must submit a
new notice to the OCC. The current rule requires a new notice after 12
months.

[[Page 33313]]

Investment in Bank Service Companies (Proposed 12 CFR 5.35)
No substantive changes. There are no regulations
addressing Federal savings association investment in bank service
companies, and the proposed rule closely implements the statute.
Banking Premises (Proposed 12 CFR 5.37, 7.1000, 7.3001)
For Federal stock savings associations, the quantitative
limitations on investment in banking premises would be based on the
association's capital stock or, if a 1 or 2 CAMELS rated, well
capitalized association, 150 percent of capital and surplus. Currently,
the sole quantitative limit on a Federal savings association's
investment in banking premises is total capital. Because 150 percent of
capital and surplus would be a greater amount than 100 percent of total
capital, we expect that under the proposal, the amount that a savings
association could invest in banking premises without OCC approval would
be increased. For Federal savings associations that do not have a
CAMELS rating of 1 or 2 and are not well capitalized, the relevant
limitation would be capital stock, which is a significantly lower
threshold than total capital.
For Federal mutual savings associations, the quantitative
investment limit in banking premises would be based on the amount of
retained earnings, instead of total capital.
A Federal savings association would be required to follow
the specific application requirements contained in proposed Sec. 5.37.
The proposal would grandfather Federal savings
associations' existing premises investments and arrangements for
sharing office space and employees, provided the investment complies
with the legal requirements in effect prior to the effective date of
the final rule, and continues to comply with those requirements.
The rule would specifically permit Federal savings
associations to invest in lodging for customers, officers, or employees
of the savings association, its branches, or consolidated subsidiaries
in areas where suitable commercial lodging is not readily available.
A Federal savings association would need to obtain OCC
approval or provide after-the-fact notice to exercise an option to
purchase banking premises or stock in a corporation that holds banking
premises.
A Federal savings association would be permitted by
regulation to hold banking premises through an operating subsidiary and
to hold premises by any reasonable and prudent means.
A Federal savings association normally would need to use
real estate acquired for future expansion within five years and, after
holding such real estate for one year; would be required to state, by
resolution of the board of directors or an appropriate authorized
association official or a subcommittee of the board of directors,
definite plans for use of such real estate. Currently, OCC guidance
provides a Federal savings association with a one to three year
timeframe for the use of real estate acquired for future premises.
Operating Subsidiaries (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.38)
Before beginning business, an operating subsidiary of a
Federal savings association would be required to comply with other laws
applicable to it, including applicable licensing or registration
requirements. This change would codify current OCC policy.
Under this proposal, a Federal savings association could
control an entity in which it owns less than 50 percent of the voting
shares of the entity, provided no other party owns a greater percentage
than the savings association, the savings association otherwise
controls the subsidiary, and no one else exercises effective operating
control. Currently, for control to exist, a savings association must
own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the voting shares
of an operating subsidiary.
A Federal savings association would be required to have
reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the limited liability of
the savings association and its operating subsidiaries. The detailed
requirements for separate corporate identities for subsidiaries in 12
CFR 159.10 are removed.
A Federal savings association would need to file an
application to acquire or establish an insured depository institution
as an operating subsidiary.
A Federal savings association would need to file an
application, and receive prior OCC approval, to acquire or establish an
operating subsidiary or to commence a new activity in an existing
operating subsidiary. The current rule in Sec. 159.11 requires filing
a notice at least 30 days prior to establishing or acquiring a
subsidiary or engaging in new activities in a subsidiary; this notice
is treated like an application under Sec. 159.1(b).
Some applications would qualify for the proposal's
expedited review of applications process. This expedited review is
similar to the current rule's notice process: applications would be
deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the filing is
received, unless the OCC notifies the Federal savings association
otherwise during the 30-day period.
[cir] For the application to qualify, the Federal savings
association must be ``well capitalized'' and ``well managed,'' the
activities to be performed by the operating subsidiary must be listed
in proposed Sec. 5.38(e)(5)(v) (activities that have been approved for
operating subsidiaries of Federal savings associations in the past),
the operating subsidiary must be a corporation, limited liability
company, or limited partnership, and the savings association must
clearly demonstrate control over the operating subsidiary (it must meet
a standard for control that is more stringent than the general standard
for operating subsidiaries).
[cir] Under the current rule, all filings start as 30-day prior
notices. They become standard treatment applications if the OCC
notifies the applicant that the notice presents supervisory concerns or
raises significant issues of law or policy.
[cir] While there is overlap between an application failing to meet
the criteria to qualify for expedited review (and so requiring standard
processing) and raising issues that would cause a filing to present
supervisory concerns, or raises significant issues of law or policy
(and so requiring standard processing), there may be instances in which
a filing would have had to be processed under standard procedures under
one test but not the other.
For a Federal savings association operating subsidiary to
act as a fiduciary, its savings association parent would be required to
have fiduciary powers and the operating subsidiary also must have its
own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary. The
operating subsidiary no longer would be able to rely on the savings
association's fiduciary powers, except when the subsidiary exercises
investment discretion on behalf of customers or provides investment
advice for a fee as a registered investment adviser. This change would
codify OCC and OTS practice.
The regulation would no longer expressly state that any
finance subsidiary of a Federal savings association that existed on
January 1, 1997, is deemed to be an operating subsidiary without
further action by the savings association. The pertinent provision is
removed because it is thought no longer necessary. No change

[[Page 33314]]

in substance is intended. The proposal asks if it needs to be retained.
OCC approvals granted under proposed Sec. 5.38 would
expire within 12 months if a Federal savings association has not
established or acquired the operating subsidiary or commenced the new
activity in an existing operating subsidiary, unless the OCC shortens
or extends this time period.
Federal savings associations would be required to file an
annual report on operating subsidiaries that do business directly with
consumers in the United States and are not functionally regulated
subsidiaries.
Main Office and Home Office Relocations (Proposed 12 CFR 5.40)
Under the current rule, no notice or application is
required if the relocation is a short-distance relocation, if the
Federal savings association redesignates an existing branch office as a
home office when redesignating the existing home office as a branch
office, or if the savings association is highly-rated and certain other
requirements are met. If the relocation does not meet the above
exceptions, a notice is required for savings associations that qualify
for expedited treatment and OCC approval is required for all other
savings associations. Under the proposal, all Federal savings
associations would be required to:
[cir] Submit prior notice to the OCC for home office relocations to
a branch site in the same city, town, or village of the current home
office; and
[cir] Obtain prior OCC approval for home office relocations to a
branch location other than a branch site in the same city, town, or
village of the current home office. An application submitted by an
eligible Federal savings association would be deemed approved by the
OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the public comment period or
the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC (or in the case of
a short-distance relocation, the 30th day after the filing is received
by the OCC), whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the bank or
savings association prior to that time that the filing is not eligible
for expedited review, or the expedited review period is extended.
A Federal savings association would be required to obtain
OCC approval pursuant to Sec. 5.31 (branching) in order to establish a
branch at the site of a former home office unless the branch
establishment meets one of the exceptions in Sec. 5.31. Under the
current rule, no notice or application is required in all cases of home
office and branch office re-designations.
A Federal savings association would be required to open a
relocated home office within 18 months from the date of OCC approval,
unless the OCC grants an extension. Under the current rule, this office
must be opened within 12 months of OCC approval or non-objection.
Change in Corporate Title (Proposed 12 CFR 5.42)
Federal savings associations would be required to submit
an after-the-fact notice to the OCC instead of a 30-day prior notice
for a change in corporate title.
Increases in Permanent Capital (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.45)
Federal stock savings associations would be required to
apply to the OCC and obtain prior approval for increases in capital in
the following circumstances: (1) When the savings association is
required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order, directive,
written agreement or otherwise, (2) when the savings association is
selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than cash, or
(3) when the savings association is receiving a material noncash
contribution to capital surplus. Currently, savings associations are
not required to apply for increases in capital.
Voluntary Liquidation (Proposed 12 CFR 5.48)
The Federal savings association's liquidating agent or
committee would be required to submit to the OCC:
[cir] At the start of liquidation, a report showing the
association's current balance sheet;
[cir] Quarterly Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call
Reports); and
[cir] Annual reports on the progress of the liquidation.
The following provisions in the proposal would codify
existing OCC practice:
[cir] A Federal savings association would be required to provide
notice of the liquidation to depositors, other known creditors, and
known claimants.
[cir] A Federal savings association would be required to publish
public notice of its plan to liquidate if so directed by the OCC.
Change in Control (Proposed 12 CFR 5.50)
The current definition of ``voting securities'' in Sec.
5.50 would replace the part 174 definition of ``voting stock.'' This
would affect the standard for convertible securities. Currently, part
174 includes as voting stock any security that, upon transfer or
otherwise, is convertible into voting stock or exercisable to acquire
voting stock where the holder of the convertible security has the
preponderant economic risk in the underlying voting stock. Section
5.50, by contrast, defines voting securities to include securities that
are immediately convertible into voting securities at the option of the
owner or holder.
The proposal excludes part 174 procedures for rebuttal of
control and concerted action, applying instead the provisions in Sec.
5.50(f)(2)(vi).
Persons who acquire control of a Federal savings
association as a result of testate or intestate succession would need
to file a notice and pay the appropriate filing fee within 90 calendar
days after the transaction occurs. Currently, such persons need only
file a notification of acquisition to the OCC within 60 days of the
acquisition and provide information requested by the OCC.
The proposal excludes the presumptive disqualifiers from
part 174--a list of factors, which, if present, may show a lack of
integrity or lack of financial capability to proceed with a proposed
transaction.
The proposed regulatory changes have the effect of
eliminating most of the rebuttable presumptions of control with respect
to Federal savings associations that are currently set forth in 12 CFR
174.4(b) and (c). The proposed regulatory changes also remove certain
of the rebuttable presumptions of concerted action currently set forth
in Sec. 174.4(d).
Acquirers of beneficial ownership exceeding 10 percent of
any class of stock of a Federal savings association that do not file a
control notice or control rebuttal would not be required to file a
certification of ownership.
Changes in Directors and Senior Executive Officers (Proposed 12 CFR
5.51)
A Federal savings association would be required to provide
90 days prior notice of a new director or senior executive officer if
the association is not in compliance with minimum capital requirements,
is otherwise in a troubled condition, or the OCC determines, under
section 38 of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1831o), that prior notice is
appropriate. Currently, such an association is required to provide 30
days prior notice, which the OCC may extend for an additional 60 days.
Only a Federal savings association would be permitted to
file the notice with the OCC; an individual seeking

[[Page 33315]]

election to the board of directors who has not been nominated by
management would no longer be allowed to do so.
A Federal savings association or a proposed individual
would be able to appeal an OCC notice of disapproval. The current rule
does not provide an appeal process, although the OCC has permitted
appeals by Federal savings associations in practice.
Change in Address (Proposed 12 CFR 5.52)
A Federal savings association no longer would be required
to provide notice of a home office or post office box address change if
the change results from any transaction approved under 12 CFR part 5.
The current rule provides this exception only in cases of an
application to relocate or establish a new home or branch office.
All Federal savings associations no longer would be
required to provide notice of a home office or post office box address
change if they have filed a notice for the relocation or establishment
of a new home or branch office pursuant to proposed Sec. 5.40 (main
office and home office relocations). Under current rules, highly-rated
savings associations are required to file a change in address notice
because they are exempt from the relocation notice requirement.
Federal savings associations no longer would be subject to
the requirement that all operations be directed from the home office.
Change in Asset Composition (Proposed 12 CFR 5.53)
The Federal savings association rule now requires approval
of all purchases or sales or other transfers of assets in bulk not made
in the ordinary course of business, unless the transaction is subject
to the Bank Merger Act (in which case other parts of the rule apply).
Under the proposal, Federal savings associations would be required to
obtain OCC approval only for the following (unless one of the
exceptions applies).
[cir] The sale or other disposition of all, or substantially all,
of the savings association's assets in a transaction or a series of
transactions.
[cir] After having sold or disposed of all, or substantially all,
of its assets, subsequent purchases or other acquisitions or other
expansions of the savings association's operations.
[cir] Any other asset purchases or other expansions of business
that are part of a plan to increase the size of the savings association
by more than 25 percent in one year.
[cir] As determined by the OCC on a case-by-case basis, any other
material increase or decrease in the size of the savings association or
a material alteration in the composition of the types of its assets or
liabilities (including the entry or exit of business lines). The OCC
would consider the size and nature of the transaction and the condition
of the institutions in determining whether to require an application
and believes the additional situations in which the OCC would require
an application likely already would involve discussions with the bank's
appropriate supervisory office.
When an application is required, it would have standard
processing. Currently, an application can qualify for expedited
treatment if all participating Federal savings associations meet the
conditions for expedited treatment.
Capital Distributions (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.55)
The expedited review process in part 5 would apply to
Federal savings associations seeking expedited review of filings for
capital distributions instead of the expedited treatment process in
part 116. Because the eligibility requirements for expedited review
differ from the requirements for expedited treatment, this change could
affect which savings associations qualify for the expedited process.
[cir] Under the current savings association rule, both well and
adequately capitalized institutions are eligible for expedited
treatment. Under the proposal, only savings associations that are well
capitalized would qualify for expedited review.
[cir] Under the current savings association rule, the institution
must not have been notified it is in troubled condition, while under
the proposal an eligible savings association must not be subject to an
enforcement action. (Although different, these supervisory condition
tests generally should overlap.)
[cir] Under the current rule, a savings association that has not
been assigned a CAMELS rating, a CRA rating and a compliance rating is
not eligible for expedited treatment. This requirement is not a factor
in the requirements for eligible bank or eligible savings association
status in part 5.
Subordinated Debt (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.56)
The expedited review process in part 5 would apply to
Federal savings associations seeking expedited review of filings to
issue subordinated debt instead of the expedited treatment process in
part 116. Because the eligibility requirements for expedited review
differ from the requirements for expedited treatment, this change could
affect which savings associations qualify for the expedited process, as
described above for the capital distributions rule.
Pass-Through Investments (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.58)
Federal savings associations would be allowed to make
pass-through investments greater than 25 percent of the company's
equity, but because this investment would make the company a subsidiary
under law applicable to the Federal savings associations, the
association would be required to submit an application for approval as
a subsidiary.
Federal savings associations may be subject to different
filing requirements:
[cir] Some pass-through investments that currently may qualify for
the no-notice procedure under Sec. 160.32(b) would require a filing
under Sec. 5.58. (However, pass-through investments in investment
companies that hold assets permissible for a Federal savings
association to hold directly would continue not to require a filing.)
[cir] For pass-through investments that meet the requirements for
the after-the-fact notice procedure, the Federal savings association
would need to file only the after-the-fact notice. This treatment would
apply both to both investments that would have required a prior
application under Sec. 160.32(c) and investments that would have
qualified for the no-notice procedure under Sec. 160.32(b).
Federal savings associations would be subject to the
notice content requirements of Sec. 5.58. Section 160.32 does not
specify the content of the notice or application.
Service Corporations (Proposed New 12 CFR 5.59)
The corporate separateness requirements would be amended
to eliminate the requirement that a Federal savings association's
service corporation be adequately financed as a separate unit in light
of normal obligations reasonably foreseeable for a business of the
service corporation's size and character in order to maintain the
requisite corporate separateness.
Consistent with 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), a Federal savings
association would be required to file an application with the OCC
before investing in any service corporation, including one that it
would not control. Currently, the service corporation regulation
requires a Federal savings association to file with the OCC only if it
directly or indirectly controls the service corporation.

[[Page 33316]]

Applications to establish or acquire a service corporation
would be required to list for each state the lines of business for
which the service corporation holds, or will hold, an insurance
license, and the state where the service corporation holds a resident
license or charter.
Each Federal savings association would be required to file
an annual report listing, for each service corporation subsidiary that
is not functionally regulated and does business with consumers in the
United States, certain information including the name and principal
place of business of the service corporation, the lines of business in
which the service corporation subsidiary engages directly with
consumers, and the nature of the parent savings association.

VI. Request for Comments

The OCC encourages comment on any aspect of this proposal and
especially on those issues specified in this preamble. If commenting on
a specific question contained in the preamble, please refer to that
question number in your comment letter. As noted above, the OCC will
also consider comments received in response to the Agencies' EGRPRA
notice on licensing rules when finalizing this licensing integration
rule.

VII. Regulatory Analysis

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),\120\ an agency
must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for all proposed and
final rules that describe the impact of the rule on small entities,
unless the head of an agency certifies that the rule will not have ``a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.'' The OCC currently supervises approximately 1,189 small
entities (361 Federal savings associations, 801 national banks, and 21
trust companies).\121\ Because some of the NPRM's provisions could
impact any national bank and other provisions could impact any Federal
savings association, the proposed rule could impact a substantial
number of small institutions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\120\ Public Law 96-354, 5 U.S.C. 601-612 (1980).
\121\ We base our estimate of the number of small entities on
the SBA's size thresholds for commercial banks and savings
institutions, and trust companies, which are $ 500 million and $
35.5 million, respectively. 13 CFR 121.103(a). Consistent with the
General Principles of Affiliation, 13 CFR 121.103(a), we count the
assets of affiliated financial institutions when determining if we
should classify a bank we supervise as a small entity. We use
December 31, 2013, to determine size because a ``financial
institution's assets are determined by averaging the assets reported
on its four quarterly financial statements for the preceding year.''
See footnote 8 of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Table of
Size Standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimated that the monetized direct compliance cost would be
approximately $14.7 thousand per institution. Using the average direct
cost per institution we believe compliance with the proposed rule will
have a significant economic impact on 24 small institutions (of which
10 are small Federal savings associations), which is not a substantial
number. Furthermore, we conclude that the amendments to Sec. 5.37,
investment in national bank or Federal savings association premises,
could have a significant impact on an additional five Federal savings
associations.\122\ Therefore, we conclude that the proposed rule in
total will have a significant economic impact on no more than 29 small
institutions of the 1,189 small entities currently supervised by the
OCC, which is not a substantial number (approximately 2.4 percent of
small entities).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\122\ Because the OCC will require some Federal savings
associations to obtain approval, we assume that investments may be
constrained for 15 small Federal savings associations with a
positive return on assets (ROA) that are currently eligible to file
an after-the fact notice for investments in premises that will not
be able to do so under the proposal. (We assume that all small
entities seek to maximize ROA and net income. Thus, we assume that
those small Federal savings associations that currently have a
negative ROA are not likely to seek approval to increase their
investment in premises.) However, based on the recent behavior of
these Federal savings associations, it is unlikely that all 15 would
seek to increase their investments in premises in one year. (The
number of these small Federal savings associations that increased
their investment in premises during calendar years 2012 and 2013
were three and four, respectively.) For purposes of this analysis we
estimate that no more than five Federal savings associations would
seek to increase their investments in premises in one year. To test
if a substantial number of small entities could be impacted by this
provision, we assume that all of these requests will be declined and
that the associated economic impact is significant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Based on the information set forth above, and pursuant to section
605(b) of the RFA, the OCC hereby certifies that this proposal would
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. Accordingly, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is
not required.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
The OCC has analyzed the proposed rule under the factors in the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA).\123\ Under this analysis,
the OCC considered whether the proposed rule includes a Federal mandate
that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100
million or more in any one year (adjusted annually for inflation). The
OCC finds that the proposed rule does not trigger the UMRA cost
threshold. Accordingly, this proposal is not subject to section 202 of
the Unfunded Mandates Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\123\ Public Law 104-4, 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. (1995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995,\124\ the OCC may
not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an
information collection unless the information collection displays a
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OCC has
submitted the information collection requirements imposed by this rule
to OMB for review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\124\ Public Law 104-13, (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The proposal contains both new and revised information collection
requirements. Some of the revisions provide exceptions to existing
requirements, which will result in a reduction in burden. Some of the
requirements are currently in place for national banks and are being
extended to cover both national banks and Federal savings associations.
Some of the amendments impose new requirements on Federal savings
associations and amend the requirements for national banks. A number of
the revisions involve amendments to definitions, which, in some cases,
would affect the respondent count for related provisions. For example,
the change in the definition of ``eligible bank'' to include the
compliance rating in addition to the CAMELS and CRA rating will affect
respondent counts. The provisions are included the OCC's information
collection for the Comptroller's Licensing Rules. The collection has
been revised and submitted to OMB for review in connection with
publication of the proposed rule. A number of the provisions being
amended contain existing PRA requirements that have been previously
approved by OMB.\125\ The amendments proposed today do not create any
new information collection requirements and, therefore, require no PRA
filings, other than non-material changes necessary due to the
consolidation of the regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\125\ OMB Control Nos. 1557-0106, 1557-0140, 1557-0190, 1557-
0204, 1557-0221, 1557-0266, and 1557-0310.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rules of General Applicability
Federal savings associations would be required to follow the
procedure and processing provisions currently imposed on national banks
(part 5, subpart A) instead of those in part 116, which they currently
follow. Only well

[[Page 33317]]

capitalized Federal savings associations would qualify for expedited
treatment and adequately capitalized institutions would no longer
qualify. Public notices of filings would be required to be filed as
soon as practicable after a filing date instead of seven days prior to
the filing date. Public notice would have to state that a filing is
being made and the date of the filing. A single public notice would be
acceptable for multiple transactions or transactions filed with the OCC
and another agency, under certain circumstances. Comments in response
to a filing would have to be obtained from the OCC, as comments would
no longer be sent directly to the institution.
The requirement for publication of notice of a filing by national
banks would be made more specific and require the notice: to be
published in English; to specify the name of institution that is the
subject of the filing; to indicate that the public portion is available
on request; and to provide the address of the applicant. Under certain
circumstances, the OCC could require the applicant to publish a new
notice.
Fiduciary Powers
In order to exercise fiduciary powers, Federal savings associations
would be required to comply with the application requirements of Sec.
5.26 in place of the requirements under current part 150. In addition,
Sec. 5.26 would be revised to require a national bank or Federal
savings association that has not conducted previously approved
fiduciary powers for 18 consecutive months to provide the OCC with 60
days' advance notice before engaging in the activities. It would also
require that a national bank or Federal savings association that has
received approval to offer limited fiduciary services apply to the OCC
to offer full fiduciary services. Eligible Federal savings associations
would receive expedited review of applications. A provision would be
added setting out the circumstances under which a Federal savings
association does not need to apply for fiduciary powers in connection
with certain mergers.
Establishment, Acquisition, and Relocation of a Branch
New Sec. 5.31 would address the establishment and relocation of
branches, or the establishment of agency offices, by Federal savings
associations and would replace several provisions currently found in
part 145.
Section 5.31(f)(1) would set out the general requirement that each
Federal savings association proposing to establish or relocate a branch
shall submit a separate application for each proposed branch, unless
the transaction qualifies for an exception. The provision in Sec.
145.93(e) stating that a Federal savings association may not file an
application or notice, or use any of the exceptions, to establish a
branch if the association has filed an application to merge or
otherwise surrender its charter and the application has been pending
for less than six months would not be carried over to Sec. 5.31.
Section 145.93(b)(3) provides that certain highly-rated Federal
savings associations are not required to file an application to change
the permanent location of an existing branch or to establish a new
branch if it meets certain requirements, including that the Federal
savings association meet the eligibility requirements for expedited
treatment. The proposal would change this to require that the Federal
savings association is an ``eligible savings association,'' as defined
in 12 CFR 5.3(h), rather than eligible for expedited treatment.
Section 5.31(g) would set out exceptions to the rules of general
applicability for applications by a Federal savings association to
establish or relocate a branch and specify that the OCC would be able
to waive or reduce the public notice and comment period in certain
emergency situations or with respect to certain temporary branches.
Section 5.31(h) would provide that OCC's approval of a branch
expires if the branch has not commenced business within 18 months,
unless the OCC grants an extension. This period is longer than the
current twelve month expiration period for branch approvals for Federal
savings associations under Sec. 145.95(c).
Section 145.93(c) currently requires prior approval for any savings
association branch that would be subject to section 5(m)(1) of the HOLA
(regarding District of Columbia savings associations), if the
association meets the requirements of Sec. 145.93(b) for an exception
to the branch application filing requirement. New Sec. 5.31(j) would
require an application and prior written approval for each application.
State and Federal savings associations would be required to file an
application with the OCC to establish or move a branch in the District
of Columbia.
Investment in Bank Service Companies
This section would be expanded to cover Federal savings
associations. It would replace the after-the-fact notice before making
an investment in the equity of a bank service company or performing new
activities in an existing bank service company with an expedited prior
notice procedure.
Investments in Premises
This section would be expanded to cover Federal savings
associations. In addition, an alternative, after-the-fact notice
process would be added for both national banks and Federal savings
associations and an exception to the premise application and notice
requirements for investments in banking premises through a service
corporation is provided for Federal savings associations. Amendments to
the definitions of ``capital stock'' and ``capital and surplus,'' which
would increase the amount that a Federal savings association could
invest in banking premises without OCC approval, would result in a
decrease in the number of requests for approval. A transition provision
would be added for Federal savings associations to grandfather existing
banking premises investments. Modifying, expanding, or approving such
investments would require prior approval. A Federal savings association
would be given a one to three year timeframe for the use of real estate
acquired for future premises in place of the current requirement, which
requires use of real estate acquired for future expansion within five
years and, after holding the real estate for one year, requires a
statement by resolution of the definite plans for use.
Main Office and Home Office Relocations
Federal savings associations would be required to submit prior
notice to the OCC for home office relocations to a branch site in the
same city, town, or village of the current home office and obtain prior
approval for other relocations. They would also be required to obtain
prior approval to establish a branch at the site of a former main or
home office.
Change in Corporate Title
For change in corporate title, Federal savings associations would
be required to submit an after-the-fact notice in place of the current
30-day prior notice.
Voluntary Liquidation
This section would be expanded to cover Federal savings
associations. The liquidating agent or committee of the national bank
or Federal savings association would be required to submit: A report to
the appropriate OCC Licensing Office at the start of liquidation
showing the bank's or savings associations balance sheet as of the
start of liquidation; quarterly Call

[[Page 33318]]

Reports; a report of condition at the start of the liquidation; annual
progress reports; and a final report of liquidation. National banks and
Federal savings associations would be required to notify all
depositors, other known creditors, and known claimants of the bank or
savings association.
Change in Control; Reporting of Stock Loans
This section would be expanded to cover Federal savings
associations. Procedures for rebuttal of control and concerted action
under part 174 would no longer be applicable to Federal savings
associations. Persons who acquire control of a Federal savings
association as a result of testate or intestate succession would need
to file a notice within 90 days of the transaction, while the current
regulations require only a notification of the acquisition within 60
days. Under Sec. 5.50, acquirers of beneficial ownership exceeding 10
percent of any class of stock of a Federal savings association that
does not file a control notice or control rebuttal would not be
required to file a certification of ownership.
Changes in Directors and Senior Executive Officers
The notice of a change in directors or senior executive officers
for a national bank would need to include financial information on the
individual, except when the OCC determines it is not required. If the
OCC requests additional information, a national bank may request a time
extension to provide the information, if necessary.
Federal savings associations would be required to provide 90 days
prior notice of a new director or senior executive officer, under
certain circumstances, in place of the current shorter notice period.
Only a Federal savings association would be permitted to file the
notice; nominees no longer will be able to file. Federal savings
associations would be able to appeal an OCC notice of disapproval.
Change in Address
Under certain circumstances, national banks and Federal savings
associations would no longer be required to file a notice of home
office change of address and Federal savings associations would no
longer be required to provide notice of a post office box address.
Bank Activities and Operations
A number of provisions in part 7 are being expanded to cover
Federal savings associations. A transition period would be added to
grandfather Federal savings associations' existing premise investments,
provided they are not modified, expanded, or improved. A transition
period would also be provided for Federal savings associations that
share space or employees with another business under an agreement that
complies with legal requirements previously in place that would violate
this provision. They would be permitted to continue under the existing
agreement, but would not be able to amend, renew, or extend the
agreement without prior approval.
The requirements in part 145 regarding the establishment of agency
offices of Federal savings associations would be removed and agency
offices of Federal savings associations that conduct non-branch
activities would not be considered branches and would not be required
to obtain OCC approval for these offices.
Organizing a National Bank or Federal Savings Association
In Sec. 5.20, paragraph (h) specifies requirements for the
organizers' business plan or operating plan, paragraph (i) lists the
procedures that the organizers must follow, paragraph (j) specifies the
requirements for expedited review of an application, and paragraph (l)
lists requirements for the establishment of special purpose banks. An
application to charter a Federal savings association would be subject
to the two-part approval process contained in paragraph (i)(5). The OCC
uses a two-part approval process for de novo national bank charters.
After an application is filed, if the OCC determines it meets the
applicable standards, the application is given preliminary approval.
The national bank in organization would then take the steps needed to
organize itself, raise capital, obtain any other regulatory approvals,
and generally become ready to commence business. Final approval is
given and the national bank's charter is issued only after all these
steps are concluded, including compliance with any conditions imposed
in the preliminary approval. Currently, the OCC issues only one
approval before it issues the charter, but this approval is subject to
the institution completing various post-approval organizational steps
and other requirements before it can begin conducting business.
Paragraph (j) currently provides for expedited review of an application
to establish a full-service national bank filed by a bank holding
company with a lead depository institution that is an eligible
depository institution. Under the proposal, Federal savings
associations and savings and loan holding companies would be added.
The corresponding rules applicable to organizing Federal savings
associations are found in parts 143, 144, 152, and Sec. 163.1.
Sections 144.1 and 152.3 contain specific language and requirements to
be used for the charter of Federal mutual savings associations and
Federal stock savings associations, respectively, and Sec. Sec. 144.2
and 152.4 contain specific requirements for the bylaws of Federal
mutual savings associations and Federal stock savings associations,
respectively. Sections 143.2(g)(2)(i) and 152.1(b)(3)(i) provide that
approval of an application to organize a Federal mutual or stock
savings association, respectively, is conditioned on OCC receipt of
written confirmation from the FDIC that accounts will be insured.
Section 152.2, which provides procedures for the organization of
interim Federal savings associations, would be rescinded and addressed
in the business combinations regulation at Sec. 5.33.
Proposed Sec. 5.21(j) would specify the language and requirements
for Federal mutual savings association bylaws. The provision reflects
the requirements in Sec. 144.5.
Federal Stock Savings Association Charter, Bylaws and Related
Provisions
Proposed Sec. 5.22(e) would specify the language and requirements
for a Federal stock savings association charter. The provision reflects
the requirements in Sec. 152.3.
Federal Savings Association Charter and Bylaws Availability Requirement
Section 163.1(b), which requires each Federal savings association
to cause a true copy of its charter and bylaws and all amendments
thereto to be available to accountholders at all times in each office
of the savings association, and to deliver to any accountholders a copy
of such charter and bylaws or amendments thereto, upon request, is
being rescinded and OCC will continue applying this requirement only
with respect to Federal mutual savings associations under new Sec.
5.21(i).
Conversions to and From National Bank and Federal Savings Association
Charters
In Sec. 5.24(d), regarding the policy for approving and
disapproving conversions to national bank charters, a statement would
be added that the institution seeking to convert to a national bank
charter must obtain all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals.
A parallel provision is found in Sec. 143.8(a)(2), which would be now
found in Sec. 5.25. The public notice and inspection requirements at
Sec. 143.9(a)(2)

[[Page 33319]]

are being rescinded. If there are instances where the OCC believes
publication is warranted, the OCC could require publication under Sec.
5.2(b), which allows the OCC to require materially different procedures
for a particular filing.
Section 5.24(e)(2)(ix) would require the application for conversion
to include a business plan if the converting institution has been
operating for less than three years or plans to make significant
changes to its business after the conversion, instead of the current
policy of requesting it on a case-by-case basis.
Section 5.24(g), which allows for expedited review of a conversion
application filed by an eligible depository institution, would be
limited to applications by institutions already supervised by the OCC.
Proposed Sec. 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(K) would require a converting
institution that does not meet the qualified thrift lender test of 12
U.S.C. 1467a(m) to include a plan to achieve compliance within a
reasonable period of time and to request an exception from the OCC in
the application.
Proposed Sec. 5.25(d) provides that converting from a Federal
charter does not require prior OCC approval. The institution must file
only a notice with the OCC. Currently, Federal savings associations
that are not eligible for expedited treatment must file an application
to convert to a national bank or state bank. The notice must contain a
copy of the conversion application to the regulator to which it is
applying for approval to convert, and a discussion of any issues
regarding the permissibility of the conversion under section 612 of
Dodd-Frank Act. The institution would also be required to file a copy
of its conversion application with the Federal banking agency that
would become its appropriate Federal banking agency after the
conversion.
For conversions between a national bank and a Federal savings
association, proposed Sec. 5.25(e) requires the institution planning
to convert to file a notice for the conversion-out aspect of the
transaction with the OCC. Federal savings associations currently must
file an application, unless they qualify for expedited review. The
notice must contain a showing of its compliance with applicable
requirements for converting from the Federal charter. The applicable
``converting-in'' regulation (Sec. 5.23 or Sec. 5.24) would require
the institution to file an application with the OCC with respect to the
``converting-in'' aspect of the transaction.
Proposed Sec. 5.24(e)(2)(x) and Sec. 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(J) would
require the conversion application to include information about
enforcement actions and other supervisory criticisms and the
applicant's analysis of whether conversion is permissible under 12
U.S.C. 35, as amended by section 612.
Proposed Sec. 5.25(d)(3) would require that the information that
must be submitted to the OCC when a national bank or Federal savings
association plans to convert to a state bank or state savings
association must include a discussion of the impact of any enforcement
action on the permissibility of the conversion under 12 U.S.C. 214d or
1464(i)(6).
Sections 5.24(e)(2), 5.23(d)(2)(ii), 5.25(d)(3)(i), and
5.25(d)(3)(ii)(A) require that, at the time an insured depository
institution files a conversion application, it must transmit a copy of
the conversion application to both the appropriate Federal banking
agency for the institution and the Federal banking agency that would
become the appropriate Federal banking agency for the institution after
the proposed conversion.
Service Corporations
Under the current service corporation regulation, a Federal savings
association must file a notice under part 116 at least 30 days before
establishing or acquiring a subsidiary or engaging in a new activity in
a subsidiary. A Federal savings association is not required to file a
service corporation application if the association proposes to make a
non-controlling investment in a service corporation. The proposal would
amend the service corporation regulation at Sec. 5.59 to require that
a Federal savings association file with the OCC before acquiring or
establishing any service corporation, including one that it would not
control.
Section 5.59(h)(1)(ii) would require a Federal savings association
to list for each state the lines of business for which the service
corporation holds, or will hold, an insurance license, and each state
in which the service corporation holds a resident license or charter.
Section 5.59(h)(2) would change the circumstances under which a Federal
savings association would receive expedited review for a service
corporation filing, currently found in part 116. A service corporation
filing would be eligible for expedited review if the savings
association is ``well capitalized'' and ``well managed,'' and the
service corporation engages only in one or more of the preapproved
activities listed in Sec. 5.59(f).
A new requirement would be added in section 5.59(k) to require each
Federal savings association to file an annual report that includes, for
each service corporation subsidiary that is not functionally regulated
and does business with consumers in the United States, certain
information including the name and principal place of business of the
service corporation, the lines of business in which the service
corporation subsidiary engages directly with consumers, and the nature
of the parent savings association's interest in the service corporation
subsidiary.
Operating Subsidiaries; Subordinate Organizations
New Sec. 5.34(e)(2)(iii) would be added to clarify that a national
bank must have reasonable policies and procedures to preserve the
limited liability of the bank and its operating subsidiaries. This
requirement has been adapted from Sec. 159.10 and would be consistent
with the new operating subsidiary rule for Federal savings
associations.
Current Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(i) provides that national banks meeting
certain requirements are not required to file a prior application but
may give after-the-fact notice when establishing or acquiring an
operating subsidiary or performing a new activity in an existing
operating subsidiary. Paragraph (e)(5)(ii) requires a prior application
and OCC approval in other instances and sets out the information that
must be included in the filing.
Current Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(vi) provides that no application or notice
is required for a national bank that is well managed and adequately
capitalized or well capitalized to acquire or establish an operating
subsidiary or perform a new activity in an existing operating
subsidiary, if the activities of the new subsidiary are limited to
those previously reported to the OCC in connection with a prior
operating subsidiary and certain other requirements are met. The
proposal would change the criteria from adequately capitalized to well
capitalized. This is consistent with the well capitalized requirement
to be eligible for the after-the-fact notice procedure.
Section 5.38(b) would require a Federal savings association to file
an application to acquire or establish any operating subsidiary or to
commence a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. Part 159
required Federal savings associations to give 30 days' notice to the
OCC prior to establishing or acquiring an operating subsidiary or
commencing a new activity in an operating subsidiary. Section 159.11

[[Page 33320]]

required a filing when it is required under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m), and
section 1828(m) does not require a filing if the subsidiary is an
insured depository institution. Proposed Sec. 5.38(b) would require an
application to acquire an insured depository institution as an
operating subsidiary. A proposal for a Federal savings association to
own an insured depository institution subsidiary that would cause the
savings association to be a bank holding company or a savings and loan
holding company raises issues of law and policy as well as supervisory
concerns. The acquisition of other insured depository institutions as
operating subsidiaries also requires agency review. Accordingly, the
OCC believes an application is needed, even if not required under 12
U.S.C. 1828(m).
Section 5.38(d) sets out definitions for ``well capitalized'' and
``well managed,'' which will be used as part of the determination of
which applications are eligible for expedited review by the OCC. These
definitions are the same as those in Sec. 5.34(d), and the OCC uses
these terms as criteria to permit national banks to make an after-the-
fact notice filing pursuant to Sec. 5.34(e)(5). They are also used in
proposed Sec. 5.38 to determine if an application by a Federal savings
association is eligible for expedited review.
Section Sec. 5.38(e)(1)(ii) would provide that if the activities
performed at a location of an operating subsidiary (other than the home
office of the savings association) include activities that would
require the savings association to have approval for a branch office if
the office were a direct office of the savings association, the savings
association must obtain OCC approval for a branch office at that
location, if it has not already been authorized as a branch. Existing
offices would be grandfathered. This is requirement is new for Federal
savings associations.
Section 5.38(e)(2)(iii) (similar to Sec. 159.10) would expressly
require a savings association to have reasonable policies and
procedures to preserve the limited liability of the savings association
and its operating subsidiaries.
Section 159.11 specifies when Federal savings associations must
file a notice at least 30 days prior to establishing or acquiring an
operating subsidiary or conducting a new activity in an existing
operating subsidiary. Section 5.38(e)(5) specifies the procedures a
Federal savings association must follow when filing applications
required under Sec. 5.38. Section 5.38(e)(5)(ii)(A) provides for
expedited review of applications to establish or acquire an operating
subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing operating
subsidiary. The expedited review process is similar to that contained
in Sec. 159.11.
Section 159.3(p)(1) provides that a Federal savings association
must consult with the appropriate OCC licensing office prior to
redesignating a service corporation as an operating subsidiary, and
make available for examination adequate internal records demonstrating
that the redesignated office meets all of the requirements for an
operating subsidiary and that the board of directors has approved of
the redesignation. Section 5.38(e)(vi) would require a Federal savings
association to provide 30 days' prior notice to the OCC when the
savings association wants to redesignate a service corporation as an
operating subsidiary.
Section 5.38(e)(8) requires Federal savings associations to file an
annual report on operating subsidiaries that do business directly with
consumers in the United States and are not functionally regulated
subsidiaries, which the OCC will make available to the public.
Pass-Through Investments
Section 160.32(b) currently provides that a Federal savings
association may make certain qualifying pass-through investments
without prior notice to the OCC in any entity that is a limited
partnership, an open-ended mutual fund, a closed-end investment trust,
a limited liability company, or an entity in which the Federal savings
association is investing primarily to use the company's services.
Section 160.32(c) requires a Federal savings association to provide the
OCC with written notice 30 days prior to making any pass-through
investment that does not meet the no-notice standards. The notice is a
form of application and may become a standard application if the OCC
notifies the filer that the investment presents supervisory, legal, or
safety and soundness concerns. The proposal would remove these
provisions and cross-reference Sec. 5.36.
Proposed Sec. 5.58(e) mirrors Sec. 5.36(e) and would provide that
a well capitalized, well managed Federal savings association may make
certain pass-through investments, directly or through its operating
subsidiary, in certain entities by filing a written after-the-fact
notice with the OCC no later than 10 days after making the investment
if the activity conducted by the enterprise is on the list of
activities eligible for a notice filing for operating subsidiaries, or
if it is substantially the same as an activity that has been previously
approved for a Federal savings association (or its operating
subsidiary).
If a Federal savings association is not well capitalized and well
managed or if the activity conducted by the enterprise does not qualify
for the after-the-fact notice procedure, the savings association would
be required to apply to the OCC and receive prior approval for the non-
controlling investment.
Section 5.58(g)(1) would provide for an expedited notice procedure
for pass-through investments in entities holding assets in satisfaction
of debts previously contracted. A Federal savings association would not
be required to file a notice or application under Sec. 5.58 when
acquiring a non-controlling investment in shares of a company through
foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim,
or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted.
Under Sec. 5.58, Federal savings associations would be permitted
to make non-controlling investments greater than 25 percent of the
company's equity. The investment, however, would constitute
``control,'' making the enterprise a subsidiary of the association and
triggering a filing. Section 5.58(f)(2) provides that a Federal savings
association must submit an application for approval prior to investing
in an enterprise that would be considered a subsidiary of the Federal
savings association.
Section 5.58 would change the filing requirements for Federal
savings associations' non-controlling investments. Some pass-through
investments could meet the requirements for the after-the-fact notice
procedure, and only the after-the-fact notice would be required. Some
non-controlling investments that qualify for the no-notice procedure
under Sec. 160.32(b) would require a filing under Sec. 5.58. Section
5.58(h) would continue the no-notice procedure for investments by
Federal savings associations in investment companies that held assets
permissible to be held directly. Some investments that may have
qualified for the no-notice procedure may be eligible for the after-
the-fact notice of Sec. 5.58(e).
Change in Asset Composition
The proposal would expand the requirements of Sec. 5.53 and remove
Sec. 163.22 regarding change in asset composition. Institutions
contemplating transactions that may constitute a material change would
be advised to consult the appropriate OCC supervisory office. National
banks would find more situations in which applications for approval
would be required than under current Sec. 5.53, but

[[Page 33321]]

these additional situations likely already would involve discussions
between the bank and its supervisory office. Federal savings
associations would find fewer situations in which applications for
approval are required than now required under current Sec. 163.22(c).
Under the application exception for asset changes that are part of
a voluntary liquidation, the proposal would add that the bank or
savings association must have received OCC approval of its plan of
liquidation.
The expedited treatment under Sec. 163.22(c) for of bulk transfer
filings if all of the participating Federal savings associations meet
the conditions for expedited treatment would not be carried over into
Sec. 5.53.
Business Combinations
Proposed Sec. 5.33(d)(2)(v) expands the definition of ``business
combination'' in Sec. 5.33(d)(2), which currently includes only the
assumption of deposit liabilities from another depository institution,
to also include the assumption, from a credit union or any other
institution that is not FDIC-insured, of deposit accounts or other
liabilities that will become deposits at the assuming national bank or
Federal savings association. Federal savings associations are currently
required to file an application under Sec. 163.22(c). The proposal
retains the requirement and expands it to cover national banks.
Under the proposal, a Federal savings association would have the
authority to engage in a whole entity purchase and assumption without
regard to whether it has authority to consolidate or merge with the
counterparty. National banks have had this authority but have not been
required to apply to the OCC for approval of a whole entity purchase
and assumption other than one with a depository institution. The
proposal would require an application if the whole entity purchase and
assumption would result in an increase in the asset size of the bank or
savings association of twenty-five percent or more.
Proposed Sec. 5.33(e)(3) would amend the business combination
application to add to the current requirement to identify subsidiaries
and provide an analysis of the permissibility for the national bank or
Federal savings association to hold the subsidiary or investment, a
financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment,
service corporation investment, and other equity investment.
Under proposed Sec. 5.33(e)(6), regarding the exercise of
fiduciary powers by the resulting national bank or Federal savings
association, a clarification would be made that if the applicant
intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the combination and requires
OCC approval for such powers, it must include in the business
combination application the information required in Sec. 5.26 for a
request for fiduciary powers.
Section 5.33(f)(1) would be amended to clarify that the requirement
of public notice and comment would apply only when the application is
subject to a public notice requirement under the Bank Merger Act or
other applicable statute that requires notice to the public. This
publication requirement would not be a change for national banks or
Federal savings associations.
The frequency and timing of publication for transactions that are
subject to the Bank Merger Act would be changed for Federal savings
associations. Section 163.22(e)(1)(i) requires an initial publication
and then publication on a weekly basis during the public comment
period. Under proposed Sec. 5.33(f)(1), the OCC would require the
initial publication and two other publications during the standard 30-
day public comment period.
Section 5.33(g)(1), addressing the merger or consolidation of a
national bank or a state bank into a national bank, would require that
a national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a merger or
consolidation with another national bank must file a notice to the OCC
under Sec. 5.33(k). This notice would also be required whenever a
national bank or Federal savings association merges or consolidates
into another institution. It provides the OCC information about the
target national bank's compliance with requirements to ``merge-out''
and sets in motion the steps for the disappearing national bank to end
its separate existence.
Section 5.33(g)(2)(ii), under which the OCC may conduct an
appraisal of dissenters' shares of stock in a national bank involved in
a consolidation with a Federal savings association if all the parties
agree, would be changed from a voluntary to a required process. Section
5.33(g)(2)(ii)(B) and (C) would specify the process for appraisal of
dissenters' shares of stock in a stock Federal savings association
involved in a consolidation or merger into a national bank.
Section 5.33(g)(2)(iii) would include a requirement that a
consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the
terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other
participating institution by the resulting institution.
New Sec. 5.33(g)(3), addressing consolidations and mergers of
other institutions into a Federal savings association, would require
application to the OCC and would require the Federal savings
association to comply with requirements and procedures similar to those
currently imposed on them. If a combination involves a whole purchase
and assumption of a Federal savings association, then the combination
would be treated as a consolidation for participating Federal savings
associations, and the procedural requirements in Sec. 5.33(o) would
apply.
Section 5.33(g)(3)(ii) would include a requirement that the
consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon and the
terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other
participating institution by the resulting institution.
Section 5.33(g)(6)(iv) would include a requirement that the
consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the
terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any other
participating institution by the resulting institution. This
requirement is based on provisions in Sec. Sec. 146.2(b)(9) and
152.13(f)(9).
Section 5.33(g)(7) would address a consolidation or merger of a
Federal savings association into a state bank, state savings bank,
state savings association, state trust company, or credit union and
require only a notice to the OCC, not application and approval. This
requirement is a change for Federal savings associations from Sec.
163.22(c), under which an application is required for a combination
with an uninsured bank, savings association or trust company or a
credit union. Section 5.33(g)(7)(ii) would include a provision under
which a whole purchase and assumption of the target Federal savings
association would be treated as a consolidation for the Federal savings
association, so that the procedural requirements in Sec. 5.33(o) would
apply.
Section 5.33(g)(7)(iii) would set out the process for appraisal of
dissenters' shares of stock in a stock Federal savings association
involved in a consolidation or merger into a state bank, state savings
bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit union.
Section 5.33(g)(7)(iv) would require that the consolidation or merger
agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption
of, any liquidation account of any other participating institution by
the resulting institution.
Section 5.33(i), which would provide for expedited review of
business reorganizations and streamlined applications, would be
expanded to include Federal savings association applications.

[[Page 33322]]

Expedited review under Sec. 5.33(j) would replace the automatic
approval provision in Sec. 163.22(f) for Federal savings associations,
which provides that an application is deemed to be approved
automatically 30 days after the OCC sends the applicant a written
notice that the application is complete.
New Sec. 5.33(k) would address notices to be filed when a national
bank or Federal savings association is consolidating or merging with
another national bank or Federal savings association or with a state
chartered institution or credit union and the target national bank or
Federal savings association is not the resulting institution. It
includes the steps to be taken to terminate the institution's status as
a national bank or Federal savings association. This consolidates
requirements from Sec. Sec. 5.33(g)(3), 146.2(g), 152.13(k), 163.22(b)
and 163.22(h)(1)(i) and (ii). There would be no change for Federal
savings associations, but national banks would be required to include
more information in the notice than currently required.
Section 5.33(m) would address certification of a consolidation or
merger and documentation of its effective date. The applicant would be
required to submit information showing that all steps needed to
complete the transaction have been met and to notify the OCC of the
planned consummation date. This reflects current OCC practice for
national banks. It accomplishes through an applicant notification
letter and issuance of an OCC certification letter what Sec. 152.13(j)
does in requiring the applicant to submit two sets of ``Articles of
Combination'' that are filed with the OCC, and then endorsed by the
OCC, with one set returned to the applicant with a specification of the
effective date.
New Sec. 5.33(o) would include provisions from Sec. Sec. 146.2
and 152.13 that set out the procedural requirements for board,
shareholder (in the case of stock savings associations), and, if
required by the OCC, voting member (in the case of mutual savings
associations) approval of business combinations involving the Federal
savings association.
Changes in Permanent Capital
Section 5.46(g)(1) would be amended to describe more fully those
increases in permanent capital of a national bank for which an
application and prior approval are not required and when such increases
are considered approved by the OCC. Portions of this requirement are
currently in paragraph (i)(3), which addresses the bank's notification
to the OCC that the increase has occurred and the certification of the
increase by the OCC.
Subordinated Debt
The expedited treatment process in part 116 for savings
associations would be replaced by the expedited review process in part
5 for Federal savings associations seeking expedited review of filings
to issue subordinated debt. This could result in a change in which
savings associations qualify for the expedited process, due to the
difference between the eligibility requirements for expedited review
and the requirements for expedited treatment.
Capital Distributions
New Sec. 5.55 contains Federal savings association procedures and
standards for capital distributions currently found in part 163 and
filing procedures based on provisions in part 5 regarding eligible
savings associations and expedited review. A Federal savings
association must be an ``eligible savings association'' in order to
qualify for expedited review of filings for capital distributions.
Because the eligibility requirements in part 5 and in the current
Federal savings association rules are not identical, the part 5
eligibility requirements for expedited review could affect which
Federal savings associations qualify for the expedited process.
Title of Information Collection: Comptroller's Licensing Rules.
OMB Control No: 1557-0014.
Frequency of Response: Event generated.
Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
Current Burden for the Comptroller's Licensing Rules:
Number of Respondents: 3,831.
Average Burden per Respondent: 3.18 hours.
Total Burden: 12,174 hours.
Burden Estimates for the Comptroller's Licensing Rules as Amended
by the proposal:
Number of Respondents: 3,879.
Average Burden per Respondent: 3.22 hours.
Total Burden: 12,485 hours.
The change in burden for the collection is an overall increase of
311 hours, or 2.6%. The change in number of respondents is due to an
increase in the number of regulated entities involved in licensing
activities and the revisions to certain definitions. The change in
burden per respondent is an overall increase in .04 hours. This is a
result of the combination of the expansion of national bank
requirements to savings associations, the revision of requirements for
both national banks and savings associations, the addition of
exemptions, and the streamlining and elimination of unnecessary
requirements. The OCC requests comment on:
a. Whether the information collection is necessary for the proper
performance of the OCC's functions, and how the instructions can be
clarified so that information gathered has more practical utility;
b. The accuracy of the OCC's estimates of the burdens of the
information collection, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected;
d. Ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on
respondents, including through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology; and
e. Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation,
maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

VIII. Redesignation Table

The following redesignation table is provided for reader reference.
It lists the current savings association provision and identifies the
provision in this final rule that would replace it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former section
Subject number/guidance New section No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application Processing Part 116.......... Part 5, subpart A.
Procedures. See also relevant
activity or
transaction rule
in part 5.
What does this part do?..... 116.1............. 5.1, 5.2.
Do the same procedures apply 116.5............. 5.2.
to all applications under
this part?.
How does the OCC compute 116.10............ 5.12.
time periods under this
part?.
Must I meet with the OCC 116.15............ 5.4(f).
before I file my
application?.

[[Page 33323]]

What information must I 116.20............ See 5.4(f).
include in my draft
business plan?.
What type of application 116.25............ See 5.4.
must I file?.
What information must I 116.30............ See 5.4 (e).
provide with my
application?.
May I keep portions of my 116.35............ 5.9.
application confidential?.
Where do I file my 116.40............ 5.4(d).
application?.
What is the filing date of 116.45............ See 5.12.
my application?/Filing fees.
How do I amend or supplement 116.47............ None.
my application?.
Public notice............... 116.50-116.80..... 5.8.
Comment procedures: What 116.100........... None.
does this subpart do?.
Public comment.............. 116.110-116.140... 5.10.
Meeting procedures: What 116.160........... None.
does this subpart do?.
When will the OCC conduct a 116.170........... 5.11.
meeting on an application?.
What procedures govern the 116.180........... 5.11.
conduct of a meeting?.
Will the OCC approve or 116.185........... None.
disapprove an application
at a meeting?.
Will a meeting affect 116.190........... See 5.10(b)(2),
application processing time 5.11(h), and
frames?. 5.13(a)(2).
If I file a notice under 116.200........... See relevant
expedited treatment, when activity or
may I engage in the transaction rule
proposed activities? in part 5.
What will the OCC do after I 116.210........... 5.13.
file my application?.
If the OCC requests 116.220........... 5.13.
additional information to
complete my application,
how will it process my
application?
Will the OCC conduct an 116.230........... 5.7.
eligibility examination?.
What may the OCC require me 116.240........... 5.8(g), 5.13(c).
to do after my application
is deemed complete?
Will the OCC require me to 116.250........... 5.8(g).
publish a new public
notice?.
May the OCC suspend 116.260........... None.
processing of my
application?.
How long is the OCC review 116.270........... 5.13; See also
period?. relevant activity
or transaction
rule in part 5.
How will I know if my 116.280........... 5.13(d).
application is approved?.
What will happen if the OCC 116.290........... See 5.13(c).
does not approve or
disapprove my application
within two calendar years
after the filing date?
Federal Mutual Savings Part 143.......... 5.20; 5.42.
Associations--Incorporation,
Organization, and Conversion.
Corporate title............. 143.1............. 5.20(f)(2(i)),
5.42.
Application for permission 143.2............. 5.20.
to organize.
``De novo'' applications for 143.3............. 5.20.
a Federal savings
association charter.
Issuance of charter......... 143.4............. None.
Completion of organization.. 143.5............. 5.20.
Limitations on transaction 143.6............. None.
of business.
Federal savings association 143.7............. None.
created in connection with
an association in default
or in danger of default.
Conversions................. 143.8-143.10...... 5.23.
Organization plan for 143.11............ None.
governance during first
years after issuance of
Federal mutual savings bank
charter.
Continuity of existence..... 143.14............ 5.23.
Federal Mutual Savings 144............... 5.21.
Associations--Charter and
Bylaws.
Federal mutual charter...... 144.1............. 5.21(e).
Charter amendments.......... 144.2............. 5.21(f)-(h).
Issuance of charter......... 144.4............. None.
Federal mutual savings 144.5............. See 5.21(j).
association bylaws.
Effect of subsequent charter 144.6............. 5.21(j)(4).
of bylaw change.
Availability--in association 144.7............. 5.21(i).
offices.
Communication between 144.8............. 144.8.
members of a Federal mutual
savings association.
Federal Savings Associations-- Part 145.......... 5.31, 5.40, 5.52.
Operations.
Home office................. 145.91(a)......... None.
145.91(b)......... 5.52.
Branch offices.............. 145.92............ 5.31.
Application and notice 145.93, 145.95.... 5.31 (branch
requirements and processing office).
procedures for branch and 5.40 (home
home offices. office).
Agency office............... 145.96............ 5.31(k).
Federal Mutual Savings Part 146.......... 5.33, 5.48.
Associations--Merger,
Dissolution, Reorganization,
and Conversion.
Definitions, procedures, and 146.1-146.3....... 5.33.
transfer of assets upon
merger or consolidation.
Voluntary dissolution....... 146.4............. 5.48.
Fiduciary Powers of Federal Part 150, subpart 5.26.
Savings Associations. A.
Obtaining fiduciary powers: 150.70............ 150.70 (revised),
Must I obtain OCC approval 5.26.
or file a notice before I
exercise fiduciary powers?
Obtaining fiduciary powers.. 150.80-150.125.... 5.26.
Federal Stock Associations-- Part 152.......... 5.20, 5.22, 5.23,
Incorporation, Organization, 5.24, 5.25, 5.33.
and Conversion.
Procedure for organization 152.1............. 5.20.
of Federal stock
association.

[[Page 33324]]

Procedures for organization 152.2............. 5.33(e)(4).
of interim Federal stock
association.
Charters, bylaws, boards of 152.3-152.11...... 5.22.
directors and officers,
share certificates, and
books and records.
Business combinations....... 152.13-152.15..... 5.33.
Effect of subsequent charter 152.16............ 5.22.
or bylaw change.
Federal stock association 152.17............ None.
created in connection with
an association in default
or in danger of default.
Conversion from stock form 152.18............ 5.23.
depository institution to
Federal stock association.
Conversion to National 152.19............ 5.24 (to national
banking association or bank).
state bank. 5.25 (to State
bank).
Subordinate organizations....... 159 (159.1-159.13) 5.38 (operating
subsidiaries).
5.59 (service
corporations).
Lending and investment
Pass-through investments.... 160.32, except:... 5.58.
160.32(a)......... 160.32(a) (same).
160.32(b)......... 160.32(b)
(revised).
Real estate for office and 160.37............ 5.37, 7.1000,
related facilities. 7.3001.
Savings Associations--Operations
Submission for approval of 163.1(a).......... See
chartering documents. 5.20(e)(1)(iii)(A
).
Availability of chartering 163.1(b).......... None (Federal
documents. stock savings
associations).
5.21(i) (Federal
mutual savings
associations).
Merger, consolidation, 163.22............ 5.33, 5.53.
purchase or sale of assets,
or assumption of
liabilities.
Conversion to state bank.... 163.22(b)(1)(ii).. 5.25.
Conversion to national bank. 163.22(b)(2)...... 5.24.
Inclusion of subordinated 163.81............ 5.56.
debt securities and
mandatorily redeemable
preferred stock as
supplementary capital.
Capital Distributions....... 163.140-163.146 5.55.
(subpart E).
Management and financial 163.161........... 5.59
policies. (e)(7)(service
corporations
only).
Notice of change of director 163.550-163.590 5.51.
or senior executive officer. (subpart H)..
Acquisition of Control of 174.1-174.7....... 5.50.
Federal Savings Associations. 174, Appendix A... None.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 4

Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information,
Individuals with disabilities, Minority businesses, Organization and
functions (Government agencies), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Women.

12 CFR Part 5

Administrative practice and procedure, National banks, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.

12 CFR Part 7

Computer technology, Credit, Insurance, Investments, National
banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities, Surety
bonds.

12 CFR Part 14

Banks, Banking, Consumer protection, Insurance, National banks,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

12 CFR Part 32

National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

12 CFR Part 34

Mortgages, National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.

12 CFR Part 100

Savings associations.

12 CFR Part 116

Administrative practice and procedure, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Savings associations.

12 CFR Part 143

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; Savings associations.

12 CFR Part 144

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations.

12 CFR Part 145

Consumer protection, Credit, Electronic funds transfers,
Investments, Manufactured homes, Mortgages, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Savings associations.

12 CFR Part 146

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations.

12 CFR Part 150

Administrative practice and procedure, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Savings associations, Trusts and trustees.

12 CFR Part 152

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations,
Securities.

12 CFR Part 159

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations,
Subsidiaries.

12 CFR Part 160

Consumer protection, Investments, Manufactured homes, Mortgages,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations,
Securities.

12 CFR Part 161

Administrative practice and procedure, Savings associations.

12 CFR Part 162

Accounting, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings
associations.

[[Page 33325]]

12 CFR Part 163

Accounting, Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising,
Conflict of interests, Crime, Currency, Investments, Mortgages,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations,
Securities, Surety bonds.

12 CFR Part 174

Administrative practice and procedure, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Savings associations, Securities.

12 CFR Part 192

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations,
Securities.

12 CFR Part 193

Accounting, Savings associations, Securities.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, and under the authority
of 12 U.S.C. 93a and 5412(b)(2)(B), chapter I of title 12 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 4--ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS, AVAILABILITY AND RELEASE OF
INFORMATION, CONTRACTING OUTREACH PROGRAM, POST-EMPLOYMENT
RESTRICTIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 4 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1, 12 U.S.C. 93a, 12 U.S.C. 5321, 12
U.S.C. 5412, and 12 U.S.C. 5414. Subpart A also issued under 5
U.S.C. 552. Subpart B also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552; E.O. 12600 (3
CFR 1987 Comp., p. 235). Subpart C also issued under 5 U.S.C. 301,
552; 12 U.S.C. 161, 481, 482, 484(a), 1442, 1462a, 1463, 1464
1817(a)(2) and (3), 1818(u) and (v), 1820(d)(6), 1820(k), 1821(c),
1821(o), 1821(t), 1831m, 1831p-1, 1831o, 1867, 1951 et seq., 2601 et
seq., 2801 et seq., 2901 et seq., 3101 et seq., 3401 et seq.; 15
U.S.C. 77uu(b), 78q(c)(3); 18 U.S.C. 641, 1905, 1906; 29 U.S.C.
1204; 31 U.S.C. 5318(g)(2), 9701; 42 U.S.C. 3601; 44 U.S.C. 3506,
3510. Subpart D also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1833e. Subpart E is also
issued under 12 U.S.C. 1820(k).

0
2. Revise Sec. 4.5 to read as follows:

Sec. 4.5 Other OCC supervisory offices.

(a) Midsize Bank Supervision (MBS). Midsize Bank Supervision is
responsible for supervising midsize national banks and Federal savings
associations that present unique supervisory challenges based on size,
complexity, and/or product line. MBS also supervises credit card and
certain other special purpose banks. MBS is headquartered in Chicago,
Il and located at 1 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606.
(b) Community bank supervision. (1) District offices. Each district
office of the OCC is responsible for the direct supervision of the
national banks and Federal savings associations in its district, with
the exception of the national banks and Federal savings associations
supervised by the Washington office pursuant to Sec. 4.4 of this part
or Midsize Bank Supervision pursuant to Sec. 4.5(a). The four district
offices cover the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
and the Northern Mariana Islands. The geographical composition of each
district follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geographical
District Office location composition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeastern District............ Office of the Connecticut,
Comptroller of Delaware, District
the Currency, of Columbia,
340 Madison northeast Kentucky,
Avenue, 5th Maine, Maryland,
Floor New Massachusetts, New
York, NY 10173- Hampshire, New
0002. Jersey, New York,
North Carolina,
Pennsylvania,
Puerto Rico, Rhode
Island, South
Carolina, Vermont,
the Virgin Islands,
Virginia, and West
Virginia.
Central District................. Office of the Illinois, Indiana,
Comptroller of central and
the Currency, southern Kentucky,
One Financial Michigan, northern
Place, Suite and eastern
2700, 440 Minnesota, eastern
South LaSalle Missouri, North
Street, Dakota, Ohio, and
Chicago, IL Wisconsin.
60605.
Southern District................ Office of the Alabama, Arkansas,
Comptroller of Florida, Georgia,
the Currency, Louisiana,
500 North Mississippi,
Akard Street, Oklahoma,
Suite 1600, Tennessee, and
Dallas, TX Texas.
75201.
Western District................. Office of the Alaska, American
Comptroller of Samoa, Arizona,
the Currency, California,
1225 17th Colorado, Guam,
Street, Suite Hawaii, Idaho,
300, Denver, Iowa, Kansas,
CO 80202. southwestern
Minnesota, western
Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, Nevada,
New Mexico,
Northern Mariana
Islands, Oregon,
South Dakota, Utah,
Washington, and
Wyoming.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) Field offices and other supervisory offices. Field offices and
field office satellite offices support the bank and savings association
supervision responsibilities of the district offices.

PART 5--RULES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES FOR CORPORATE ACTIVITIES

0
3. The authority citation for part 5 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 24a, 93a, 215a-2, 215a-3, 481,
1462a, 1463, 1464, 2901 et seq., 3907, and 5412(b)(2)(B).

0
4. Section 5.1 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.1 Scope.

This part establishes rules, policies and procedures of the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for corporate activities and
transactions involving national banks and Federal savings associations.
It contains information on rules of general and specific applicability,
where and how to file, and requirements and policies applicable to
filings. This part also establishes the corporate filing procedures for
Federal branches and agencies of foreign banks.
0
5. Subpart A of part 5 is revised to read as follows:
Subpart A--Rules of General Applicability
Sec.
5.2 Rules of general applicability.
5.3 Definitions.
5.4 Filing required.
5.5 Fees.
5.6 [Reserved]
5.7 Investigations.
5.8 Public notice.
5.9 Public availability.
5.10 Comments.
5.11 Hearings and other meetings.
5.12 Computation of time.
5.13 Decisions.

Subpart A--Rules of General Applicability

Sec. 5.2 Rules of general applicability.

(a) General. The rules in this subpart apply to all sections in
this part unless otherwise stated.
(b) Exceptions. The OCC may adopt materially different procedures
for a

[[Page 33326]]

particular filing, or class of filings, in exceptional circumstances or
for unusual transactions, after providing notice of the change to the
applicant and to any other party that the OCC determines should receive
notice.
(c) Comptroller's Licensing Manual. The ``Comptroller's Licensing
Manual'' (Manual) provides additional filing guidance, including
policies and procedures. The Manual and sample forms are available on
the OCC's Internet Web page at www.occ.gov.
(d) Electronic filing. The OCC encourages electronic filing for all
filings. The Manual describes the OCC's electronic filing procedures.

Sec. 5.3 Definitions.

(a) Applicant means a person or entity that submits a notice or
application to the OCC under this part.
(b) Application means a submission requesting OCC approval to
engage in various corporate activities and transactions.
(c) Appropriate OCC licensing office means the OCC office that is
responsible for processing applications or notices to engage in various
corporate activities or transactions, as described at www.OCC.gov.
(d) Appropriate OCC supervisory office means the OCC office that is
responsible for the supervision of a national bank or Federal savings
association, as described in subpart A of 12 CFR part 4.
(e) Capital and surplus means:
(1) A bank's or Federal savings association's tier 1 and tier 2
capital calculated under the OCC's risk-based capital standards set
forth in 12 CFR part 3, as applicable, as reported in the bank's or
savings association's Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income
(Call Reports) filed under 12 U.S.C. 161 or 12 U.S.C. 1464(v),
respectively; plus
(2) The balance of the national bank's or Federal savings
association's allowance for loan and lease losses not included in the
institution's Tier 2 capital, for purposes of the calculation of risk-
based capital reported in the institution's Call Reports, described in
paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
(f) Depository institution means any bank or savings association.
(g) Eligible bank or eligible savings association means a national
bank or Federal savings association that:
(1) Is well capitalized as defined in 12 CFR 6.4;
(2) Has a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial
Institutions Rating System (CAMELS);
(3) Has a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), 12 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.,
rating of ``Outstanding'' or ``Satisfactory,'' if applicable;
(4) Has an OCC compliance rating of 1 or 2; and
(5) Is not subject to a cease and desist order, consent order,
formal written agreement, or Prompt Corrective Action directive (see 12
CFR part 6, subpart B) or, if subject to any such order, agreement, or
directive, is informed in writing by the OCC that the bank or savings
association may be treated as an ``eligible bank or eligible savings
association'' for purposes of this part.
(h) Eligible depository institution means:
(1) With respect to a national bank, a state bank or a Federal or
state savings association that meets the criteria for an ``eligible
bank or eligible savings association'' under Sec. 5.3(g) and is FDIC-
insured; and
(2) With respect to a Federal savings association, a state or
national bank or a state savings association that meets the criteria
for an ``eligible bank or eligible savings association'' under Sec.
5.3(g) and is FDIC-insured.
(i) Filing means an application or notice submitted to the OCC
under this part.
(j) Notice, in general, means a submission notifying the OCC that a
national bank or Federal savings association intends to engage in or
has commenced certain corporate activities or transactions. The
specific meaning of notice depends on the context of the rule in which
it is used and may require the filer to obtain prior OCC approval
before engaging in the activity or transaction, may provide the OCC
with authority to disapprove the notice, or may be informational
requiring no official OCC action.
(k) Principal city means an area designated as a ``principal city''
by the Office of Management and Budget.
(l) Short-distance relocation means moving the premises of a branch
or main office of a national bank or a branch or home office of a
Federal savings association within a:
(1) One thousand foot-radius of the site if the branch, main
office, or home office is located within a principal city of an MSA;
(2) One-mile radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home
office is not located within a principal city, but is located within an
MSA; or
(3) Two-mile radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home
office is not located within an MSA.

Sec. 5.4 Filing required.

(a) Filing. A depository institution shall file an application or
notice with the OCC to engage in corporate activities and transactions
as described in this part.
(b) Availability of forms. Forms and instructions for filing are
available on the OCC's Internet Web page at www.occ.gov.
(c) Other agency's applications or filings. At the request of the
applicant, the OCC may accept an application or other filing submitted
to another Federal agency that covers the proposed action or
transaction and contains substantially the same information as required
by the OCC. The OCC also may require the applicant to submit
supplemental information.
(d) Where to file. An applicant should address a filing or other
submission under this part to the appropriate OCC licensing office or
appropriate OCC supervisory office, unless the OCC advises an applicant
otherwise. Relevant addresses are listed on the OCC's Internet Web page
at www.occ.gov.
(e) Incorporation of other material. An applicant may incorporate
any material contained in any other application or filing filed with
the OCC or other Federal agency by reference, provided that the
material is attached to the application and is current and responsive
to the information requested by the OCC. The filing must clearly
indicate that the information is so incorporated and include a cross-
reference to the information incorporated.
(f) Prefiling meeting. When submitting an application to the OCC,
an applicant is encouraged to contact the appropriate OCC licensing
office to determine the need for a prefiling meeting. The OCC decides
whether to require a prefiling meeting on a case-by-case basis.
Submission of a draft business plan or other relevant information
before any prefiling meeting may expedite the filing review process.
Information on model business plans can be found in the Manual.

Sec. 5.5 Filing fees.

(a) Procedure. An applicant shall submit the appropriate filing
fee, if any, in connection with its filing. Filing fees may be paid by
check, money order, cashier's check, or wire transfer. Additional
information on filing fees, including where to file, can be found in
the Manual. The OCC generally does not refund the filing fees.
(b) Fee schedule. The OCC publishes a fee schedule in the ``Notice
of Comptroller of the Currency Fees,'' as described in 12 CFR 8.8.

[[Page 33327]]

Sec. 5.6 [Reserved]

Sec. 5.7 Investigations.

(a) Authority. The OCC may examine or investigate and evaluate
facts related to a filing to the extent necessary to reach an informed
decision.
(b) Fees. As described in 12 CFR 8.6, the OCC may assess fees for
investigations or examinations conducted under paragraph (a) of this
section. The OCC publishes a fee schedule in the ``Notice of
Comptroller of the Currency Fees,'' as described in 12 CFR 8.8.

Sec. 5.8 Public notice.

(a) General. An applicant shall publish a public notice of its
filing in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in which
the applicant proposes to engage in business, on the date of filing, or
as soon as practicable before or after the date of filing. This notice
shall be published in the English language but if the OCC determines
that the primary language of a significant number of adult residents of
the community is a language other than English, the OCC may require
that an additional notice(s) simultaneously be published in the
community in the appropriate language(s).
(b) Contents of the public notice. The public notice shall state
that a filing is being made, the date of the filing, the name and
address of the applicant, the subject matter of the filing (including
the name of the institution that is the subject of the filing), that
the public may submit comments to the appropriate OCC licensing office,
the address of the appropriate OCC licensing office where comments
should be sent, the closing date of the public comment period, that the
public portion of the filing is available on request, and any other
information that the OCC requires.
(c) Confirmation of public notice. Promptly following publication,
the applicant shall mail or otherwise deliver to the appropriate OCC
licensing office a statement containing the date of publication, the
name and address of the newspaper that published the public notice, a
copy of the public notice, and any other information that the OCC
requires.
(d) Multiple transactions. The OCC may consider more than one
transaction, or a series of transactions, to be a single filing for
purposes of the publication requirements of this section. When filing a
single public notice for multiple transactions, the applicant shall
explain in the notice how the transactions are related.
(e) Joint public notices accepted. Upon the request of an
applicant, for a transaction subject to a public notice requirement of
both the OCC and another Federal agency, the OCC may accept publication
of a single joint notice containing the information required by both
the OCC and the other Federal agency, provided that the notice states
that comments must be submitted to both the OCC and, if applicable, the
other Federal agency.
(f) Public notice by the OCC. In addition to the foregoing, the OCC
may require or give public notice and request comment on any filing and
in any manner the OCC determines appropriate for the particular filing.
(g) New public notice. At the OCC's discretion, an applicant may be
required to publish a new public notice if:
(1) The applicant submits either a revised filing or new or
additional information related to a filing;
(2) A major issue of law or change in circumstance arises after a
filing; or
(3) The OCC determines that a new public notice is appropriate.

Sec. 5.9 Public availability.

(a) General. The OCC provides a copy of the public file to any
person who requests it. A requestor should submit a written request for
the public file concerning a pending filing to the appropriate OCC
licensing office. A requestor should submit a written request for the
public file concerning a decided or closed filing to the OCC's Freedom
of Information Act Officer, Communications Division, at the address
listed on www.OCC.gov. The OCC may impose a fee in accordance with 12
CFR 4.17 and at the rate the OCC publishes in the ``Notice of
Comptroller of the Currency Fees,'' described in 12 CFR 8.8.
(b) Public file. A public file consists of the portions of the
filing, supporting data, supplementary information, and information
submitted by interested persons, to the extent that those documents
have not been afforded confidential treatment. Applicants and other
interested persons may request that confidential treatment be afforded
information submitted to the OCC pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
section.
(c) Confidential treatment. The applicant or an interested person
submitting information may request that specific information be treated
as confidential under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552 (see
12 CFR 4.12(b)). A submitter should draft its request for confidential
treatment narrowly to extend only to those portions of a document it
considers confidential. If a submitter requests confidential treatment
for information that the OCC does not consider to be confidential, the
OCC may include that information in the public file after providing
notice to the submitter. Moreover, at its own initiative, the OCC may
determine that certain information should be treated as confidential
and withhold that information from the public file. A person requesting
information withheld from the public file should submit the request to
the OCC's Freedom of Information Act Officer, Communications Division,
under the procedures described in 12 CFR part 4, subpart B. That
request may be subject to the predisclosure notice procedures of 12 CFR
4.16.

Sec. 5.10 Comments.

(a) Submission of comments. During the comment period, any person
may submit written comments on a filing to the appropriate OCC
licensing office.
(b) Comment period-- (1) General. Unless otherwise stated, the
comment period is 30 days after publication of the public notice
required by Sec. 5.8(a). If a new public notice is required under
Sec. 5.8(g), the OCC may require a new comment period of up to 30 days
after publication of the new public notice.
(2) Extension. The OCC may extend a comment period if:
(i) The applicant fails to file all required publicly available
information on a timely basis to permit review by interested persons or
makes a request for confidential treatment not granted by the OCC that
delays the public availability of that information;
(ii) Any person requesting an extension of time satisfactorily
demonstrates to the OCC that additional time is necessary to develop
factual information that the OCC determines is necessary to consider
the application; or
(iii) The OCC determines that other extenuating circumstances
exist.
(3) Applicant response. The OCC may give the applicant an
opportunity to respond to comments received.

Sec. 5.11 Hearings and other meetings.

(a) Hearing requests. Prior to the end of the comment period, any
person may submit to the appropriate OCC office a written request for a
hearing on a filing. The request must describe the nature of the issues
or facts to be presented and the reasons why written submissions would
be insufficient to make an adequate presentation of those issues or
facts to the OCC. A person requesting a hearing shall simultaneously
submit a copy of the request to the applicant.
(b) Action on a hearing request. The OCC may grant or deny a
request for a hearing and may limit the issues to those it deems
relevant or material. The OCC generally grants a hearing request

[[Page 33328]]

only if the OCC determines that written submissions would be
insufficient or that a hearing would otherwise benefit the decision-
making process. The OCC also may order a hearing if it concludes that a
hearing would be in the public interest.
(c) Denial of a hearing request. If the OCC denies a hearing
request, it shall notify the person requesting the hearing of the
reason for the denial.
(d) OCC procedures prior to the hearing--(1) Notice of Hearing. The
OCC issues a Notice of Hearing if it grants a request for a hearing or
orders a hearing because it is in the public interest. The OCC sends a
copy of the Notice of Hearing to the applicant, to the person
requesting the hearing, and anyone else requesting a copy. The Notice
of Hearing states the subject and date of the filing, the time and
place of the hearing, and the issues to be addressed. The OCC may limit
the issues considered at a hearing to those it determines are relevant
or material.
(2) Presiding officer. The OCC appoints a presiding officer to
conduct the hearing. The presiding officer is responsible for all
procedural questions not governed by this section.
(e) Participation in the hearing. Any person who wishes to appear
(participant) shall notify the appropriate OCC licensing office of his
or her intent to participate in the hearing within ten days from the
date the OCC issues the Notice of Hearing. At least five days before
the hearing, each participant shall submit to the appropriate OCC
licensing office, the applicant, and any other person the OCC requires,
the names of witnesses and one copy of each exhibit the participant
intends to present.
(f) Hearing transcripts. The OCC arranges for a hearing transcript.
The person requesting the hearing may be required to bear the cost of
one copy of the transcript for his or her use.
(g) Conduct of the hearing--(1) Presentations. Subject to the
rulings of the presiding officer, the applicant and participants may
make opening statements and present witnesses, material, and data.
(2) Information submitted. A person presenting documentary material
shall furnish one copy to the OCC and one copy to the applicant and
each participant.
(3) Laws not applicable to hearings. The Administrative Procedure
Act (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.), the Federal Rules of Evidence (28 U.S.C.
appendix), the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 U.S.C. Rule 1 et
seq.), and the OCC's Rules of Practice and Procedure (12 CFR part 19)
do not apply to hearings under this section.
(4) Meeting format. The OCC may conduct a meeting in the format
that it determines is appropriate, including a telephone conference, a
face-to-face meeting, or a more formal meeting.
(h) Closing the hearing record. At the applicant's or participant's
request, the OCC may keep the hearing record open for up to 14 days
following the OCC's receipt of the transcript. The OCC resumes
processing the filing after the record closes.
(i) Other meetings--(1) Public meetings. The OCC may arrange for a
public meeting in connection with an application, either upon receipt
during the comment period of a written request for such a meeting or
upon the OCC's own initiative, if the OCC finds that written
submissions are insufficient to address facts or issues raised in the
application or otherwise determines that a meeting will benefit the
decision-making process. Public meetings will be arranged and presided
over by a presiding officer.
(2) Private meetings. The OCC may arrange a meeting with an
applicant or other interested parties to clarify and narrow the issues
and to facilitate the resolution of the issues.
(3) Issues at meetings. The OCC may limit the issues considered at
a meeting to those it determines are relevant or material.

Sec. 5.12 Computation of time.

In computing the period of days, the OCC does not include the day
of the act or event (e.g., the date an application is received by the
OCC) from which the period begins to run. When the last day of a time
period is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the time period runs
until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or Federal
holiday.

Sec. 5.13 Decisions.

(a) General. The OCC may approve, conditionally approve, or deny a
filing after appropriate review and consideration of the record. In
reviewing a filing, the OCC may consider the activities, resources, or
condition of an affiliate of the applicant that may reasonably reflect
on or affect the applicant. It also may consider information available
from any source, including any comments submitted by interested parties
or views expressed by interested parties at meetings with the OCC.
(1) Conditional approval. The OCC may impose conditions on any
approval, including to address a significant supervisory, CRA (if
applicable), or compliance concern, if the OCC determines that the
conditions are necessary or appropriate to ensure that approval is
consistent with relevant statutory and regulatory standards and OCC
policies thereunder and safe and sound banking practices.
(2) Expedited review. The OCC grants eligible banks and eligible
savings associations expedited review within a specified time after
filing or commencement of the public comment period.
(i) The OCC may extend the expedited review period or remove a
filing from expedited review procedures if it concludes that the
filing, or an adverse comment regarding the filing, presents a
significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern, or
raises a significant legal or policy issue, requiring additional OCC
review. The OCC will provide the applicant with a written explanation
if it decides not to process an application from an eligible bank or
eligible savings association under expedited review pursuant to this
paragraph.
(ii) Adverse comments that the OCC determines do not raise a
significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern, or
a significant legal or policy issue, or are frivolous, filed primarily
as a means of delaying action on the filing, or that raise a CRA
concern that the OCC determines has been satisfactorily resolved, do
not affect the OCC's decision under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this
section. The OCC considers a CRA concern to have been satisfactorily
resolved if the OCC previously reviewed (e.g., in an examination or an
application) a concern presenting substantially the same issue in
substantially the same assessment area during substantially the same
time, and the OCC determines that the concern would not warrant denial
or imposition of a condition on approval of the application.
(iii) If a bank or savings association files an application for any
activity or transaction that is dependent upon the approval of another
application under this part, or if requests for approval for more than
one activity or transaction are combined in a single application under
applicable sections of this part, none of the subject applications may
be deemed approved upon expiration of the applicable time periods,
unless all of the applications are subject to expedited review
procedures and the longest of the time periods expires without the OCC
issuing a decision or notifying the bank or savings association that
the filings are not eligible for expedited review under the standards
in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.

[[Page 33329]]

(b) Denial. The OCC may deny a filing if:
(1) A significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance
concern exists with respect to the applicant;
(2) Approval of the filing is inconsistent with applicable law,
regulation, or OCC policy thereunder; or
(3) The applicant fails to provide information requested by the OCC
that is necessary for the OCC to make an informed decision.
(c) Required information and abandonment of filing. A filing must
contain information required by the applicable section set forth in
this part. To the extent necessary to evaluate an application, the OCC
may require an applicant to provide additional information. The OCC may
deem a filing abandoned if information required or requested by the OCC
in connection with the filing is not furnished within the time period
specified by the OCC. The OCC may return an application without a
decision if it finds the filing to be materially deficient. A filing is
materially deficient if it lacks sufficient information for the OCC to
make a determination under the applicable statutory or regulatory
criteria.
(d) Notification of final disposition. The OCC notifies the
applicant, and any person who makes a written request, of the final
disposition of a filing, including confirmation of an expedited review
under this part. If the OCC denies a filing, the OCC notifies the
applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial.
(e) Publication of decision. The OCC will issue a public decision
when a decision represents a new or changed policy or presents issues
of general interest to the public or the banking industry. In rendering
its decisions, the OCC may elect not to disclose information that the
OCC deems to be private or confidential.
(f) Appeal. An applicant may file an appeal of an OCC decision in
writing with the Deputy Comptroller for Licensing or with the Ombudsman
at the address listed on www.OCC.gov. In the event that the Deputy
Comptroller for Licensing was the deciding official of the matter
appealed, or was involved personally and substantially in the matter,
the appeal may be referred instead to the Chief Counsel or the
Ombudsman.
(g) Extension of time. When the OCC approves or conditionally
approves a filing, the OCC generally gives the applicant a specified
period of time to commence that new or expanded activity. The OCC does
not generally grant an extension of the time specified to commence a
new or expanded corporate activity approved under this part, unless the
OCC determines that the delay is beyond the applicant's control.
(h) Nullifying a decision--(1) Material misrepresentation or
omission. An applicant shall certify that any filing or supporting
material submitted to the OCC contains no material misrepresentations
or omissions. The OCC may review and verify any information filed in
connection with a notice or an application. If the OCC discovers a
material misrepresentation or omission after the OCC has rendered a
decision on the filing, the OCC may nullify its decision. Any person
responsible for any material misrepresentation or omission in a filing
or supporting materials may be subject to enforcement action and other
penalties, including criminal penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
(2) Other nullifications. The OCC may nullify any decision on a
filing that is:
(i) Contrary to law, regulation, or OCC policy thereunder; or
(ii) Granted due to clerical or administrative error, or a material
mistake of law or fact.
0
6. Section 5.20 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.20 Organizing a national bank or Federal savings association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 21, 22, 24(Seventh), 26, 27, 92a, 93a,
1814(b), 1816, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 2903, and 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. Any person desiring to establish a
national bank or a Federal savings association shall submit an
application and obtain prior OCC approval.
(c) Scope. This section describes the procedures and requirements
governing OCC review and approval of an application to establish a
national bank or a Federal stock or mutual savings association,
including a national bank or a Federal savings association with a
special purpose. Information regarding an application to establish an
interim national bank or an interim Federal savings association solely
to facilitate a business combination is set forth in Sec. 5.33.
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) Bankers' bank means a bank owned exclusively (except to the
extent directors' qualifying shares are required by law) by other
depository institutions or depository institution holding companies (as
that term is defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act,
12 U.S.C. 1813), the activities of which are limited by its articles of
association exclusively to providing services to or for other
depository institutions, their holding companies, and the officers,
directors, and employees of such institutions and companies, and to
providing correspondent banking services at the request of other
depository institutions or their holding companies.
(2) Control means with respect to an application to establish a
national bank, control as used in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company
Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(2), and with respect to an application to
establish a Federal savings association, control as used in section 10
of the Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1467a(a)(2).
(3) Final approval means the OCC action issuing a charter and
authorizing a national bank or Federal savings association to open for
business.
(4) Holding company means any company that controls or proposes to
control a national bank or a Federal savings association whether or not
the company is a bank holding company under section 2 of the Bank
Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(1), or a savings and loan
holding company under section 10 of the Home Owners' Loan Act, 12
U.S.C. 1467a.
(5) Lead depository institution means the largest depository
institution controlled by a bank holding company or savings and loan
holding company based on a comparison of the average total assets
controlled by each depository institution as reported in its
Consolidated Report of Condition and Income required to be filed for
the immediately preceding four calendar quarters.
(6) Institution means either a national bank or Federal savings
association.
(7) Organizing group means five or more persons acting on their own
behalf, or serving as representatives of a sponsoring holding company,
who apply to the OCC for a national bank or Federal savings association
charter.
(8) Preliminary approval means a decision by the OCC permitting an
organizing group to go forward with the organization of the proposed
national bank or Federal savings association. A preliminary approval
generally is subject to certain conditions that an applicant must
satisfy before the OCC will grant final approval.
(e) Requirements--(1) General. (i) The OCC charters a national bank
under the authority of the National Bank Act of 1864, as amended, 12
U.S.C. 1 et seq. The bank may be a special purpose bank that limits its
activities to fiduciary activities or to any other activities within
the business of banking. A special purpose bank that conducts
activities other than fiduciary activities must conduct at least one of
the

[[Page 33330]]

following three core banking functions: receiving deposits; paying
checks; or lending money. The name of a proposed national bank must
include the word ``national.''
(ii) The OCC charters a Federal savings association under the
authority of section 5 of the Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1464,
which in an application to establish a Federal savings association
requires the OCC to consider:
(A) Whether the applicants are persons of good character and
responsibility;
(B) Whether a necessity exists for the association in the community
to be served;
(C) Whether there is a reasonable probability of the association's
usefulness and success; and
(D) Whether the association can be established without undue injury
to properly conducted existing local savings associations and home
financing institutions.
(iii) In determining whether to approve an application to establish
a national bank or Federal savings association, the OCC verifies that
the proposed national bank or Federal savings association has complied
with the following requirements. A national bank or a Federal savings
association shall:
(A) File either articles of association (for a national bank), or a
charter and by-laws (for a Federal savings association) with the OCC;
(B) In the case of an application to establish a national bank,
file an organization certificate containing specified information with
the OCC;
(C) Ensure that all capital stock is paid in, or in the case of a
Federal mutual savings association, ensure that at least a minimum
amount of capital is paid in; and
(D) Have at least five elected directors.
(2) Community Reinvestment Act. (i) Twelve CFR part 25 requires the
OCC to take into account a proposed insured national bank's description
of how it will meet its CRA objectives.
(ii) Twelve CFR part 195 requires the OCC to take into account a
proposed insured Federal savings association description of how it will
meet its CRA objectives.
(3) Federal Deposit Insurance. Preliminary approval for an
application to establish a Federal savings association will be
conditioned on the savings association applying for and receiving
approval for deposit insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC). Final approval for an application to establish a
Federal savings association will not be issued until receipt by the OCC
of written confirmation by the FDIC that the accounts of the Federal
savings association will be insured by the FDIC.
(f) Policy--(1) General. In determining whether to approve an
application to establish a national bank or Federal savings
association, the OCC is guided by the following principles:
(i) Maintaining a safe and sound banking system;
(ii) Encouraging a national bank or Federal savings association to
provide fair access to financial services by helping to meet the credit
needs of its entire community;
(iii) Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations; and
(iv) Promoting fair treatment of customers including efficiency and
better service.
(2) Policy considerations. (i) In evaluating an application to
establish a national bank or Federal savings association, the OCC
considers whether the proposed institution:
(A) Has organizers who are familiar with national banking laws and
regulations or Federal savings association laws and regulations,
respectively;
(B) Has competent management, including a board of directors, with
ability and experience relevant to the types of services to be
provided;
(C) Has capital that is sufficient to support the projected volume
and type of business;
(D) Can reasonably be expected to achieve and maintain
profitability;
(E) Will be operated in a safe and sound manner; and
(F) Does not have a title that misrepresents the nature of the
institution or the services it offers.
(ii) In evaluating an application to establish a Federal savings
association, the OCC considers whether the proposed Federal savings
association will be operated as a qualified thrift lender under section
10(m) of the Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m).
(iii) The OCC may also consider additional factors listed in
section 6 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1816,
including the risk to the Federal deposit insurance fund, and whether
the proposed institution's corporate powers are consistent with the
purposes of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the National Bank Act,
and the Home Owners' Loan Act, as applicable.
(3) OCC evaluation. The OCC evaluates a proposed institution's
organizing group and its business plan or operating plan together. The
OCC's judgment concerning one may affect the evaluation of the other.
An organizing group and its business plan or operating plan must be
stronger in markets where economic conditions are marginal or
competition is intense.
(g) Organizing group-- (1) General. Strong organizing groups
generally include diverse business and financial interests and
community involvement. An organizing group must have the experience,
competence, willingness, and ability to be active in directing the
proposed institution's affairs in a safe and sound manner. The
institution's initial board of directors generally is comprised of
many, if not all, of the organizers. The business plan or operating
plan and other information supplied in the application must demonstrate
an organizing group's collective ability to establish and operate a
successful national bank or Federal savings association in the economic
and competitive conditions of the market to be served. Each organizer
should be knowledgeable about the business plan or operating plan. A
poor business plan or operating plan reflects adversely on the
organizing group's ability, and the OCC generally denies applications
with poor business plans or operating plans.
(2) Management selection. The initial board of directors must
select competent senior executive officers before the OCC grants final
approval. Early selection of executive officers, especially the chief
executive officer, contributes favorably to the preparation and review
of a business plan or operating plan that is accurate, complete, and
appropriate for the type of national bank or Federal savings
association proposed and its market, and reflects favorably upon an
application. As a condition of the charter approval, the OCC retains
the right to object to and preclude the hiring of any officer, or the
appointment or election of any director, for a two-year period from the
date the institution commences business, or longer as appropriate.
(3) Financial resources. (i) Each organizer must have a history of
responsibility, personal honesty, and integrity. Personal wealth is not
a prerequisite to become an organizer or director of a national bank or
Federal savings association. However, directors' stock purchases, or,
in the case of a Federal mutual savings association, capital
contributions, individually and in the aggregate, should reflect a
financial commitment to the success of the institution that is
reasonable in relation to their individual and collective financial
strength. A director should not have to depend on institution
dividends, fees, or other

[[Page 33331]]

compensation to satisfy financial obligations.
(ii) Because directors are often the primary source of additional
capital for an institution not affiliated with a holding company, it is
desirable that the proposed directors of the national bank or Federal
savings association, as a group, be able to supply or have a realistic
plan to enable the institution to obtain capital when needed.
(iii) Any financial or other business arrangement, direct or
indirect, between the organizing group or other insiders and the
proposed national bank or Federal savings association must be on
nonpreferential terms.
(4) Organizational expenses. (i) Organizers are expected to
contribute time and expertise to the organization of the national bank
or Federal savings association. Organizers should not bill excessive
charges to the institution for professional and consulting services or
unduly rely upon these fees as a source of income.
(ii) A proposed national bank or Federal savings association shall
not pay any fee that is contingent upon an OCC decision. Such action
generally is grounds for denial of the application or withdrawal of
preliminary approval. Organizational expenses for denied applications
are the sole responsibility of the organizing group.
(5) Sponsor's experience and support. A sponsor must be financially
able to support the new institution's operations and to provide or
locate capital when needed. The OCC primarily considers the financial
and managerial resources of the sponsor and the sponsor's record of
performance, rather than the financial and managerial resources of the
organizing group, if an organizing group is sponsored by:
(i) An existing holding company;
(ii) Individuals currently affiliated with other depository
institutions; or
(iii) Individuals who, in the OCC's view, are otherwise
collectively experienced in banking and have demonstrated the ability
to work together effectively.
(h) Business plan or Operating plan--(1) General. (i) Organizers of
a proposed national bank or Federal savings association shall submit a
business plan or operating plan that adequately addresses the statutory
and policy considerations set forth in paragraphs (e) and (f)(2) of
this section. In the case of a proposed Federal savings association the
plan must also specifically address meeting qualified thrift lender
requirements. The plan must reflect sound banking principles and
demonstrate realistic assessments of risk in light of economic and
competitive conditions in the market to be served.
(ii) The OCC may offset deficiencies in one factor by strengths in
one or more other factors. However, deficiencies in some factors, such
as unrealistic earnings prospects, may have a negative influence on the
evaluation of other factors, such as capital adequacy, or may be
serious enough by themselves to result in denial. The OCC considers
inadequacies in a business plan or operating plan to reflect negatively
on the organizing group's ability to operate a successful institution.
(2) Earnings prospects. The organizing group shall submit pro forma
balance sheets and income statements as part of the business plan or
operating plan. The OCC reviews all projections for reasonableness of
assumptions and consistency with the business plan or operating plan.
(3) Management. (i) The organizing group shall include in the
business plan or operating plan information sufficient to permit the
OCC to evaluate the overall management ability of the organizing group.
If the organizing group has limited banking experience or community
involvement, the senior executive officers must be able to compensate
for such deficiencies.
(ii) The organizing group may not hire an officer or elect or
appoint a director if the OCC objects to that person at any time prior
to the date the institution commences business.
(4) Capital. A proposed bank or Federal savings association must
have sufficient initial capital, net of any organizational expenses
that will be charged to the institution's capital after it begins
operations, to support the institution's projected volume and type of
business.
(5) Community service. (i) The business plan or operating plan must
indicate the organizing group's knowledge of and plans for serving the
community. The organizing group shall evaluate the banking needs of the
community, including its consumer, business, nonprofit, and government
sectors. The business plan or operating plan must demonstrate how the
proposed national bank or Federal savings association responds to those
needs consistent with the safe and sound operation of the institution.
The provisions of this paragraph may not apply to an application to
organize an institution for a special purpose.
(ii) As part of its business plan or operating plan, the organizing
group shall submit a statement that demonstrates its plans to achieve
CRA objectives.
(iii) Because community support is important to the long-term
success of a national bank or Federal savings association, the
organizing group shall include plans for attracting and maintaining
community support.
(6) Safety and soundness. The business plan or operating plan must
demonstrate that the organizing group (and the sponsoring company, if
any), is aware of, and understands, applicable depository institution
laws and regulations, and safe and sound banking operations and
practices. The OCC will deny an application that does not meet these
safety and soundness requirements.
(7) Fiduciary services. The business plan or operating plan must
indicate if the proposed institution intends to offer fiduciary
services. The information required by Sec. 5.26 shall be filed with
the charter application. A separate application is not required.
(i) Procedures--(1) Prefiling meeting. The OCC normally requires a
prefiling meeting with the organizers of a proposed national bank or
Federal savings association before the organizers file an application.
Organizers should be familiar with the OCC's chartering policy and
procedural requirements in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual before
the prefiling meeting. The prefiling meeting normally is held in the
district office where the application will be filed but may be held at
another location at the request of the applicant.
(2) Business plan or operating plan. An organizing group shall file
a business plan or operating plan that addresses the subjects discussed
in paragraph (h) of this section.
(3) Contact person. The organizing group shall designate a contact
person to represent the organizing group in all contacts with the OCC.
The contact person shall be an organizer and proposed director of the
new national bank or Federal savings association, except a
representative of the sponsor or sponsors may serve as contact person
if an application is sponsored by an existing holding company,
individuals currently affiliated with other depository institutions, or
individuals who, in the OCC's view, are otherwise collectively
experienced in banking and have demonstrated the ability to work
together effectively.
(4) Decision notification. The OCC notifies the spokesperson and
other interested persons in writing of its decision on an application.
(5) Activities. (i) Before the OCC grants final approval, a
proposed national bank or Federal savings association must be
established as a legal entity. A national bank becomes a

[[Page 33332]]

legal entity after it has filed its organization certificate and
articles of association with the OCC as required by law. A Federal
savings association becomes a legal entity after it has filed its
proposed charter and bylaws with the OCC. A proposed national bank may
offer and sell securities prior to OCC preliminary approval of the
proposed national bank's charter application, provided that the
proposed national bank has filed articles of association, an
organization certificate, and a completed charter application and the
bank complies with paragraph (i)(5)(iii) of this section. A proposed
Federal stock savings association may offer and sell securities prior
to OCC preliminary approval of the proposed Federal stock savings
association's charter application, provided that the proposed Federal
stock savings association has filed a proposed charter, bylaws, and a
completed charter application and the Federal stock savings association
complies with paragraph (i)(5)(iii) of this section.
(ii) (A) After the OCC grants preliminary approval, the organizing
group shall elect a board of directors, take steps necessary to
organize the proposed national bank or Federal savings association and
prepare it for commencing business.
(B) A proposed national bank may not conduct the business of
banking until the OCC grants final approval and issues a charter. A
proposed Federal savings association may not commence business until
the OCC grants final approval and issues a charter, which shall be in
the form provided in this part.
(iii) For all capital obtained through a public offering a proposed
national bank or Federal savings association shall use an offering
circular that complies with the OCC's securities offering regulations,
12 CFR part 16 or part 197, as applicable. All securities of a
particular class in the initial offering shall be sold at the same
price.
(iv) A national bank or Federal savings association in organization
shall raise its capital before it commences business. Preliminary
approval expires if the proposed national bank or Federal savings
association does not raise the required capital within 12 months from
the date the OCC grants preliminary approval. Preliminary approval
expires if the proposed national bank or Federal savings association
does not commence business within 18 months from the date of
preliminary approval, unless the OCC grants an extension. If
preliminary approval expires, all cash collected on subscriptions shall
be returned.
(j) Expedited review. An application to establish a full-service
national bank or Federal savings association that is sponsored by a
bank holding company or savings and loan holding company whose lead
depository institution is an eligible bank or eligible savings
association is deemed preliminarily approved by the OCC as of the 15th
day after the close of the public comment period or the 45th day after
the filing is received by the OCC, whichever is later, unless the OCC:
(1) Notifies the applicant prior to that date that the filing is
not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is
extended, under Sec. 5.13(a)(2); or
(2) Notifies the applicant prior to that date that the OCC has
determined that the proposed bank will offer banking services that are
materially different than those offered by the lead depository
institution.
(k) National bankers' banks--(1) Activities and customers. In
addition to the other requirements of this section, when an organizing
group seeks to organize a national bankers' bank, the organizing group
shall list in the application the anticipated activities and customers
or clients of the proposed national bankers' bank.
(2) Waiver of requirements. At the organizing group's request, the
OCC may waive requirements that are applicable to national banks in
general if those requirements are inappropriate for a national bankers'
bank and would impede its ability to provide desired services to its
market. An applicant must submit a request for a waiver with the
application and must support the request with adequate justification
and legal analysis. A national bankers' bank that is already in
operation may also request a waiver. The OCC cannot waive statutory
provisions that specifically apply to national bankers' banks pursuant
to 12 U.S.C. 27(b)(1).
(3) Investments. A national bank or Federal savings association may
invest up to ten percent of its capital and surplus in a bankers' bank
and may own five percent or less of any class of a bankers' bank's
voting securities.
(l) Special purpose institutions. An applicant for a national bank
or Federal savings association charter that will limit its activities
to fiduciary activities, credit card operations, or another special
purpose shall adhere to established charter procedures with
modifications appropriate for the circumstances as determined by the
OCC. An applicant for a national bank or Federal savings association
charter that will have a community development focus shall also adhere
to established charter procedures with modifications appropriate for
the circumstances as determined by the OCC. A national bank that seeks
to invest in a bank or savings association with a community development
focus must comply with applicable requirements of 12 CFR part 24. A
Federal savings association that seeks to invest in a bank or savings
association with a community development focus must comply with Sec.
160.36 or any other applicable requirements.
0
7. Section 5.21 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.21 Federal Mutual Savings Association Charter and Bylaws.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, and 2901 et seq.
(b) Licensing requirements. A Federal mutual savings association
must file an application, notice, or other filing as prescribed by this
section when adopting or amending its charter or bylaws.
(c) Scope. This section describes the procedures and requirements
governing charters and bylaws for Federal mutual savings associations.
(d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this part, Sec. Sec. 5.8 through 5.11 shall not
apply to this section.
(e) Charter form. Except as provided in paragraphs (f) and (g), a
Federal mutual savings association shall have a charter in the
following form. A charter for a Federal mutual savings bank shall
substitute the term ``savings bank'' for ``association.'' The term
``trustee'' may be substituted for the term ``director.'' Associations
adopting this charter with existing borrower members must grandfather
those borrower members who were members as of the date of issuance of
the new charter by the OCC. Such borrowers shall have one vote for the
period of time such borrowings are in existence.
Federal Mutual Charter
Section 1. Corporate title. The full corporate title of the Federal
savings association is --.
Section 2. Office. The home office shall be located in -- [city,
state].
Section 3. Duration. The duration of the association is perpetual.
Section 4. Purpose and powers. The purpose of the association is to
pursue any or all of the lawful objectives of a Federal mutual savings
association chartered under section 5 of the Home Owners' Loan Act and
to exercise all the express, implied, and incidental powers conferred
thereby and by all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto,
subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States as they are

[[Page 33333]]

now in effect, or as they may hereafter be amended, and subject to all
lawful and applicable rules, regulations, and orders of the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency (``OCC'').
Section 5. Capital. The association may raise capital by accepting
payments on savings and demand accounts and by any other means
authorized by the OCC.
Section 6. Members. All holders of the association's savings,
demand, or other authorized accounts are members of the association. In
the consideration of all questions requiring action by the members of
the association, each holder of an account shall be permitted to cast
one vote for each $100, or fraction thereof, of the withdrawal value of
the member's account. No member, however, shall cast more than 1000
votes. All accounts shall be nonassessable.
Section 7. Directors. The association shall be under the direction
of a board of directors. The authorized number of directors shall not
be fewer than five nor more than fifteen persons, as fixed in the
association's bylaws, except that the number of directors may be
decreased to a number less than five or increased to a number greater
than fifteen with the prior approval of the OCC.
Section 8. Capital, surplus, and distribution of earnings. The
association shall maintain for the purpose of meeting losses the amount
of capital required by section 5 of the Home Owners' Loan Act and by
regulations of the OCC. The association shall distribute net earnings
on its accounts on such basis and in accordance with such terms and
conditions as may from time to time be authorized by the OCC: Provided,
That the association may establish minimum-balance requirements for
accounts to be eligible for distribution of earnings.
All holders of accounts of the association shall be entitled to
equal distribution of assets, pro rata to the value of their accounts,
in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or
winding up of the association. Moreover, in any such event, or in any
other situation in which the priority of such accounts is in
controversy, all such accounts shall, to the extent of their withdrawal
value, be debts of the association having the same priority as the
claims of general creditors of the association not having priority
(other than any priority arising or resulting from consensual
subordination) over other general creditors of the association.
Section 9. Amendment of charter. Adoption of any preapproved
charter amendment shall be effective after such preapproved amendment
has been approved by the members at a legal meeting. Any other
amendment, addition, change, or repeal of this charter must be approved
by the OCC prior to approval by the members at a legal meeting, and
shall be effective upon filing with the OCC in accordance with
regulatory procedures.
Attest:----------------------------------------------------------------

Secretary of the Association

By:--------------------------------------------------------------------

President or Chief Executive Officer of the Association

Attest:----------------------------------------------------------------

Deputy Comptroller for Licensing

By:--------------------------------------------------------------------

Comptroller of the Currency

Effective Date:--------------------------------------------------------

(f) Charter amendments. In order to adopt a charter amendment, a
Federal mutual savings association must comply with the following
requirements:
(1) Board of directors approval. The board of directors of the
association must adopt a resolution proposing the charter amendment
that states the text of such amendment;
(2) Form of filing--(i) Application requirement. If the proposed
charter amendment would: render more difficult or discourage a merger,
proxy contest, the assumption of control by a mutual account holder of
the association, or the removal of incumbent management; or involve a
significant issue of law or policy; then, the association shall file
the proposed amendment and obtain the prior approval of the OCC.
(ii) Notice requirement. If the proposed charter amendment does not
involve a provision that would be covered by paragraph (f)(2)(i) of
this section and is permissible under all applicable laws, rules and
regulations, then the association shall submit the proposed amendment
to the appropriate OCC licensing office, at least 30 days prior to the
effective date of the proposed charter amendment.
(g) Approval. Any charter amendment filed pursuant to paragraph
(f)(2)(ii) of this section shall automatically be approved 30 days from
the date of filing of such amendment, provided that the association
follows the requirements of its charter in adopting such amendment.
This automatic approval does not apply if, prior to the expiration of
such 30-day period, the OCC notifies the association that such
amendment is rejected or that such amendment is deemed to be filed
under the provisions of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section. In
addition, notwithstanding anything in paragraph (f) of this section to
the contrary, the following charter amendments, including the adoption
of the Federal mutual charter as set forth in paragraph (e) of this
section, shall be effective and deemed approved at the time of
adoption, if adopted without change and filed with the OCC, within 30
days after adoption, provided the association follows the requirements
of its charter in adopting such amendments:
(1) Purpose and powers. Add a second paragraph to section 4, as
follows:
Section 4. Purpose and powers. * * * The association shall have the
express power: (i) To act as fiscal agent of the United States when
designated for that purpose by the Secretary of the Treasury, under
such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, to perform all such
reasonable duties as fiscal agent of the United States as may be
required, and to act as agent for any other instrumentality of the
United States when designated for that purpose by any such
instrumentality; (ii) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any
court of law or equity; (iii) To have a corporate seal, affixed by
imprint, facsimile or otherwise; (iv) To appoint officers and agents as
its business shall require and allow them suitable compensation; (v) To
adopt bylaws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the
United States and rules and regulations adopted thereunder and under
this Charter; (vi) To raise capital, which shall be unlimited, by
accepting payments on savings, demand, or other accounts, as are
authorized by rules and regulations made by the OCC, and the holders of
all such accounts or other accounts as shall, to such extent as may be
provided by such rules and regulations, be members of the association
and shall have such voting rights and such other rights as are thereby
provided; (vii) To issue notes, bonds, debentures, or other
obligations, or securities, provided by or under any provision of
Federal statute as from time to time is in effect; (viii) To provide
for redemption of insured accounts; (ix) To borrow money without
limitation and pledge and otherwise encumber any of its assets to
secure its debts; (x) To lend and otherwise invest its funds as
authorized by statute and the rules and regulations of the OCC; (xi) To
wind up and dissolve, merge, consolidate, convert, or reorganize; (xii)
To purchase, hold, and convey real estate and personalty consistent
with its objects, purposes, and powers; (xiii) To mortgage or lease any
real estate and personalty and take such property by gift, devise, or
bequest; and (xiv) To exercise all powers conferred by law. In addition
to the foregoing powers expressly enumerated, this association shall
have power to do all things

[[Page 33334]]

reasonably incident to the accomplishment of its express objects and
the performance of its express powers.
(2) Title change. A Federal mutual savings association that has
complied with Sec. 5.42 of this chapter may amend its charter by
substituting a new corporate title in section 1.
(3) Home office. A Federal mutual savings association may amend its
charter by substituting a new home office in section 2, if it has
complied with applicable requirements of Sec. 5.40 of this chapter.
(4) Maximum number of votes. A Federal mutual savings association
may amend its charter by substituting any number of votes per member
between 1 and 1000 in section 6.
(h) Reissuance of charter. A Federal mutual savings association
that has amended its charter may apply to have its charter, including
the amendments, reissued by the OCC. Such request for reissuance should
be filed at the appropriate OCC licensing office and contain signatures
required under paragraph (e) of this section, together with such
supporting documents as may be needed to demonstrate that the
amendments were properly adopted.
(i) Availability of chartering documents. A Federal mutual savings
association shall cause a true copy of its charter and bylaws and all
amendments thereto to be available to accountholders at all times in
each office of the savings association, and shall upon request deliver
to any accountholders a copy of such charter and bylaws or amendments
thereto.
(j) Bylaws for Federal mutual savings associations--A Federal
mutual savings association shall operate under bylaws that contain
provisions that comply with all requirements specified by the OCC in
this paragraph and that are not otherwise inconsistent with the
provisions of this paragraph, the association's charter, and all other
applicable laws, rules, and regulations provided that, a bylaw
provision inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph may be
adopted with the approval of the OCC. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or
repealed by a majority of the votes cast by the members at a legal
meeting or a majority of the association's board of directors. The
bylaws for a Federal mutual savings bank shall substitute the term
``savings bank'' for ``association''. The term ``trustee'' may be
substituted for the term ``director''.
(1) The following requirements are applicable to Federal mutual
savings associations:
(i) Annual meetings of members. (A) An association shall provide
for and conduct an annual meeting of its members for the election of
directors and at which any other business of the association may be
conducted. Such meeting shall be held at any convenient place the board
of directors may designate, and at a date and time within 150 days
after the end of the association's fiscal year.
(B) At each annual meeting, the officers shall make a full report
of the financial condition of the association and of its progress for
the preceding year and shall outline a program for the succeeding year.
(ii) Special meetings of members. Procedures for calling any
special meeting of the members and for conducting such a meeting shall
be set forth in the bylaws. The board of directors of the association
or the holders of 10 percent or more of the voting capital shall be
entitled to call a special meeting. For purposes of this paragraph,
``voting capital'' means FDIC-insured deposits as of the voting record
date.
(iii) Notice of meeting of members. Notice specifying the date,
time, and place of the annual or any special meeting and adequately
describing any business to be conducted shall be published for two
successive weeks immediately prior to the week in which such meeting
shall convene in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or
county in which the principal place of business of the association is
located, or mailed postage prepaid at least 15 days and not more than
45 days prior to the date on which such meeting shall convene to each
of its members of record. A similar notice shall be posted in a
conspicuous place in each of the offices of the association during the
14 days immediately preceding the date on which such meeting shall
convene. The bylaws may permit a member to waive in writing any right
to receive personal delivery of the notice. When any meeting is
adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjournment and
reconvening of the meeting shall be given as in the case of the
original meeting.
(iv) Fixing of record date. The bylaws shall provide for the fixing
of a record date and a method for determining from the books of the
association the members entitled to vote. Such date shall be not more
than 60 days nor fewer than 10 days prior to the date on which the
action, requiring such determination of members, is to be taken. The
same determination shall apply to any adjourned meeting.
(v) Member quorum. Any number of members present and voting,
represented in person or by proxy, at a regular or special meeting of
the members shall constitute a quorum. A majority of all votes cast at
any meeting of the members shall determine any question, unless
otherwise required by regulation. At any adjourned meeting, any
business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the
meeting as originally called. Members present at a duly constituted
meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment.
(vi) Voting by proxy. Procedures shall be established for voting at
any annual or special meeting of the members by proxy pursuant to the
rules and regulations of the OCC. Proxies may be given telephonically
or electronically as long as the holder uses a procedure for verifying
the identity of the member. All proxies with a term greater than eleven
months or solicited at the expense of the association must run to the
board of directors as a whole, or to a committee appointed by a
majority of such board.
(vii) Communications between members. Provisions relating to
communications between members shall be consistent with Sec. 144.8 of
this part. No member, however, shall have the right to inspect or copy
any portion of any books or records of a Federal mutual savings
association containing:
(A) A list of depositors in or borrowers from such association;
(B) Their addresses;
(C) Individual deposit or loan balances or records; or
(D) Any data from which such information could be reasonably
constructed.
(viii) Number of directors, membership. The bylaws shall set forth
a specific number of directors, not a range. The number of directors
shall be not fewer than five nor more than fifteen, unless a higher or
lower number has been authorized by the OCC. Each director of the
association shall be a member of the association. Directors may be
elected for periods of one to three years and until their successors
are elected and qualified, but if a staggered board is chosen,
provision shall be made for the election of approximately one-third or
one-half of the board each year, as appropriate. State-chartered
savings banks converting to Federal savings banks may include
alternative provisions for the election and term of office of directors
so long as such provisions are authorized by the OCC, and provide for
compliance with the standard provisions of this paragraph no later

[[Page 33335]]

than six years after the conversion to a Federal savings association.
(ix) Meetings of the board. The board of directors shall determine
the place, frequency, time, procedure for notice, which shall be at
least 24 hours unless waived by the directors, and waiver of notice for
all regular and special meetings. The board also may permit telephonic
participation at meetings. The bylaws may provide for action to be
taken without a meeting if unanimous written consent is obtained for
such action. A majority of the authorized directors shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the
directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be
the act of the board.
(x) Officers, employees and agents. (A) The bylaws shall contain
provisions regarding the officers of the association, their functions,
duties, and powers. The officers of the association shall consist of a
president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer or
comptroller, each of whom shall be elected annually by the board of
directors. Such other officers and assistant officers and agents as may
be deemed necessary may be elected or appointed by the board of
directors or chosen in such other manner as may be prescribed in the
bylaws. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except
the offices of president and secretary.
(B) Any officer may be removed by the board of directors with or
without cause, but such removal, other than for cause, shall be without
prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Termination for cause, for purposes of this Sec. 5.21 and Sec. 5.22,
shall include termination because of the person's personal dishonesty,
incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving
personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful
violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than traffic
violations or similar offenses) or final cease and desist order, or
material breach of any provision of an employment contract.
(xi) Vacancies, resignation or removal of directors. In the event
of a vacancy on the board, the board of directors may, by their
affirmative vote, fill such vacancy, even if the remaining directors
constitute less than a quorum. A director elected to fill a vacancy
shall be elected to serve only until the next election of directors by
the members. The bylaws shall set out the procedure for the resignation
of a director. Directors may be removed only for cause, as defined in
Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B), by a vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.
(xii) Powers of the board. The board of directors shall have the
power to exercise any and all of the powers of the association not
expressly reserved by the charter to the members.
(xiii) Nominations for directors. The bylaws shall provide that
nominations for directors may be made at the annual meeting by any
member and shall be voted upon, except, however, the bylaws may require
that nominations by a member must be submitted to the secretary and
then prominently posted in the principal place of business, at least 10
days prior to the date of the annual meeting. However, if such
provision is made for prior submission of nominations by a member, then
the bylaws must provide for a nominating committee, which, except in
the case of a nominee substituted as a result of death or other
incapacity, must submit nominations to the secretary and have such
nominations similarly posted at least 15 days prior to the date of the
annual meeting.
(xiv) New business. The bylaws shall provide procedures for the
introduction of new business at the annual meeting.
(xv) Amendment. Bylaws may include any provision for their
amendment that would be consistent with applicable law, rules, and
regulations and adequately addresses its subject and purpose.
(A) Amendments shall be effective:
(1) After approval by a majority vote of the authorized board, or
by a majority of the vote cast by the members of the association at a
legal meeting; and
(2) After receipt of any applicable regulatory approval.
(B) When an association fails to meet its quorum requirement,
solely due to vacancies on the board, the bylaws may be amended by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the sitting board.
(xvi) Miscellaneous. The bylaws may also address any other subjects
necessary or appropriate for effective operation of the association.
(2) Form of filing--(i) Application requirement. (A) Any bylaw
amendment shall be submitted to the appropriate OCC licensing office
for OCC approval if it would render more difficult or discourage a
merger, proxy contest, the assumption of control by a mutual account
holder of the association, or the removal of incumbent management;
involve a significant issue of law or policy, including
indemnification, conflicts of interest, and limitations on director or
officer liability; or be inconsistent with the requirements of this
paragraph or with applicable laws, rules, regulations, or the
association's charter.
(B) For purposes of paragraph (j)(2), bylaw provisions that adopt
the language of the OCC's model or optional bylaws, if adopted without
change, and filed with the OCC within 30 days after adoption, are
effective upon adoption.
(ii) Filing requirement. If the proposed bylaw amendment does not
involve a provision that would be covered by paragraph (j)(2)(i)(A) of
this section, then the association shall submit the amendment to the
appropriate OCC licensing office at least 30 days prior to the date the
bylaw amendment is to be adopted by the association.
(iii) Corporate governance procedures. A Federal mutual association
may elect to follow the corporate governance procedures of the laws of
the state where the main office of the institution is located, provided
that such procedures may be elected only to the extent not inconsistent
with applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and safety and
soundness, and such procedures are not of the type described in
paragraph (j)(2)(i)(A) of this section. If this election is selected, a
Federal mutual association shall designate in its bylaws the provision
or provisions from the body of law selected for its corporate
governance procedures, and shall file a copy of such bylaws, which are
effective upon adoption, within 30 days after adoption. The submission
shall indicate, where not obvious, why the bylaw provisions meet the
requirements stated in paragraph (j)(2)(i)(A) of this section.
(3) Effectiveness. Any bylaw amendment filed pursuant to paragraph
(j)(2)(ii) of this section shall automatically be effective 30 days
from the date of filing of such amendment, provided that the
association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in
adopting such amendment. This automatic effective date does not apply
if, prior to the expiration of such 30-day period, the OCC notifies the
association that such amendment is rejected or that such amendment
requires an application to be filed pursuant to paragraph (j)(2)(i) of
this section.
(4) Effect of subsequent charter or bylaw change. Notwithstanding
any subsequent change to its charter or bylaws, the authority of a
Federal mutual savings association to engage in any transaction shall
be determined only by the association's charter or bylaws then in
effect.
0
8. Section 5.22 is added to read as follows:

[[Page 33336]]

Sec. 5.22 Federal stock savings association charter and bylaws.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, and 2901 et seq.
(b) Licensing requirements. A Federal stock savings association
must file an application, notice, or other filing as prescribed by this
section when adopting or amending its charter or bylaws.
(c) Scope. This section describes the procedures and requirements
governing charters and bylaws for Federal stock savings associations.
(d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this part, Sec. Sec. 5.8 through 5.11 shall not
apply to this section.
(e) Charter form. The charter of a Federal stock association shall
be in the following form, except as provided in this section. An
association that has converted from the mutual form pursuant to part
192 of this chapter shall include in its charter a section establishing
a liquidation account as required by Sec. 192.3(c)(13) of this
chapter. A charter for a Federal stock savings bank shall substitute
the term ``savings bank'' for ``association.'' Charters may also
include any preapproved optional provision contained in this section.
Federal Stock Charter
Section 1. Corporate title. The full corporate title of the
association is ------.
Section 2. Office. The home office shall be located in ------
[city, state].
Section 3. Duration. The duration of the association is perpetual.
Section 4. Purpose and powers. The purpose of the association is to
pursue any or all of the lawful objectives of a Federal savings
association chartered under section 5 of the Home Owners' Loan Act and
to exercise all of the express, implied, and incidental powers
conferred thereby and by all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental
thereto, subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States as
they are now in effect, or as they may hereafter be amended, and
subject to all lawful and applicable rules, regulations, and orders of
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (``OCC'').
Section 5. Capital stock. The total number of shares of all classes
of the capital stock that the association has the authority to issue is
------, all of which shall be common stock of par [or if no par is
specified then shares shall have a stated] value of ------ per share.
The shares may be issued from time to time as authorized by the board
of directors without the approval of its shareholders, except as
otherwise provided in this Section 5 or to the extent that such
approval is required by governing law, rule, or regulation. The
consideration for the issuance of the shares shall be paid in full
before their issuance and shall not be less than the par [or stated]
value. Neither promissory notes nor future services shall constitute
payment or part payment for the issuance of shares of the association.
The consideration for the shares shall be cash, tangible or intangible
property (to the extent direct investment in such property would be
permitted to the association), labor, or services actually performed
for the association, or any combination of the foregoing. In the
absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the value of such property,
labor, or services, as determined by the board of directors of the
association, shall be conclusive. Upon payment of such consideration,
such shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable. In the
case of a stock dividend, that part of the retained earnings of the
association that is transferred to common stock or paid-in capital
accounts upon the issuance of shares as a stock dividend shall be
deemed to be the consideration for their issuance.
Except for shares issued in the initial organization of the
association or in connection with the conversion of the association
from the mutual to stock form of capitalization, no shares of capital
stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise
of other securities) shall be issued, directly or indirectly, to
officers, directors, or controlling persons of the association other
than as part of a general public offering or as qualifying shares to a
director, unless the issuance or the plan under which they would be
issued has been approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to
be cast at a legal meeting.
The holders of the common stock shall exclusively possess all
voting power. Each holder of shares of common stock shall be entitled
to one vote for each share held by such holder, except as to the
cumulation of votes for the election of directors, unless the charter
provides that there shall be no such cumulative voting. Subject to any
provision for a liquidation account, in the event of any liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up of the association, the holders of the
common stock shall be entitled, after payment or provision for payment
of all debts and liabilities of the association, to receive the
remaining assets of the association available for distribution, in cash
or in kind. Each share of common stock shall have the same relative
rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of
common stock.
Section 6. Preemptive rights. Holders of the capital stock of the
association shall not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to
any shares of the association which may be issued.
Section 7. Directors. The association shall be under the direction
of a board of directors. The authorized number of directors, as stated
in the association's bylaws, shall not be fewer than five nor more than
fifteen except when a greater or lesser number is approved by the OCC.
Section 8. Amendment of charter. Except as provided in Section 5,
no amendment, addition, alteration, change or repeal of this charter
shall be made, unless such is proposed by the board of directors of the
association, approved by the shareholders by a majority of the votes
eligible to be cast at a legal meeting, unless a higher vote is
otherwise required, and approved or preapproved by the OCC.

Attest:----------------------------------------------------------------

Secretary of the Association

By:--------------------------------------------------------------------

President or Chief Executive Officer of the Association

Attest:----------------------------------------------------------------

Deputy Comptroller for Licensing

By:--------------------------------------------------------------------

Comptroller of the Currency

Effective Date:--------------------------------------------------------

(f) Charter amendments. In order to adopt a charter amendment, a
Federal stock savings association must comply with the following
requirements:
(1) Board of directors approval. The board of directors of the
association must adopt a resolution proposing the charter amendment
that states the text of such amendment;
(2) Form of filing--(i) Application requirement. If the proposed
charter amendment would render more difficult or discourage a merger,
tender offer, or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder
of a block of the association's stock, the removal of incumbent
management, or involve a significant issue of law or policy, the
association shall file the proposed amendment and shall obtain the
prior approval of the OCC; and
(ii) Notice requirement. If the proposed charter amendment does not
involve a provision that would be covered by paragraph (f)(2)(i) of
this section and such amendment is permissible under all applicable
laws, rules or regulations, then the association shall submit the
proposed amendments to the appropriate OCC licensing office,

[[Page 33337]]

at least 30 days prior to the date the proposed charter amendment is to
be mailed for consideration by the association's shareholders.
(g) Approval. Any charter amendment filed pursuant to paragraph
(f)(2)(ii) of this section shall automatically be approved 30 days from
the date of filing of such amendment, provided that the association
follows the requirements of its charter in adopting such amendment,
unless prior to the expiration of such 30-day period the OCC notifies
the association that such amendment is rejected or that such amendment
is deemed to be filed under the provisions of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of
this section. In addition, the following charter amendments, including
the adoption of the Federal stock charter as set forth in paragraph (e)
of this section, shall be approved at the time of adoption, if adopted
without change and filed with the OCC within 30 days after adoption,
provided the association follows the requirements of its charter in
adopting such amendments:
(1) Title change. A Federal stock association that has complied
with Sec. 5.42 of this chapter may amend its charter by substituting a
new corporate title in section 1.
(2) Home office. A Federal savings association may amend its
charter by substituting a new home office in section 2, if it has
complied with applicable requirements of Sec. 5.40 of this chapter.
(3) Number of shares of stock and par value. A Federal stock
association may amend Section 5 of its charter to change the number of
authorized shares of stock, the number of shares within each class of
stock, and the par or stated value of such shares.
(4) Capital stock. A Federal stock association may amend its
charter by revising Section 5 to read as follows:
Section 5. Capital stock. The total number of shares of all classes
of capital stock that the association has the authority to issue is --,
of which -- shall be common stock of par [or if no par value is
specified the stated] value of -- per share and of which [list the
number of each class of preferred and the par or if no par value is
specified the stated value per share of each such class]. The shares
may be issued from time to time as authorized by the board of directors
without further approval of shareholders, except as otherwise provided
in this Section 5 or to the extent that such approval is required by
governing law, rule, or regulation. The consideration for the issuance
of the shares shall be paid in full before their issuance and shall not
be less than the par [or stated] value. Neither promissory notes nor
future services shall constitute payment or part payment for the
issuance of shares of the association. The consideration for the shares
shall be cash, tangible or intangible property (to the extent direct
investment in such property would be permitted), labor, or services
actually performed for the association, or any combination of the
foregoing. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the value
of such property, labor, or services, as determined by the board of
directors of the association, shall be conclusive. Upon payment of such
consideration, such shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and
nonassessable. In the case of a stock dividend, that part of the
retained earnings of the association that is transferred to common
stock or paid-in capital accounts upon the issuance of shares as a
stock dividend shall be deemed to be the consideration for their
issuance.
Except for shares issued in the initial organization of the
association or in connection with the conversion of the association
from the mutual to the stock form of capitalization, no shares of
capital stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange, or
exercise of other securities) shall be issued, directly or indirectly,
to officers, directors, or controlling persons of the association other
than as part of a general public offering or as qualifying shares to a
director, unless their issuance or the plan under which they would be
issued has been approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to
be cast at a legal meeting.
Nothing contained in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary
sections hereto) shall entitle the holders of any class of a series of
capital stock to vote as a separate class or series or to more than one
vote per share, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election
of directors, unless the charter otherwise provides that there shall be
no such cumulative voting: Provided, That this restriction on voting
separately by class or series shall not apply:
i. To any provision which would authorize the holders of preferred
stock, voting as a class or series, to elect some members of the board
of directors, less than a majority thereof, in the event of default in
the payment of dividends on any class or series of preferred stock;
ii. To any provision that would require the holders of preferred
stock, voting as a class or series, to approve the merger or
consolidation of the association with another corporation or the sale,
lease, or conveyance (other than by mortgage or pledge) of properties
or business in exchange for securities of a corporation other than the
association if the preferred stock is exchanged for securities of such
other corporation: Provided, That no provision may require such
approval for transactions undertaken with the assistance or pursuant to
the direction of the OCC or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
iii. To any amendment which would adversely change the specific
terms of any class or series of capital stock as set forth in this
Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections hereto), including any
amendment which would create or enlarge any class or series ranking
prior thereto in rights and preferences. An amendment which increases
the number of authorized shares of any class or series of capital
stock, or substitutes the surviving association in a merger or
consolidation for the association, shall not be considered to be such
an adverse change.
A description of the different classes and series (if any) of the
association's capital stock and a statement of the designations, and
the relative rights, preferences, and limitations of the shares of each
class of and series (if any) of capital stock are as follows:
A. Common stock. Except as provided in this Section 5 (or in any
supplementary sections thereto) the holders of the common stock shall
exclusively possess all voting power. Each holder of shares of the
common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by each
holder, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election of
directors, unless the charter otherwise provides that there shall be no
such cumulative voting.
Whenever there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside for
payment, to the holders of the outstanding shares of any class of stock
having preference over the common stock as to the payment of dividends,
the full amount of dividends and of sinking fund, retirement fund, or
other retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are
respectively entitled in preference to the common stock, then dividends
may be paid on the common stock and on any class or series of stock
entitled to participate therewith as to dividends out of any assets
legally available for the payment of dividends.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the
association, the holders of the common stock (and the holders of any
class or series of stock entitled to participate with the common stock
in the distribution of assets) shall be entitled to receive, in cash or
in kind, the assets of the association available for distribution
remaining after: (i) Payment

[[Page 33338]]

or provision for payment of the association's debts and liabilities;
(ii) distributions or provision for distributions in settlement of its
liquidation account; and (iii) distributions or provision for
distributions to holders of any class or series of stock having
preference over the common stock in the liquidation, dissolution, or
winding up of the association. Each share of common stock shall have
the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all
the other shares of common stock.
B. Preferred stock. The association may provide in supplementary
sections to its charter for one or more classes of preferred stock,
which shall be separately identified. The shares of any class may be
divided into and issued in series, with each series separately
designated so as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of
all other series and classes. The terms of each series shall be set
forth in a supplementary section to the charter. All shares of the same
class shall be identical except as to the following relative rights and
preferences, as to which there may be variations between different
series:
a. The distinctive serial designation and the number of shares
constituting such series;
b. The dividend rate or the amount of dividends to be paid on the
shares of such series, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if
so, from which date(s), the payment date(s) for dividends, and the
participating or other special rights, if any, with respect to
dividends;
c. The voting powers, full or limited, if any, of shares of such
series;
d. Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable and, if
so, the price(s) at which, and the terms and conditions on which, such
shares may be redeemed;
e. The amount(s) payable upon the shares of such series in the
event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding
up of the association;
f. Whether the shares of such series shall be entitled to the
benefit of a sinking or retirement fund to be applied to the purchase
or redemption of such shares, and if so entitled, the amount of such
fund and the manner of its application, including the price(s) at which
such shares may be redeemed or purchased through the application of
such fund;
g. Whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or
exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock of the
association and, if so, the conversion price(s) or the rate(s) of
exchange, and the adjustments thereof, if any, at which such conversion
or exchange may be made, and any other terms and conditions of such
conversion or exchange.
h. The price or other consideration for which the shares of such
series shall be issued; and
i. Whether the shares of such series which are redeemed or
converted shall have the status of authorized but unissued shares of
serial preferred stock and whether such shares may be reissued as
shares of the same or any other series of serial preferred stock.
Each share of each series of serial preferred stock shall have the
same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the
other shares of the same series.
The board of directors shall have authority to divide, by the
adoption of supplementary charter sections, any authorized class of
preferred stock into series, and, within the limitations set forth in
this section and the remainder of this charter, fix and determine the
relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series so
established.
Prior to the issuance of any preferred shares of a series
established by a supplementary charter section adopted by the board of
directors, the association shall file with the OCC a dated copy of that
supplementary section of this charter established and designating the
series and fixing and determining the relative rights and preferences
thereof.
(5) Limitations on subsequent issuances. A Federal stock
association may amend its charter to require shareholder approval of
the issuance or reservation of common stock or securities convertible
into common stock under circumstances which would require shareholder
approval under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange if the shares
were then listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
(6) Cumulative voting. A Federal stock association may amend its
charter by substituting the following sentence for the second sentence
in the third paragraph of Section 5: ``Each holder of shares of common
stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by such holder
and there shall be no right to cumulate votes in an election of
directors.''
(7) Anti-takeover provisions following mutual to stock conversion.
Notwithstanding the law of the state in which the association is
located, a Federal stock association may amend its charter by
renumbering existing sections as appropriate and adding a new section 8
as follows:
Section 8. Certain Provisions Applicable for Five Years.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Association's charter or
bylaws to the contrary, for a period of [specify number of years up to
five] years from the date of completion of the conversion of the
Association from mutual to stock form, the following provisions shall
apply:
A. Beneficial Ownership Limitation. No person shall directly or
indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more
than 10 percent of any class of an equity security of the association.
This limitation shall not apply to a transaction in which the
association forms a holding company without change in the respective
beneficial ownership interests of its stockholders other than pursuant
to the exercise of any dissenter and appraisal rights, the purchase of
shares by underwriters in connection with a public offering, or the
purchase of less than 25 percent of a class of stock by a tax-qualified
employee stock benefit plan as defined in Sec. 192.25 of the OCC's
regulations.
In the event shares are acquired in violation of this section 8,
all shares beneficially owned by any person in excess of 10% shall be
considered ``excess shares'' and shall not be counted as shares
entitled to vote and shall not be voted by any person or counted as
voting shares in connection with any matters submitted to the
stockholders for a vote.
For purposes of this section 8, the following definitions apply:
1. The term ``person'' includes an individual, a group acting in
concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock
company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or similar company, a
syndicate or any other group formed for the purpose of acquiring,
holding or disposing of the equity securities of the association.
2. The term ``offer'' includes every offer to buy or otherwise
acquire, solicitation of an offer to sell, tender offer for, or request
or invitation for tenders of, a security or interest in a security for
value.
3. The term ``acquire'' includes every type of acquisition, whether
effected by purchase, exchange, operation of law or otherwise.
4. The term ``acting in concert'' means (a) knowing participation
in a joint activity or conscious parallel action towards a common goal
whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, or (b) a combination
or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer
for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding,

[[Page 33339]]

relationship, agreement or other arrangements, whether written or
otherwise.
B. Cumulative Voting Limitation. Stockholders shall not be
permitted to cumulate their votes for election of directors.
C. Call for Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders
relating to changes in control of the association or amendments to its
charter shall be called only upon direction of the board of directors.
(h) Anti-takeover provisions. The OCC may grant approval to a
charter amendment not listed in paragraph (g) of this section regarding
the acquisition by any person or persons of its equity securities
provided that the association shall file as part of its application for
approval an opinion, acceptable to the OCC, of counsel independent from
the association that the proposed charter provision would be permitted
to be adopted by a corporation chartered by the state in which the
principal office of the association is located. Any such provision must
be consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, and OCC policies.
Further, any such provision that would have the effect of rendering
more difficult a change in control of the association and would require
for any corporate action (other than the removal of directors) the
affirmative vote of a larger percentage of shareholders than is
required by this part, shall not be effective unless adopted by a
percentage of shareholder vote at least equal to the highest percentage
that would be required to take any action under such provision.
(i) Reissuance of charter. A Federal stock association that has
amended its charter may apply to have its charter, including the
amendments, reissued by the OCC. Such requests for reissuance should be
filed with the appropriate OCC licensing office, and contain signatures
required under (c) of this part, together with such supporting
documents as needed to demonstrate that the amendments were properly
adopted.
(j) Bylaws for Federal stock savings associations--(1) General.
Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by either a majority of the
votes cast by the shareholders at a legal meeting or a majority of the
board of directors. A bylaw provision inconsistent with paragraph (k),
(l), (m) or (n), of this section may be adopted only with the approval
of the OCC.
(2) Form of Filing--(i) Application requirement. (A) Any bylaw
amendment shall be submitted to the OCC for approval if it would:
(1) Render more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer, or
proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block
of the association's stock, or the removal of incumbent management; or
(2) Be inconsistent with paragraphs (k) through (n) of this
section, with applicable laws, rules, regulations or the association's
charter or involve a significant issue of law or policy, including
indemnification, conflicts of interest, and limitations on director or
officer liability.
(B) Bylaw provisions that adopt the language of the OCC's model or
optional bylaws, if adopted without change, and filed with the OCC
within 30 days after adoption, are effective upon adoption.
(ii) Filing requirement. If the proposed bylaw amendment does not
involve a provision that would be covered by paragraph (j)(2)(i) or
(iii) of this section and is permissible under all applicable laws,
rules, or regulations, then the association shall submit the amendment
to the OCC at least 30 days prior to the date the bylaw amendment is to
be adopted by the association.
(iii) Corporate governance procedures. A Federal stock association
may elect to follow the corporate governance procedures of: The laws of
the state where the main office of the association is located; the laws
of the state where the association's holding company, if any, is
incorporated or chartered; Delaware General Corporation law; or The
Model Business Corporation Act, provided that such procedures may be
elected to the extent not inconsistent with applicable Federal statutes
and regulations and safety and soundness, and such procedures are not
of the type described in paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section. If this
election is selected, a Federal stock association shall designate in
its bylaws the provision or provisions from the body or bodies of law
selected for its corporate governance procedures, and shall file a copy
of such bylaws, which are effective upon adoption, within 30 days after
adoption. The submission shall indicate, where not obvious, why the
bylaw provisions meet the requirements stated in paragraph (j)(2)(i) of
this section.
(3) Effectiveness. Any bylaw amendment filed pursuant to paragraph
(j)(2)(ii) of this section shall automatically be effective 30 days
from the date of filing of such amendment, provided that the
association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in
adopting such amendment, unless prior to the expiration of such 30-day
period the OCC notifies the association that such amendment is rejected
or that such amendment requires an application to be filed pursuant to
paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section.
(4) Effect of subsequent charter or bylaw change. Notwithstanding
any subsequent change to its charter or bylaws, the authority of a
Federal savings association to engage in any transaction shall be
determined only by the association's charter or bylaws then in effect.
(k) Shareholders of Federal stock savings associations.--(1)
Shareholder meetings. A meeting of the shareholders of the association
for the election of directors and for the transaction of any other
business of the association shall be held annually within 150 days
after the end of the association's fiscal year. Unless otherwise
provided in the association's charter, special meetings of the
shareholders may be called by the board of directors or on the request
of the holders of 10 percent or more of the shares entitled to vote at
the meeting, or by such other persons as may be specified in the bylaws
of the association. All annual and special meetings of shareholders
shall be held at any convenient place the board of directors may
designate.
(2) Notice of shareholder meetings. Written notice stating the
place, day, and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for
which the meeting is called shall be delivered not fewer than 20 nor
more than 50 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or
by mail, by or at the direction of the chairman of the board, the
president, the secretary, or the directors, or other persons calling
the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such
meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when
deposited in the mail, addressed to the shareholder at the address
appearing on the stock transfer books or records of the association as
of the record date prescribed in paragraph (i)(3) of this section, with
postage thereon prepaid. When any shareholders' meeting, either annual
or special, is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting.
Notwithstanding anything in this section, however, a Federal stock
association that is wholly owned shall not be subject to the
shareholder notice requirement.
(3) Fixing of record date. For the purpose of determining
shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to
receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a

[[Page 33340]]

determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the board
of directors shall fix in advance a date as the record date for any
such determination of shareholders. Such date in any case shall be not
more than 60 days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not less
than 10 days prior to the date on which the particular action,
requiring such determination of shareholders, is to be taken. When a
determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such
determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.
(4) Voting lists. (i) At least 20 days before each meeting of the
shareholders, the officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer
books for the shares of the association shall make a complete list of
the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting, or any
adjournments thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address
and the number of shares held by each. This list of shareholders shall
be kept on file at the home office of the association and shall be
subject to inspection by any shareholder of record or the stockholder's
agent during the entire time of the meeting. The original stock
transfer book shall constitute prima facie evidence of the stockholders
entitled to examine such list or transfer books or to vote at any
meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding anything in this section,
however, a Federal stock association that is wholly owned shall not be
subject to the voting list requirements.
(ii) In lieu of making the shareholders list available for
inspection by any shareholders as provided in paragraph (j)(4)(i) of
this section, the board of directors may perform such acts as required
by paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 14a-7 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR
240.14a-7) as may be duly requested in writing, with respect to any
matter which may be properly considered at a meeting of shareholders,
by any shareholder who is entitled to vote on such matter and who shall
defray the reasonable expenses to be incurred by the association in
performance of the act or acts required.
(5) Shareholder quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the
association entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. The shareholders
present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business
until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
shareholders to leave less than a quorum. If a quorum is present, the
affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the
meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of
the stockholders, unless the vote of a greater number of stockholders
voting together or voting by classes is required by law or the charter.
Directors, however, are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an
election of directors.
(6) Shareholder voting--(i) Proxies. Unless otherwise provided in
the association's charter, at all meetings of shareholders, a
shareholder may vote in person or by proxy executed in writing by the
shareholder or by a duly authorized attorney in fact. Proxies may be
given telephonically or electronically as long as the holder uses a
procedure for verifying the identity of the shareholder. Proxies
solicited on behalf of the management shall be voted as directed by the
shareholder or, in the absence of such direction, as determined by a
majority of the board of directors. No proxy shall be valid more than
eleven months from the date of its execution except for a proxy coupled
with an interest.
(ii) Shares controlled by association. Neither treasury shares of
its own stock held by the association nor shares held by another
corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote for the
election of directors of such other corporation are held by the
association, shall be voted at any meeting or counted in determining
the total number of outstanding shares at any given time for purposes
of any meeting.
(7) Nominations and new business submitted by shareholders.
Nominations for directors and new business submitted by shareholders
shall be voted upon at the annual meeting if such nominations or new
business are submitted in writing and delivered to the secretary of the
association at least five days prior to the date of the annual meeting.
Ballots bearing the names of all the persons nominated shall be
provided for use at the annual meeting.
(8) Informal action by stockholders. If the bylaws of the
association so provide, any action required to be taken at a meeting of
the stockholders, or any other action that may be taken at a meeting of
the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing
has been given by all the stockholders entitled to vote with respect to
the subject matter.
(l) Board of directors. (1) General powers and duties. The business
and affairs of the association shall be under the direction of its
board of directors. The board of directors shall annually elect a
chairman of the board from among its members and shall designate the
chairman of the board, when present, to preside at its meeting.
Directors need not be stockholders unless the bylaws so require.
(2) Number and term. The bylaws shall set forth a specific number
of directors, not a range. The number of directors shall be not fewer
than five nor more than fifteen, unless a higher or lower number has
been authorized by the OTS, prior to July 21, 2011 or the OCC.
Directors shall be elected for a term of one to three years and until
their successors are elected and qualified. If a staggered board is
chosen, the directors shall be divided into two or three classes as
nearly equal in number as possible and one class shall be elected by
ballot annually.
(3) Regular meetings. The board of directors shall determine the
place, frequency, time and procedure for notice of regular meetings.
(4) Quorum. A majority of the number of directors shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board of
directors. The act of the majority of the directors present at a
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of
directors, unless a greater number is prescribed by regulation of the
OCC.
(5) Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors may
be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining
directors although less than a quorum of the board of directors. A
director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected to serve only until
the next election of directors by the shareholders. Any directorship to
be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be
filled by election by the board of directors for a term of office
continuing only until the next election of directors by the
shareholders.
(6) Removal or resignation of directors. (i) At a meeting of
shareholders called expressly for that purpose, any director may be
removed only for cause, as termination for cause is defined in Sec.
5.21(j)(1)(x)(B), by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Associations may
provide for procedures regarding resignations in the bylaws.
(ii) If less than the entire board is to be removed, no one of the
directors may be removed if the votes cast against the removal would be
sufficient to elect a director if then cumulatively voted at an
election of the class of directors of which such director is a part.
(iii) Whenever the holders of the shares of any class are entitled
to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the charter or
supplemental sections

[[Page 33341]]

thereto, the provisions of this section shall apply, in respect to the
removal of a director or directors so elected, to the vote of the
holders of the outstanding shares of that class and not to the vote of
the outstanding shares as a whole.
(7) Executive and other committees. The board of directors, by
resolution adopted by a majority of the full board, may designate from
among its members an executive committee and one or more other
committees. No committee shall have the authority of the board of
directors with reference to: The declaration of dividends; the
amendment of the charter or bylaws of the association; recommending to
the stockholders a plan of merger, consolidation, or conversion; the
sale, lease, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the
property and assets of the association otherwise than in the usual and
regular course of its business; a voluntary dissolution of the
association; a revocation of any of the foregoing; or the approval of a
transaction in which any member of the executive committee, directly or
indirectly, has any material beneficial interest. The designation of
any committee and the delegation of authority thereto shall not operate
to relieve the board of directors, or any director, of any
responsibility imposed by law or regulation.
(8) Notice of special meetings. Written notice of at least 24 hours
regarding any special meeting of the board of directors or of any
committee designated thereby shall be given to each director in
accordance with the bylaws, although such notice may be waived by the
director. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any
meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such
meeting. The bylaws may provide for electronic participation at a
meeting.
(9) Action without a meeting. Any action required or permitted to
be taken by the board of directors at a meeting may be taken without a
meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the actions so taken,
shall be signed by all of the directors.
(10) Presumption of assent. A director of the association who is
present at a meeting of the board of directors at which action on any
association matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the
action taken unless his or her dissent or abstention shall be entered
in the minutes of the meeting or unless a written dissent to such
action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the
meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by
registered mail to the secretary of the association within five days
after the date on which a copy of the minutes of the meeting is
received. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted
in favor of such action.
(11) Age limitation on directors. A Federal association may provide
a bylaw on age limitation for directors. Bylaws on age limitations must
comply with all Federal laws, rules and regulations.
(m) Officers. (1) Positions. The officers of the association shall
be a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, and a
treasurer or comptroller, each of whom shall be elected by the board of
directors. The board of directors may also designate the chairman of
the board as an officer. The offices of the secretary and treasurer or
comptroller may be held by the same person and the vice president may
also be either the secretary or the treasurer or comptroller. The board
of directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive
vice president or senior vice president.
(2) Removal. Any officer may be removed by the board of directors
whenever in its judgment the best interests of the association will be
served thereby; but such removal, other than for cause, as termination
for cause is defined in Sec. 5.21(j)(1)(x)(B), shall be without
prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Employment contracts shall conform with 12 CFR 163.39.
(3) Age limitation on officers. A Federal association may provide a
bylaw on age limitation for officers. Bylaws on age limitations must
comply with all Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
(n) Certificates for shares and their transfer--(1) Certificates
for shares. Certificates representing shares of capital stock of the
association shall be in such form as shall be determined by the board
of directors and approved by the OCC. The name and address of the
person to whom the shares are issued, with the number of shares and
date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the
association. All certificates surrendered to the association for
transfer shall be cancelled and no new certificate shall be issued
until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have
been surrendered and cancelled, except that in the case of a lost or
destroyed certificate a new certificate may be issued upon such terms
and indemnity to the association as the board of directors may
prescribe.
(2) Transfer of shares. Transfer of shares of capital stock of the
association shall be made only on its stock transfer books. Authority
for such transfer shall be given only by the holder of record or by a
legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of such
authority, or by an attorney authorized by a duly executed power of
attorney and filed with the association. The transfer shall be made
only on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for the shares.
The person in whose name shares of capital stock stand on the books of
the association shall be deemed by the association to be the owner for
all purposes.
0
9. Section 5.23 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.23 Conversion to Become a Federal Savings Association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2903, and
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. (1) This section describes procedures and standards
governing OCC review and approval of an application by a mutual
depository institution to convert to a Federal mutual savings
association or an application by a stock depository institution to
convert to a Federal stock savings association.
(2) As used in this section, depository institution means any
commercial bank (including a private bank), a savings bank, a trust
company, a savings and loan association, a building and loan
association, a homestead association, a cooperative bank, an industrial
bank or a credit union, chartered in the United States and having its
principal office located in the United States.
(c) Licensing requirements. A depository institution that is mutual
in form (```mutual depository institution'') shall submit an
application and obtain prior OCC approval to convert to a Federal
mutual savings association. A stock depository institution shall submit
an application and obtain prior OCC approval to convert to a Federal
stock association. At the time of conversion, the applicant must have
deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
An institution that is not already insured by the FDIC must apply to
the FDIC, and obtain FDIC approval, for deposit insurance before
converting.
(d) Conversion of a mutual depository institution or a stock
depository institution to a Federal savings association.--(1) Policy.
Consistent with the OCC's chartering policy, it is OCC policy to allow
conversion to a Federal

[[Page 33342]]

savings association charter by another financial institution that can
operate safely and soundly as a Federal savings association in
compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. This
includes consideration of the factors set out in section 5(e) of the
Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1464(e). The converting financial
institution must obtain all necessary regulatory and shareholder or
member approvals. The OCC may deny an application by any mutual
depository institution or stock depository institution to convert to a
Federal mutual savings association charter or Federal stock association
charter, respectively, on the basis of the standards for denial set
forth in Sec. 5.13(b) or when conversion would permit the applicant to
escape supervisory action by its current regulators.
(2) Procedures. (i) Prefiling communications. The applicant should
consult with the appropriate OCC licensing office prior to filing if it
anticipates that its application will raise unusual or complex issues.
If a prefiling meeting is appropriate, it will normally be held in the
OCC licensing office where the application will be filed, but may be
held at another location at the request of the applicant.
(ii) Application. A mutual depository institution or a stock
depository institution shall submit its application to convert to a
Federal mutual savings association or Federal stock depository
association, respectively, to the appropriate OCC licensing office and
shall send a copy of the application to its current appropriate Federal
banking agency. The application must:
(A) Be signed by the president or other duly authorized officer;
(B) Identify each branch that the resulting financial institution
expects to operate after conversion;
(C) Include the institution's most recent audited financial
statements (if any);
(D) Include the latest report of condition and report of income
(the most recent daily statement of condition will suffice if the
institution does not file these reports);
(E) Unless otherwise advised by the OCC in a prefiling
communication, include an opinion of counsel that, in the case of
state-chartered institutions, the conversion is not in contravention of
applicable state law, or in the case of Federally-chartered
institutions, the conversion is not in contravention of applicable
Federal law;
(F) State whether the institution wishes to exercise fiduciary
powers after the conversion;
(G) Identify all subsidiaries, service corporation investments,
bank service company investments, and other equity investments that
will be retained following the conversion, and provide the information
and analysis of the subsidiaries' activities and the service
corporation investments and other equity investments that would be
required if the converting mutual institution or stock institution were
a Federal mutual savings association or Federal stock savings
association, respectively, establishing each subsidiary or making each
service corporation or other equity investment pursuant to Sec. Sec.
5.35, 5.36, 5.38, or 5.59, or other applicable law and regulation;
(H) Identify any nonconforming assets (including nonconforming
subsidiaries) and nonconforming activities that the institution engages
in, and describe the plans to retain or divest those assets and
activities;
(I) Include a business plan if the converting institution has been
operating for less than three years, plans to make significant changes
to its business after the conversion, or at the request of the OCC;
(J) Include a list of all outstanding conditions or other
requirements imposed by the institution's current appropriate Federal
banking agency and, if applicable, current state bank supervisor or
state attorney-general in any cease and desist order, written
agreement, other formal enforcement order, memorandum of understanding,
approval of any application, notice or request, commitment letter,
board resolution, or in any other manner, including the converting
institution's analysis whether any such actions prohibit conversion
under 12 U.S.C. 35, and the converting institution's plans regarding
adhering to such conditions and requirements after conversion; and
(K) If the converting institution does not meet the qualified
thrift lender test of 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m), include a plan to achieve
compliance within a reasonable period of time and a request for an
exception from the OCC.
(iii) The OCC may permit a Federal savings association to retain
nonconforming assets of a converting institution for the time period
prescribed by the OCC following a conversion, subject to conditions and
an OCC determination of the carrying value of the retained assets
consistent with the requirements of section 5(c) of the HOLA relating
to loans and investments. The OCC may permit a Federal savings
association to continue nonconforming activities of a converting
institution for the time period prescribed by the OCC following a
conversion, subject to conditions.
(iv) Approval for an institution to convert to a Federal savings
association expires if the conversion has not occurred within six
months of the OCC's approval of the application, unless the OCC grants
an extension of time.
(v) When the OCC determines that the applicant has satisfied all
statutory and regulatory requirements and any other conditions, the OCC
issues a charter. The charter provides that the institution is
authorized to begin conducting business as a Federal mutual savings
association or a Federal stock savings association as of a specified
date.
(3) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC
concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all
parts of Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(4) Expedited review. An application by an eligible national bank
to convert to a Federal savings association charter is deemed approved
by the OCC as of the 60th day after the filing is received by the OCC,
unless the OCC notifies the applicant prior to that date that the
filing is not eligible for expedited review under Sec. 5.13(a)(2).
(e) Conversion of a mutual depository institution to a Federal
mutual savings association--supplemental rules. In addition to the
rules and procedures set forth in Sec. 5.23(d), an applicant
converting from a mutual depository institution to a mutual savings
association shall comply with the following: After a Federal charter is
issued to a converting institution, the association's members shall
after due notice, or upon a valid adjournment of a previous legal
meeting, hold a meeting to elect directors and take care of all other
actions necessary to fully effectuate the conversion and operate the
association in accordance with law and these rules and regulations.
Immediately thereafter, the board of directors shall meet, elect
officers, and transact any other appropriate business.
(f) Continuation of business and entity. The existence of the
converting institution shall continue in the resulting Federal savings
association. The resulting Federal savings association shall be
considered the same business and entity as the converting institution,
although as to rights, powers, and duties, the resulting Federal
savings association is a Federal savings association. Any and all of
the assets and other property (whether real, personal, mixed, tangible
or intangible,

[[Page 33343]]

including choses in action, rights, and credits) of the converting
institution become assets and property of the resulting Federal savings
association when the conversion occurs. Similarly, any and all of the
obligations and debts of and claims against the converting institution
become obligations and debts of and claims against the Federal savings
association when the conversion occurs.
0
10. Section 5.24 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.24. Conversion to Become a National Bank.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 35, 93a, 214a, 214b, 214c, and 2903.
(b) Licensing requirements. A state bank, a stock state savings
association, or a Federal stock savings association shall submit an
application and obtain prior OCC approval to convert to a national bank
charter.
(c) Scope. (1) This section describes procedures and standards
governing OCC review and approval of an application by a state bank, a
stock state savings association, or a Federal stock savings association
to convert to a national bank charter.
(2) As used in this section, state bank includes a state bank as
defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a).
(d) Policy. Consistent with the OCC's chartering policy, it is OCC
policy to allow conversion to a national bank charter by another
financial institution that can operate safely and soundly as a national
bank in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. A
converting financial institution also must obtain all necessary
regulatory and shareholder approvals. The OCC may deny an application
by any state bank, stock state savings association, and any Federal
stock savings association to convert to a national bank charter on the
basis of the standards for denial set forth in Sec. 5.13(b), or when
conversion would permit the applicant to escape supervisory action by
its current regulators.
(e) Procedures--(1) Prefiling communications. The applicant should
consult with the appropriate OCC licensing office prior to filing if it
anticipates that its application will raise unusual or complex issues.
If a prefiling meeting is appropriate, it will normally be held at the
OCC licensing office where the application will be filed, but may be
held at another location at the request of the applicant.
(2) Application. A state bank, a stock state savings association,
or a Federal stock savings association shall submit its application to
convert to a national bank to the appropriate OCC licensing office and
send a copy to its current appropriate Federal banking agency. The
application must:
(i) Be signed by the president or other duly authorized officer;
(ii) Identify each branch that the resulting bank expects to
operate after conversion;
(iii) Include the institution's most recent audited financial
statements (if any);
(iv) Include the latest report of condition and report of income
(the most recent daily statement of condition will suffice if the
institution does not file these reports);
(v) Unless otherwise advised by the OCC in a prefiling
communication, include an opinion of counsel that, in the case of a
state bank, the conversion is not in contravention of applicable state
law, or in the case of a Federal stock savings association, the
conversion is not in contravention of applicable Federal law;
(vi) State whether the institution wishes to exercise fiduciary
powers after the conversion;
(vii) Identify all subsidiaries, bank service company investments,
and other equity investments that will be retained following the
conversion, and provide the information and analysis of the
subsidiaries' activities, the bank service company investments, and the
other equity investments that would be required if the converting bank
or savings association were a national bank establishing each
subsidiary or making each bank service company investment or other
equity investment pursuant to Sec. Sec. 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, 5.39, 12 CFR
part 1, or other applicable law and regulation;
(viii) Identify any nonconforming assets (including nonconforming
subsidiaries) and nonconforming activities that the institution engages
in and describe the plans to retain or divest those assets and
activities;
(ix) Include a business plan if the converting institution has been
operating for fewer than three years or plans to make significant
changes to its business after the conversion; and
(x) List all outstanding conditions or other requirements imposed
by the institution's current appropriate Federal banking agency and, if
applicable, current state bank supervisor or state attorney-general in
any cease and desist order, written agreement, other formal enforcement
order, memorandum of understanding, approval of any application, notice
or request, commitment letter, board resolution, or in any other
manner, including the converting institution's analysis whether the
conversion is prohibited under 12 U.S.C. 35, and state the
institution's plans regarding adhering to such conditions or
requirements after conversion.
(3) The OCC may permit a national bank to retain nonconforming
assets of a state bank or stock state savings association, subject to
conditions and an OCC determination of the carrying value of the
retained assets, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 35. The OCC may permit a
national bank to continue nonconforming activities of a state bank or
stock state savings association, or to retain the nonconforming assets
or nonconforming activities of a Federal stock savings association, for
a reasonable period of time following a conversion, subject to
conditions imposed by the OCC.
(4) Approval for an institution to convert to a national bank
expires if the conversion has not occurred within six months of the
OCC's approval of the application, unless the OCC grants an extension
of time.
(5) When the OCC determines that the applicant has satisfied all
statutory and regulatory requirements, including those set forth in 12
U.S.C. 35, and any other conditions, the OCC issues a charter
certificate. The certificate provides that the institution is
authorized to begin conducting business as a national bank as of a
specified date.
(f) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC
concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all of
Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(g) Expedited review. An application by an eligible savings
association to convert to a national bank charter is deemed approved by
the OCC as of the 60th day after the filing is received by the OCC,
unless the OCC notifies the applicant prior to that date that the
filing is not eligible for expedited review under Sec. 5.13(a)(2).
(h) Continuation of business and corporate entity. The corporate
existence of the converting institution shall continue in the resulting
national bank. The resulting national bank shall be considered the same
business and corporate entity as the converting institution, although
as to rights, powers, and duties, the resulting national bank is a
national bank. Any and all of the assets and other property (whether
real, personal, mixed, tangible or intangible, including choses in
action, rights, and credits) of the converting institution become
assets and property of the resulting national bank when the conversion
occurs.

[[Page 33344]]

Similarly, any and all of the obligations and debts of and claims
against the converting institution become obligations and debts of and
claims against the national bank when the conversion occurs.
0
11. Section 5.25 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.25 Conversion from a National Bank or Federal Savings
Association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 214a, 214b, 214c, 214d, 1462a, 1463,
1464, and 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing Requirement. A national bank shall give notice to the
OCC before converting to a state bank (including a state bank as
defined in 214(a)), a state savings association, or a Federal savings
association. A Federal savings association shall give notice to the OCC
before converting to a state savings association, a state bank, or a
national bank. A Federal mutual savings association that plans to
convert to a stock state bank or a national bank must first convert to
a Federal stock savings association under 12 CFR part 192.
(c) Scope. This section describes the procedures for a national
bank seeking to convert to a state bank or a state savings association
or for a Federal savings association seeking to convert to a state
savings association or a state bank. In addition, this section, along
with procedures in 5.24 and 5.23, describes procedures for conversions
between national banks and Federal stock savings associations.
(d) Conversions of a national bank to a state bank or state savings
association or of a Federal savings association to a state savings
association or state bank--(1) Procedure for national banks. A national
bank may convert to a state bank (including a state bank as defined in
214(a)) or a state savings association in accordance with 12 U.S.C.
214a and 214c, without prior OCC approval, subject to compliance with
12 U.S.C. 214d. Termination of a national bank's status as a national
bank occurs upon the bank's completion of the requirements of 12 U.S.C.
214a, and upon the OCC's receipt of the bank's national bank charter in
connection with the consummation of the conversion.
(2) Procedure for Federal savings associations. A Federal savings
association may convert to a state savings association or to a state
bank, without prior OCC approval, subject to compliance with 12 U.S.C.
1464(i)(6). Termination of a Federal savings association's status as a
Federal savings association occurs upon receipt of the Federal savings
association's charter in connection with the consummation of the
conversion.
(3) Notice of intent. (i) A national bank that desires to convert
to a state bank (including a state bank as defined in 214(a)) or state
savings association, or a Federal savings association that desires to
convert to a state savings association or a state bank, shall submit a
notice of intent to convert to the appropriate OCC licensing office.
The national bank or Federal savings association shall file this notice
with the OCC at the time it files a conversion application with the
appropriate state authority or the prospective appropriate Federal
banking agency. The national bank or Federal savings association also
shall transmit a copy of the conversion application to the prospective
appropriate Federal banking agency if it has not already done so.
(ii) The notice shall include:
(A) A copy of the conversion application; and
(B) An analysis demonstrating that the conversion is in compliance
with laws of the applicable jurisdictions regarding the permissibility,
requirements, and procedures for conversions, including any applicable
stockholder or account holder approval requirements.
(4) Consultation. The OCC may consult with the appropriate state
authorities or the prospective appropriate Federal banking agency
regarding the proposed conversion.
(5) Termination of status. After receipt of the notice, the
appropriate OCC licensing office provides instructions to the national
bank or Federal savings association for terminating its status as a
national bank or Federal savings association.
(e) Conversions between national banks and Federal savings
associations--(1) National bank to Federal savings association. (i) A
national bank may convert to a Federal stock savings association. A
national bank that desires to convert to a Federal stock savings
association shall follow the requirements and procedures set forth in
12 U.S.C. 214a as if it were converting to a state bank and submit a
notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office demonstrating compliance
with the applicable requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a.
(ii) A national bank desiring to convert to a Federal stock savings
association shall also file an application for prior OCC approval to
convert under 12 CFR 5.23.
(2) Federal savings association to a national bank. (i) A Federal
stock savings association may convert to a national bank. A Federal
savings association that desires to convert to a national bank shall
submit a notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office demonstrating
compliance with laws of the applicable jurisdictions regarding the
permissibility, requirements, and procedures for conversions, including
any applicable stockholder or account holder approval requirements.
(ii) A Federal stock savings association that desires to convert to
a national bank shall also file an application for prior OCC approval
to convert under 12 CFR 5.24.
(3) Termination and change of status. The appropriate OCC licensing
office provides instructions to the converting national bank or Federal
savings association for terminating its status as a national bank or
Federal savings association and beginning its status as a Federal
savings association or national bank, respectively.
(f) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.5
through 5.8 and 5.10 through 5.13 do not apply to this section.
0
12. Section 5.26 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.26 Fiduciary powers of national banks and Federal savings
associations.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 92a and 1462a, 1463, 1464(n), and
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. A national bank or Federal savings
association must submit an application and obtain prior approval from,
or in certain circumstances file a notice with, the OCC in order to
exercise fiduciary powers. No approval or notice is required in the
following circumstances:
(1) Where two or more national banks consolidate or merge, and any
of the national banks has, prior to the consolidation or merger,
received OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers and that approval is
in force at the time of the consolidation or merger, the resulting
national bank may exercise fiduciary powers in the same manner and to
the same extent as the national bank to which approval was originally
granted;
(2) Where two or more Federal savings associations consolidate or
merge, and any of the Federal savings associations has, prior to the
consolidation or merger, received approval from the OCC or the Office
of Thrift Supervision to exercise fiduciary powers and that approval is
in force at the time of the consolidation or merger, the resulting
Federal savings association may exercise fiduciary powers in the same
manner and to the same extent as the Federal savings association to
which approval was originally granted;
(3) Where a national bank with prior OCC approval to exercise
fiduciary

[[Page 33345]]

powers is the resulting bank in a merger or consolidation with a state
bank, state savings association, or Federal savings association and the
national bank will exercise fiduciary powers in the same manner and to
the same extent to which approval was originally granted; and
(4) Where a Federal savings association with prior approval from
the OCC or the Office of Thrift Supervision to exercise fiduciary
powers is the resulting savings association in a merger or
consolidation with a state bank, state savings association, or national
bank and the Federal savings association will exercise fiduciary powers
in the same manner and to the same extent to which approval was
originally granted.
(c) Scope. This section sets forth the procedures governing OCC
review and approval of an application, and in certain cases the filing
of a notice, by a national bank or Federal savings association to
exercise fiduciary powers. Fiduciary activities of national banks are
subject to the provisions of 12 CFR part 9. Fiduciary activities of
Federal savings associations are subject to the provisions of 12 CFR
part 150.
(d) Policy. The exercise of fiduciary powers is primarily a
management decision of the national bank or Federal savings
association. The OCC generally permits a national bank or Federal
savings association to exercise fiduciary powers if the bank or savings
association is operating in a satisfactory manner, the proposed
activities comply with applicable statutes and regulations, and the
bank or savings association retains qualified fiduciary management.
(e) Procedure--(1) General. The following institutions must obtain
approval from the OCC in order to offer fiduciary services to the
public: (i) A national bank or Federal savings association without
fiduciary powers:
(ii) A national bank without fiduciary powers that desires to
exercise fiduciary powers as the resulting bank after merging with a
state bank, state savings association, or Federal savings association
with fiduciary powers or a Federal savings association without
fiduciary powers that desires to exercise fiduciary powers as the
resulting savings association after merging with a state bank, state
savings association or national bank;
(iii) A national bank that results from the conversion of a state
bank or a state or Federal savings association that was exercising
fiduciary powers prior to the conversion or a Federal savings
association that results from a conversion of a state or national bank
or a state savings association that was exercising fiduciary powers
prior to the conversion; and
(iv) A national bank or Federal savings association that has
received approval from the OCC to offer limited fiduciary services that
desires to offer full fiduciary services.
(2) Application. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of
this section, a national bank or Federal savings association that
desires to exercise fiduciary powers shall submit to the OCC an
application requesting approval. The application must contain:
(A) A statement requesting full or limited powers (specifying which
powers);
(B) A statement that the capital and surplus of the national bank
or Federal savings association is not less than the capital and surplus
required by state law of state banks, trust companies, and other
corporations exercising comparable fiduciary powers;
(C) Sufficient biographical information on proposed trust
management personnel to enable the OCC to assess their qualifications;
(D) A description of the locations where the national bank or
Federal savings association will conduct fiduciary activities;
(E) If requested by the OCC, an opinion of counsel that the
proposed activities do not violate applicable Federal or state law,
including citations to applicable law; and
(F) Any other information necessary to enable the OCC to
sufficiently assess the factors described in (e)(2)(iii).
(ii) If approval to exercise fiduciary powers is desired in
connection with any other transaction subject to an application under
this part, the applicant covered under paragraph (e)(1)(ii),
(e)(1)(iii), or (e)(1)(iv) of this section may include a request for
approval of fiduciary powers, including the information required by
paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, as part of its other application.
The OCC does not require a separate application requesting approval to
exercise fiduciary powers under these circumstances.
(iii) When reviewing any application filed under this section, the
OCC considers factors such as the following:
(A) The financial condition of the national bank or Federal savings
association;
(B) The adequacy of the national bank's or Federal savings
association's capital and surplus and whether it is sufficient under
the circumstances and not less than the capital and surplus required by
state law or state banks, trust companies, and other corporations
exercising comparable fiduciary powers;
(C) The character and ability of proposed trust management,
including qualifications, experience, and competency. The OCC must
approve any trust management change the bank or savings association
makes prior to commencing trust activities;
(D) The adequacy of the proposed business plan, if applicable;
(E) The needs of the community to be served; and
(F) Any other factors or circumstances that the OCC considers
proper.
(3) Expedited review. An application by an eligible national bank
or eligible Federal savings association to exercise fiduciary powers is
deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the application is
received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the bank or savings
association prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for
expedited review under Sec. 5.13(a)(2).
(4) Permit. Approval of an application under this section
constitutes a permit under 12 U.S.C. 92a for national banks and 12
U.S.C. 1464(n) for Federal savings associations to conduct the
fiduciary powers requested in the application.
(5) Notice required. A national bank or Federal savings association
that has ceased to conduct previously approved fiduciary powers for 18
consecutive months must provide the OCC with a notice describing the
nature and manner of the activities proposed to be conducted and
containing the information required by paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this
section 60 days prior to commencing any fiduciary activity.
(6) Notice of fiduciary activities in additional states. (i) No
further application under this section is required when a national bank
or Federal savings association with existing OCC approval to exercise
fiduciary powers plans to engage in any of the activities specified in
Sec. 9.7(d) of this chapter or to conduct activities ancillary to its
fiduciary business, in a state in addition to the state described in
the application for fiduciary powers that the OCC has approved.
(ii) Unless the national bank or Federal savings association
provides notice through other means (such as a merger application), the
national bank or Federal savings association shall provide written
notice to the OCC no later than ten days after it begins to engage in
any of the activities specified in Sec. 9.7(d) of this chapter in a
state in addition to the state described in the application for
fiduciary powers that the OCC has approved. The written notice must
identify the new state or states involved, identify the fiduciary
activities to be conducted, and describe the extent to which the
activities differ materially from the fiduciary activities

[[Page 33346]]

the national bank or Federal savings association previously conducted.
(iii) No notice is required if the national bank or Federal savings
association is conducting only activities ancillary to its fiduciary
business through a trust representative office or otherwise.
(7) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC
concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all
parts of Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(8) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a national bank or
Federal savings association does not commence fiduciary activities
within 18 months from the date of approval, unless the OCC grants an
extension of time.
0
13. Section 5.30 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.30 Establishment, acquisition, and relocation of a branch of a
national bank.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1-42 and 2901-2907.
(b) Licensing requirements. A national bank shall submit an
application and obtain prior OCC approval in order to establish or
relocate a branch.
(c) Scope--(1) General. This section describes the procedures and
standards governing OCC review and approval of an application by a
national bank to establish a new branch or to relocate a branch.
(2) Branch established through a conversion or business
combination. The standards of this section governing review and
approval of applications by the OCC and, as applicable, 12 U.S.C.
36(b), but not the application procedures set forth in this section,
apply to branches acquired or retained in a conversion approved under
12 CFR 5.24 or a business combination approved under Sec. 5.33. A
branch acquired or retained in a conversion or business combination is
subject to the application procedures set forth in Sec. Sec. 5.24 or
5.33.
(d) Definitions--(1) Branch includes any branch bank, branch
office, branch agency, additional office, or any branch place of
business established by a national bank in the United States or its
territories at which deposits are received, checks paid, or money lent.
(i) A branch established by a national bank includes a mobile
facility, temporary facility, intermittent facility, drop box or a
seasonal agency as described in 12 U.S.C. 36(c).
(ii) A facility otherwise described in this paragraph (d)(1) is not
a branch if:
(A) The bank establishing the facility does not permit members of
the public to have physical access to the facility for purposes of
making deposits, paying checks, or borrowing money (e.g., an office
established by the bank that receives deposits only through the mail);
or
(B) It is located at the site of, or is an extension of, an
approved main office or branch office of the national bank. The OCC
determines whether a facility is an extension of an existing main
office or branch office on a case-by-case basis. For this purpose, the
OCC will consider a drive-in or pedestrian facility located within 500
feet of a public entrance to an existing main office or branch office
to be an extension of the existing main office or branch office,
provided the functions performed at the drive-in or pedestrian facility
are limited to functions that are ordinarily performed at a teller
window.
(iii) A branch does not include an automated teller machine (ATM),
a remote service unit (such as an automated loan machine or personal
computer used in providing financial services), a loan production
office, a deposit production office, a trust office, an administrative
office, a data processing office, or any other office that does not
engage in any of the activities in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(2) Home state means the state in which the national bank's main
office is located.
(3) Intermittent branch means a branch that is operated by a
national bank for one or more limited periods of time to provide branch
banking services at a specified recurring event, on the grounds or
premises where the event is held or at a fixed site adjacent to the
grounds or premises where the event is held, and exclusively during the
occurrence of the event. Examples of an intermittent branch include the
operation of a branch on the campus of, or at a fixed site adjacent to
the campus of, a specific college during school registration periods;
or the operation of a branch during a state fair on state fairgrounds
or at a fixed site adjacent to the fairgrounds.
(4) Messenger service has the meaning set forth in 12 CFR 7.1012.
(5) Mobile branch is a branch of a national bank, other than a
messenger service branch, that does not have a single, permanent site,
and includes a vehicle that travels to various public locations to
enable customers to conduct their banking business. A mobile branch may
provide services at various regularly scheduled locations or it may be
open at irregular times and locations such as at county fairs, sporting
events, or school registration periods. A branch license is needed for
each mobile unit.
(6) Temporary branch means a branch of a national bank that is
located at a fixed site and which, from the time of its opening, is
scheduled to, and will, permanently close no later than a certain date
(not longer than one year after the branch is first opened) specified
in the branch application and the public notice.
(e) Policy. In determining whether to approve an application to
establish or relocate a branch, the OCC is guided by the following
principles:
(1) Maintaining a safe and sound banking system;
(2) Encouraging a national bank to provide fair access to financial
services by helping to meet the credit needs of its entire community;
(3) Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations; and
(4) Promoting fair treatment of customers including efficiency and
better service.
(f) Procedures--(1) General. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)
of this section, each national bank proposing to establish a branch
shall submit to the appropriate OCC licensing office a separate
application for each proposed branch.
(2) Messenger services. A national bank may request approval,
through a single application, for multiple messenger services to serve
the same general geographic area. (See 12 CFR 7.1012). Unless otherwise
required by law, the bank need not list the specific locations to be
served.
(3) Jointly established branches. If a national bank proposes to
establish a branch jointly with one or more national banks or other
depository institutions, only one of the national banks must submit a
branch application. The national bank submitting the application may
act as agent for all national banks in the group of depository
institutions proposing to share the branch. The application must
include the name and main office address of each national bank in the
group.
(4) Intermittent branches. Prior to operating an intermittent
branch, a national bank shall file a branch application and publish
notice in accordance with Sec. 5.8, both of which shall identify the
event at which the branch will be operated; designate a location for
operation of the branch which shall be on the grounds or premises at
which the event is held or on a fixed site adjacent to those grounds or
premises; and specify the approximate time period during which the
event will be held and during which

[[Page 33347]]

the branch will operate, including whether operation of the branch will
be on an annual or otherwise recurring basis. If the branch is
approved, then the bank need not obtain approval each time it seeks to
operate the branch in accordance with the original application and
approval.
(5) Authorization. The OCC authorizes operation of the branch when
all requirements and conditions for opening are satisfied.
(6) Expedited review. An application submitted by an eligible bank
to establish or relocate a branch is deemed approved by the OCC as of
the 15th day after the close of the applicable public comment period or
the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC (or in the case of
a short-distance relocation the 30th day after the filing is received
by the OCC), whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the bank prior
to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or
the expedited review process is extended, under Sec. 5.13(a)(2). An
application to establish or relocate more than one branch is deemed
approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the last
public comment period.
(g) Interstate branches. A national bank that seeks to establish
and operate a de novo branch in any state other than the bank's home
state or a state in which the bank already has a branch shall satisfy
the standards and requirements of 12 U.S.C. 36(g).
(h) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. (1) A national
bank filing an application for a mobile branch or messenger service
branch shall publish a public notice, as described in Sec. 5.8, in the
communities in which the bank proposes to engage in business.
(2) The comment period on an application to engage in a short-
distance relocation is 15 days.
(3) The OCC may waive or reduce the public notice and comment
period, as appropriate, with respect to an application to establish a
branch to restore banking services to a community affected by a
disaster or to temporarily replace banking facilities where, because of
an emergency, the bank cannot provide services or must curtail banking
services.
(4) The OCC may waive or reduce the public notice and comment
period, as appropriate, for an application by a national bank with a
CRA rating of Satisfactory or better to establish a temporary branch
which, if it were established by a state bank to operate in the manner
proposed, would be permissible under state law without state approval.
(i) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a branch has not
commenced business within 18 months after the date of approval unless
the OCC grants an extension.
(j) Branch closings. A national bank shall comply with the
requirements of 12 U.S.C. 1831r-1 with respect to procedures for branch
closings.
0
14. Section 5.31 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.31 Establishment, acquisition, and relocation of a branch and
establishment of an agency office of a Federal savings association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464. 2901-2907 and
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. A Federal savings association shall
submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval in order to
establish or relocate a branch or to establish an agency office or
conduct additional activities at an agency office, if required under
this section.
(c) Scope--(1) General. This section describes the procedures and
standards governing OCC review and approval of an application by a
Federal savings association to establish a new branch or to relocate a
branch and the circumstances in which a Federal savings association may
establish or relocate a branch without application to the OCC. It also
describes the authority of a Federal savings association to establish
an agency office.
(2) Branch established through a conversion or business
combination. The standards of this section governing review and
approval of applications by the OCC, but not the application procedures
set forth in this section, apply to branches acquired or retained in a
conversion approved under 12 CFR 5.23 or a business combination
approved under 12 CFR 5.33. A branch acquired or retained in a
conversion or business combination is subject to the application
procedures set forth in Sec. Sec. 5.23 or 5.33.
(3) Branching by savings associations in the District of Columbia.
This section also implements section 5(m) of the HOLA, 12 U.S.C.
1464(m), addressing branching by savings associations in the District
of Columbia.
(d) Definitions--(1) A branch office of a Federal savings
association for purposes of this section is a branch office as defined
in 12 CFR 145.92(a).
(2) Home state means the state in which the Federal savings
association's home office is located.
(e) Policy. In determining whether to approve an application to
establish or relocate a branch, the OCC is guided by the following
principles:
(1) Maintaining a safe and sound banking system;
(2) Encouraging a Federal savings association to provide fair
access to financial services by helping to meet the credit needs of its
entire community;
(3) Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations; and
(4) Promoting fair treatment of customers including efficiency and
better service.
(f) Procedures--(1) Application requirements. (i) Except as
provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, each Federal savings
association proposing to establish or relocate a branch shall submit to
the appropriate OCC licensing office a separate application for each
proposed branch.
(ii) Authorization. The OCC authorizes operation of the branch when
all requirements and conditions for opening are satisfied.
(iii) Expedited review. An application submitted by an eligible
Federal savings association to establish or relocate a branch is deemed
approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the
applicable public comment period or the 45th day after the filing is
received by the OCC, whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the
savings association prior to that date that the filing is not eligible
for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended,
under Sec. 5.13(a)(2). An application to establish or relocate more
than one branch is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after
the close of the last public comment period.
(2) Exceptions. A Federal savings association is not required to
submit an application and receive OCC approval under the following
circumstances:
(i) Drive-in or pedestrian offices. A Federal savings association
may establish a drive-in or pedestrian office that is located within
500 feet of a public entrance to its existing home or branch office,
provided the functions performed at the office are limited to functions
that are ordinarily performed at a teller window.
(ii) Short-distance relocation. A Federal savings association may
change the permanent location of an existing branch office to a site
that is within the market area and short-distance location area, as
defined in Sec. 5.3(l).
(iii) Highly-rated Federal savings associations. A Federal savings
association that is an eligible savings association as defined in Sec.
5.3(g) may change the permanent location of, or establish a new, branch
office if it meets all of the following requirements:
(A) It published a public notice under Sec. 5.8 of its intent to
change the location of the branch office or establish a new

[[Page 33348]]

branch office. The public notice must be published at least 35 days
before the proposed action establishment or relocation. If the notice
is published more than 12 months before the proposed action, the
publication is invalid.
(B) If the Federal savings association intends to change the
location of an existing branch office, it must post a notice of its
intent in a prominent location in the existing office to be relocated.
This notice must be posted for 30 days from the date of publication of
the initial public notice described in paragraph (f)(2)(iii)(A) of this
section.
(C)(1) No person files a comment opposing the proposed action
within 30 days after the date of the publication of the public notice;
or
(2) A person files a comment opposing the proposed action and the
OCC determines that the comment raises issues that are not relevant to
the approval standards for an application for a branch or that OCC
action in response to the comment is not required.
(g) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. (1) The OCC may
waive or reduce the public notice and comment period, as appropriate,
with respect to an application to establish a branch to restore banking
services to a community affected by a disaster or to temporarily
replace banking facilities where, because of an emergency, the savings
association cannot provide services or must curtail banking services.
(2) The OCC may waive or reduce the public notice and comment
period, as appropriate, for an application by a Federal savings
association with a CRA rating of Satisfactory or better to establish a
temporary branch which, if it were established by a state bank to
operate in the manner proposed, would be permissible under state law
without state approval.
(h) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a branch has not
commenced business within 18 months after the date of approval unless
the OCC grants an extension.
(i) Branch closings. A Federal savings association shall comply
with the applicable requirements of 12 U.S.C. 1831r-1 with respect to
procedures for branch closings.
(j) Section 5(m) of the HOLA. (1) Under section 5(m)(1) of the HOLA
(12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1)), no savings association may establish or move
any branch in the District of Columbia or move its principal office in
the District of Columbia without the OCC's prior written approval.
(2) Any Federal savings association that must obtain approval of
the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1) shall follow the application
procedures of this section. Any state savings association that must
obtain approval of the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1) shall follow the
application procedures of this section as if it were a Federal savings
association.
(k) Agency offices. (1) General. A Federal savings association may
establish or maintain an agency office to engage in one or more of the
following activities:
(i) Servicing, originating, or approving loans and contracts;
(ii) Managing or selling real estate owned by the Federal savings
association; and
(iii) Conducting fiduciary activities or activities ancillary to
the association's fiduciary business in compliance with Sec. 5.26(e).
(2) Additional services--(i) General. A Federal savings association
may request, and the OCC may approve, any service not listed in
paragraph (k)(1) of this section, except for payment on savings
accounts.
(ii) Application required. A Federal savings association desiring
to engage in such additional services shall submit an application to
the appropriate OCC licensing office.
(iii) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to filings under this paragraph 5.31(k)(2).
However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant
or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine
that some or all provisions in Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(3) Records. A Federal savings association must maintain records of
all business it transacts at an agency office. It must maintain these
records at the agency office, and must transmit copies to a home or
branch office.
0
15. Section 5.32 is amended by:
0
a. Adding paragraph (d)(4): and
0
b. Removing, in paragraph (h)(2), the phrase ``to the appropriate
district office'' and inserting in its place the phrase ``to the
appropriate OCC licensing office''.
The addition reads as follows:

Sec. 5.32 Expedited procedures for certain reorganizations of a
national bank.

* * * * *
(d) * * *
(4) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC
concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all
provisions in Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
* * * * *
0
16. Section 5.33 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.33 Business combinations involving a national bank or Federal
savings association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh), 93a, 181, 214a, 214b, 215,
215a, 215a-1, 215a-3, 215b, 215c, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1828(c),
1831u, 2903, and 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. This section sets forth the provisions governing
business combinations and the standards for:
(1) OCC review and approval of an application by a national bank or
a Federal savings association for a business combination resulting in a
national bank or Federal savings association; and
(2) Requirements of notices and other procedures for national banks
and Federal savings associations involved in other combinations in
which a national bank or Federal savings association is not the
resulting institution.
(c) Licensing requirements. As prescribed by this section, a
national bank or Federal savings association shall submit an
application and obtain prior OCC approval for a business combination
when the resulting institution is a national bank or Federal savings
association. As prescribed by this section, a national bank or Federal
savings association shall give notice to the OCC prior to engaging in
an other combination where the resulting institution will not be a
national bank or Federal savings association.\1\ A national bank shall
submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval for any merger
between the national bank and one or more of its nonbank affiliates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Other combination transactions do not require an application
under this section. However, some may require an application under
12 CFR 5.53.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Definitions--For purposes of this Sec. 5.33:
(1) Bank means any national bank or any state bank.
(2) Business combination means:
(i) Any merger or consolidation between a national bank or a
Federal savings association and one or more depository institutions or
state trust companies, in which the resulting institution is a national
bank or Federal savings association;
(ii) In the case of a Federal savings association, any merger or
consolidation with a credit union in which the resulting institution is
a Federal savings association;

[[Page 33349]]

(iii) In the case of a national bank, any merger between a national
bank and one or more of its nonbank affiliates;
(iv) The acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings
association of all, or substantially all, of the assets of another
depository institution;
(v) The assumption by a national bank or a Federal savings
association of any deposit liabilities of another insured depository
institution or any deposit accounts or other liabilities of a credit
union or any other institution that will become deposits at the
national bank or Federal savings association; or
(vi) The acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings
association of all, or substantially all, of the assets, or the
assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities, of any
company other than a depository institution, if the acquisition would
cause the assets of the national bank or Federal savings association to
increase by twenty-five percent or more.
(3) Business reorganization means either:
(i) A business combination between eligible banks and eligible
savings associations, or between an eligible bank or an eligible
savings association and an eligible depository institution, that are
controlled by the same holding company or that will be controlled by
the same holding company prior to the combination; or
(ii) A business combination between an eligible bank or an eligible
savings association and an interim national bank or interim Federal
savings association chartered in a transaction in which a person or
group of persons exchanges its shares of the eligible bank or eligible
savings association for shares of a newly formed holding company and
receives after the transaction substantially the same proportional
share interest in the holding company as it held in the eligible bank
or eligible savings association (except for changes in interests
resulting from the exercise of dissenters' rights), and the
reorganization involves no other transactions involving the bank or
savings association.
(4) Company means a corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, business trust, association, or similar organization.
(5) For business combinations under Sec. 5.33(g)(4) and (5), a
company or shareholder is deemed to control another company if:
(i) Such company or shareholder, directly or indirectly, or acting
through one or more other persons owns, controls, or has power to vote
25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the other
company, or
(ii) Such company or shareholder controls in any manner the
election of a majority of the directors or trustees of the other
company. No company shall be deemed to own or control another company
by virtue of its ownership or control of shares in a fiduciary
capacity.
(6) Credit union means a financial institution subject to
examination by the National Credit Union Administration Board.
(7) Home state means:
(i) With respect to a national bank, the state in which the main
office of the national bank is located,
(ii) With respect to a Federal savings association, the state in
which the home office of the Federal savings association is located,
and
(iii) With respect to a state bank, a state savings association, or
a state trust company, the state by which the bank, savings
association, or trust company is chartered.
(8) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association
means a national bank or Federal savings association that does not
operate independently but exists solely as a vehicle to accomplish a
business combination.
(9) Nonbank affiliate of a national bank means any company (other
than a bank or Federal savings association) that controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with the national bank.
(10) Other combination means:
(i) Any merger or consolidation between a national bank or a
Federal savings association and one or more depository institutions or
state trust companies, in which the resulting institution is not a
national bank or Federal savings association;
(ii) In the case of a Federal stock savings association, any merger
or consolidation with a credit union in which the resulting institution
is a credit union;
(iii) The transfer by a national bank or a Federal savings
association of any deposit liabilities to another insured depository
institution, a credit union or any other institution; or
(iv) The acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings
association of all, or substantially all, of the assets, or the
assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities, of any
company other than a depository institution, if the acquisition would
cause the assets of the national bank or Federal savings association to
increase by less than twenty-five percent.
(11) Savings association and state savings association have the
meaning set forth in section 3(b)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(b)(1).
(12) State trust company means a trust company organized under
state law that is not engaged in the business of receiving deposits,
other than trust funds.
(e) Policy. (1) Factors. (i) General. When the OCC evaluates any
application for a business combination, the OCC considers the following
factors:
(A) The capital level of any resulting national bank or Federal
savings association;
(B) The conformity of the transaction to applicable law,
regulation, and supervisory policies;
(C) The purpose of the transaction;
(D) The impact of the transaction on safety and soundness of the
national bank or Federal savings association; and
(E) The effect of the transaction on the national bank or Federal
savings association's shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and
customers.
(ii) Bank Merger Act. When the OCC evaluates an application for a
business combination under the Bank Merger Act, the OCC also considers
the following factors:
(A) Competition. (1) The OCC considers the effect of a proposed
business combination on competition. The applicant shall provide a
competitive analysis of the transaction, including a definition of the
relevant geographic market or markets. An applicant may refer to the
Manual for procedures to expedite its competitive analysis.
(2) The OCC will deny an application for a business combination if
the combination would result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance
of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or attempt to monopolize
the business of banking in any part of the United States. The OCC also
will deny any proposed business combination whose effect in any section
of the United States may be substantially to lessen competition, or
tend to create a monopoly, or which in any other manner would be in
restraint of trade, unless the probable effects of the transaction in
meeting the convenience and needs of the community clearly outweigh the
anticompetitive effects of the transaction. For purposes of weighing
against anticompetitive effects, a business combination may have
favorable effects in meeting the convenience and needs of the community
if the depository institution being acquired has limited long-term
prospects, or if the resulting national bank or Federal savings
association will provide significantly improved, additional, or less
costly services to the community.

[[Page 33350]]

(B) Financial and managerial resources and future prospects. The
OCC considers the financial and managerial resources and future
prospects of the existing or proposed institutions.
(C) Convenience and needs of community. The OCC considers the
probable effects of the business combination on the convenience and
needs of the community served. The applicant shall describe these
effects in its application, including any planned office closings or
reductions in services following the business combination and the
likely impact on the community. The OCC also considers additional
relevant factors, including the resulting national bank's or Federal
savings association's ability and plans to provide expanded or less
costly services to the community.
(D) Money laundering. The OCC considers the effectiveness of any
insured depository institution involved in the business combination in
combating money laundering activities, including in overseas branches.
(E) Financial stability. The OCC considers the risk to the
stability of the United States banking and financial system.
(F) Deposit concentration limit. The OCC will not approve a
transaction that would violate the deposit concentration limit in 12
U.S.C. 1828(c)(13) for certain interstate merger transactions.
(iii) Community Reinvestment Act. When the OCC evaluates an
application for a business combination under the Community Reinvestment
Act, the OCC also considers the performance of the applicant and the
other depository institutions involved in the business combination in
helping to meet the credit needs of the relevant communities, including
low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound
banking practices.
(2) Acquisition and retention of branches. An applicant shall
disclose the location of any branch it will acquire and retain in a
business combination, including approved but unopened branches. The OCC
considers the acquisition and retention of a branch under the standards
set out in Sec. 5.30, but it does not require a separate application
under Sec. 5.30.
(3) Subsidiaries. (i) An applicant must identify any subsidiary,
financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment,
service corporation investment, or other equity investment to be
acquired in a business combination and state the activities of each
subsidiary or other company in which the applicant would be acquiring
an investment. The OCC does not require a separate application or
notice under Sec. Sec. 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, 5.38, 5.39, 5.58, and 5.59.
(ii) An national bank applicant proposing to acquire, through a
business combination, a subsidiary, financial subsidiary investment,
bank service company investment, service corporation investment, or
other equity investment of any entity other than a national bank must
provide the same information and analysis of the subsidiary's
activities, or of the investment, that would be required if the
applicant were establishing the subsidiary, or making such investment,
pursuant to Sec. Sec. 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, or 5.39.
(iii) A Federal savings association applicant proposing to acquire,
through a business combination, a subsidiary, bank service company
investment, service corporation investment, or other equity investment
of any entity other than a Federal savings association must provide the
same information and analysis of the subsidiary's activities, or of the
investment, that would be required if the applicant were establishing
the subsidiary, or making such investment, pursuant to Sec. Sec. 5.35,
5.38, 5.58, or 5.59.
(4) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association--
(i) Application. An applicant for a business combination that plans to
use an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association to
accomplish the transaction shall file an application to organize an
interim national bank or interim Federal savings association as part of
the application for the related business combination.
(ii) Conditional approval. The OCC grants conditional preliminary
approval to form an interim national bank or interim Federal savings
association when it acknowledges receipt of the application for the
related business combination.
(iii) Corporate status. An interim national bank or interim Federal
savings association becomes a legal entity and may enter into legally
valid agreements when it has filed, and the OCC has accepted, the
interim national bank's duly executed articles of association and
organization certificate or the Federal savings association's charter
and bylaws. OCC acceptance occurs:
(A) On the date the OCC advises the interim national bank that its
articles of association and organization certificate are acceptable or
advises the interim Federal savings association that its charter and
bylaws are acceptable; or
(B) On the date the interim national bank files articles of
association and an organization certificate that conform to the form
for those documents provided by the OCC in the Manual or the date the
interim Federal savings association files a charter and bylaws that
conform to the requirements set out in this part 5.
(iv) Other corporate procedures. An applicant should consult the
Manual to determine what other information is necessary to complete the
chartering of the interim national bank as a national bank or the
interim Federal savings association as a Federal savings association.
(5) Nonconforming assets. (i) An applicant shall identify any
nonconforming activities and assets, including nonconforming
subsidiaries, of other institutions involved in the business
combination that will not be disposed of or discontinued prior to
consummation of the transaction. The OCC generally requires a national
bank or Federal savings association to divest or conform nonconforming
assets, or discontinue nonconforming activities, within a reasonable
time following the business combination.
(ii) Any resulting Federal savings association shall conform to the
requirements of sections 5(c) and 10(m) of the Home Owners' Loan Act
(12 U.S.C. 1464(c) and 1467a(m)) within the time period prescribed by
the OCC.
(6) Fiduciary powers. (i) An applicant shall state whether the
resulting national bank or Federal savings association intends to
exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to Sec. 5.26(b). (ii) If an
applicant intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the combination
and requires OCC approval for such powers, the applicant must include
the information required under Sec. 5.26(e)(2).
(7) Expiration of approval. Approval of a business combination, and
conditional approval to form an interim national bank or interim
Federal savings association, if applicable, expires if the business
combination is not consummated within six months after the date of OCC
approval, unless the OCC grants an extension of time.
(8) Adequacy of disclosure. (i) An applicant shall inform
shareholders of all material aspects of a business combination and
shall comply with any applicable requirements of the Federal securities
laws and securities regulations of the OCC. Accordingly, an applicant
shall ensure that all proxy and information statements prepared in
connection with a business combination do not contain any untrue or
misleading statement of a material fact, or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

[[Page 33351]]

(ii) A national bank or Federal savings association applicant with
one or more classes of securities subject to the registration
provisions of section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, 15 U.S.C. 78l(b) or 78l(g), shall file preliminary proxy material
or information statements for review with the Director, Securities and
Corporate Practices Division, OCC, Washington, DC 20219. Any other
applicant shall submit the proxy materials or information statements it
uses in connection with the combination to the appropriate OCC
licensing office no later than when the materials are sent to the
shareholders.
(f) Exceptions to rules of general applicability--(1) National bank
or Federal savings association applicant--(i) In general. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC
concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all
provisions in Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10 and 5.11 apply.
(ii) Statutory notice. If an application is subject to the Bank
Merger Act or to another statute that requires notice to the public, a
national bank or Federal savings association applicant shall follow the
public notice requirements contained in 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(3) or the
other statute and sections 5.8(b) through 5.8(e), 5.10, and 5.11.
(2) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association.
Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to an application to organize
an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association.
However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant
or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine
that any or all parts of Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. The OCC
treats an application to organize an interim national bank or interim
Federal savings association as part of the related application to
engage in a business combination and does not require a separate public
notice and public comment process.
(3) State bank, or state savings association, state trust company,
or credit union as resulting institution. Sections 5.7 through 5.13 do
not apply to transactions covered by paragraphs (g)(6) or (g)(7) of
this section.
(g) Provisions governing consolidations and mergers with different
types of entities--(1) Consolidations and mergers under 12 U.S.C. 215
or 215a of a national bank with other national banks and state banks as
defined in 12 U.S.C. 215b(1) resulting in a national bank. (i) A
national bank entering into a consolidation or merger authorized
pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, respectively, is subject to the
approval procedures and requirements with respect to treatment of
dissenting shareholders set forth in those provisions.
(ii) Any national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a
consolidation or merger under 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a shall provide a
notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section.
(2) Consolidations and mergers of a national bank with Federal
savings associations under 12 U.S.C. 215c resulting in a national bank.
(i) With the approval of the OCC, any national bank and any Federal
savings association may consolidate or merge with a national bank as
the resulting institution by complying with the following procedures:
(A) A national bank entering into the consolidation or merger shall
follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, respectively, as if the
Federal savings association were a national bank.
(B)(1) A Federal savings association entering into the
consolidation or merger shall comply with the requirements of paragraph
(n) of this section and follow the procedures set out in paragraph (o)
of this section and shall provide a notice to the OCC under paragraph
(k) of this section.
(2) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(2), a combination in which a
national bank acquires all or substantially all of the assets, or
assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of a Federal
savings association shall be treated as a consolidation for the Federal
savings association.
(ii) (A) National bank shareholders who dissent from a plan to
consolidate may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares
if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 215 as if the Federal
savings association were a national bank.
(B) Federal savings association shareholders who dissent from a
plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their
Federal savings association shares if they comply with the requirements
of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a as if the Federal savings association were a
national bank.
(C) The OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the value
of the national bank or Federal savings association held by dissenting
shareholders in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 215 or
215a, as applicable, except that the costs and expenses of any
appraisal or reappraisal may be apportioned and assessed by the
Comptroller as he or she may deem equitable against all or some of the
parties. In making this determination the Comptroller shall consider
whether any party has acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect
to the rights provided by this paragraph.
(iii) The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect
upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of
any participating institution by the resulting institution.
(3) Consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association with
another Federal savings association, a national bank, a state bank, a
state savings bank, a state savings association, a state trust company,
or a credit union resulting in a Federal savings association--(i) With
the approval of the OCC, a Federal savings association may consolidate
or merge with another Federal savings association, a national bank, a
state bank, a state savings association, a state trust company, or a
credit union with the Federal savings association as the resulting
institution by complying with the following procedures:
(A)(1) The applicant Federal savings association shall comply with
the requirements of paragraph 5.33(n) and follow the procedures set out
in paragraph 5.33(o).
(2) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(3), a combination in which a
Federal savings association acquires all or substantially all of the
assets, or assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of
another other participating institution shall be treated as a
consolidation for the acquiring Federal savings association and as a
consolidation by a Federal savings association whose assets are
acquired, if any.
(B)(1) A national bank entering into a merger or consolidation with
a Federal savings association when the resulting institution will be a
Federal savings association shall comply with the requirements of 12
U.S.C. 214a and 12 U.S.C. 214c as if the Federal savings association
were a state bank. However, for these purposes the references in 12
U.S.C. 214c to ``law of the State in which such national banking
association is located'' and ``any State authority'' mean ``laws and
regulations governing Federal savings associations'' and ``Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency'' respectively. The national bank also
shall provide a notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section.
(2) National bank shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or
consolidate may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares
if they comply with the requirements of

[[Page 33352]]

12 U.S.C. 214a as if the Federal savings association were a state bank.
The OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the
national bank shares held by dissenting shareholders in accordance with
the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 214a, except that the costs and expenses of
any appraisal or reappraisal may be apportioned and assessed by the
Comptroller as he or she may deem equitable against all or some of the
parties. In making this determination the Comptroller shall consider
whether any party has acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect
to the rights provided by this paragraphs.
(C)(1) A Federal savings association entering into a merger or
consolidation with another Federal savings association when the
resulting institution will be the other Federal savings association
shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and
the procedures of paragraph (o) of this section and shall provide a
notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section.
(2) Federal savings association shareholders who dissent from a
plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their
Federal savings association shares if they comply with the requirements
of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the other Federal savings association were a
state bank. The OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the
value of the Federal savings association shares held by dissenting
shareholders in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 214a,
except that the costs and expenses of any appraisal or reappraisal may
be apportioned and assessed by the Comptroller as he or she may deem
equitable against all or some of the parties. In making this
determination the Comptroller shall consider whether any party has
acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect to the rights
provided by this paragraph.
(3) The plan of merger or consolidation must provide the manner of
disposing of the shares of the resulting Federal savings association
not taken by the dissenting shareholders of the Federal savings
association.
(D)(1) A state bank, state savings association, state trust
company, or credit union entering into a consolidation or merger with a
Federal savings association when the resulting institution will be a
Federal savings association shall follow the procedures for such
consolidations or mergers set out in the law of the state or other
jurisdiction under which the state bank, state savings association,
state trust company, or credit union is organized.
(2) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of
dissenters' shares of stock in the state bank, state savings
association, or state trust company, entering into the consolidation or
merger shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the
state or other jurisdiction under which the state bank, state savings
association, or state trust company is organized.
(ii) The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect
upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of
any participating institution by the resulting institution.
(4) Mergers of a national bank with its nonbank affiliates under 12
U.S.C. 215a-3 resulting in a national bank. (i) With the approval of
the OCC, a national bank may merge with one or more of its nonbank
affiliates, with the national bank as the resulting institution, in
accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, provided that the law
of the state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is
organized allows the nonbank affiliate to engage in such mergers. If
the national bank is an insured bank, the transaction is also subject
to approval by the FDIC under the Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c).
(ii) A national bank entering into the merger shall follow the
procedures of 12 U.S.C. 215a as if the nonbank affiliate were a state
bank, except as otherwise provided herein.
(iii) A nonbank affiliate entering into the merger shall follow the
procedures for such mergers set out in the law of the state or other
jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized.
(iv) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of
dissenters' shares of stock in the nonbank affiliate entering into the
merger shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the
state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is
organized.
(v) The corporate existence of each institution participating in
the merger shall be continued in the resulting national bank, and all
the rights, franchises, property, appointments, liabilities, and other
interests of the participating institutions shall be transferred to the
resulting national bank, as set forth in 12 U.S.C. 215a(a), (e), and
(f) in the same manner and to the same extent as in a merger between a
national bank and a state bank under 12 U.S.C. 215a(a), as if the
nonbank affiliate were a state bank.
(5) Mergers of an uninsured national bank with its nonbank
affiliates under 12 U.S.C. 215a-3 resulting in a nonbank affiliate. (i)
With the approval of the OCC, a national bank that is not an insured
bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(h) may merge with one or more of its
nonbank affiliates, with the nonbank affiliate as the resulting entity,
in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, provided that the
law of the state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank
affiliate is organized allows the nonbank affiliate to engage in such
mergers.
(ii) A national bank entering into the merger shall follow the
procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a, as if the nonbank affiliate were a state
bank, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(iii) A nonbank affiliate entering into the merger shall follow the
procedures for such mergers set out in the law of the state or other
jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized.
(iv)(A) National bank shareholders who dissent from an approved
plan to merge may receive in cash the value of their national bank
shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the
nonbank affiliate were a state bank. The OCC may conduct an appraisal
or reappraisal of dissenters' shares of stock in a national bank
involved in the merger if all parties agree that the determination is
final and binding on each party and agree on how the total expenses of
the OCC in making the appraisal will be divided among the parties and
paid to the OCC.
(B) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of
dissenters' shares of stock in the nonbank affiliate involved in the
merger shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the
state or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is
organized.
(v) The corporate existence of each entity participating in the
merger shall be continued in the resulting nonbank affiliate, and all
the rights, franchises, property, appointments, liabilities, and other
interests of the participating national bank shall be transferred to
the resulting nonbank affiliate as set forth in 12 U.S.C. 214b, in the
same manner and to the same extent as in a merger between a national
bank and a state bank under 12 U.S.C. 214a, as if the nonbank affiliate
were a state bank.
(6) Consolidation or merger under 12 U.S.C. 214a of a national bank
with a state bank resulting in a state bank as defined in 12 U.S.C.
214(a)--(i) Policy. Prior OCC approval is not required for the merger
or consolidation of a national bank with a state bank as defined in 12
U.S.C. 214(a) Termination of a national bank's existence and status as
a national banking association is automatic, and its charter cancelled,
upon completion of the statutory and regulatory

[[Page 33353]]

requirements for engaging in the consolidation or merger and
consummation of the consolidation or merger.
(ii) Procedures. A national bank desiring to merge or consolidate
with a state bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a) when the resulting
institution will be a state bank shall comply with the requirements and
follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a and 214c and shall provide
notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section.
(iii) Dissenters' rights and appraisal procedures. National bank
shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may
receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply
with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a. The OCC conducts an appraisal
or reappraisal of the value of the national bank shares held by
dissenting shareholders as provided for in 12 U.S.C. 214a.
(iv) Liquidation account. The consolidation or merger agreement
must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any
liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting
institution.
(7) Consolidation or merger of a Federal savings association with a
state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust
company, or credit union resulting in a state bank, state savings bank,
state savings association, state trust company, or credit union--(i)
Policy. Prior OCC approval is not required for the merger or
consolidation of a Federal savings association with a state bank, state
savings bank, state savings association, state trust company, or credit
union when the resulting institution will be a state institution or
credit union. Termination of a national bank's or Federal savings
association's existence and status as a national banking association or
Federal savings association is automatic, and its charter cancelled,
upon completion of the statutory and regulatory requirements for
engaging in the consolidation or merger and consummation of the
consolidation or merger.
(ii) Procedures. (A) A Federal savings association desiring to
merge or consolidate with a state bank, state savings bank, state
savings association, state trust company, or credit union when the
resulting institution will be a state institution or credit union shall
comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and the
procedures of paragraph (o) of this section and shall provide notice to
the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(7), a combination in which a
state bank, state savings bank, state savings association, state trust
company, or credit union acquires all or substantially all of the
assets, or assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of a
Federal savings association shall be treated as a consolidation by the
Federal savings association.
(iii) Dissenters' rights and appraisal procedures. (A) Federal
savings association shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or
consolidate may receive in cash the value of their Federal savings
association shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C.
214a as if the Federal savings association were a national bank. The
OCC conducts an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the Federal
savings association shares held by dissenting shareholders only if all
parties agree that the determination will be final and binding. The
parties shall also agree on how the total expenses of the OCC in making
the appraisal will be divided among the parties and paid to the OCC.
(B) The plan of merger or consolidation must provide the manner of
disposing of the shares of the resulting state institution not taken by
the dissenting shareholders of the Federal savings association.
(iv) Liquidation account. The consolidation or merger agreement
must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any
liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting
institution.
(h) Interstate combinations under 12 U.S.C. 1831u. A business
combination between insured banks with different home states under the
authority of 12 U.S.C. 1831u must satisfy the standards and
requirements and comply with the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 1831u and
either 12 U.S.C. 215, 215a, and 215a-1, as applicable, if the resulting
bank is a national bank, or 12 U.S.C. 214a, 214b, and 214c if the
resulting bank is a state bank. For purposes of 12 U.S.C. 1831u, the
acquisition of a branch without the acquisition of all or substantially
all of the assets of a bank is treated as the acquisition of a bank
whose home state is the state in which the branch is located.
(i) Expedited review for business reorganizations and streamlined
applications. A filing that qualifies as a business reorganization as
defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, or a filing that qualifies
as a streamlined application as described in paragraph (j) of this
section, is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 45th day after the
application is received by the OCC, or the 15th day after the close of
the comment period, whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies the
applicant that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the
expedited review process is extended, under Sec. 5.13(a)(2). An
application under this paragraph must contain all necessary information
for the OCC to determine if it qualifies as a business reorganization
or streamlined application.
(j) Streamlined applications. (1) An applicant may qualify for a
streamlined business combination application in the following
situations:
(i) At least one party to the transaction is an eligible bank or
eligible Federal savings association, and all other parties to the
transaction are eligible banks, eligible Federal savings associations,
or eligible depository institutions, the resulting national bank or
resulting Federal savings association will be well capitalized
immediately following consummation of the transaction, and the total
assets of the target institution are no more than 50 percent of the
total assets of the acquiring bank or Federal savings association, as
reported in each institution's Consolidated Report of Condition and
Income filed for the quarter immediately preceding the filing of the
application;
(ii) The acquiring bank or Federal savings association is an
eligible bank or eligible Federal savings association, the target bank
or savings association is not an eligible bank, eligible Federal
savings association, or an eligible depository institution, the
resulting national bank or resulting Federal savings association will
be well capitalized immediately following consummation of the
transaction, and the applicants in a prefiling communication request
and obtain approval from the appropriate OCC licensing office to use
the streamlined application;
(iii) The acquiring bank or Federal savings association is an
eligible bank or eligible Federal savings association, the target bank
or savings association is not an eligible bank, eligible Federal
savings association, or an eligible depository institution, the
resulting bank or resulting Federal savings association will be well
capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, and
the total assets acquired do not exceed 10 percent of the total assets
of the acquiring national bank or acquiring Federal savings
association, as reported in each institution's Consolidated Report of
Condition and Income filed for the quarter immediately preceding the
filing of the application; or
(iv) In the case of a transaction under paragraph (g)(4) of this
section, the acquiring bank is an eligible bank, the resulting national
bank will be well

[[Page 33354]]

capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, the
applicants in a prefiling communication request and obtain approval
from the appropriate OCC licensing office to use the streamlined
application, and the total assets acquired do not exceed 10 percent of
the total assets of the acquiring national bank, as reported in the
bank's Consolidated Report of Condition and Income filed for the
quarter immediately preceding the filing of the application.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (j)(1) of this section, an applicant
does not qualify for a streamlined business combination application if
the transaction is part of a conversion under part 192 of this chapter.
(3) When a business combination qualifies for a streamlined
application, the applicant should consult the Manual to determine the
abbreviated application information required by the OCC. The OCC
encourages prefiling communications between the applicants and the
appropriate OCC licensing office before filing under paragraph (j) of
this section.
(k) Exit notice to OCC--(1) Notice required. As provided in
paragraphs (g)(1)(ii), (g)(2)(i)(B), (g)(3)(i)(B)(1), (g)(3)(i)(C)(1),
(g)(6)(ii), and (g)(7)(ii) of this section, a national bank or Federal
savings association engaging in a consolidation or merger in which it
is not the applicant and the resulting institution must file a notice
rather than an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office
advising of its intention.
(2) Timing of notice. The national bank or Federal savings
association shall submit the notice at the time the application to
merge or consolidate is filed with the responsible agency under the
Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c), or if there is no such filing then
no later than 30 days prior to the effective date of the merger or
consolidation.
(3) Content of Notice. The notice shall include the following:
(i)(A) A short description of the material features of the transaction,
the identity of the acquiring institution, the identity of the state or
Federal regulator to whom the application was made, and the date of the
application; or
(B) A copy of a filing made with another Federal or state
regulatory agency seeking approval from that agency for the transaction
under the Bank Merger Act or other applicable statute:
(ii) The planned consummation date for the transaction;
(iii) Information to demonstrate compliance by the national bank or
Federal savings association with applicable requirements to engage in
the transactions (e.g., board approval or shareholder or accountholder
requirements); and
(iv) If the national bank or Federal savings association submitting
the notice maintains a liquidation account established pursuant to part
192 of this chapter, the notice must state that the resulting
institution will assume such liquidation account.
(4) Termination of status. The national bank or Federal savings
association shall advise the OCC when the transaction is about to be
consummated. Termination of a national bank's or Federal savings
association's existence and status as a national banking association or
Federal savings association is automatic, and its charter cancelled,
upon completion of the statutory and regulatory requirements and
consummation of the consolidation or merger. When the national bank or
Federal savings association files the notice under paragraph (k)(2) of
this section, the OCC provides instructions to the national bank or
Federal savings association for terminating its status as a national
bank or Federal savings, including surrendering its charter to the OCC
immediately after consummation of the transaction.
(5) Expiration. If the action contemplated by the notice is not
completed within six months after the OCC's receipt of the notice, a
new notice must be submitted to the OCC, unless the OCC grants an
extension of time.
(l) Mergers and consolidations; transfer of assets and liabilities
to the resulting institution. (1) In any consolidation or merger in
which the resulting institution is a national bank or Federal savings
association, on the effective date of the merger or consolidation, all
assets and property (real, personal and mixed, tangible and intangible,
choses in action, rights, and credits) then owned by each participating
institution or which would inure to any of them, shall, immediately by
operation of law and without any conveyance, transfer, or further
action, become the property of the resulting national bank or Federal
savings association. The resulting national bank or Federal savings
association shall be deemed to be a continuation of the entity of each
participating institution, the rights and obligations of which shall
succeed to such rights and obligations and the duties and liabilities
connected therewith.
(2) The authority in paragraph (l)(1) is in addition to any
authority granted by applicable statutes for specific transactions and
is subject to the National Bank Act, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and
other applicable statutes.
(m) Certification of combination; effective date. (1) When a
national bank or Federal savings association is the applicant and will
be the resulting entity in a consolidation or merger, after receiving
approval from the OCC, it shall complete any remaining steps needed to
complete the transaction, provide the OCC with a certification that all
other required regulatory or shareholder approvals have been obtained,
and inform the OCC of the planned consummation date.
(2) When the transaction is consummated, the applicant shall notify
the OCC of the consummation date. The OCC will issue a letter
certifying that the combination was effective on the date specified in
the applicant's notice.
(n) Authority for and certain limits on business combinations by
Federal savings associations (1) Federal savings associations may enter
into business combinations only in accordance with this section, the
Bank Merger Act, and sections 5(d)(3)(A) and 10(s) of the Home Owners'
Loan Act.
(2) A Federal savings association may consolidate or merge with
another depository institution, a state trust company or a credit
union, or may engage in another business combination listed in
paragraphs (d)(2)(iv), (v) and (vi) of this section or an other
combination listed in paragraph (d)(10), provided that:
(i) The combination is in compliance with, and receives all
approvals required under, any applicable statutes and regulations;
(ii) Any resulting Federal savings association meets the
requirements for insurance of accounts; and
(iii) If any combining savings association is a mutual savings
association, the resulting institution shall be a mutually held savings
association, unless:
(A) The transaction is approved under part 192 governing mutual to
stock conversions; or
(B) The transaction involves a mutual holding company
reorganization under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(o).
(3) Where the resulting institution is a Federal mutual savings
association, the OCC may approve a temporary increase in the number of
directors of the resulting institution provided that the association
submits a plan for bringing the board of directors into compliance with
the requirements of Sec. 5.21(e) within a reasonable period of time.
(4)(i) The Federal savings associations described in paragraph
(m)(4)(ii) below must provide affected accountholders

[[Page 33355]]

with a notice of a proposed account transfer and an option of retaining
the account in the transferring Federal savings association. The notice
must allow affected accountholders at least 30 days to consider whether
to retain their accounts in the transferring Federal savings
association.
(ii) The following savings associations must provide the notices:
(A) A Federal mutual savings association transferring account
liabilities to an institution the accounts of which are not insured by
the Deposit Insurance Fund or the National Credit Union Share Insurance
Fund; and
(B) Any Federal mutual savings association transferring account
liabilities to a stock form depository institution.
(o) Procedural requirements for Federal savings association
approval of combinations--(1) Board approval. Before a Federal savings
association files a notice or application for any consolidation or
merger, the combination and combination agreement must be approved by
majority vote of the entire board of each constituent Federal savings
association in the case of Federal stock savings associations or a two-
thirds vote of the entire board of each constituent Federal savings
association in the case of Federal mutual savings associations;
(2) Change of name or home office. If the name the resulting
Federal savings association or the location of the home office of the
resulting Federal savings association will be changed as a result of
the business combination, the resulting Federal savings association
shall amend its charter accordingly;
(3) Shareholder vote--(i) General rule. Except as otherwise
provided in this paragraph (n)(3), an affirmative vote of two-thirds of
the outstanding voting stock of any constituent Federal stock savings
association shall be required for approval of a consolidation or
merger. If any class of shares is entitled to vote as a class pursuant
to Sec. 152.4 of this part, an affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares of each voting class and two-thirds of the total voting shares
shall be required. The required vote shall be taken at a meeting of the
savings association.
(ii) General exception. Stockholders of the resulting Federal stock
savings association need not authorize a consolidation or merger if:
(A) It does not involve an interim Federal savings association or
an interim state savings association;
(B) The association's charter is not changed;
(C) Each share of stock outstanding immediately prior to the
effective date of the consolidation or merger is to be an identical
outstanding share or a treasury share of the resulting Federal stock
savings association after such effective date; and
(D) Either:
(1) No shares of voting stock of the resulting Federal stock
savings association and no securities convertible into such stock are
to be issued or delivered under the plan of combination, or
(2) The authorized unissued shares or the treasury shares of voting
stock of the resulting Federal stock savings association to be issued
or delivered under the plan of combination, plus those initially
issuable upon conversion of any securities to be issued or delivered
under such plan, do not exceed 15% of the total shares of voting stock
of such association outstanding immediately prior to the effective date
of the consolidation or merger.
(iii) Exceptions for certain combinations involving an interim
association. Stockholders of a Federal stock savings association need
not authorize by a two-thirds affirmative vote consolidations or
mergers involving an interim Federal savings association or interim
state savings association when the resulting Federal stock savings
association is acquired pursuant to the regulations of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System at 12 CFR 238.15(e) (relating
to the creation of a savings and loan holding company by a savings
association). In those cases, an affirmative vote of 50 percent of the
shares of the outstanding voting stock of the Federal stock savings
association plus one affirmative vote shall be required. If any class
of shares is entitled to vote as a class pursuant to Sec. 5.22(g) of
this part, an affirmative vote of 50 percent of the shares of each
voting class plus one affirmative vote shall be required. The required
votes shall be taken at a meeting of the association.
(4) Mutual member vote. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
section, the OCC may require that a consolidation, merger or other
business combination be submitted to the voting members of any mutual
savings association participating in the proposed transaction at duly
called meetings and that the transaction, to be effective, must be
approved by such voting members.
0
17. Section 5.34 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.34 Operating subsidiaries of a national bank.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 24 (Seventh), 24a, 25b, 93a, 3101 et seq.
(b) Licensing requirements. A national bank must file a notice or
application as prescribed in this section to acquire or establish an
operating subsidiary, or to commence a new activity in an existing
operating subsidiary.
(c) Scope. This section sets forth authorized activities and
application or notice procedures for national banks engaging in
activities through an operating subsidiary. The procedures in this
section do not apply to financial subsidiaries authorized under Sec.
5.39. Unless provided otherwise, this section applies to a Federal
branch or agency that acquires, establishes, or maintains any
subsidiary that a national bank is authorized to acquire or establish
under this section in the same manner and to the same extent as if the
Federal branch or agency were a national bank, except that the
ownership interest required in paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(5)(i)(B) of
this section shall apply to the parent foreign bank of the Federal
branch or agency and not to the Federal branch or agency. The OCC may,
at any time, limit a national bank's investment in an operating
subsidiary or may limit or refuse to permit any activities in an
operating subsidiary for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness
reasons.
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this Sec. 5.34:
(1) Authorized product means a product that would be defined as
insurance under section 302(c) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Pub. L.
106-102, 113 Stat. 1338, 1407) (GLBA) (15 U.S.C. 6712) that, as of
January 1, 1999, the OCC had determined in writing that national banks
may provide as principal or national banks were in fact lawfully
providing the product as principal, and as of that date no court of
relevant jurisdiction had, by final judgment, overturned a
determination by the OCC that national banks may provide the product as
principal. An authorized product does not include title insurance, or
an annuity contract the income of which is subject to treatment under
section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 72).
(2) Well capitalized means the capital level described in 12 CFR
6.4 or, in the case of a Federal branch or agency, the capital level
described in 12 CFR 4.7(b)(1)(iii).
(3) Well managed means, unless otherwise determined in writing by
the OCC:
(i) In the case of a national bank:
(A) The national bank has received a composite rating of 1 or 2
under the

[[Page 33356]]

Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System in connection with its
most recent examination; or
(B) In the case of any national bank that has not been examined,
the existence and use of managerial resources that the OCC determines
are satisfactory.
(ii) In the case of a Federal branch or agency:
(A) The Federal branch or agency has received a composite ROCA
supervisory rating (which rates risk management, operational controls,
compliance, and asset quality) of 1 or 2 at its most recent
examination; or
(B) In the case of a Federal branch or agency that has not been
examined, the existence and use of managerial resources that the OCC
determines are satisfactory.
(e) Standards and requirements--(1) Authorized activities. (i) A
national bank may conduct in an operating subsidiary activities that
are permissible for a national bank to engage in directly either as
part of, or incidental to, the business of banking, as determined by
the OCC, or otherwise under other statutory authority, including:
(A) Providing authorized products as principal; and
(B) Providing title insurance as principal if the national bank or
subsidiary thereof was actively and lawfully underwriting title
insurance before November 12, 1999, and no affiliate of the national
bank (other than a subsidiary) provides insurance as principal. A
subsidiary may not provide title insurance as principal if the state
had in effect before November 12, 1999, a law which prohibits any
person from underwriting title insurance with respect to real property
in that state.
(ii) In addition to OCC authorization, before it begins business an
operating subsidiary also must comply with other laws applicable to it
and its proposed business, including applicable licensing or
registration requirements, if any, such as registration requirements
under securities laws.
(2) Qualifying subsidiaries. (i) An operating subsidiary in which a
national bank may invest includes a corporation, limited liability
company, limited partnership, or similar entity if:
(A) The bank has the ability to control the management and
operations of the subsidiary, and no other person or entity has the
ability to control the management or operations of the subsidiary;
(B) The parent bank owns and controls more than 50 percent of the
voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the operating
subsidiary, or the parent bank otherwise controls the operating
subsidiary and no other party controls a percentage of the voting (or
similar type of controlling) interest of the operating subsidiary
greater than the bank's interest; and
(C) The operating subsidiary is consolidated with the bank under
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
(ii) However, the following subsidiaries are not operating
subsidiaries subject to this section:
(A) A subsidiary in which the bank's investment is made pursuant to
specific authorization in a statute or OCC regulation (e.g., a bank
service company under 12 U.S.C. 1861 et seq. or a financial subsidiary
under section 5136A of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 24a)); and
(B) A subsidiary in which the bank has acquired, in good faith,
shares through foreclosure on collateral, by way of compromise of a
doubtful claim, or to avoid a loss in connection with a debt previously
contracted.
(iii) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i),
(A) A national bank must have reasonable policies and procedures to
preserve the limited liability of the bank and its operating
subsidiaries; and
(B) OCC regulations shall not be construed as requiring a national
bank and its operating subsidiaries to operate as a single entity.
(3) Examination and supervision. An operating subsidiary conducts
activities authorized under this section pursuant to the same
authorization, terms and conditions that apply to the conduct of such
activities by its parent national bank, unless otherwise specifically
provided by statute, regulation, or published OCC policy, including
sections 1044(e) and 1045 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 25b) with respect to the application
of state law. If the OCC determines that the operating subsidiary is
operating in violation of law, regulation, or written condition, or in
an unsafe or unsound manner or otherwise threatens the safety or
soundness of the bank, the OCC will direct the bank or operating
subsidiary to take appropriate remedial action, which may include
requiring the bank to divest or liquidate the operating subsidiary, or
discontinue specified activities. OCC authority under this paragraph is
subject to the limitations and requirements of section 45 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115 of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a).
(4) Consolidation of figures--(i) National banks. Pertinent book
figures of the parent national bank and its operating subsidiary shall
be combined for the purpose of applying statutory or regulatory
limitations when combination is needed to effect the intent of the
statute or regulation, e.g., for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 56, 59, 60, 84,
and 371d.
(ii) Federal branches or agencies. Transactions conducted by all of
a foreign bank's Federal branches and agencies and State branches and
agencies, and their operating subsidiaries, shall be combined for the
purpose of applying any limitation or restriction as provided in 12 CFR
28.14.
(5) Procedures--(i) Application required. (A) Except for an
operating subsidiary that qualifies for the notice procedures in
paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section or is exempt from notice or
application requirements under paragraph (e)(5)(vi) of this section, a
national bank must first submit an application to, and receive prior
approval from, the OCC to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary
or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary.
(B) The application must explain, as appropriate, how the bank
``controls'' the enterprise, describing in full detail structural
arrangements where control is based on factors other than bank
ownership of more than 50 percent of the voting interest of the
subsidiary and the ability to control the management and operations of
the subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the
number of directors needed to control the subsidiary's board and to
select and terminate senior management. In the case of a limited
partnership or limited liability company that does not qualify for the
notice procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(5)(ii), the bank must
provide a statement explaining why it is not eligible. The application
also must include a complete description of the bank's investment in
the subsidiary, the proposed activities of the subsidiary, the
organizational structure and management of the subsidiary, the
relations between the bank and the subsidiary, and other information
necessary to adequately describe the proposal. To the extent that the
application relates to the initial affiliation of the bank with a
company engaged in insurance activities, the bank must describe the
type of insurance activity in which the company is engaged and has
present plans to conduct. The bank must also list for each State the
lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an
insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a

[[Page 33357]]

resident license or charter, as applicable. The application must state
whether the operating subsidiary will conduct any activity at a
location other than the main office or a previously approved branch of
the bank. The OCC may require an applicant to submit a legal analysis
if the proposal is novel, unusually complex, or raises substantial
unresolved legal issues. In these cases, the OCC encourages applicants
to have a pre-filing meeting with the OCC. Any bank receiving approval
under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will
conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC
guidance.
(ii) Notice process only for certain qualifying filings. (A) Except
for an operating subsidiary that is exempt from notice or application
procedures under paragraph (e)(5)(vi) of this section, a national bank
that is ``well capitalized'' and ``well managed'' may establish or
acquire an operating subsidiary, or perform a new activity in an
existing operating subsidiary, by providing the appropriate OCC
licensing office written notice prior to, or within 10 days after,
acquiring or establishing the subsidiary, or commencing the new
activity, if:
(1) The activity is listed in paragraph (e)(5)(v) of this section;
(2) The entity is a corporation, limited liability company, or
limited partnership; and
(3) The bank:
(i) Has the ability to control the management and operations of the
subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number
of directors needed to control the subsidiary's board and to select and
terminate senior management (or, in the case of a limited partnership
or a limited liability company, has the ability to control the
management and operations of the subsidiary by controlling the
selection and termination of senior management), and no other person or
entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the
subsidiary;
(ii) Holds more than 50 percent of the voting, or equivalent,
interests in the subsidiary, and, in the case of a limited partnership
or limited liability company, the bank or an operating subsidiary
thereof is the sole general partner of the limited partnership or the
sole managing member of the limited liability company, provided that
under the partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement,
limited partners or other limited liability company members have no
authority to bind the partnership or limited liability company by
virtue solely of their status as limited partners or members; and
(iii) Is required to consolidate its financial statements with
those of the subsidiary under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
(B) The written notice must include a complete description of the
bank's investment in the subsidiary and of the activity conducted and a
representation and undertaking that the activity will be conducted in
accordance with OCC policies contained in guidance issued by the OCC
regarding the activity. To the extent that the notice relates to the
initial affiliation of the bank with a company engaged in insurance
activities, the bank must describe the type of insurance activity in
which the company is engaged and has present plans to conduct. The bank
also must list for each State the lines of business for which the
company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State
where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable.
Any bank receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have
agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner
consistent with published OCC guidance.
(iii) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC
concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all
provisions in Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(iv) OCC review and approval. The OCC reviews a national bank's
application to determine whether the proposed activities are legally
permissible under Federal banking laws and to ensure that the proposal
is consistent with safe and sound banking practices and OCC policy and
does not endanger the safety or soundness of the parent national bank.
As part of this process, the OCC may request additional information and
analysis from the applicant.
(v) Activities eligible for notice. The following activities
qualify for the notice procedures in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this
section, provided the activity is conducted pursuant to the same terms
and conditions as would be applicable if the activity were conducted
directly by a national bank:
(A) Holding and managing assets acquired by the parent bank or its
operating subsidiaries, including investment assets and property
acquired by the bank through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to
compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a
debt previously contracted;
(B) Providing services to or for the bank or its affiliates,
including accounting, auditing, appraising, advertising and public
relations, and financial advice and consulting;
(C) Making loans or other extensions of credit, and selling money
orders, savings bonds, and travelers checks;
(D) Purchasing, selling, servicing, or warehousing loans or other
extensions of credit, or interests therein;
(E) Providing courier services between financial institutions;
(F) Providing management consulting, operational advice, and
services for other financial institutions;
(G) Providing check guaranty, verification and payment services;
(H) Providing data processing, data warehousing and data
transmission products, services, and related activities and facilities,
including associated equipment and technology, for the bank or its
affiliates;
(I) Acting as investment adviser (including an adviser with
investment discretion) or financial adviser or counselor to
governmental entities or instrumentalities, businesses, or individuals,
including advising registered investment companies and mortgage or real
estate investment trusts, furnishing economic forecasts or other
economic information, providing investment advice related to futures
and options on futures, and providing consumer financial counseling;
(J) Providing tax planning and preparation services;
(K) Providing financial and transactional advice and assistance,
including advice and assistance for customers in structuring,
arranging, and executing mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint
ventures, leveraged buyouts, swaps, foreign exchange, derivative
transactions, coin and bullion, and capital restructurings;
(L) Underwriting and reinsuring credit related insurance to the
extent permitted under section 302 of the GLBA (15 U.S.C. 6712);
(M) Leasing of personal property and acting as an agent or adviser
in leases for others;
(N) Providing securities brokerage or acting as a futures
commission merchant, and providing related credit and other related
services;
(O) Underwriting and dealing, including making a market, in bank
permissible securities and purchasing and selling as principal, asset
backed obligations;
(P) Acting as an insurance agent or broker, including title
insurance to the extent permitted under section 303 of the GLBA (15
U.S.C. 6713);

[[Page 33358]]

(Q) Reinsuring mortgage insurance on loans originated, purchased,
or serviced by the bank, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates, provided
that if the subsidiary enters into a quota share agreement, the
subsidiary assumes less than 50 percent of the aggregate insured risk
covered by the quota share agreement. A ``quota share agreement'' is an
agreement under which the reinsurer is liable to the primary insurance
underwriter for an agreed upon percentage of every claim arising out of
the covered book of business ceded by the primary insurance underwriter
to the reinsurer;
(R) Acting as a finder pursuant to 12 CFR 7.1002 to the extent
permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks; \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\2\ See, e.g., the OCC's monthly publication ``Interpretations
and Actions.'' Beginning with the May 1996 issue, the OCC's Web site
provides access to electronic versions of ``Interpretations and
Actions'' (www.occ.gov).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(S) Offering correspondent services to the extent permitted by
published OCC precedent for national banks;
(T) Acting as agent or broker in the sale of fixed or variable
annuities;
(U) Offering debt cancellation or debt suspension agreements;
(V) Providing real estate settlement, closing, escrow, and related
services; and real estate appraisal services for the subsidiary, parent
bank, or other financial institutions;
(W) Acting as a transfer or fiscal agent;
(X) Acting as a digital certification authority to the extent
permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks, subject to the
terms and conditions contained in that precedent;
(Y) Providing or selling public transportation tickets, event and
attraction tickets, gift certificates, prepaid phone cards, promotional
and advertising material, postage stamps, and Electronic Benefits
Transfer (EBT) script, and similar media, to the extent permitted by
published OCC precedent for national banks, subject to the terms and
conditions contained in that precedent;
(Z) Providing data processing, and data transmission services,
facilities (including equipment, technology, and personnel), databases,
advice and access to such services, facilities, databases and advice,
for the parent bank and for others, pursuant to 12 CFR 7.5006 to the
extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks;
(AA) Providing bill presentment, billing, collection, and claims-
processing services;
(BB) Providing safekeeping for personal information or valuable
confidential trade or business information, such as encryption keys, to
the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks;
(CC) Providing payroll processing;
(DD) Providing branch management services;
(EE) Providing merchant processing services except when the
activity involves the use of third parties to solicit or underwrite
merchants; and
(FF) Performing administrative tasks involved in benefits
administration.
(vi) No application or notice required. A national bank may acquire
or establish an operating subsidiary, or perform a new activity in an
existing operating subsidiary, without filing an application or
providing notice to the OCC, if the bank is well managed and well
capitalized and the:
(A) Activities of the new subsidiary are limited to those
activities previously reported by the bank in connection with the
establishment or acquisition of a prior operating subsidiary;
(B) Activities in which the new subsidiary will engage continue to
be legally permissible for the subsidiary;
(C) Activities of the new subsidiary will be conducted in
accordance with any conditions imposed by the OCC in approving the
conduct of these activities for any prior operating subsidiary of the
bank;
(D) The standards set forth in paragraphs (e)(5)(ii)(A)(2) and (3)
of this section are satisfied.
(vii) Fiduciary powers. (A) If an operating subsidiary proposes to
accept fiduciary appointments for which fiduciary powers are required,
such as acting as trustee or executor, then the national bank must have
fiduciary powers under 12 U.S.C. 92a and the subsidiary also must have
its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary.
(B) Unless the subsidiary is a registered investment adviser, if an
operating subsidiary proposes to exercise investment discretion on
behalf of customers or provide investment advice for a fee, the
national bank must have prior OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers
pursuant to Sec. 5.26 and 12 CFR part 9.
(viii) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if the national
bank has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary, or
commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary within
12 months after the date of the approval, unless the OCC shortens or
extends the time period.
(6) Grandfathered operating subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the
requirements for a qualifying operating subsidiary in Sec. 5.34(e)(2)
and unless otherwise notified by the OCC with respect to a particular
operating subsidiary, an entity that a national bank lawfully acquired
or established as an operating subsidiary before April 24, 2008 may
continue to operate as a national bank operating subsidiary under this
section, provided that the bank and the operating subsidiary were, and
continue to be, conducting authorized activities in compliance with the
standards and requirements applicable when the bank established or
acquired the operating subsidiary.
(7) Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries--(i) Filing
requirement. Each national bank shall prepare and file with the OCC an
Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries containing the information set
forth in paragraph (e)(7)(ii) of this section for each of its operating
subsidiaries that:
(A) Is not functionally regulated within the meaning of section
5(c)(5) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C.
1844(c)(5)); and
(B) Does business directly with consumers in the United States. For
purposes of paragraph (e)(7) of this section, an operating subsidiary,
or any subsidiary thereof, does business directly with consumers if, in
the ordinary course of its business, it provides products or services
to individuals to be used primarily for personal, family, or household
purposes.
(ii) Information required. The Annual Report on Operating
Subsidiaries must contain the following information for each covered
operating subsidiary listed:
(A) The name and charter number of the parent national bank;
(B) The name (include any ``dba'' (doing business as), abbreviated
names, or trade names used to identify the operating subsidiary when it
does business directly with consumers), mailing address (include the
street address or post office box, city, state, and zip code), email
address (if any), and telephone number of the operating subsidiary;
(C) The principal place of business of the operating subsidiary, if
different from the address provided pursuant to paragraph (e)(7)(ii)(B)
of this section; and
(D) The lines of business in which the operating subsidiary is
doing business directly with consumers by designating the appropriate
code contained in appendix B (NAICS Activity Codes for Commonly
Reported Activities) to the Instructions for Preparation of Report of
Changes in Organizational Structure, Form FR Y-10, a copy of which is
set forth on the OCC's Web site at www.occ.gov. If the operating
subsidiary

[[Page 33359]]

is engaged in an activity not set forth in this list, a national bank
shall report the code 0000 and provide a brief description of the
activity.
(iii) Filing time frames and availability of information. Each
national bank's Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries shall contain
information current as of December 31st for the year prior to the year
the report is filed. The national bank shall submit its Annual Report
on Operating Subsidiaries on or before January 31st each year. The
national bank may submit the Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries
electronically or in another format prescribed by the OCC. The OCC will
make available to the public the information contained in the Annual
Report on Operating Subsidiaries at www.helpwithmybank.gov.
0
18. Section 5.35 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.35 Bank service company investments by a national bank or
Federal savings association investment.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1861-1867,
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. Except where otherwise provided, a
national bank or Federal savings association shall submit a notice and
obtain prior OCC approval to invest in the equity of a bank service
company or to perform new activities in an existing bank service
company.
(c) Scope. This section describes the procedures and requirements
regarding OCC review and approval of a notice by a national bank or
Federal savings association to invest in the equity of a bank service
company. The OCC may, at any time, limit a national bank's or Federal
savings association's investment in a bank service company or may limit
or refuse to permit any activities in any bank service company for
which a national bank or Federal savings association is the principal
investor for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness reasons.
(d) Definitions--(1) Bank service company means a corporation or
limited liability company organized to provide services authorized by
the Bank Service Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1861 et seq., all of whose
capital stock is owned by one or more insured depository institutions
in the case of a corporation, or all of the members of which are one or
more insured depository institutions in the case of a limited liability
company.
(2) Limited liability company means any company, partnership,
trust, or similar business entity organized under the law of a State
(as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) which
provides that a member or manager of such company is not personally
liable for a debt, obligation, or liability of the company solely by
reason of being, or acting as, a member or manager of such company.
(3) Depository institution for purposes of this section, means,
except when such term appears in connection with the term `insured
depository institution', an insured bank (as defined in section 3 of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act), a savings association (as defined
in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act), a financial
institution subject to examination by the appropriate Federal banking
agency or the National Credit Union Administration Board, or a
financial institution the accounts or deposits of which are insured or
guaranteed under state law and are eligible to be insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union
Administration Board.
(4) Insured depository institution, for purposes of this section,
has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act.
(5) Invest includes making any advance of funds to a bank service
company, whether by the purchase of stock, the making of a loan, or
otherwise, except a payment for rent earned, goods sold and delivered,
or services rendered before the payment was made.
(6) Principal investor means the insured depository institution
that has the largest amount invested in the equity of a bank service
company. In any case where two or more insured depository institutions
have equal amounts invested and no other insured depository institution
has a larger amount invested, the bank service company shall designate
one of those insured depository institutions as its principal investor.
(e) Standards and requirements. A national bank or Federal savings
association may invest in a bank service company that conducts
activities described in paragraphs (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this section
and activities (other than taking deposits) permissible for the
national bank or Federal savings association and other insured
depository institution shareholders or members of the bank service
company.
(f) Procedures--(1) OCC notice and approval required. Except as
provided in paragraphs, (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this section, a national
bank or Federal savings association that intends to invest in the
equity of a bank service company, or to perform new activities in an
existing bank service company, must submit a notice to and receive
prior approval from the OCC. The notice must include the information
required by paragraph (g) of this section. The OCC approves or denies a
proposed investment within 60 days after the filing is received by the
OCC, unless the OCC notifies the bank prior to that date that the
filing presents a significant supervisory or compliance concern, or
raises a significant legal or policy issue.
(2) Expedited Review for certain activities. (i) A notice to invest
in the equity of a bank service company, or to perform new activities
in an existing bank service company, that meets the requirements of
this paragraph is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after
the notice is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the filer
prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review
or the expedited review process is extended. Any bank or savings
association making an investment pursuant to this paragraph is deemed
to have agreed that the bank service company will conduct the activity
in a manner consistent with the published OCC guidance.
(ii) A notice is eligible for expedited review if all of the
following requirements are met:
(A) The national bank or Federal savings association is ``well
capitalized'' and ``well managed'' as defined in Sec. 5.34(d) or Sec.
5.38(d), as applicable; and
(B) The bank service company engages only in activities that are
permissible for the bank service company under 12 U.S.C. 1864 and that
are listed in Sec. 5.34(e)(5)(v) or Sec. 5.38(d), as applicable.
(3) Investments requiring no approval or notice. A national bank or
Federal savings association does not need to submit a notice or obtain
OCC approval to invest in a bank service company, or to perform a new
activity in an existing bank service company, if the bank service
company will provide only the following services only for depository
institutions: Check and deposit posting and sorting; computation and
posting of interest and other credits and charges; preparation and
mailing of checks, statements, notices, and similar items; or any other
clerical, bookkeeping, accounting, statistical, or similar functions.
(4) Federal Reserve approval. A national bank or Federal savings
association also may, with the approval of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board), invest in the
equity of a bank service company that provides any other service
(except deposit taking) that the Federal Reserve Board has determined,
by regulation, to be permissible for a bank holding company under 12
U.S.C. 1843(c)(8).

[[Page 33360]]

(5) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to a request for approval to invest in a
bank service company. However, if the OCC concludes that an application
presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the
OCC may determine that any or all provisions of Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10,
and 5.11 apply.
(g) Required information. A notice required under paragraph (f)(1),
of this section must contain the following:
(1) The name and location of the bank service company;
(2) A complete description of the activities the bank service
company will conduct and a representation and undertaking that the
activities will be conducted in accordance with OCC guidance. To the
extent the notice relates to the initial affiliation of the bank or
savings association with a company engaged in insurance activities, the
bank or savings association should describe the type of insurance
activity that the company is engaged in and has present plans to
conduct. The bank or savings association must also list for each state
the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an
insurance license, indicating the state where the company holds a
resident license or charter, as applicable;
(3) A complete description of the bank's or savings association's
investment in the bank service company and information demonstrating
that the bank or savings association will comply with the investment
limitations of paragraph (i) of this section; and
(4) Information demonstrating that the bank service company will
perform only those services that each insured depository institution
shareholder or member is authorized to perform under applicable Federal
or State law and will perform such services only at locations in a
State in which each such shareholder or member is authorized to perform
such services unless performing services that are authorized by the
Federal Reserve Board under the authority of 12 U.S.C. 1865(b).
(h) Examination and supervision. Each bank service company in which
a national bank or Federal savings association is the principal
investor is subject to examination and supervision by the OCC in the
same manner and to the same extent as that national bank or Federal
savings association. OCC authority under this paragraph is subject to
the limitations and requirements of section 45 of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115 of the Gramm-Leach-
Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a).
(i) Investment limitations. A national bank or Federal savings
association may not invest more than ten percent of its capital and
surplus in a bank service company. In addition, the bank's or savings
association's total investments in all bank service companies may not
exceed five percent of the bank's or savings association's total
assets.
0
19. Section 5.36 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the section heading;
0
b. In paragraphs (d)(1), (e), and (g)(1), by removing the phrase ``the
appropriate district office'' and adding in its place the phrase ``the
appropriate OCC licensing office''.
The revision reads as follows:

Sec. 5.36 Other equity investments by a national bank.

* * * * *
0
20. Section 5.37 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.37 Investment in national bank or Federal savings association
premises.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 29, 93a, 317d, 1464(c)(2), 1464(c)(4)(B),
1828(m), and 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. This section addresses a national bank's or Federal
savings association's investment in banking premises and other
premises-related investments, loans, or indebtedness. This section also
sets forth the quantitative investment limitations and procedures
governing the OCC's review and approval of an application by a national
bank or Federal savings association to invest in these premises.
(c) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of
this section.
(1) Banking premises includes:
(i) Premises that are owned and occupied (or to be occupied, if
under construction) by a national bank or Federal savings association,
its respective branches, or its consolidated subsidiaries;
(ii) Capitalized leases and leasehold improvements, vaults, and
fixed machinery and equipment;
(iii) Remodeling costs to existing premises;
(iv) Real estate acquired and intended, in good faith, for use in
future expansion; or
(v) Parking facilities that are used by customers or employees of
the national bank or Federal savings association.
(2) Capital stock means, for national banks and Federal stock
savings associations, the amount of common stock outstanding and
unimpaired plus the amount of perpetual preferred stock outstanding and
unimpaired. With respect to Federal mutual savings associations,
``capital stock'' should be read to mean the amount of the
association's retained earnings.
(3) Capital and surplus means:
(i) A national bank's or Federal savings association's Tier 1 and
Tier 2 capital calculated under the OCC's risk-based capital standards
applicable to the institution as reported in the bank's or savings
association's Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call
Reports) filed under 12 U.S.C. 161 or 12 U.S.C. 1464(v), respectively;
plus
(ii) The balance of a national bank's or Federal savings
association's allowance for loan and lease losses not included in the
bank's or savings association's Tier 2 capital, for purposes of the
calculation of risk-based capital described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of
this section, as reported in the national bank's or Federal savings
association's Call Reports filed under 12 U.S.C. 161 or 1464(v),
respectively.
(d) Procedure--(1) Premises application--(i) When required. A
national bank or Federal savings association shall submit an
application to the appropriate OCC supervisory office to invest in
banking premises, or in the stock, bonds, debentures, or other such
obligations of any corporation holding the premises of the national
bank or Federal savings association, or to make loans to or upon the
security of the stock of such corporation, if the aggregate of all such
investments and loans, together with the indebtedness incurred by any
such corporation that is an affiliate of the national bank or Federal
savings association, as defined in 12 U.S.C. 221a or 12 U.S.C. 1462,
respectively, will exceed the amount of the capital stock of the
national bank or Federal savings association, or, in the case of a
Federal mutual savings association the amount of retained earnings.
(ii) Contents of premises application. The application must
include:
(A) A description of the national bank's or Federal savings
association's present investment in banking premises;
(B) The investment in banking premises that the national bank or
Federal savings association intends to make, and the business reason
for making the investment; and
(C) The amount by which the national bank's or Federal savings
association's aggregate investment will exceed the amount of the
national bank's or Federal stock savings association's capital stock,
or, in the case of a Federal mutual savings association, the amount of
retained earnings.
(2) Approval of premises application. An application from a
national bank or Federal savings association to invest in banking
premises or in certain banking

[[Page 33361]]

premises-related investments, loans or indebtedness, as described in
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, is deemed approved as of the 30th
day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies
the national bank or Federal savings association prior to that date
that the filing presents a significant supervisory or compliance
concern, or raises a significant legal or policy issue. An approval for
a specified amount under this section remains valid up to that amount
until the OCC notifies the national bank or Federal savings association
otherwise.
(3) Premises notice process--(i) General rule. Notwithstanding
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, a national bank or Federal savings
association that is rated 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial
Institutions Rating System (CAMELS) may make an aggregate investment in
banking premises up to 150 percent of the national bank's or Federal
savings association's capital and surplus without the OCC's prior
approval, provided that the national bank or Federal savings
association is well capitalized as defined in 12 CFR parts 6 and will
continue to be well capitalized after the investment or loan is made.
However, the national bank or Federal savings association shall notify
the appropriate OCC supervisory office in writing of the investment
within 30 days after the investment or loan is made. The written notice
must include a description of the national bank's or Federal savings
association's investment or loan.
(ii) Exception. If a Federal savings association that would
otherwise be eligible for the premises notice process described in
paragraph (d)(3)(i) proposes to establish or acquire a subsidiary to
make an investment in banking premises, or if investing in banking
premises would be a new activity for such a subsidiary, the Federal
savings association would not be eligible for the premises notice
process and would be required to comply with the provisions of Sec.
5.59 in the case of a service corporation, or Sec. 5.38 in the case of
an operating subsidiary.
(4) Service corporation. A Federal savings association that invests
in banking premises through a service corporation is not subject to the
premises application and premises notice requirements of paragraph (d)
of this section; however, it must include this investment when
calculating the quantitative limitations in paragraph (d) of this
section, and must comply with 12 CFR 5.59.
(5) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC
concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all
parts of Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(e) Transition. If, on June 10, 2014, a Federal savings association
holds an investment in banking premises that complies with the legal
requirements in effect on the day prior to June 10, 2014 but would
violate any provision of this section, the Federal savings association
may continue to hold such banking premises in accordance with the prior
legal requirements. However, a Federal savings association that holds
such banking premises shall not modify, expand or improve these
premises, except for routine maintenance, without the prior approval of
the appropriate OCC supervisory office.
0
21. Section 5.38 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.38 Operating subsidiaries of a Federal savings association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1828,
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. A Federal savings association must file
an application as prescribed in this section to acquire or establish an
operating subsidiary, or to commence a new activity in an existing
operating subsidiary.
(c) Scope. This section sets forth authorized activities and
application procedures for Federal savings associations engaging in
activities through an operating subsidiary. The OCC may, at any time,
limit a Federal savings association's investment in an operating
subsidiary or may limit or refuse to permit any activities in an
operating subsidiary for supervisory, legal, or safety and soundness
reasons.
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this Sec. 5.38:
(1) Well capitalized means the capital level described in 12 CFR
6.4.
(2) Well managed means, unless otherwise determined in writing by
the OCC:
(i) The Federal savings association has received a composite rating
of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System in
connection with its most recent examination; or
(ii) In the case of any Federal savings association that has not
been examined, the existence and use of managerial resources that the
OCC determines are satisfactory.
(e) Standards and requirements--(1) Authorized activities. (i) A
Federal savings association may conduct in an operating subsidiary
activities that are permissible for a Federal savings association to
engage in directly.
(ii) In addition to OCC authorization, before it begins business an
operating subsidiary also must comply with other laws applicable to it
and its proposed business, including applicable licensing or
registration requirements, if any, such as registration requirements
under securities laws.
(2) Qualifying subsidiaries. (i) An operating subsidiary in which a
Federal savings association may invest includes a corporation, limited
liability company, limited partnership, or similar entity if:
(A) The savings association has the ability to control the
management and operations of the subsidiary, and no other person or
entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the
subsidiary;
(B) The parent savings association owns and controls more than 50
percent of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of the
operating subsidiary, or the parent savings association otherwise
controls the operating subsidiary and no other party controls a
percentage of the voting (or similar type of controlling) interest of
the operating subsidiary greater than the savings association's
interest; and
(C) The operating subsidiary is consolidated with the savings
association under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
(ii) However, the following subsidiaries are not operating
subsidiaries subject to this section:
(A) A subsidiary in which the savings association's investment is
made pursuant to specific authorization in a statute or OCC regulation
(e.g., a service corporation under 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4) or a bank
service company under 12 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.); and
(B) A subsidiary in which the savings association has acquired, in
good faith, shares through foreclosure on collateral, by way of
compromise of a doubtful claim, or to avoid a loss in connection with a
debt previously contracted.
(iii) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of
this section,
(A) a Federal savings association must have reasonable policies and
procedures to preserve the limited liability of the savings association
and its operating subsidiaries; and
(B) OCC regulations shall not be construed as requiring a Federal
savings association and its operating subsidiaries to operate as a
single entity.
(3) Examination and supervision. An operating subsidiary conducts
activities authorized under this section pursuant

[[Page 33362]]

to the same authorization, terms and conditions that apply to the
conduct of such activities by its parent Federal savings association,
unless otherwise specifically provided by statute, regulation, or
published OCC policy, including section 1046 of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 1465) with respect
to the application of state law. If the OCC determines that the
operating subsidiary is operating in violation of law, regulation, or
written condition, or in an unsafe or unsound manner or otherwise
threatens the safety or soundness of the savings association, the OCC
will direct the savings association or operating subsidiary to take
appropriate remedial action, which may include requiring the savings
association to divest or liquidate the operating subsidiary, or
discontinue specified activities. OCC authority under this paragraph is
subject to the limitations and requirements of section 45 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115 of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a).
(4) Consolidation of figures. (i) Except as provided in paragraph
(e)(4)(ii) of this section, pertinent book figures of the parent
Federal savings association and its operating subsidiary shall be
combined for the purpose of applying statutory or regulatory
limitations when combination is needed to effect the intent of the
statute or regulation, e.g., for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 1464(c) and
1464(u).
(ii) Consolidation for purposes of calculating portfolio assets and
qualified thrift investments is subject to 12 U.S.C. 1467a(m)(5).
(5) Procedures--(i) Application required. (A) A Federal savings
association must first submit an application to, and receive prior
approval from, the OCC to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary,
or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary.
(B) The application must explain, as appropriate, how the savings
association ``controls'' the enterprise, describing in full detail
structural arrangements where control is based on factors other than
savings association ownership of more than 50 percent of the voting
interest of the subsidiary and the ability to control the management
and operations of the subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient
to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary's
board and to select and terminate senior management. In the case of a
limited partnership or limited liability company that does not qualify
for the expedited review procedure set forth in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of
this section, the savings association must provide a statement
explaining why it is not eligible. The application also must include a
complete description of the savings association's investment in the
subsidiary, the proposed activities of the subsidiary, the
organizational structure and management of the subsidiary, the
relations between the savings association and the subsidiary, and other
information necessary to adequately describe the proposal. To the
extent that the application relates to the initial affiliation of the
savings association with a company engaged in insurance activities, the
savings association must describe the type of insurance activity in
which the company is engaged and has present plans to conduct. The
savings association must also list for each State the lines of business
for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license,
indicating the State where the company holds a resident license or
charter, as applicable. The application must state whether the
operating subsidiary will conduct any activity at a location other than
the home office or a previously approved branch of the savings
association. The OCC may require an applicant to submit a legal
analysis if the proposal is novel, unusually complex, or raises
substantial unresolved legal issues. In these cases, the OCC encourages
applicants to have a pre-filing meeting with the OCC. Any savings
association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have
agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner
consistent with published OCC guidance.
(ii) Expedited review. (A) An application to establish or acquire
an operating subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing
operating subsidiary, that meets the requirements of this paragraph is
deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the filing is
received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the applicant prior to
that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the
expedited review process is extended under Sec. 5.13(a)(2). Any
savings association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed
to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a
manner consistent with published OCC guidance.
(B) An application is eligible for expedited review if all of the
following requirements are met:
(1) The savings association is ``well capitalized'' and ``well
managed'';
(2) The activity is listed in paragraph (e)(5)(v) this section;
(3) The entity is a corporation, limited liability company, or
limited partnership; and
(4) The savings association:
(i) Has the ability to control the management and operations of the
subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number
of directors needed to control the subsidiary's board and to select and
terminate senior management (or, in the case of a limited partnership
or a limited liability company, has the ability to control the
management and operations of the subsidiary by controlling the
selection and termination of senior management), and no other person or
entity has the ability to control the management or operations of the
subsidiary;
(ii) Holds more than 50 percent of the voting, or equivalent,
interests in the subsidiary, and, in the case of a limited partnership
or limited liability company, the savings association or an operating
subsidiary thereof is the sole general partner of the limited
partnership or the sole managing member of the limited liability
company, provided that under the partnership agreement or limited
liability company agreement, limited partners or other limited
liability company members have no authority to bind the partnership or
limited liability company by virtue solely of their status as limited
partners or members; and
(iii) Is required to consolidate its financial statements with
those of the subsidiary under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
An applicant proposing to qualify for expedited review must include
in the application all necessary information showing the application
meets the requirements.
(iii) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC
concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all
provisions in Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(iv) OCC review and approval. The OCC reviews a Federal savings
association's application to determine whether the proposed activities
are legally permissible under Federal savings association law and to
ensure that the proposal is consistent with safe and sound banking
practices and OCC policy and does not endanger the safety or soundness
of the parent Federal savings association. As part of this process, the
OCC may request additional information and analysis from the applicant.

[[Page 33363]]

(v) Activities eligible for expedited review. The following
activities qualify for the expedited review procedures in paragraph
(e)(5)(ii) of this section, provided the activity is conducted pursuant
to the same terms and conditions as would be applicable if the activity
were conducted directly by a Federal savings association:
(A) Holding and managing assets acquired by the parent savings
association or its operating subsidiaries, including investment assets
and property acquired by the savings association through foreclosure or
otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the
ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted;
(B) Providing services to or for the savings association or its
affiliates, including accounting, auditing, appraising, advertising and
public relations, and financial advice and consulting;
(C) Making loans or other extensions of credit, and selling money
orders and travelers checks;
(D) Purchasing, selling, servicing, or warehousing loans or other
extensions of credit, or interests therein;
(E) Providing management consulting, operational advice, and
services for other financial institutions;
(F) Providing check payment services;
(G) Acting as investment adviser (including an adviser with
investment discretion) or financial adviser or counselor to
governmental entities or instrumentalities, businesses, or individuals,
including advising registered investment companies and mortgage or real
estate investment trusts;
(H) Providing financial and transactional advice and assistance,
including advice and assistance for customers in structuring,
arranging, and executing mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint
ventures, leveraged buyouts, swaps, foreign exchange, derivative
transactions, coin and bullion, and capital restructurings;
(I) Underwriting and reinsuring credit life and disability
insurance;
(J) Leasing of personal property;
(K) Providing securities brokerage;
(L) Underwriting and dealing, including making a market, in savings
association permissible securities and purchasing and selling as
principal, asset backed obligations;
(M) Acting as an insurance agent or broker for credit life,
disability, and unemployment insurance; single property interest
insurance; and title insurance;
(N) Offering correspondent services to the extent permitted by
published OCC precedent for Federal savings associations;
(O) Acting as agent or broker in the sale of fixed annuities;
(P) Offering debt cancellation or debt suspension agreements;
(Q) Providing escrow services;
(R) Acting as a transfer agent; and
(S) Providing or selling postage stamps.
(vi) Redesignation. A Federal savings association that proposes to
redesignate a service corporation as an operating subsidiary must
submit a notification to the OCC at least 30 days prior to the
redesignation date. The notification must include a description of how
the redesignated service corporation meets all of the requirements of
this section to be an operating subsidiary, a resolution of the savings
association's board of directors approving the redesignation, and the
proposed effective date of the redesignation. The savings association
may effect the redesignation on the proposed date unless the OCC
notifies the savings association otherwise prior to that date. The OCC
may require an application if the redesignation presents policy,
supervisory, or legal issues.
(vii) Fiduciary powers. (A) If an operating subsidiary proposes to
accept fiduciary appointments for which fiduciary powers are required,
such as acting as trustee or executor, then the Federal savings
association must have fiduciary powers under 12 U.S.C. 1464(n) and the
subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law
applicable to the subsidiary.
(B) Unless the subsidiary is a registered investment adviser, if an
operating subsidiary proposes to exercise investment discretion on
behalf of customers or provide investment advice for a fee, the Federal
savings association must have prior OCC approval to exercise fiduciary
powers pursuant to Sec. 5.26 (or a predecessor provision) and 12 CFR
part 150.
(viii) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if the Federal
savings association has not established or acquired the operating
subsidiary, or commenced the new activity in an existing operating
subsidiary within 12 months after the date of the approval, unless the
OCC shortens or extends the time period.
(6) Grandfathered operating subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the
requirements for a qualifying operating subsidiary in Sec. 5.38(e)(2)
and unless otherwise notified by the OCC with respect to a particular
operating subsidiary, an entity that a Federal savings association
lawfully acquired or established as an operating subsidiary before June
10, 2014 may continue to operate as a Federal savings association
operating subsidiary under this section, provided that the savings
association and the operating subsidiary were, and continue to be,
conducting authorized activities in compliance with the standards and
requirements applicable when the savings association established or
acquired the operating subsidiary.
(7) Issuances of securities by operating subsidiaries. An operating
subsidiary shall not state or imply that the securities it issues are
covered by Federal deposit insurance. An operating subsidiary shall not
issue any security the payment, maturity, or redemption of which may be
accelerated upon the condition that the controlling Federal savings
association is insolvent or has been placed into receivership. For as
long as any securities are outstanding, the controlling Federal savings
association must maintain all records generated through each securities
issuance in the ordinary course of business, including but not limited
to a copy of the prospectus, offering circular, or similar document
concerning such issuance, and make such records available for
examination by the OCC.
(8) Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries--(i) Filing
requirement. Each Federal savings association shall prepare and file
with the OCC an Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries containing the
information set forth in paragraph (e)(8)(ii) of this section for each
of its operating subsidiaries that:
(A) Is not functionally regulated within the meaning of section
5(c)(5) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C.
1844(c)(5)); and
(B) Does business directly with consumers in the United States. For
purposes of paragraph (e)(8) of this section, an operating subsidiary,
or any subsidiary thereof, does business directly with consumers if, in
the ordinary course of its business, it provides products or services
to individuals to be used primarily for personal, family, or household
purposes.
(ii) Information required. The Annual Report on Operating
Subsidiaries must contain the following information for each covered
operating subsidiary listed:
(A) The name and charter number of the parent Federal savings
association;
(B) The name (include any ``dba'' (doing business as), abbreviated
names, or trade names used to identify the operating subsidiary when it
does business directly with consumers), mailing address (include the
street address or post office box, city, state,

[[Page 33364]]

and zip code), email address (if any), and telephone number of the
operating subsidiary;
(C) The principal place of business of the operating subsidiary, if
different from the address provided pursuant to paragraph (e)(8)(ii)(B)
of this section; and
(D) The lines of business in which the operating subsidiary is
doing business directly with consumers by designating the appropriate
code contained in appendix B (NAICS Activity Codes for Commonly
Reported Activities) to the Instructions for Preparation of Report of
Changes in Organizational Structure, Form FR Y-10, a copy of which is
set forth on the OCC's Web site at www.occ.gov. If the operating
subsidiary is engaged in an activity not set forth in this list, a
Federal savings association shall report the code 0000 and provide a
brief description of the activity.
(iii) Filing time frames and availability of information. Each
Federal savings association's Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries
shall contain information current as of December 31st for the year
prior to the year the report is filed. The Federal savings association
shall submit its first Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries (for
information as of December 31, 20----) to the OCC on or before January
31, 20----, and on or before January 31st each year thereafter. The
Federal savings association may submit the Annual Report on Operating
Subsidiaries electronically or in another format prescribed by the OCC.
The OCC will make available to the public the information contained in
the Annual Report on Operating Subsidiaries at www.helpwithmybank.gov.
0
22. Section 5.39 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the section heading; and
0
b. In paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (ii), and (i)(2), removing the phrase
``the appropriate district office'' and adding in its place the phrase
``the appropriate OCC licensing office''.
The revision reads as follows:

Sec. 5.39 Financial subsidiaries of a national bank.

* * * * *
0
23. Section 5.40 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.40 Change in location of main office or home office.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 30, 93a, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1828, 2901-
2907 and 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. This section describes OCC procedures and approval
standards for an application or a notice by a national bank to change
the location of its main office or by a Federal savings association to
change the location of its home office.\3\ A national bank or Federal
savings association shall follow the procedures described in paragraph
(c) of this section to relocate its main office or home office, as
applicable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\3\ A national bank's main office is the place identified in the
bank's original organization certificate under 12 U.S.C. 22 or the
subsequent location to which the main office has been changed under
this Sec. 5.40, 12 U.S.C. 30(b), or other applicable law, as
reflected in the national bank's amended articles of association. A
Federal savings association's home office is the office identified
as such in the savings association's original charter or the
subsequent location to which the home office has been changed under
this Sec. 5.40, or other applicable law, as reflected in the
savings association's amended charter. These terms are functionally
the same but are used in our regulations in order to be consistent
with the relevant statutes that govern national banks and Federal
savings associations, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Licensing requirements and procedures--(1) Main office or home
office relocation to an authorized branch location within city, town,
or village limits. A national bank or Federal savings association may
change the location of its main office or home office, as applicable,
to an authorized branch location (approved or existing branch site)
within the limits of the same city, town, or village. The national bank
or Federal savings association shall give prior notice to the
appropriate OCC licensing office before the relocation. The notice must
include the new address of the main office or home office, as
applicable, and the effective date of the relocation.
(2) To any other location--(i) National banks. A national bank
shall submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office and
obtain prior OCC approval to relocate its main office to any other
location in the city, town, or village in which the main office of the
bank is located other than an authorized branch location or to any
other location within 30 miles of the limits of such city, town, or
village. If relocating the main office outside the limits of its city,
town, or village, a national bank shall also obtain the approval of
shareholders owning two-thirds of the voting stock of the bank and
shall amend its articles of association.
(ii) Federal savings associations. A Federal savings association
shall submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office and
obtain prior OCC approval to relocate its home office to any location
other than an authorized branch location within the city, town, or
village in which the home office of the savings association is located.
If relocating the home office outside the limits of its city, town, or
village, a Federal savings association shall amend its charter.
(3) Establishment of a branch at site of former main office or home
office. A national bank or Federal savings association desiring to
establish a branch at its former main office or home office location,
as applicable, shall follow the provisions of Sec. 5.30 or Sec. 5.31,
respectively.
(4) Expedited review. A main office or home office relocation
application submitted by an eligible bank or eligible Federal savings
association under paragraph (c)(2) of this section is deemed approved
by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the public comment
period or the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC (or in
the case of a short-distance relocation the 30th day after the filing
is received by the OCC), whichever is later, unless the OCC notifies
the bank or savings association prior to that time that the filing is
not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review period is
extended, under Sec. 5.13(a)(2).
(5) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. (i) Sections 5.8,
5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to a main office or home office
relocation to an authorized branch location within the limits of the
city, town, or village as described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
section. However, if the OCC concludes that the notice under paragraph
(c)(1) of this section presents a significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issue, the OCC may determine that any or all
parts of Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(ii) The comment period on any application filed under paragraph
(c)(2) of this section to engage in a short-distance relocation of a
main office or home office is 15 days.
(d) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if the national bank
or Federal savings association has not opened its main office or home
office, as applicable, at the relocated site within 18 months of the
date of approval, unless the OCC grants an extension.
0
24. Section 5.42 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.42 Corporate title of a national bank or Federal savings
association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 21a, 30, 93a, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a,
2901 et. seq. and, 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. This section describes the method by which a national
bank or Federal savings association may change its corporate title.
(c) Standards--(1) A national bank or Federal savings association
may change its corporate title provided that the new title complies
with applicable laws, including 18 U.S.C. 709, regarding false
advertising and the misuse of names to

[[Page 33365]]

indicate a Federal agency, and any applicable OCC guidance.
(2) For a national bank, the new title must include the word
``national.''
(d) Procedures--(1) Notice process. A national bank or Federal
savings association shall promptly notify the appropriate OCC licensing
office if it changes its corporate title. The notice must contain the
old and new titles and the effective date of the change.
(2) Amendment to articles of association. A national bank whose
corporate title is specified in its articles of association shall amend
its articles, in accordance with the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 21a, to
change its title.
(3) Amendment to charter. A Federal savings association shall
change its title by amending its charter in accordance with 12 CFR 5.21
or 5.22, as applicable.
(4) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(a) do not apply to a national bank or Federal
savings association's change of corporate title. However, if the OCC
concludes that the application presents a significant or novel policy,
supervisory, or legal issue, the OCC may determine that any or all
parts of Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(a) apply.
0
25. Section 5.45 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.45 Increases in permanent capital of a Federal stock savings
association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1831o and
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. Generally a Federal savings association
is not required to apply for an increase in capital unless the method
of increase itself requires a filing (such as issuance of a new class
of stock). However, in certain circumstances, a Federal stock savings
association is required to submit an application and obtain OCC
approval.
(c) Scope. This section describes procedures and standards relating
to a transaction resulting in an increase in a Federal stock savings
association's permanent capital.
(d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to increases in a Federal stock savings
association's permanent capital.
(e) Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following
definitions apply:
(1) Capital plan means a plan describing the manner and schedule by
which a Federal savings association will attain specified capital
levels or ratios and a capital restoration plan filed with the OCC
under 12 U.S.C. 1831o and 12 CFR 6.5.
(2) Capital stock means the total amount of common stock and
preferred stock.
(3) Capital surplus means the total of:
(i) The amount paid in on capital stock in excess of the par or
stated value;
(ii) Direct capital contributions representing the amounts paid in
to the Federal stock savings association other than for capital stock;
(iii) The amount transferred from retained net income; and
(iv) The amount transferred from retained net income reflecting
stock dividends.
(4) Permanent capital means the sum of capital stock and capital
surplus.
(5) Retained net income means the net income of a specified period
less the amount of all dividends and other capital distributions
declared in that period.
(f) Policy. In determining whether to approve a proposed increase
in a Federal stock savings association's permanent capital, the OCC
considers whether the change is:
(1) Consistent with law, regulation, and OCC policy thereunder;
(2) Provides an adequate capital structure; and
(3) If appropriate, complies with the savings association's capital
plan.
(g) Procedures--(1) When prior approval is required. A Federal
stock savings association must submit an application to the appropriate
OCC licensing office and obtain prior OCC approval to increase its
permanent capital if the savings association is:
(i) Required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order,
directive, written agreement or otherwise;
(ii) Selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than
cash; or
(iii) Receiving a material noncash contribution to capital surplus.
(2) Content of application. The application must:
(i) Describe the type and amount of the proposed change in
permanent capital and explain the reason for the change;
(ii) In the case of a material noncash contribution to capital,
provide a description of the method of valuing the contribution; and
(iii) State if the savings association is subject to a capital plan
with the OCC and how the proposed change would conform to a capital
plan or if a capital plan is otherwise required in connection with the
proposed change in permanent capital.
(3) Expedited review. An eligible savings association's application
is deemed approved by the OCC 15 days after the date the OCC receives
the application, unless the OCC notifies the savings association prior
to that date that the application is not eligible for expedited review,
or the expedited review process is extended, under Sec. 5.13(a)(2).
(4) Notice of increase. (i) After a savings association completes
an increase in capital it shall submit a notice to the appropriate OCC
licensing office. The notice must contain:
(A) The amount, including the par value of the stock, and effective
date of the increase;
(B) A certification that the funds have been paid in, if
applicable; and
(C) A statement that the savings association has complied with all
laws, regulations and conditions imposed by the OCC.
(5) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a national bank has
not completed its change in permanent capital within one year of the
date of approval.
(h) Offers and sales of stock. A savings association shall comply
with the Securities Offering Disclosure Rules in 12 CFR part 197 for
offers and sales of common and preferred stock.
(i) Shareholder approval. A savings association shall obtain the
necessary shareholder approval required by statute for any change in
its permanent capital.
0
26. Section 5.46 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.46 Changes in permanent capital of a national bank.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 21a, 51a, 51b, 51b-1, 52, 56, 57, 59, 60,
and 93a.
(b) Licensing requirements. A national bank shall submit an
application and obtain OCC approval to decrease its permanent capital.
Generally, a national bank need only submit a notice to increase its
permanent capital, although, in certain circumstances, a national bank
shall be required to submit an application and obtain OCC approval.
(c) Scope. This section describes procedures and standards relating
to a transaction resulting in a change in a national bank's permanent
capital.
(d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to changes in a national bank's permanent
capital.
(e) Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following
definitions apply:
(1) Capital plan means a plan describing the manner and schedule by
which a national bank will attain specified capital levels or ratios
and a capital restoration plan filed with the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1831o
and 12 CFR 6.5.

[[Page 33366]]

(2) Capital stock means the total amount of common stock and
preferred stock.
(3) Capital surplus means the total of:
(i) The amount paid in on capital stock in excess of the par or
stated value;
(ii) Direct capital contributions representing the amounts paid in
to the national bank other than for capital stock;
(iii) The amount transferred from undivided profits; and
(iv) The amount transferred from undivided profits reflecting stock
dividends.
(4) Permanent capital means the sum of capital stock and capital
surplus.
(f) Policy. In determining whether to approve a proposed change to
a national bank's permanent capital, the OCC considers whether the
change is:
(1) Consistent with law, regulation, and OCC policy thereunder;
(2) Provides an adequate capital structure; and
(3) If appropriate, complies with the bank's capital plan.
(g) Increases in permanent capital--(1) Approval--(i) Prior
approval not required. If a national bank is not required to file an
application and obtain prior approval under paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of
this section, the bank need not submit an application. It must submit
the notice of capital increase under paragraph (i)(3) of this section.
The increase in capital is deemed approved by the OCC as of the date
the increase was made, once the bank has filed the notice of capital
increase and the OCC certifies the increase, as provided in paragraph
(i)(3).
(ii) Prior approval required. A national bank must submit an
application under paragraph (i)(1) of this section and obtain prior OCC
approval to increase its permanent capital if the bank is:
(A) Required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order,
directive, written agreement or otherwise;
(B) Selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than
cash; or
(C) Receiving a material noncash contribution to capital surplus.
The bank also must submit the notice of capital increase under
paragraph (i)(3) of this section.
(2) Preferred stock. Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this
section, in the case of a sale of preferred stock, the national bank
shall also submit provisions in the articles of association concerning
preferred stock dividends, voting and conversion rights, retirement of
the stock, and rights to exercise control over management to the
appropriate OCC licensing office prior to the sale of the preferred
stock. The provisions will be deemed approved by the OCC within 15 days
of its receipt, unless the OCC notifies the applicant otherwise,
including a statement of the reason for the delay.
(h) Decreases in permanent capital. A national bank shall submit an
application and obtain prior approval under paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2)
of this section for any reduction of its permanent capital.
(i) Procedures--(1) Prior approval. A national bank proposing to
make a change in its permanent capital that requires prior OCC approval
under paragraphs (g) or (h) of this section shall submit an application
to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The application must:
(i) Describe the type and amount of the proposed change in
permanent capital and explain the reason for the change;
(ii) In the case of a reduction in capital, provide a schedule
detailing the present and proposed capital structure;
(iii) In the case of a material noncash contribution to capital,
provide a description of the method of valuing the contribution; and
(iv) State if the bank is subject to a capital plan with the OCC
and how the proposed change would conform to a capital plan or if a
capital plan is otherwise required in connection with the proposed
change in permanent capital.
(2) Expedited review. An eligible bank's application is deemed
approved by the OCC 15 days after the date the OCC receives the
application described in paragraph (i)(1) of this section, unless the
OCC notifies the bank prior to that date that the application is not
eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is
extended, under Sec. 5.13(a)(2). An eligible bank seeking to decrease
its capital may request OCC approval for up to four consecutive
quarters. An eligible bank may decrease its capital pursuant to such a
plan only if the bank maintains its eligible bank status before and
after each decrease in its capital.
(3) Notice of increase. (i) After a bank completes an increase in
capital it shall submit a notice to the appropriate OCC licensing
office. The notice must be acknowledged before a notary public by the
bank's president, vice president, or cashier and contain:
(A) A description of the transaction, unless already provided
pursuant to paragraph (i)(1) of this section;
(B) The amount, including the par value of the stock, and effective
date of the increase;
(C) A certification that the funds have been paid in, if
applicable;
(D) A certified copy of the amendment to the articles of
association, if required; and
(E) A statement that the bank has complied with all laws,
regulations and conditions imposed by the OCC.
(ii) After it receives the notice of capital increase, the OCC
issues a certification specifying the amount of the increase and the
effective date (i.e., the date on which the increase occurred). In the
case of a capital increase for which prior approval was not required
pursuant to paragraph (g)(i)(i), the increase is deemed certified by
the OCC seven days after receipt of the notice if the OCC has not
issued a certification prior to that date.
(4) Notice of decrease. A national bank that decreases its capital
in accordance with paragraphs (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this section shall
notify the appropriate OCC licensing office following the completion of
the transaction.
(5) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a national bank has
not completed its change in permanent capital within one year of the
date of approval.
(j) Offers and sales of stock. A national bank shall comply with
the Securities Offering Disclosure Rules in 12 CFR part 16 for offers
and sales of common and preferred stock.
(k) Shareholder approval. A national bank shall obtain the
necessary shareholder approval required by statute for any change in
its permanent capital.
0
27. Section 5.47 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the section heading; and
0
b. In paragraphs (f)(1) and (g), removing the phrase ``the appropriate
district office'' and adding in its place the phrase ``the appropriate
OCC licensing office''.
The revision reads as follows:

Sec. 5.47 National bank subordinated debt as capital.

* * * * *
0
28. Section 5.48 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.48 Voluntary liquidation of a national bank or Federal savings
association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 181, 182, 1463, 1464, and
5412(b)(1)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. A national bank or a Federal savings
association considering going into voluntary liquidation shall provide
preliminary notice to the OCC. The bank or savings association shall
also file a notice with the OCC once a liquidation plan is definite.
The bank or savings association may not begin liquidation unless the

[[Page 33367]]

OCC has notified it that the OCC does not object to the liquidation
plan.
(c) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to a voluntary liquidation. However, if the
OCC concludes that the notice presents significant or novel policy,
supervisory or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all
parts of Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(d) Standards--(1) In general. In reviewing a proposed liquidation
plan, the OCC will consider:
(i) The purpose of the liquidation;
(ii) Its impact on the safety and soundness of the national bank or
Federal savings association; and
(iii) Its impact on the bank's or savings association's depositors,
other creditors, and customers.
(2) National banks. For national banks, the OCC also will review
liquidation plans for compliance with 12 U.S.C. 181 and 182.
(3) Federal mutual savings associations. For Federal mutual savings
associations, the OCC also will assess the advisability of, and
alternatives to, liquidation and the effect of liquidation on all
concerned.
(e) Procedure--(1) Preliminary notice of voluntary liquidation. A
national bank or Federal savings association that is considering going
into voluntary liquidation shall provide preliminary notice to the
appropriate OCC licensing office.
(2) Submission of liquidation plan and nonobjection--(A) After a
national bank or Federal savings association provides preliminary
notice under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, if the bank or savings
association plans to proceed with liquidation, it shall submit a
voluntary liquidation plan to the OCC. A liquidation plan may be
effected in whole or part through purchase and assumption transactions.
(B) The national bank or Federal savings association must receive
the OCC's supervisory non-objection to the liquidation plan before
beginning the liquidation.
(3) Notice upon commencing liquidation--(i) General. When the board
of directors and the shareholders of a solvent national bank or Federal
savings association, or in the case of a Federal mutual savings
association, the board of directors and the members, have voted to
voluntarily liquidate, the bank or savings association shall:
(A) File a notice with the appropriate OCC Licensing Office; and
(B) provide notice to depositors, other known creditors, and known
claimants of the bank or savings association.
(ii) National banks. A vote to liquidate a national bank must
comply with 12 U.S.C. 181. In addition, a national bank shall publish
notice in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 182.
(iii) Federal savings associations. A Federal savings association
shall publish public notice if so directed by the OCC.
(4) Report of condition. The national bank's or Federal savings
association's liquidating agent or committee shall submit a report to
the appropriate OCC Licensing Office at the start of liquidation
showing the bank's or savings association's balance sheet as of the
start of liquidation. The liquidating national bank or Federal savings
association shall submit reports of the condition of its commercial,
trust, and other departments to the appropriate OCC Licensing Office by
filing the quarterly Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call
Reports).
(5) Report of progress. The national bank's or Federal savings
association's liquidating agent or committee shall submit a ``Report of
Progress of Liquidation'' annually to the appropriate OCC Licensing
Office until the liquidation is complete.
(6) Final report. The national bank's or Federal savings
association's liquidating agent or committee shall submit a final
report at the conclusion of liquidation showing that all creditors have
been satisfied, remaining assets have been distributed to shareholders,
resolutions to dissolve the bank or savings association have been
adopted, and the bank or savings association has been dissolved. The
national bank or Federal savings association also shall return its
charter certificate to the OCC.
(f) Expedited liquidations in connection with acquisitions--(1)
General. When an acquiring depository institution in a business
combination purchases all the assets, and assumes all the liabilities,
including all contingent liabilities, of a target national bank or
Federal savings association, the target national bank or Federal
savings association may be dissolved immediately after the combination.
However, if any liabilities will remain in the target national bank or
Federal savings association, then the standard liquidation procedures
apply. This paragraph (f) does not apply to dissolutions of Federal
mutual savings associations, which are subject to the standard
liquidation procedures.
(2) Procedure. After its board of directors and shareholders have
voted to liquidate and the national bank or Federal savings association
has notified the appropriate OCC licensing office of its plans, the
bank or savings association may surrender its charter and dissolve
immediately, if:
(i) The acquiring depository institution certifies to the OCC that
it has purchased all the assets and assumed all the liabilities,
including all contingent liabilities, of the national bank or Federal
savings association in liquidation; and
(ii) The acquiring depository institution and the national bank or
Federal savings association in liquidation have published notice that
the bank or savings association will dissolve after the purchase and
assumption to the acquiror. This notice shall be included in the notice
and publication for the purchase and assumption required under the Bank
Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c).
0
29. Section 5.50 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.50 Change in control of a national bank or Federal savings
association; reporting of stock loans.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 1817(j), and 1831aa.
(b) Licensing requirements. Any person seeking to acquire control
of a national bank or Federal savings association shall provide 60 days
prior written notice of a change in control to the OCC, except where
otherwise provided in this section.
(c) Scope--(1) General. This section describes the procedures and
standards governing OCC review of notices for a change in control of a
national bank or Federal savings association and reports of stock
loans.
(2) Exempt transactions. The following transactions are not subject
to the requirements of this section:
(i) The acquisition of additional shares of a national bank or
Federal savings association by a person who:
(A) Has, continuously since March 9, 1979, (or since that
institution commenced business, if later) held power to vote 25 percent
or more of the voting securities of that bank or Federal savings
association; or
(B) Under paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, would be presumed
to have controlled that bank or Federal savings association
continuously since March 9, 1979, if the transaction will not result in
that person's direct or indirect ownership or power to vote 25 percent
or more of any class of voting securities of the national bank or
Federal savings association; or, in other cases, where the OCC
determines that the person has controlled the bank or savings
association continuously since March 9, 1979;
(ii) Unless the OCC otherwise provides in writing, the acquisition
of

[[Page 33368]]

additional shares of a national bank or Federal savings association by
a person who has lawfully acquired and maintained continuous control of
the bank or Federal savings association under paragraph (f) of this
section after complying with the procedures and filing the notice
required by this section;
(iii) A transaction subject to approval under section 3 of the Bank
Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1842, section 18(c) of Federal Deposit
Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c), or section 10 of the Home Owners'
Loan Act (HOLA), 12 U.S.C. 1467a;
(iv) Any transaction described in section 2(a)(5) or 3(a)(A) or (B)
of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(5) and 1842(a)(A)
and (B), by a person described in those provisions;
(v) A customary one-time proxy solicitation or receipt of pro rata
stock dividends; and
(vi) The acquisition of shares of a foreign bank that has a
Federally licensed branch in the United States. This exemption does not
extend to the reports and information required under paragraph (i) of
this section.
(3) Prior notice exemption. The following transactions are not
subject to the prior notice requirements of this section but are
otherwise subject to this section, including filing a notice and paying
the appropriate filing fee, within 90 calendar days after the
transaction occurs:
(i) The acquisition of control as a result of acquisition of voting
shares of a national bank or Federal savings association through
testate or intestate succession;
(ii) The acquisition of control as a result of acquisition of
voting shares of a national bank or Federal savings association as a
bona fide gift;
(iii) The acquisition of voting shares of a national bank or
Federal savings association resulting from a redemption of voting
securities;
(iv) The acquisition of control of a national bank or Federal
savings association as a result of actions by third parties (including
the sale of securities) that are not within the control of the
acquiror; and
(v) The acquisition of control as a result of the acquisition of
voting shares of a national bank or Federal savings association in
satisfaction of a debt previously contracted in good faith.
(A) ``Good faith'' means that a person must either make, renew, or
acquire a loan secured by voting securities of a national bank or
Federal savings association in advance of any knowledge of a default or
of the substantial likelihood that a default is forthcoming. A person
who purchases a previously defaulted loan, or a loan for which there is
a substantial likelihood of default, secured by voting securities of a
national bank or Federal savings association may not rely on this
paragraph (c)(3)(v) to foreclose on that loan, seize or purchase the
underlying collateral, and acquire control of the national bank or
Federal savings association without complying with the prior notice
requirements of this section.
(B) To ensure compliance with this section, the acquiror of a
defaulted loan secured by a controlling amount of a national bank's or
a Federal savings association's voting securities shall file a notice
prior to the time the loan is acquired unless the acquiror can
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the OCC that the voting securities
are not the anticipated source of repayment for the loan.
(d) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) Acquire when used in connection with the acquisition of stock
of a national bank or Federal savings association means obtaining
ownership, control, power to vote, or sole power of disposition of
stock, directly or indirectly or through one or more transactions or
subsidiaries, through purchase, assignment, transfer, pledge, exchange,
succession, or other disposition of voting stock, including:
(i) An increase in percentage ownership resulting from a
redemption, repurchase, reverse stock split or a similar transaction
involving other securities of the same class, and
(ii) The acquisition of stock by a group of persons and/or
companies acting in concert, which shall be deemed to occur upon
formation of such group.
(2) Acting in concert means:
(i) Knowing participation in a joint activity or parallel action
towards a common goal of acquiring control whether or not pursuant to
an express agreement; or
(ii) A combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the
securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract,
understanding, relationship, agreement, or other arrangement, whether
written or otherwise.
(3) Company means any corporation, partnership, trust, association,
joint venture, pool, syndicate, unincorporated organization, joint-
stock company or similar organization.
(4) Control means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the
management or policies of a national bank or Federal savings
association or to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting
securities of a national bank or Federal savings association.
(5) Controlling shareholder means any person who directly or
indirectly or acting in concert with one or more persons or companies,
or together with members of his or her immediate family, owns,
controls, or holds with power to vote 10 percent or more of the voting
stock of a company or controls in any manner the election or
appointment of a majority of the company's board of directors.
(6) Federal savings association means a Federal savings association
or a Federal savings bank chartered under section 5 of the HOLA.
(7) Immediate family includes a person's spouse, father, mother,
stepfather, stepmother, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister,
children, stepchildren, grandparent, grandchildren, father-in-law,
mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-
law, and the spouse of any of the forgoing.
(8) Insured depository institution means an insured depository
institution as defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(c)(2).
(9) Management official means any president, chief executive
officer, chief operating officer, vice president, director, partner, or
trustee, or any other person who performs or has a representative or
nominee performing similar policymaking functions, including executive
officers of principal business units or divisions or subsidiaries who
perform policymaking functions, for a national bank, savings
association, or a company, whether or not incorporated.
(10) Notice means a filing by a person in accordance with paragraph
(f) of this section.
(11) Person means an individual or a corporation, partnership,
trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole
proprietorship, unincorporated organization, or any other form of
entity, and includes voting trusts and voting agreements and any group
of persons acting in concert.
(12) Similar organization for purposes of paragraph (d)(3) of this
section means a combination of parties with the potential for or
practical likelihood of continuing rather than temporary existence,
where the parties thereto have knowingly and voluntarily associated for
a common purpose pursuant to identifiable and binding relationships
which govern the parties with respect to either:
(i) The transferability and voting of any stock or other indicia of
participation in another entity, or

[[Page 33369]]

(ii) Achievement of a common or shared objective, such as to
collectively manage or control another entity.
(13) Stock means common or preferred stock, general or limited
partnership shares or interests, or similar interests.
(14) Voting securities means:
(i) Shares of stock, if the shares or interests, by statute,
charter, or in any manner, allow the holder to vote for or select
directors (or persons exercising similar functions) of the issuing
national bank or Federal savings association, or to vote on or to
direct the conduct of the operations or other significant policies of
the issuing national bank or Federal savings association. However,
preferred stock or similar interests are not voting securities if:
(A) Any voting rights associated with the shares or interests are
limited solely to voting rights customarily provided by statute
regarding matters that would significantly affect the rights or
preference of the security or other interest. This includes the
issuance of additional amounts of classes of senior securities, the
modification of the terms of the security or interest, the dissolution
of the issuing national bank, or the payment of dividends by the
issuing national bank or Federal savings association when preferred
dividends are in arrears;
(B) The shares or interests are a passive investment or financing
device and do not otherwise provide the holder with control over the
issuing national bank or Federal savings association; and
(C) The shares or interests do not allow the holder by statute,
charter, or in any manner, to select or to vote for the selection of
directors (or persons exercising similar functions) of the issuing
national bank or Federal savings association.
(ii) Securities, other instruments, or similar interests that are
immediately convertible, at the option of the owner or holder thereof,
into voting securities.
(e) Policy--(1) General. The OCC seeks to enhance and maintain
public confidence in the banking system by preventing a change in
control of a national bank or Federal savings association that could
have serious adverse effects on a national bank's or Federal savings
association's financial stability or management resources, the
interests of the bank's or Federal savings association's customers, the
Deposit Insurance Fund, or competition.
(2) Acquisitions subject to the Bank Holding Company Act. (i) If
corporations, partnerships, certain trusts, associations, and similar
organizations, that are not already bank holding companies, are not
required to secure prior Federal Reserve Board approval to acquire
control of a bank under section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12
U.S.C. 1842, other than indirectly through the acquisition of shares of
a bank holding company, they are subject to the notice requirements of
this section.
(ii) Certain transactions, including foreclosures by depository
institutions and other institutional lenders, fiduciary acquisitions by
depository institutions, and increases of majority holdings by bank
holding companies, are described in sections 2(a)(5)(D) and 3(a)(A) and
(B) of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(5)(D) and 12
U.S.C. 1842(a)(A) and (B), but do not require the Federal Reserve
Board's prior approval. For purposes of this section, they are
considered subject to section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act, 12
U.S.C. 1842, and do not require either a prior or subsequent notice to
the OCC under this section.
(3) Assessing financial condition. In assessing the financial
condition of the acquiring person, the OCC weighs any debt servicing
requirements in light of the acquiring person's overall financial
strength; the institution's earnings performance, asset condition,
capital adequacy, and future prospects; and the likelihood of the
acquiring party making unreasonable demands on the resources of the
institution.
(f) Procedures--(1) Exceptions to rules of general applicability.
Sections 5.8(a), 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(a) through (f) do not apply
to filings under this section. When complying with Sec. 5.8(b) no
address is required for a notice filed by one or more individuals under
this section.
(2) Who must file. (i) Any person seeking to acquire the power,
directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies, or to
vote 25 percent or more of a class of voting securities of a national
bank or Federal savings association, shall file a notice with the OCC
60 days prior to the proposed acquisition, unless the acquisition is
exempt under paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(ii) The following persons shall be presumed to be acting in
concert for purposes of this section:
(A) A company and any controlling shareholder, partner, trustee or
management official of such company if both the company and the person
own stock in the national bank or Federal savings association;
(B) A person and the members of the person's immediate family;
(C) Companies under common control;
(D) Persons that have made, or propose to make, a joint filing
under section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the
rules thereunder promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(E) A person or company will be presumed to be acting in concert
with any trust for which such person or company serves as trustee,
except that a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan as defined in
Sec. 192.2(a)(39) shall not be presumed to be acting in concert with
its trustee or person acting in a similar fiduciary capacity solely for
the purposes of determining whether to combine the holdings of a plan
and its trustee or fiduciary; and
(F) Persons that are parties to any agreement, contract,
understanding, relationship, or other arrangement, whether written or
otherwise, regarding the acquisition, voting or transfer of control of
voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association,
other than through a revocable proxy in connection with a proxy
solicitation for the purposes of conducting business at a regular or
special meeting of the institution, if the proxy terminates within a
reasonable period after the meeting.
(iii) The OCC presumes, unless rebutted, that an acquisition or
other disposition of voting securities through which any person
proposes to acquire ownership of, or the power to vote, ten percent or
more of a class of voting securities of a national bank or Federal
savings association is an acquisition by a person of the power to
direct the bank's or savings association's management or policies if:
(A) The securities to be acquired or voted are subject to the
registration requirements of section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78l; or
(B) Immediately after the transaction no other person will own or
have the power to vote a greater proportion of that class of voting
securities.
(iv) The OCC will consider a rebuttal of the presumption of control
where the person or company intends to have no more than one
representative on the board of directors of the national bank or
Federal savings association.
(v) The presumption of control may not be rebutted if the total
equity investment by the person or company in the national bank or
Federal savings association, including 15 percent or more of any class
of voting securities, equals or exceeds one third of the total equity
of the national bank or Federal savings association.
(vi) Other transactions resulting in a person's control of less
than 25 percent

[[Page 33370]]

of a class of voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings
association are not deemed by the OCC to result in control for purposes
of this section.
(vii) If two or more persons, not acting in concert, each propose
to acquire simultaneously equal percentages of ten percent or more of a
class of a national bank's or Federal savings association's voting
securities, and either the acquisitions are of a class of securities
subject to the registration requirements of section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78l, or immediately after
the transaction no other shareholder of the national bank or Federal
savings association would own or have the power to vote a greater
percentage of the class, each of the acquiring persons shall either
file a notice or rebut the presumption of control.
(viii) An acquiring person may seek to rebut a presumption
established in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) or (iii) of this section by
presenting relevant information in writing to the appropriate OCC
Licensing office. The OCC shall respond in writing to any person that
seeks to rebut the presumption of control or the presumption of
concerted action. No rebuttal filing is effective unless the OCC
indicates in writing that the information submitted has been found to
be sufficient to rebut the presumption of control.
(3) Filings. (i) The OCC does not accept a notice of a change in
control unless it is technically complete, i.e., the information
provided is responsive to every item listed in the notice form and is
accompanied by the appropriate fee.
(A) The notice must contain the information required under 12
U.S.C. 1817(j)(6)(A), and the information prescribed in the Interagency
Biographical and Financial Report. This form is available from the OCC.
The OCC may waive any of the informational requirements of the notice
if the OCC determines that it is in the public interest.
(B) When the acquiring person is an individual, or group of
individuals acting in concert, the requirement to provide personal
financial data may be satisfied with a current statement of assets and
liabilities and an income summary, together with a statement of any
material changes since the date of the statement or summary. However,
the OCC may require additional information, if appropriate.
(ii) The OCC has 60 days from the date it declares the notice to be
technically complete to review the notice.
(A) When the OCC declares a notice technically complete, the
appropriate OCC licensing office sends a letter of acknowledgment to
the applicant indicating the technically complete date.
(B) As set forth in paragraph (g) of this section, the applicant
shall publish an announcement within 10 days of filing the notice with
the OCC. The publication of the announcement triggers a 20-day public
comment period. The OCC may waive or shorten the public comment period
if an emergency exists. The OCC also may shorten the comment period for
other good cause. The OCC may act on a proposed change in control prior
to the expiration of the public comment period if the OCC makes a
written determination that an emergency exists.
(C) An applicant shall notify the OCC immediately of any material
changes in a notice submitted to the OCC, including changes in
financial or other conditions that may affect the OCC's decision on the
filing.
(iii) Within the 60-day period, the OCC may inform the applicant
that the acquisition has been disapproved, has not been disapproved, or
that the OCC will extend the 60-day review period for up to an
additional 30 days. The period or the OCC's review of a notice may be
further extended not to exceed two additional times for not more than
45 days each time if:
(A) The OCC determines that any acquiring party has not furnished
all the information required under this part;
(B) In the OCC's judgment, any material information submitted is
substantially inaccurate;
(C) The OCC has been unable to complete an investigation of each
acquirer because of any delay caused by, or the inadequate cooperation
of, such acquirer; or
(D) The OCC determines that additional time is needed to
investigate and determine that no acquiring party has a record of
failing to comply with the requirements of subchapter II of chapter 53
of title 31 of the United States Code.
(iv) The applicant may request a hearing by the OCC within 10 days
of receipt of a disapproval (see 12 CFR part 19, subpart H, for hearing
initiation procedures). Following final agency action under 12 CFR part
19, further review by the courts is available. (See 12 U.S.C.
1817(j)(5))
(4) Conditional actions. The OCC may impose conditions on its
action not to disapprove a notice to assure satisfaction of the
relevant statutory criteria for non-objection to a notice.
(5) Disapproval of notice. The OCC may disapprove a notice if it
finds that any of the following factors exist:
(i) The proposed acquisition of control would result in a monopoly
or would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to
monopolize or to attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any
part of the United States;
(ii) The effect of the proposed acquisition of control in any
section of the country may be substantially to lessen competition or to
tend to create a monopoly or the proposed acquisition of control would
in any other manner be in restraint of trade, and the anticompetitive
effects of the proposed acquisition of control are not clearly
outweighed in the public interest by the probable effect of the
transaction in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be
served;
(iii) Either the financial condition of any acquiring person or the
future prospects of the institution is such as might jeopardize the
financial stability of the bank or Federal savings association or
prejudice the interests of the depositors of the bank or Federal
savings association;
(iv) The competence, experience, or integrity of any acquiring
person, or of any of the proposed management personnel, indicates that
it would not be in the interest of the depositors of the bank or
Federal savings association, or in the interest of the public, to
permit that person to control the bank or Federal savings association;
(v) An acquiring person neglects, fails, or refuses to furnish the
OCC all the information it requires; or
(vi) The OCC determines that the proposed transaction would result
in an adverse effect on the Deposit Insurance Fund.
(6) Disapproval notification. If the OCC disapproves a notice, it
will notify the proposed acquiring person in writing within three days
after the decision containing a statement of the basis for disapproval.
(g) Disclosure--(1) Announcement. The applicant shall publish an
announcement in a newspaper of general circulation in the community
where the affected national bank or Federal savings association is
located within ten days of filing. The OCC may authorize a delayed
announcement if an immediate announcement would not be in the public
interest.
(i) In addition to the information required by Sec. 5.8(b), the
announcement must include the name of the national bank or Federal
savings association named in the notice and the comment period (i.e.,
20 days from the date of the

[[Page 33371]]

announcement). The announcement also must state that the public portion
of the notice is available upon request.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this paragraph (g), if
the OCC determines in writing that an emergency exists and that the
announcement requirements of this paragraph (g) would seriously
threaten the safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal
savings association to be acquired, including situations where the OCC
must act immediately in order to prevent the probable failure of a
national bank or Federal savings association, the OCC may waive or
shorten the publication requirement.
(2) Release of information. (i) Upon the request of any person, the
OCC releases the information provided in the public portion of the
notice and makes it available for public inspection and copying as soon
as possible after a notice has been filed. In certain circumstances the
OCC may determine that the release of the information would not be in
the public interest. In addition, the OCC makes a public announcement
of a technically complete notice, the disposition of the notice, and
the consummation date of the transaction, if applicable, in the OCC's
``Weekly Bulletin.''
(ii) The OCC handles requests for the non-public portion of the
notice as requests under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552,
and other applicable law.
(h) Reporting requirement. After the consummation of the change in
control, the national bank or Federal savings association shall notify
the OCC in writing of any changes or replacements of its chief
executive officer or of any director occurring during the 12-month
period beginning on the date of consummation. This notice must be filed
within 10 days of such change or replacement and must include a
statement of the past and current business and professional
affiliations of the new chief executive officers or directors.
(i) Reporting of stock loans--(1) Requirements. (i) Any foreign
bank, or any affiliate thereof, shall file a consolidated report with
the appropriate OCC supervisory office of the national bank or Federal
savings association if the foreign bank or any affiliate thereof, has
credit outstanding to any person or group of persons that, in the
aggregate, is secured, directly or indirectly, by 25 percent or more of
any class of voting securities of the same national bank or Federal
savings association.
(ii) The foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, shall also file a
copy of the report with its appropriate OCC supervisory office if that
office is different from the national bank's or Federal savings
association's appropriate OCC supervisory office. If the foreign bank,
or any affiliate thereof, is not supervised by the OCC, it shall file a
copy of the report filed with the OCC with its appropriate Federal
banking agency.
(iii) Any shares of the national bank or Federal savings
association held by the foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, as
principal must be included in the calculation of the number of shares
in which the foreign bank or any affiliate thereof has a security
interest for purposes of paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section.
(2) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph (h) of this
section:
(i) Foreign bank and affiliate have the same meanings as in section
1 of the International Banking Act of 1978, 12 U.S.C. 3101.
(ii) Credit outstanding includes any loan or extension of credit;
the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance, or letter of credit, including
an endorsement or standby letter of credit; and any other type of
transaction that extends credit or financing to a person or group of
persons.
(iii) Group of persons includes any number of persons that a
foreign bank, or an affiliate thereof, has reason to believe:
(A) Are acting together, in concert, or with one another to acquire
or control shares of the same insured national bank or Federal savings
association, including an acquisition of shares of the same national
bank or Federal savings association at approximately the same time
under substantially the same terms; or
(B) Have made, or propose to make, a joint filing under 15 U.S.C.
78m regarding ownership of the shares of the same depository
institution.
(3) Exceptions. Compliance with paragraph (i)(1) of this section is
not required if:
(i) The person or group of persons referred to in paragraph (h)(1)
of this section has disclosed the amount borrowed and the security
interest therein to the appropriate OCC licensing office in connection
with a notice filed under this section or any other application filed
with the appropriate OCC licensing office as a substitute for a notice
under this section, such as for a national bank or Federal savings
association charter; or
(ii) The transaction involves a person or group of persons that has
been the owner or owners of record of the stock for a period of one
year or more or, if the transaction involves stock issued by a newly
chartered bank or Federal savings association, before the bank's or
Federal savings association's opening.
(4) Report requirements. (i) The consolidated report must indicate
the number and percentage of shares securing each applicable extension
of credit, the identity of the borrower, and the number of shares held
as principal by the foreign bank and any affiliate thereof.
(ii) The foreign bank and all affiliates thereof shall file the
consolidated report in writing within 30 days of the date on which the
foreign bank or affiliate thereof first believes that the security for
any outstanding credit consists of 25 percent or more of any class of
voting securities of a national bank or Federal savings association.
(5) Other reporting requirements. A foreign bank or any affiliate
thereof, supervised by the OCC and required to report credit
outstanding secured by the shares of a depository institution to
another Federal banking agency also shall file a copy of the report
with its appropriate OCC supervisory office.
0
30. Section 5.51 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.51 Changes in directors and senior executive officers of a
national bank or Federal savings association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1831i and 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. This section describes the circumstances when a national
bank or a Federal savings association must notify the OCC of a change
in its directors and senior executive officers, and the OCC's authority
to disapprove those notices.
(c) Definitions. (1) Director means an individual who serves on the
board of directors of a national bank or a Federal savings association,
except:
(i) A director of a foreign bank that operates a Federal branch;
and
(ii) An advisory director who does not have the authority to vote
on matters before the board of directors or any committee of the board
of directors and provides solely general policy advice to the board of
directors or any committee.
(2) Federal savings association means a Federal savings association
or Federal savings bank chartered under 12 U.S.C. 1464.
(3) National bank includes a Federal branch for purposes of this
section only.
(4) Senior executive officer means the president, chief executive
officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief
lending officer, chief investment officer, and any other individual the
OCC identifies in writing to the national bank or Federal savings
association who exercises significant influence over, or

[[Page 33372]]

participates in, major policy making decisions of the national bank or
Federal savings association without regard to title, salary, or
compensation. The term also includes employees of entities retained by
a national bank or Federal savings association to perform such
functions in lieu of directly hiring the individuals, and, with respect
to a Federal branch operated by a foreign bank, the individual
functioning as the chief managing official of the Federal branch.
(5) Technically complete notice means a notice that provides all
the information requested in paragraph (e)(2) of this section,
including complete explanations where material issues arise regarding
the competence, experience, character, or integrity of proposed
directors or senior executive officers, and any additional information
that the OCC may request following a determination that the notice was
not technically complete.
(6) Technically complete notice date means the date on which the
OCC has received a technically complete notice.
(7) Troubled condition means a national bank or Federal savings
association that
(i) Has a composite rating of 4 or 5 under the Uniform Financial
Institutions Rating System (CAMELS);
(ii) Is subject to a cease and desist order, a consent order, or a
formal written agreement, unless otherwise informed in writing by the
OCC; or
(iii) Is informed in writing by the OCC that, based on information
pertaining to such national bank or Federal savings association, it has
been designated in ``troubled condition'' for purposes of this section.
(d) Prior notice. A national bank or Federal savings association
shall provide written notice to the OCC at least 90 calendar days
before adding or replacing any member of its board of directors,
employing any individual as a senior executive officer of the national
bank or Federal savings association, or changing the responsibilities
of any senior executive officer so that the individual would assume a
different senior executive officer position, if:
(1) The national bank or Federal savings association is not in
compliance with minimum capital requirements applicable to such
institution, as prescribed in 12 CFR part 3 or part 167, as applicable,
or is otherwise in troubled condition; or
(2) The OCC determines, in writing, in connection with the review
by the agency of the plan required under section 38 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831o), or otherwise, that such prior
notice is appropriate.
(e) Procedures--(1) Filing notice. A national bank or Federal
savings association shall file a notice with its appropriate
supervisory office. When a national bank or Federal savings association
files a notice, the individual to whom the filing pertains shall attest
to the validity of the information pertaining to that individual. The
90-day review period begins on the technically complete notice date.
(2) Content of notice. (i) The notice must include:
(A) The information required under 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(6)(A), and the
information prescribed in the Interagency Notice of Change in Director
or Senior Executive Officer, the biographical and certification
portions of the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report
(``IBFR''), and unless otherwise determined by the OCC in writing, the
financial portion of the IBFR. These forms are available from the OCC;
(B) Legible fingerprints of the individual, except that
fingerprints are not required for any individual who, within the three
years immediately preceding the initial submission date of the notice
currently under review, has been the subject of a notice filed with the
OCC or the OTS pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1831i, or this section, and has
previously submitted fingerprints; and
(C) Such other information required by the OCC.
(ii) Modification of content requirements. The OCC may require or
accept other information in place of the content requirements in
paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section.
(3) Requests for additional information. (i) Following receipt of a
technically complete notice, the OCC may request additional
information. Such request must be in writing, must explain why the
information is needed, and must specify a time period during which the
information must be provided.
(ii) If the national bank or Federal savings association cannot
provide the information requested by the OCC within the time specified
in paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section, the national bank or Federal
savings association may request in writing that the OCC suspend
processing of the notice. The OCC will advise the national bank or
Federal savings association in writing whether the suspension request
is granted and, if granted, the length of the suspension.
(iii) If the national bank or Federal savings association fails to
provide the requested information within the time specified in
paragraphs (e)(3)(i) or (ii) of this section, the OCC may deem the
filing abandoned under Sec. 5.13(c) or may review the notice based on
the information provided.
(4) Notice of disapproval. The OCC may disapprove an individual
proposed as a member of the board of directors or as a senior executive
officer if the OCC determines on the basis of the individual's
competence, experience, character, or integrity that it would not be in
the best interests of the depositors of the national bank or Federal
savings association or the public to permit the individual to be
employed by, or associated with, the national bank or Federal savings
association. The OCC must send a written notice of disapproval to both
the national bank or Federal savings association and the individual
stating the basis for disapproval.
(5) Notice of intent not to disapprove. An individual proposed as a
member of the board of directors or as a senior executive officer may
begin service before the expiration of the review period if the OCC
notifies the individual and the national bank or Federal savings
association in writing that the OCC does not disapprove the proposed
director or senior executive officer and all other applicable legal
requirements are satisfied.
(6) Waiver of prior notice--(i) Waiver request. (A) A national bank
or Federal savings association may send a letter to the appropriate
supervisory office requesting a waiver of the prior notice requirement.
(B) The OCC may grant the waiver if it issues a written finding
that:
(1) Delay could adversely affect the safety and soundness of the
national bank or Federal savings association;
(2) Delay would not be in the public interest; or
(3) Other extraordinary circumstances justify waiver of prior
notice.
(C) The OCC will determine the length of the waiver on a case-by-
case basis. All waivers that the OCC grants under this paragraph (e)(6)
are subject to the condition that the national bank or Federal savings
association shall file a technically complete notice under this section
within the time period specified by the OCC.
(D) Subject to paragraph (e)(6)(i)(C) of this section, the proposed
individual may assume the position on an interim basis until the
earliest of the following events:
(1) The individual and the national bank or the Federal savings
association receive a notice of intent not to disapprove, at which time
the individual may assume the position on a permanent basis, provided
all other

[[Page 33373]]

applicable legal requirements are satisfied;
(2) The individual and the national bank or the Federal savings
association receive a notice of disapproval within 90 calendar days
after the submission of a technically complete notice. In this event
the individual shall immediately resign from the position upon receipt
of the notice of disapproval and may assume the position on a permanent
basis only if the notice of disapproval is reversed on appeal and all
other applicable legal requirements are satisfied; or
(3) The OCC does not act within 90 calendar days after the
submission of a technically complete notice. In this event, the
individual may assume the position on a permanent basis 91 calendar
days after the submission of a technically complete notice.
(E) If the technically complete notice is not filed within the time
period specified in the waiver, the proposed individual shall
immediately resign his or her position. Thereafter, the individual may
assume the position only after a technically complete notice has been
filed, all other applicable requirements are satisfied, and:
(1) The national bank or the Federal savings association receives a
notice of intent not to disapprove;
(2) The review period expires; or
(3) A notice of disapproval has been overturned on appeal as set
forth in paragraph (f) of this section.
(F) Notwithstanding the grant of a waiver, the OCC has authority to
issue a notice of disapproval within 30 days of the expiration of such
waiver.
(ii) Automatic waiver. An individual who has been elected to the
board of directors of a national bank or Federal savings association
may serve as a director on an interim basis before a notice has been
filed under this section, provided the individual was not nominated by
management, and the national bank or Federal savings association
submits a notice under this section not later than seven days after the
individual has been notified of the election. The individual may serve
on an interim basis until the occurrence of the earliest of the events
described in paragraphs (e)(6)(i)(D)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.
(7) Commencement of service. An individual proposed as a member of
the board of directors or as a senior executive officer who satisfies
all other applicable legal requirements may assume the office on a
permanent basis:
(i) Prior to the expiration of the review period, only if the OCC
notifies the national bank or Federal savings association in writing
that the OCC does not disapprove the proposed director or senior
executive officer pursuant to paragraph (e)(5) of this section; or
(ii) Following the expiration of the review period, unless:
(A) The OCC issues a written notice of disapproval during the
review period; or
(B) The national bank or Federal savings association does not
provide additional information within the time period required by the
OCC pursuant to paragraph (e)(3) of this section and the OCC deems the
notice to be abandoned pursuant to Sec. 5.13(c).
(8) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(a) through (f) do not apply to a notice for a
change in directors and senior executive officers, except that Sec.
5.13(c) shall apply to the extent provided for in paragraphs
(e)(3)(iii) and (e)(7) of this section.
(f) Appeal. (1) If the national bank or Federal savings
association, the proposed individual, or both, disagree with a
disapproval, they may seek review by appealing the disapproval to the
Comptroller, or an authorized delegate, within 15 days of the receipt
of the notice of disapproval. The national bank or Federal savings
association or the individual may appeal on the grounds that the
reasons for disapproval are contrary to fact or insufficient to justify
disapproval. The appellant shall submit all documents and written
arguments that the appellant wishes to be considered in support of the
appeal.
(2) The Comptroller, or an authorized delegate, may designate an
appellate official who was not previously involved in the decision
leading to the appeal at issue. The Comptroller, an authorized
delegate, or the appellate official considers all information submitted
with the original notice, the material before the OCC official who made
the initial decision, and any information submitted by the appellant at
the time of the appeal.
(3) The Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate
official shall independently determine whether the reasons given for
the disapproval are contrary to fact or insufficient to justify the
disapproval. If either is determined to be the case, the Comptroller,
an authorized delegate, or the appellate official may reverse the
disapproval.
(4) Upon completion of the review, the Comptroller, an authorized
delegate, or the appellate official shall notify the appellant in
writing of the decision. If the original decision is reversed, the
individual may assume the position in the national bank or Federal
savings association for which he or she was proposed.
0
31. Section 5.52 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.52 Change of address of a national bank or Federal savings
association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 161, 481, 1462a, 1463, 1464 and
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. This section describes the obligation of a national bank
or a Federal savings association to notify the OCC of any change in its
address.
(c) Notice process. (1) Any national bank with a change in the
address of its main office or in its post office box or a Federal
savings association with a change in the address of its home office or
post office box shall send a written notice to the appropriate OCC
licensing office.
(2) No notice is required if the change in address results from a
transaction approved under this part or if notice has been provided
pursuant to Sec. 5.40(b) with respect to the relocation of a main
office or home office to a branch location in the same city, town or
village.
(d) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13 do not apply to changes in a national bank's
or Federal savings association's address.
0
32. Section 5.53 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 5.53 Substantial asset change by a national bank or Federal
savings association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 93a, 1818, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, and
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. This section requires a national bank or a Federal
savings association to obtain the approval of the OCC for a substantial
asset change.
(c) Definition--(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph
(c)(2), substantial asset change means:
(i) The sale or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of
the national bank's or Federal savings association's assets in a
transaction or a series of transactions;
(ii) After having sold or disposed of all, or substantially all, of
its assets, subsequent purchases or other acquisitions or other
expansions of the national bank's or Federal savings association's
operations;
(iii) Any other purchases, acquisitions or other expansions of
operations that are part of a plan to increase the size of the national
bank or Federal savings association by more than 25 percent in a one
year period; or
(iv) Any other material increase or decrease in the size of the
national bank

[[Page 33374]]

or Federal savings association or a material alteration in the
composition of the types of assets or liabilities of the national bank
or Federal savings association (including the entry or exit of business
lines), on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the OCC.
(2) Exceptions. The term ``substantial asset change'' does not
include, and this section does not apply, to a change in composition of
all, or substantially all, of a bank's or savings association's assets:
(i) That the bank or savings association undertakes in response to
direction from the OCC (e.g., in an enforcement action pursuant to 12
U.S.C. 1818);
(ii) That is part of a voluntary liquidation under 12 CFR 5.48, if
the bank or savings association in liquidation has obtained approval
for its plan of liquidation under 12 CFR 5.48 and has stipulated in its
notice of liquidation to the OCC that its liquidation will be
completed, the bank or savings association dissolved and its charter
returned to the OCC within one year of the date it filed the notice of
liquidation, unless the OCC extends the time period;
(iii) That occurs as a result of a bank's or savings association's
ordinary and ongoing business of originating and securitizing loans; or
(iv) That are subject to OCC approval under another application to
the OCC.
(d) Procedures--(1) Consultation. A national bank or Federal
savings association considering a transaction or series of transactions
that may constitute a material change under paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of
this section must consult with the appropriate OCC supervisory office
for a determination whether the OCC will require an application under
this section. In determining whether to require an application, the OCC
considers the size and nature of the transaction and the condition of
the institutions involved.
(2) Approval requirement. A national bank or Federal savings
association must file an application and obtain the prior written
approval of the OCC before engaging in a substantial asset change.
(3) Factors--(i) General. (A) In determining whether to approve an
application under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the OCC considers
the following factors:
(1) The capital level of any resulting national bank or Federal
savings association;
(2) The conformity of the transaction to applicable law,
regulation, and supervisory policies;
(3) The purpose of the transaction;
(4) The impact of the transaction on safety and soundness of the
national bank or Federal savings association; and
(5) The effect of the transaction on the national bank or Federal
savings association's shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and
customers.
(B) The OCC may deny the application if the transaction would have
a negative effect in any of these respects.
(ii) Additional factors. The OCC's review of any substantial asset
change that involves the purchase or other acquisition or other
expansions of the bank's or savings association's operations will
include, in addition to the foregoing factors, the factors governing
the organization of a bank or savings association under Sec. 5.20.
(e) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply with respect to applications filed pursuant
to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application
presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the
OCC may determine that some or all of the provisions of Sec. Sec. 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 apply.
0
33. Section 5.55 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.55 Capital Distributions by a Federal Savings Association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1831o, and
5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. A Federal savings association must file
an application or notice before making a capital distribution, as
provided in this section.
(c) Scope. This section applies to all capital distributions by a
Federal savings association and sets forth the procedures and standards
relating to a capital distribution.
(d) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section:
(1) Affiliate means an affiliate, as defined under regulations of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System regarding
transactions with affiliates, 12 CFR part 223 (Regulation W).
(2) Capital means total capital, as computed under 12 CFR part 3 or
part 167, as applicable.
(3) Capital distribution means:
(i) A distribution of cash or other property to owners of a Federal
savings association made on account of their ownership, but excludes:
(A) Any dividend consisting only of the shares of the savings
association or rights to purchase the shares; or
(B) If the savings association is a Federal mutual savings
association, any payment that the savings association is required to
make under the terms of a deposit instrument and any other amount paid
on deposits that the OCC determines is not a distribution for the
purposes of this section;
(ii) A Federal savings association's payment to repurchase, redeem,
retire or otherwise acquire any of its shares or other ownership
interests; any payment to repurchase, redeem, retire, or otherwise
acquire debt instruments included in its total capital under 12 CFR
part 3 or part 167, as applicable; and any extension of credit to
finance an affiliate's acquisition of the savings association's shares
or interests;
(iii) Any direct or indirect payment of cash or other property to
owners or affiliates made in connection with a corporate restructuring.
This includes the Federal savings association's payment of cash or
property to shareholders of another association or to shareholders of
its holding company to acquire ownership in that association, other
than by a distribution of shares;
(iv) Any other distribution charged against a Federal savings
association's capital accounts if the savings association would not be
well capitalized, as set forth in 12 CFR 6.4, following the
distribution; and
(v) Any transaction that the OCC determines, by order or
regulation, to be in substance a distribution of capital.
(4) Net income means a Federal savings association's net income
computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
(5) Retained net income means a Federal savings association's net
income for a specified period less total capital distributions declared
in that period.
(6) Shares means common and preferred stock, and any options,
warrants, or other rights for the acquisition of such stock. The term
``share'' also includes convertible securities upon their conversion
into common or preferred stock. The term does not include convertible
debt securities prior to their conversion into common or preferred
stock or other securities that are not equity securities at the time of
a capital distribution.
(e) Filing requirements--(1) Application required. A Federal
savings association must file an application with the OCC if:
(i) The savings association is not an eligible savings association;
(ii) The total amount of all of the savings association's capital
distributions (including the proposed capital distribution) for the
applicable calendar year exceeds its net income for that year to date
plus retained net income for the preceding two years;

[[Page 33375]]

(iii) The savings association would not be at least adequately
capitalized, as set forth in 12 CFR 6.4, as applicable, following the
distribution; or
(iv) The savings association's proposed capital distribution would
violate a prohibition contained in any applicable statute, regulation,
or agreement between the savings association and the OCC or the OTS, or
violate a condition imposed on the savings association in an
application or notice approved by the OCC or the OTS.
(2) Notice required. Unless it is required to file an application
under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, a Federal savings association
that is an eligible savings association must file a notice with the OCC
if:
(i) The savings association would not remain well capitalized, as
set forth under 12 CFR 6.4, or would otherwise not remain an eligible
savings association following the distribution;
(ii) The savings association's proposed capital distribution would
reduce the amount of or retire any part of its common or preferred
stock or retire any part of debt instruments such as notes or
debentures included in capital under 12 CFR part 3 or part 167, as
applicable, (other than regular payments required under a debt
instrument approved under 5.56;
(iii) The savings association's proposed capital distribution is
payable in property other than cash;
(iv) The savings association is a direct or indirect subsidiary of
a mutual savings and loan holding company; or
(v) The savings association is a direct or indirect subsidiary of a
company that is not a savings and loan holding company.
(3) No prior notice required. A Federal savings association does
not need to file a notice or an application with the OCC before making
a capital distribution if the Federal savings association is not
required to file an application under paragraph (e)(1) or a notice
under paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
(4) Informational copy of notice required. If the Federal savings
association is a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company that
is filing a notice with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (Board) for a dividend solely under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(f) and not
also under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(o)(11), and neither an application under
paragraph (e)(1) nor a notice under paragraph (e)(2) is required, then
the savings association must provide an informational copy to the OCC
of the notice filed with the Board, at the same time the notice is
filed with the Board.
(f) Filing format--(1) Contents. The notice or application must:
(i) Be in narrative form;
(ii) Include all relevant information concerning the proposed
capital distribution, including the amount, timing, and type of
distribution; and
(iii) Demonstrate compliance with Sec. 5.55(h).
(2) Schedules. The notice or application may include a schedule
proposing capital distributions over a specified period, not to exceed
12 months.
(3) Combined filings. A Federal savings association may combine the
notice or application required under Sec. 5.55(e) with any other
notice or application, if the capital distribution is a part of, or is
proposed in connection with, another transaction requiring a notice or
application under this chapter. If submitting a combined filing, the
Federal savings association must state that the related notice or
application is intended to serve as a notice or application under this
section.
(g) Filing procedures--(1) Application. When a Federal savings
association is required to file an application under paragraph (e)(1)
of this section, it must file the application at least 30 days before
the proposed declaration of dividend or approval of the proposed
capital distribution by its board of directors. The Federal savings
association shall not effect the proposed declaration of dividend or
approval of the proposed capital distribution unless it has received
prior written approval of the OCC.
(2) Prior notice with expedited review. A Federal savings
association that is an eligible savings association and that is
required to file a notice under paragraph (e)(2) must file the notice
at least 30 days before the proposed declaration of dividend or
approval of the proposed capital distribution by its board of
directors. The notice is deemed approved by the OCC upon the expiration
of 30 days after the filing date of the notice unless, before the
expiration of that time period, the OCC notifies the Federal savings
association that:
(i) Additional information is required to supplement the notice;
(ii) The notice is not eligible for expedited review, or the
expedited reviewed process is extended, under 5.13(a)(2); or
(iii) The notice is disapproved.
(h) OCC review of capital distributions. The OCC reviews
applications and notices submitted pursuant to paragraphs (g)(1) and
(g)(2) of this section. The OCC may disapprove the notice or deny the
application in whole or in part, if it makes any of the following
determinations:
(1) The Federal savings association will be undercapitalized,
significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized as set
forth in 12 CFR 6.4, as applicable, following the capital distribution.
If so, the OCC will determine if the capital distribution is permitted
under 12 U.S.C. 1831o(d)(1)(B).
(2) The proposed capital distribution raises safety or soundness
concerns.
(3) The proposed capital distribution violates a prohibition
contained in any statute, regulation, agreement between the Federal
savings association and the OCC or the OTS, or a condition imposed on
the Federal savings association in an application or notice approved by
the OCC or the OTS. If so, the OCC will determine whether it may permit
the capital distribution notwithstanding the prohibition or condition.
(i) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to capital distributions made by Federal
savings associations.
0
34. Section 5.56 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.56 Inclusion of subordinated debt securities and mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock as Federal savings association supplementary
(tier 2) capital.

(a) Applicability and scope--(1) Applicability. (i) For purposes of
this section, an advanced approaches savings association means a
Federal savings association that is subject to 12 CFR part 3, subpart
E, and a non-advanced approaches savings association means a Federal
savings association that is not subject to 12 CFR part 3, subpart E.
(ii) An advanced approaches savings association, beginning on March
31, 2014, must comply with paragraphs (h) through (q) of this section.
(iii) A non-advanced approaches savings association, prior to
January 1, 2015, must comply with paragraphs (a) through (g) of this
section. Beginning on January 1, 2015, a non-advanced approaches
savings association must comply with paragraphs (h) through (q) of this
section.
(2) Scope. Prior to January 1, 2015, a non-advanced approaches
savings association must comply with paragraphs (a) through (g) of this
section in order to include subordinated debt securities or mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock (``covered securities'') in supplementary
capital (tier 2 capital) under part 167 of this chapter. If a savings
association does not include covered securities in supplementary

[[Page 33376]]

capital, it is not required to comply with this section. Covered
securities not included in tier 2 capital are subject to the
requirements of Sec. 163.80.
(b) Application and notice procedures--(1) Application. Unless a
Federal savings association is an eligible savings association filing a
notice under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, it must file an
application seeking the OCC's approval of the inclusion of covered
securities in supplementary capital. The savings association may file
its application before or after it issues covered securities, but may
not include covered securities in supplementary capital until the OCC
approves the application.
(2) Notice with expedited review. An eligible savings association
must file a notice seeking the OCC's approval of the inclusion of
covered securities in supplementary capital. The savings association
may file its notice before or after it issues covered securities, but
may not include covered securities in supplementary capital until the
OCC approves the notice. The OCC is deemed to have approved the notice
upon the expiration of 30 days after the filing date of the notice
unless, before the expiration of that time period, the OCC notifies the
Federal savings association that:
(i) Additional information is required to supplement the notice;
(ii) The notice is not eligible for expedited review, or the
expedited reviewed process is extended, under Sec. 5.13(a)(2); or
(iii) The OCC denies the notice.
(3) Securities offering rules. A savings association must also
comply with the securities offering rules at 12 CFR part 197 by filing
an offering circular for a proposed issuance of covered securities,
unless the offering qualifies for an exemption under that part.
(c) Securities requirements. To be included in supplementary
capital, covered securities must meet the following requirements:
(1) Form. (i) Each certificate evidencing a covered security must:
(A) Bear the following legend on its face, in bold type: ``This
security is not a savings account or deposit and it is not insured by
the United States or any agency or fund of the United States;''
(B) State that the security is subordinated on liquidation, as to
principal, interest, and premium, to all claims against the savings
association that have the same priority as savings accounts or a higher
priority;
(C) State that the security is not secured by the savings
association's assets or the assets of any affiliate of the savings
association. An affiliate means any person or company that controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with the savings association;
(D) State that the security is not eligible collateral for a loan
by the savings association;
(E) State the prohibition on the payment of dividends or interest
at 12 U.S.C. 1828(b) and, in the case of subordinated debt securities,
state the prohibition on the payment of principal and interest at 12
U.S.C. 1831o(h), 12 CFR 3.11, and any other relevant restrictions;
(F) For subordinated debt securities, state or refer to a document
stating the terms under which the savings association may prepay the
obligation; and
(G) State or refer to a document stating that the savings
association must obtain OCC's approval before the voluntary prepayment
of principal on subordinated debt securities, the acceleration of
payment of principal on subordinated debt securities, or the voluntary
redemption of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock (other than
scheduled redemptions), if the savings association is undercapitalized,
significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized as
described in Sec. 6.4 of this chapter, fails to meet the regulatory
capital requirements at 12 CFR part 167, or would fail to meet any of
these standards following the payment.
(ii) A Federal savings association must include such additional
statements as the OCC may prescribe for certificates, purchase
agreements, indentures, and other related documents.
(2) Maturity requirements. Covered securities must have an original
weighted average maturity or original weighted average period to
required redemption of at least five years.
(3) Mandatory prepayment. Subordinated debt securities and related
documents may not provide events of default or contain other provisions
that could result in a mandatory prepayment of principal, other than
events of default that:
(i) Arise from the Federal savings association's failure to make
timely payment of interest or principal;
(ii) Arise from its failure to comply with reasonable financial,
operating, and maintenance covenants of a type that are customarily
included in indentures for publicly offered debt securities; or
(iii) Relate to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, or similar
events.
(4) Indenture. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of
this section, a Federal savings association must use an indenture for
subordinated debt securities. If the aggregate amount of subordinated
debt securities publicly offered (excluding sales in a non-public
offering as defined in 12 CFR 197.4) and sold in any consecutive 12-
month or 36-month period exceeds $5,000,000 or $10,000,000 respectively
(or such lesser amount that the Securities and Exchange Commission
shall establish by rule or regulation under 15 U.S.C. 77ddd), the
indenture must provide for the appointment of a trustee other than the
savings association or an affiliate of the savings association (as
defined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of this section) and for collective
enforcement of the security holders' rights and remedies.
(ii) A Federal savings association is not required to use an
indenture if the subordinated debt securities are sold only to
accredited investors, as that term is defined in 15 U.S.C. 77d(6). A
savings association must have an indenture that meets the requirements
of paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section in place before any debt
securities for which an exemption from the indenture requirement is
claimed, are transferred to any non-accredited investor. If a savings
association relies on this exemption from the indenture requirement, it
must place a legend on the debt securities indicating that an indenture
must be in place before the debt securities are transferred to any non-
accredited investor.
(d) Review by the OCC. (1) In reviewing notices and applications
under this section, the OCC will consider whether:
(i) The issuance of the covered securities is authorized under
applicable laws and regulations and is consistent with the savings
association's charter and bylaws.
(ii) The savings association is at least adequately capitalized
under Sec. 6.4 of this chapter and meets the regulatory capital
requirements at part 167 of this chapter.
(iii) The savings association is or will be able to service the
covered securities.
(iv) The covered securities are consistent with the requirements of
this section.
(v) The covered securities and related transactions sufficiently
transfer risk from the Deposit Insurance Fund.
(vi) The OCC has no objection to the issuance based on the savings
association's overall policies, condition, and operations.
(2) The OCC's approval or non-objection is conditioned upon no
material changes to the information disclosed in the application or
notice submitted to the OCC. The OCC may impose such additional
requirements or

[[Page 33377]]

conditions as it may deem necessary to protect purchasers, the savings
association, the OCC, or the Deposit Insurance Fund.
(e) Amendments. If a Federal savings association amends the covered
securities or related documents following the completion of the OCC's
review, it must obtain the OCC's approval or non-objection under this
section before it may include the amended securities in supplementary
capital.
(f) Sale of covered securities. The Federal savings association
must complete the sale of covered securities within one year after the
OCC's approval or non-objection under this section. A savings
association may request an extension of the offering period by filing a
written request with the OCC. The savings association must demonstrate
good cause for the extension and file the request at least 30 days
before the expiration of the offering period or any extension of the
offering period.
(g) Reports. A Federal savings association must file the following
information with the OCC within 30 days after the savings association
completes the sale of covered securities includable as supplementary
capital. If the savings association filed its application or notice
following the completion of the sale, it must submit this information
with its application or notice:
(1) A written report indicating the number of purchasers, the total
dollar amount of securities sold, the net proceeds received by the
savings association from the issuance, and the amount of covered
securities, net of all expenses, to be included as supplementary
capital;
(2) Three copies of an executed form of the securities and a copy
of any related documents governing the issuance or administration of
the securities; and
(3) A certification by the appropriate executive officer indicating
that the savings association complied with all applicable laws and
regulations in connection with the offering, issuance, and sale of the
securities.
(h) Scope. (1) Beginning March 14, 2014, an advanced approaches
savings association must comply with paragraphs (h) through (q) of this
section in order to include subordinated debt securities or mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock (``covered securities'') in tier 2 capital
under 12 CFR 3.20(d) and to prepay covered securities included in tier
2 capital.
(2) Beginning January 1, 2015, a non-advanced approaches savings
association must comply with paragraphs (h) through (q) of this section
in order to include covered securities in tier 2 capital under 12 CFR
3.20(d) and to prepay covered securities included in tier 2 capital. A
Federal savings association that does not include covered securities in
tier 2 capital is not required to comply with this section. Covered
securities not included in tier 2 capital are subject to the
requirements of Sec. 163.80.
(3) For purposes of this section, mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock means mandatorily redeemable preferred stock that was issued
before July 23, 1985 or issued pursuant to regulations and memoranda of
the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and approved in writing by the Federal
Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation for inclusion as regulatory
capital before or after issuance.
(i) [Reserved]
(j) Application and notice procedures--(1) Application or notice to
include covered securities in tier 2 capital--(i) Application. Unless a
Federal savings association is an eligible savings association filing a
notice under paragraph (j)(ii) of this section, it must file an
application seeking the OCC's approval of the inclusion of covered
securities in tier 2 capital. The savings association may file its
application before or after it issues covered securities, but may not
include covered securities in tier 2 capital until the OCC approves the
application.
(ii) Notice with expedited review. An eligible savings association
must file a notice seeking the OCC's approval of the inclusion of
covered securities in tier 2 capital. The savings association may file
its notice before or after it issues covered securities, but may not
include covered securities in tier capital until the OCC approves the
notice. The OCC is deemed to have approved the notice upon the
expiration of 30 days after the filing date of the notice unless,
before the expiration of that time period, the OCC notifies the Federal
savings association that
(A) Additional information is required to supplement the notice;
(B) The notice is not eligible for expedited review, or the
expedited reviewed process is extended, under Sec. 5.13(a)(2); or
(C) The OCC denies the notice.
(iii) Securities offering rules. A savings association also must
comply with the securities offering rules at 12 CFR part 197 by filing
an offering circular for a proposed issuance of covered securities,
unless the offering qualifies for an exemption under that part.
(2) Application required to prepay covered securities included in
tier 2 capital--(i) General. A Federal savings association must file an
application to, and receive prior approval from, the OCC before
prepaying covered securities included in tier 2 capital. For purposes
of this requirement, prepayment includes acceleration of a covered
security, repurchase of a covered security, redemption of a covered
security prior to maturity, and exercising a call option in connection
with a covered security.
(ii) Prepayment in the form of a call option. (A) If the prepayment
will be in the form of a call option, the application must include:
(1) A statement explaining why the Federal savings association
believes that following the proposed prepayment the savings association
would continue to hold an amount of capital commensurate with its risk;
or
(2) A description of the replacement capital instrument that meets
the criteria for tier 1 or tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20, including
the amount of such instrument, and the time frame for issuance.
(B) Notwithstanding paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section, if the
OCC conditions approval of prepayment in the form of a call option on a
requirement that a Federal savings association must replace the covered
security with a covered security of an equivalent amount that satisfies
the requirements for a tier 1 or tier 2 instrument, the savings
association must file an application to issue the replacement covered
security and must receive prior OCC approval.
(k) General requirements. A covered security issued under this
section must satisfy the requirements for tier 2 capital in 12 CFR
3.20(d).
(l) Securities requirements for inclusion in tier 2 capital. To be
included in tier 2 capital, covered securities must satisfy the
requirements in 12 CFR 3.20(d). In addition, such covered securities
must meet the following requirements:
(1) Form. (i) Each certificate evidencing a covered security must:
(A) Bear the following legend on its face, in bold type: ``This
security is not a savings account or deposit and it is not insured by
the United States or any agency or fund of the United States;''
(B) State that the security is subordinated on liquidation, as to
principal, interest, and premium, to all claims against the savings
association that have the same priority as savings accounts or a higher
priority;
(C) State that the security is not secured by the savings
association's

[[Page 33378]]

assets or the assets of any affiliate of the savings association. An
affiliate means any person or company that controls, is controlled by,
or is under common control with the savings association;
(D) State that the security is not eligible collateral for a loan
by the savings association;
(E) State the prohibition on the payment of dividends or interest
at 12 U.S.C. 1828(b) and, in the case of subordinated debt securities,
state the prohibition on the payment of principal and interest at 12
U.S.C. 1831o(h), 12 CFR 3.11, and any other relevant restrictions;
(F) For subordinated debt securities, state or refer to a document
stating the terms under which the savings association may prepay the
obligation; and
(G) Where applicable, state or refer to a document stating that the
savings association must obtain OCC's prior approval before the
acceleration of payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt
securities, redemption of subordinated debt securities prior to
maturity, repurchase of subordinated debt securities, or exercising a
call option in connection with a subordinated debt security.
(ii) A Federal savings association must include such additional
statements as the OCC may prescribe for certificates, purchase
agreements, indentures, and other related documents.
(2) Indenture. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of
this section, a Federal savings association must use an indenture for
subordinated debt securities. If the aggregate amount of subordinated
debt securities publicly offered (excluding sales in a non-public
offering as defined in 12 CFR 197.4) and sold in any consecutive 12-
month or 36-month period exceeds $5,000,000 or $10,000,000 respectively
(or such lesser amount that the Securities and Exchange Commission
shall establish by rule or regulation under 15 U.S.C. 77ddd), the
indenture must provide for the appointment of a trustee other than the
savings association or an affiliate of the savings association (as
defined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of this section) and for collective
enforcement of the security holders' rights and remedies.
(ii) A Federal savings association is not required to use an
indenture if the subordinated debt securities are sold only to
accredited investors, as that term is defined in 15 U.S.C. 77d(6). A
savings association must have an indenture that meets the requirements
of paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section in place before any debt
securities for which an exemption from the indenture requirement is
claimed, are transferred to any non-accredited investor. If a savings
association relies on this exemption from the indenture requirement, it
must place a legend on the debt securities indicating that an indenture
must be in place before the debt securities are transferred to any non-
accredited investor.
(m) Review by the OCC. (1) In reviewing notices and applications
under this section, the OCC will consider whether:
(i) The issuance of the covered securities is authorized under
applicable laws and regulations and is consistent with the savings
association's charter and bylaws;
(ii) The savings association is at least adequately capitalized
under Sec. 6.4 of this chapter and meets the regulatory capital
requirements at 12 CFR 3.10;
(iii) The savings association is or will be able to service the
covered securities;
(iv) The covered securities are consistent with the requirements of
this section;
(v) The covered securities and related transactions sufficiently
transfer risk from the Deposit Insurance Fund; and
(vi) The OCC has no objection to the issuance based on the savings
association's overall policies, condition, and operations.
(2) The OCC's approval or non-objection is conditioned upon no
material changes to the information disclosed in the application or
notice submitted to the OCC. The OCC may impose such additional
requirements or conditions as it may deem necessary to protect
purchasers, the savings association, the OCC, or the Deposit Insurance
Fund.
(n) Amendments. If a Federal savings association amends the covered
securities or related documents following the completion of the OCC's
review, it must obtain the OCC's approval or non-objection under this
section before it may include the amended securities in tier 2 capital.
(o) Sale of covered securities. The Federal savings association
must complete the sale of covered securities within one year after the
OCC's approval or non-objection under this section. A savings
association may request an extension of the offering period by filing a
written request with the OCC. The savings association must demonstrate
good cause for the extension and file the request at least 30 days
before the expiration of the offering period or any extension of the
offering period.
(p) Issuance of a replacement regulatory capital instrument in
connection with exercising a call option. Pursuant to 12 CFR
3.20(d)(1)(v)(C), the OCC may require a Federal savings association
seeking prior approval to exercise a call option in connection with a
covered security included in tier 2 capital to issue a replacement
covered security of an equivalent amount that qualifies as tier 1 or
tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20. If the OCC imposes such a
requirement, the savings association must complete the sale of such
covered prior to, or immediately after, the prepayment.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\4\ A Federal savings association may replace tier 2 capital
instruments concurrent with the redemption of existing tier 2
capital instruments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(q) Reports. A Federal savings association must file the following
information with the OCC within 30 days after the savings association
completes the sale of covered securities includable as tier 2 capital.
If the savings association filed its application or notice following
the completion of the sale, it must submit this information with its
application or notice:
(1) A written report indicating the number of purchasers, the total
dollar amount of securities sold, the net proceeds received by the
savings association from the issuance, and the amount of covered
securities, net of all expenses, to be included as tier 2 capital;
(2) Three copies of an executed form of the securities and a copy
of any related documents governing the issuance or administration of
the securities; and
(3) A certification by the appropriate executive officer indicating
that the savings association complied with all applicable laws and
regulations in connection with the offering, issuance, and sale of the
securities.
0
35. Section 5.58 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.58 Pass-through investments by a Federal savings association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1828, 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Scope. Federal savings associations are permitted to make
various types of equity investments pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1464 and
other statutes, including pass-through investments authorized under 12
CFR 160.32(a). These investments are in addition to those subject to
Sec. Sec. 5.35, 5.37, 5.38, and 5.59. This section describes the
procedure governing the filing of the application or notice that the
OCC requires in connection with certain of these investments. The OCC
may review other permissible equity investments on a case-by-case
basis.
(c) Licensing requirements. A Federal savings association must file
a notice or

[[Page 33379]]

application as prescribed in this section to make a pass-through
investment authorized under 12 CFR 160.32(a).
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this Sec. 5.58:
(1) Enterprise means any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, trust, or similar business entity.
(2) Well capitalized means the capital level described in 12 CFR
6.4.
(3) Well managed has the meaning set forth in Sec. 5.38(d)(2) for
Federal savings associations.
(e) Pass-through investments; notice procedure. A Federal savings
association may make a pass-through investment, directly or through its
operating subsidiary, in an enterprise that engages in the activities
described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section by filing a written
notice. The Federal savings association must file this written notice
with the appropriate OCC licensing office no later than 10 days after
making the investment. The written notice must:
(1) Describe the structure of the investment and the activity or
activities conducted by the enterprise in which the Federal savings
association is investing. To the extent the notice relates to the
initial affiliation of the Federal savings association with a company
engaged in insurance activities, the savings association should
describe the type of insurance activity that the company is engaged in
and has present plans to conduct. The Federal savings association must
also list for each state the lines of business for which the company
holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the state where
the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable;
(2) State (i) which paragraphs of Sec. 5.38(e)(5)(v) describe the
activity or (ii) state that, and describe how, the activity is
substantively the same as that contained in published OCC precedent for
Federal savings associations, including published former OTS precedent,
approving a pass-through investment by a Federal savings association or
its operating subsidiary, state that the activity will be conducted in
accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the
activity covered by the precedent, and provide the citation to the
applicable precedent;
(3) Certify that the Federal savings association is well managed
and well capitalized at the time of the investment;
(4) Describe how the Federal savings association has the ability to
prevent the enterprise from engaging in an activity that is not set
forth in Sec. 5.38(e)(5)(v) or not contained in published OCC
precedent for Federal savings associations, including published former
OTS precedent, approving a pass-through investment by a Federal savings
association or its operating subsidiary, or how the savings association
otherwise has the ability to withdraw its investment;
(5) Describe how the investment is convenient and useful to the
Federal savings association in carrying out its business and not a mere
passive investment unrelated to the savings association's banking
business;
(6) Certify that the Federal savings association's loss exposure is
limited as a legal matter and that the savings association does not
have unlimited liability for the obligations of the enterprise; and
(7) Certify that the enterprise in which the Federal savings
association is investing agrees to be subject to OCC supervision and
examination, subject to the limitations and requirements of section 45
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115
of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a).
(f) Pass-through investments; application procedure--(1)
Investments not qualifying for notice procedure. A Federal savings
association must file an application and obtain prior approval before
making or acquiring, either directly or through an operating
subsidiary, a pass-through investment in an enterprise if the pass-
through investment does not qualify for the notice procedure set forth
in paragraph (e) of this section because the savings association is
unable to make the representation required by paragraph (e)(2) or the
certification required by paragraph (e)(3) of this section. The
application must include the information required in paragraphs (e)(1)
and (e)(4) through (e)(7) of this section and paragraphs (e)(2) or
(e)(3) of this section, as appropriate. If the Federal savings
association is unable to make the representation set forth in paragraph
(e)(2) of this section, the savings association's application must
explain why the activity in which the enterprise engages is a
permissible activity for a Federal savings association and why the
applicant should be permitted to hold a pass-through investment in an
enterprise engaged in that activity. A Federal savings association may
not make a pass-through investment if it is unable to make the
representations and certifications specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and
(e)(4) through (e)(7) of this section.
(2) Investments requiring a filing under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m).
Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, if an enterprise
in which a Federal savings association proposes to invest would be a
subsidiary of the Federal savings association for purposes of 12 U.S.C.
1828(m) and the enterprise would not be an operating subsidiary or a
service corporation, the Federal savings association must file an
application with the OCC under this paragraph (f)(2) at least 30 days
prior to making the investment and obtain prior approval from the OCC
before making the investment. The application must include the
information required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(7) of
this section and paragraphs (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this section, if
applicable. If the Federal savings association is unable to make the
representation set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the
savings association's application must explain why the activity in
which the enterprise engages is a permissible activity for a Federal
savings association and why the applicant should be permitted to hold a
pass-through investment in an enterprise engaged in that activity. A
Federal savings association may not make a pass-through investment if
it is unable to make the representations and certifications specified
in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(7) of this section.
(g) Pass-through investments in entities holding assets in
satisfaction of debts previously contracted. Certain pass-through
investments may be eligible for expedited treatment where the Federal
savings association's investment is in an entity holding assets in
satisfaction of debts previously contracted or the savings association
acquires shares of a company in satisfaction of debts previously
contracted.
(1) Notice required. A Federal savings association that is well
capitalized and well managed may acquire a pass-through investment,
directly or through its operating subsidiary, in an enterprise that
engages in the activities of holding and managing assets acquired by
the parent savings association through foreclosure or otherwise in good
faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of
collecting a debt previously contracted, by filing a written notice in
accordance with this paragraph (g)(1)(i). The activities of the
enterprise must be conducted pursuant to the same terms and conditions
as would be applicable if the activity were conducted directly by a
Federal savings association. The Federal savings association must file
the written notice with the appropriate OCC licensing office no later
than 10 days after making

[[Page 33380]]

the pass-through investment. This notice must include a complete
description of the Federal savings association's investment in the
enterprise and the activities conducted, a description of how the
savings association plans to divest the pass-through investment or the
underlying assets within applicable statutory time frames, and a
representation and undertaking that the savings association will
conduct the activities in accordance with OCC policies contained in
guidance issued by the OCC regarding the activities. Any Federal
savings association receiving approval under this paragraph (g)(1)(i)
is deemed to have agreed that the enterprise will conduct the activity
in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance.
(2) No notice or application required. A Federal savings
association is not required to file a notice or application under this
Sec. 5.58 if it acquires a non-controlling investment in shares of a
company through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a
doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt
previously contracted.
(h) Additional exception to filing requirement. A Federal savings
association may make a pass-through investment without filing a notice
or application to the OCC if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The investment is in an investment company the portfolio of
which consists exclusively of assets that the Federal savings
association may hold directly;
(2) The Federal savings association is not investing more than 10%
of its total capital in one company;
(3) The book value of the Federal savings association's aggregate
non-controlling investments does not exceed 25% of its total capital
after making the investment;
(4) The investment would not give Federal savings association
direct or indirect control of the company; and
(5) The Federal savings association's liability is limited to the
amount of its investment.
(i) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8,
5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 of this part do not apply to filings for pass-
through investments.
0
36. Section 5.59 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.59 Service corporations of Federal savings associations.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1828, 5412(b)(2)(B).
(b) Licensing requirements. When required by section 18(m) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, a Federal savings association must file
an application as prescribed in this section to:
(1) Acquire or establish a service corporation; or
(2) Commence a new activity in an existing service corporation
subsidiary.
(c) Scope. This section sets forth the OCC's requirements regarding
service corporations of Federal savings associations, and sets forth
procedures governing OCC review and approval of filings by Federal
savings associations to establish or acquire service corporations and
filings by Federal savings associations to conduct new activities in
existing service corporation subsidiaries, pursuant to the authority
provided in section 5(c)(4)(B) of the Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C.
1464(c)(4)(B).
(d) Definitions. (1) Control has the meaning set forth at 12 U.S.C.
1841 and the Federal Reserve Board's regulations thereunder, at 12 CFR
part 225.
(2) GAAP-consolidated subsidiary means a service corporation in
which a Federal savings association has a direct or indirect ownership
interest and whose assets are consolidated with those of the savings
association for purposes of reporting under Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (``GAAP'').
(3) Ownership interest means any equity interest in a business
organization, including stock, limited or general partnership
interests, or shares in a limited liability company.
(4) Service corporation means any entity that satisfies all of the
requirements for service corporations in 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B) and
this part, and that is designated by the investing Federal savings
association as a service corporation pursuant to this section. A
service corporation may be a first-tier service corporation of a
Federal savings association or may be a lower-tier service corporation.
(5) Service corporation subsidiary means a service corporation of a
Federal savings association that is controlled by that savings
association.
(e) Standards and requirements.--(1) Ownership. Only Federal or
state-chartered savings associations with home offices in the state
where the relevant Federal savings association has its home office may
have an ownership interest in a first-tier service corporation. A
Federal savings association need not have any minimum percentage
ownership interest or have control of a service corporation in order to
designate an entity as a service corporation.
(2) Geographic restrictions. A first-tier service corporation must
be organized under the laws of the state where the relevant Federal
savings association's home office is located.
(3) Authorized activities. A service corporation may engage in any
of the designated permissible service corporation activities listed in
paragraph (f) of this section, subject to any applicable filing
requirement under paragraph (h) of this section. In addition, a Federal
savings association may request OCC approval for a service corporation
to engage in any other activity reasonably related to the activities of
financial institutions.
(4) Investment limitations. A Federal savings association's
investment in service corporations is subject to the limitations set
forth in paragraph (g) of this section. The assets of a Federal savings
association's service corporations are not subject to the investment
limitations applicable to the savings association under section 5(c) of
the HOLA.
(5) Form of organization. A service corporation may be organized as
a corporation, or may be organized in any other organizational form
that provides the same protections as the corporate form of
organization, including limited liability.
(6) Qualified thrift lender test. In accordance with 12 U.S.C.
1467a(m)(5), a Federal savings association may determine whether to
consolidate the assets of a particular service corporation for purposes
of calculating qualified thrift investments. If a service corporation's
assets are not consolidated with the assets of the Federal savings
association for that purpose, the savings association's investment in
the service corporation will be considered in calculating the savings
association's qualified thrift investments.
(7) Supervisory, legal or safety or soundness considerations. (i)
Each service corporation must be well managed and operate safely and
soundly. In addition, each service corporation must pursue financial
policies that are safe and consistent with the purposes of savings
associations. Each service corporation must maintain sufficient
liquidity to ensure its safe and sound operation.
(ii) The OCC may, at any time, limit a Federal savings
association's investment in a service corporation, or limit or refuse
to permit any activity of a service corporation, for supervisory,
legal, or safety or soundness reasons.
(8) Separate corporate identity. Federal savings associations and
service corporations thereof must be operated in a manner that
demonstrates to the public that each maintains a separate

[[Page 33381]]

corporate existence. Each must operate so that:
(i) Their respective business transactions, accounts, and records
are not intermingled;
(ii) Each observes the formalities of their separate corporate
procedures;
(iii) Each is held out to the public as a separate enterprise; and
(iv) Unless the parent Federal savings association has guaranteed a
loan to the service corporation, all borrowings by the service
corporation indicate that the savings association is not liable.
(9) Issuances of securities by service corporations. A service
corporation shall not state or imply that the securities it issues are
covered by Federal deposit insurance. A service corporation subsidiary
shall not issue any security the payment, maturity, or redemption of
which may be accelerated upon the condition that the controlling
Federal savings association is insolvent or has been placed into
receivership. For as long as any securities are outstanding, the
controlling Federal savings association must maintain all records
generated through each securities issuance in the ordinary course of
business, including but not limited to a copy of the prospectus,
offering circular, or similar document concerning such issuance, and
make such records available for examination by the OCC.
(f) Authorized service corporation activities. Subject to the prior
filing requirements set forth in paragraph (h) of this section and the
provisions of paragraph (e)(3) of this section, a service corporation
may engage in the following activities:
(1) Any activity that all Federal savings associations may conduct
directly.
(2) Business and professional services. Service corporations may
engage in the following activities only when such activities are
limited to financial documents or financial clients or are generally
finance-related:
(i) Accounting or internal audit;
(ii) Advertising, market research and other marketing;
(iii) Clerical;
(iv) Consulting;
(v) Courier;
(vi) Data processing;
(vii) Data storage facilities operation and related services;
(viii) Office supplies, furniture, and equipment purchasing and
distribution;
(ix) Personnel benefit program development or administration;
(x) Printing and selling forms that require Magnetic Ink Character
Recognition (MICR) encoding;
(xi) Relocation of personnel;
(xii) Research studies and surveys;
(xiii) Software development and systems integration; and
(xiv) Remote service unit operation, leasing, ownership or
establishment.
(3) Credit-related activities. (i) Abstracting;
(ii) Acquiring and leasing personal property;
(iii) Appraising;
(iv) Collection agency;
(v) Credit analysis;
(vi) Check or credit card guaranty and verification;
(vii) Escrow agent or trustee (under deeds of trust, including
executing and delivery of conveyances, reconveyances and transfers of
title); and
(viii) Loan inspection.
(4) Consumer services. (i) Financial advice or consulting;
(ii) Foreign currency exchange;
(iii) Home ownership counseling;
(iv) Income tax return preparation;
(v) Postal services;
(vi) Stored value instrument sales;
(vii) Welfare benefit distribution;
(viii) Check printing and related services; and
(ix) Remote service unit operation, leasing, ownership, or
establishment.
(5) Real estate related services. (i) Acquiring real estate for
prompt development or subdivision, for construction of improvements,
for resale or leasing to others for such construction, or for use as
manufactured home sites, in accordance with a prudent program of
property development;
(ii) Acquiring improved real estate or manufactured homes to be
held for rental or resale, for remodeling, renovating or demolishing
and rebuilding for resale or rental, or to be used for offices and
related facilities of a stockholder of the service corporation;
(iii) Maintaining and managing real estate; and
(iv) Real estate brokerage for property owned by a savings
association that owns capital stock of the service corporation, or a
lower-tier service corporation in which the service corporation
invests.
(6) Securities activities, liquidity management, and coins. (i)
Execution of transactions in securities on an agency or riskless
principal basis solely upon the order and for the account of customers
or the provision of investment advice. The service corporation must
register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and state
securities regulators, as required by applicable Federal and state law
and regulations;
(ii) Liquidity management;
(iii) Issuing notes, bonds, debentures, or other obligations or
securities;
(iv) Purchase or sale of coins issued by the U.S. Treasury.
(7) Investments. (i) Tax-exempt bonds used to finance residential
real property for family units;
(ii) Tax-exempt obligations of public housing agencies used to
finance housing projects with rental assistance subsidies;
(iii) Small business investment companies and new markets venture
capital companies licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration;
(iv) Rural business investment companies; and
(v) Investing in savings accounts of an investing thrift.
(8) Community development investments. Community development
investments that are permissible under part 24 of this Chapter.
(9) Charitable activities. Establishing or acquiring a corporation
that is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as organized for
charitable purposes under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code and making a reasonable contribution to capitalize it, provided
that the corporation engages exclusively in activities designed to
promote the well-being of communities in which the owners of the
service corporation operate.
(10) Activities conducted as agent. Activities conducted on behalf
of a customer on other than an ``as principal'' basis.
(11) Incidental activities. Activities reasonably incident to those
listed in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(10) of this section if the
service corporation engages in those activities.
(g) Limitations on investments in service corporations--(1)
General. Under the authority of section 5(c)(4)(B) of the HOLA, a
Federal savings association may invest up to 3 percent of its assets in
the capital stock, obligations, and other securities of service
corporations. Any investment that would cause a Federal savings
association's investment in service corporations, in the aggregate, to
exceed 2 percent of assets, or made while the savings association's
investments in service corporations exceeds 2 percent of assets, must
serve primarily community, inner city, or community development
purposes consistent with Sec. 24.6. A Federal savings association must
designate the investments serving those purposes.
(2) Loans. In addition to the amounts that a Federal savings
association may invest under paragraph (g)(1), and to the extent that a
Federal savings association has authority under other provisions of
section 5(c) of the HOLA and OCC regulations thereunder, and available

[[Page 33382]]

capacity within any applicable investment limits, a Federal savings
association may make loans to any service corporation subject to the
following conditions:
(i) Loans to service corporations other than a GAAP-consolidated
subsidiary are subject to the lending limits in part 32 of this
chapter.
(ii) The OCC may limit the amount of loans to any service
corporation where safety and soundness considerations warrant such
action.
(3) Definition. For purposes of this paragraph, the terms ``loans''
and ``obligations'' include all loans and other debt instruments
(except accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business
and paid within 60 days) and all guarantees or take-out commitments of
such loans or debt instruments.
(4) GAAP-consolidated subsidiaries. Both debt and equity
investments in service corporations that are GAAP-consolidated
subsidiaries are considered investments in subsidiaries for purposes of
the capital regulations applicable to Federal savings associations.
(h) Filing requirements--(1) Application. (i) When required by
section 18(m) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, a Federal savings
association must file an application at least 30 days before: (A)
Acquiring or establishing a service corporation; or (B) commencing a
new activity in an existing service corporation subsidiary.
(ii) The application must include a complete description of the
savings association's investment in the service corporation, the
proposed activities of the service corporation, the organizational
structure and management of the service corporation, the relations
between the savings association and the service corporation, and other
information necessary to adequately describe the proposal. If the
service corporation proposes to engage in insurance activities, the
savings association must describe the type of insurance activity in
which the service corporation proposes to engage. The savings
association must also list for each State the lines of business for
which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating
the State where the service corporation holds a resident license or
charter, as applicable. The OCC may require an applicant to submit a
legal analysis if the proposal is novel, unusually complex, or raises
substantial unresolved legal issues. In these cases, the OCC encourages
applicants to have a pre-filing meeting with the OCC. Any savings
association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have
agreed that the service corporation will conduct the activity in a
manner consistent with published OCC guidance.
(2) Expedited review. (i) An application to establish or acquire a
service corporation, or to perform a new activity in an existing
service corporation subsidiary, that meets the requirements of this
paragraph is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the
filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the applicant
prior to that date that the filing is not eligible for expedited review
under 5.13(a)(2). Any savings association receiving approval under this
paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the service corporation will
conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC
guidance.
(ii) An application is eligible for expedited review if the
following requirements are met:
(A) The savings association is ``well capitalized'' and ``well
managed''; and
(B) The service corporation engages only in one or more of the
preapproved activities listed in Sec. 5.59(f).
(3) OCC review and approval. The OCC reviews a Federal savings
association's application to determine whether the proposal is legally
permissible and to ensure that the proposal is consistent with the
requirements of this section, safe and sound banking practices and OCC
policy and does not endanger the safety or soundness of the parent
Federal savings association. As part of this process, the OCC may
request additional information and analysis from the applicant.
(4) Redesignation. A Federal savings association that proposes to
redesignate an operating subsidiary as a service corporation must
submit a notification to the OCC at least 30 days prior to the
redesignation date. The notification must include a description of how
the redesignated entity will meet all of the requirements of this
section, a resolution of the savings association's board of directors
approving the redesignation, and the proposed effective date of the
redesignation. The savings association may effect the redesignation on
the proposed date unless the OCC notifies the savings association
otherwise prior to that date. The OCC may require an application if the
redesignation presents policy, supervisory, or legal issues.
(5) Exception to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10
and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes
that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory,
or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in
Sec. Sec. 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.
(i) Exercise of salvage powers through service corporations.--(1)
In accordance with this section, a Federal savings association may
exercise its salvage power to make a contribution or a loan (including
a guarantee of a loan made by any other person) to a service
corporation (``salvage investment'') that exceeds the maximum amount
otherwise permitted under law or regulation. A Federal savings
association must notify the appropriate supervisory office at least 30
days before making such a salvage investment. The notification must
demonstrate:
(i) The salvage investment protects the savings association's
interest in the service corporation;
(ii) The salvage investment is consistent with safety and
soundness; and
(iii) The savings association considered alternatives to the
salvage investment and determined that such alternatives would not
adequately satisfy paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section.
(2) If the OCC notifies the Federal savings association within 30
days of the filing of the notification that the notification presents
supervisory concerns, or raises significant issues of law or policy,
the Federal savings association must apply for and receive the OCC's
prior written approval before making the salvage investment.
(3) If a service corporation is a GAAP-consolidated subsidiary, the
salvage investment will be considered an investment in a subsidiary for
purposes of 12 CFR part 3 or part 167, as applicable.
(j) Failure to comply with the requirements applicable to service
corporations. If a service corporation fails to meet any of the
requirements of this section, the Federal savings association must
notify the appropriate OCC licensing office. Unless the Federal savings
association is otherwise advised by the OCC, if the service corporation
cannot comply with the requirements of this section within 90 days of
failing to meet such requirements, or otherwise resolve such failure to
comply with this section, the Federal savings association must promptly
dispose of its investment in the service corporation.
(k) Annual Report on Service Corporations (1) Filing requirement.
Each Federal savings association shall prepare and file with the OCC an
Annual Report on Service Corporations containing the information set
forth in paragraph (k)(2) of this section for each

[[Page 33383]]

of its service corporation subsidiaries that: (i) Is not functionally
regulated within the meaning of section 5(c)(5) of the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1844(c)(5)); and
(ii) Does business directly with consumers in the United States.
For purposes of this paragraph, a service corporation does business
directly with consumers if, in the ordinary course of its business, it
provides products or services to individuals to be used primarily for
personal, family, or household purposes.
(2) Information required. The Annual Report on Service Corporations
must contain the following information for each covered service
corporation subsidiary listed: (i) The name and charter number of the
parent Federal savings association; (ii) The name (include any ``dba''
(doing business as), abbreviated names, or trade names used to identify
the service corporation when it does business directly with consumers),
mailing address (include the street address or post office box, city,
state, and zip code), email address (if any), and telephone number of
the service corporation; (iii) The principal place of business of the
service corporation; (iv) The lines of business in which the service
corporation is doing business directly with consumers by designating
the appropriate code contained in appendix B (NAICS Activity Codes for
Commonly Reported Activities) to the Instructions for Preparation of
Report of Changes in Organizational Structure, Form FR Y-10, a copy of
which is set forth on the OCC's Web site at www.occ.gov. If the service
corporation is engaged in an activity not set forth in this list, a
Federal savings association shall report the code 0000 and provide a
brief description of the activity; and (v) The nature of the Federal
savings association's ownership interest in the service corporation.
(3) Filing time frames and availability of information. Each
Federal savings association's Annual Report on Service Corporations
shall contain information current as of December 31st for the year
prior to the date the report is filed. The Federal savings association
shall submit its first Annual Report on Service Corporations (for
information as of December 31, 201x) to the OCC on or before January
31, 201x, and on or before January 31st each year thereafter. The
Federal savings association may submit the Annual Report on Service
Corporations electronically or in another format prescribed by the OCC.
The OCC will make available to the public the information contained in
the Annual Report on Service Corporations on its Web site at
www.occ.gov.
0
37. The heading of subpart E of part 5 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart E--Payment of Dividends by National Banks

Sec. 5.64 [Amended]

0
38. Paragraph (c)(3) of Sec. 5.64 is amended by removing the phrase
``the appropriate district office'' and inserting in its place the
phrase ``the appropriate OCC supervisory office''.

PART 7--ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS

0
39. The authority citation for part 7 is revised as set forth below.

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 25b, 29(First), 71, 71a, 92,
92a, 93, 93a, 371d, 481, 484, 1818, 1464(a), 1464(c)(4)(B), 1828(m),
and 5412(b)(2)(B).

0
40. The heading of part 7 is revised to read as set forth above.
0
41. The heading of subpart A to part 7 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart A--National Bank and Federal Savings Association Powers

* * * * *
0
42. Section 7.1000 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1000 National bank or Federal savings association ownership of
property.

(a) Investment in real estate necessary for the transaction of
business--(1) General. A national bank or Federal savings association
may invest in real estate that is necessary for the transaction of its
business.
(2) Type of real estate. Real estate investments permissible under
this section include:
(i) Premises that are owned and occupied (or to be occupied, if
under construction) by the national bank or Federal savings
association, or its respective branches or consolidated subsidiaries;
(ii) Real estate acquired and intended, in good faith, for use in
future expansion;
(iii) Parking facilities that are used by customers or employees of
the national bank or Federal savings association, or its respective
branches or consolidated subsidiaries;
(iv) Residential property for the use of officers or employees of
the national bank or Federal savings association who are:
(A) Located in remote areas where suitable housing at a reasonable
price is not readily available; or
(B) Temporarily assigned to a foreign country, including foreign
nationals temporarily assigned to the United States; and
(v) Property for the use of national bank or Federal savings
association officers, employees, or customers, or for the temporary
lodging of such persons in areas where suitable commercial lodging is
not readily available, provided that the purchase and operation of the
property qualifies as a deductible business expense for Federal tax
purposes.
(3) Permissible means of holding. (i) A national bank or Federal
savings association may acquire and hold real estate under this
paragraph (a) by any reasonable and prudent means, including ownership
in fee, a leasehold estate, or in an interest in a cooperative. The
national bank or Federal savings association may hold this real estate
directly or through one or more subsidiaries. The national bank or
Federal savings association may organize a banking premises subsidiary
as a corporation, partnership, or similar entity (e.g., a limited
liability company).
(ii) A Federal savings association also may acquire and hold
banking premises through a service corporation in accordance with 12
CFR 5.59.
(b) Fixed assets. A national bank or Federal savings association
may own fixed assets necessary for the transaction of its business,
such as fixtures, furniture, and data processing equipment.
(c) Investment in banking premises--(1) Investment limitation.
Twelve CFR 5.37(d)(1)(i) and (d)(3)(i) provide quantitative investment
limitations that govern when OCC approval is required for a national
bank or Federal savings association to invest in banking premises.
(2) Premises approval. (i) A national bank or Federal savings
association shall seek approval from the OCC in accordance with 12 CFR
5.37(d).
(ii) A Federal savings association that invests in banking premises
through a service corporation shall comply with the quantitative
limitations in 12 CFR 5.37(d) and, to the extent applicable, 12 CFR
5.59.
(3) Option to purchase. An unexercised option to purchase banking
premises or stock in a corporation holding banking premises is not an
investment in banking premises. However, a national bank or Federal
savings association seeking to exercise such an option must comply with
the requirements in 12 CFR 5.37(d).
(d) Future national bank or Federal savings association expansion.
A national bank or Federal savings association normally should use real
estate acquired for future national bank

[[Page 33384]]

or Federal savings association expansion within five years. After
holding such real estate for one year, the national bank or Federal
savings association shall state, by resolution of its board of
directors or an appropriately authorized bank or savings association
official or subcommittee of the board, definite plans for its use. The
resolution or other official action must be available for inspection by
OCC examiners.
(e) Transition. If, on June 10, 2014, a Federal savings association
holds an investment in real estate, fixed assets, banking premises, or
other real property that complies with the legal requirements in effect
prior to June 10, 2014, but would violate any provision of this section
or Sec. 5.37, the savings association may continue to hold such
investment in accordance with the prior legal requirements. However, a
Federal savings association that holds such an investment shall not
modify, expand or improve this investment, except for routine
maintenance, without the prior approval of the appropriate OCC
supervisory office.
0
43. The section heading for Sec. 7.1003 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1003 Money lent by a national bank at banking offices or at
facilities other than banking offices.

* * * * *
0
44. The section heading for Sec. 7.1004 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1004 Loans originating at facilities other than banking
offices of a national bank.

* * * * *
0
45. The section heading for Sec. 7.1005 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1005 Credit decisions at other than banking offices of a
national bank.

* * * * *
0
46. The section heading for Sec. 7.1006 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1006 Loan agreement providing for a national bank share in
profits, income, or earnings or for stock warrants.

* * * * *
0
47. The section heading for Sec. 7.1007 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1007 National Bank Acceptances.

* * * * *
0
48. The section heading for Sec. 7.1008 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1008 Preparation by a national bank of income tax returns for
customers or public.

* * * * *
0
49. The section heading for Sec. 7.1012 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1012 Establishment, operation or use of a messenger service by
a national bank.

* * * * *
0
50. The section heading for Sec. 7.1014 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1014 Sale money orders at nonbanking outlets by a national
bank.

* * * * *
0
51. The section heading for Sec. 7.1015 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1015 National bank receipt of stock from a small business
investment company.

* * * * *
0
52. The section heading for Sec. 7.1016 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1016 Independent undertakings issued by a national bank to pay
against documents.

* * * * *
0
53. The section heading for Sec. 7.1018 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1018 National bank automatic payment plan accounts.

* * * * *
0
54. The section heading for Sec. 7.1020 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.1020 Purchase of open accounts by a national bank.

* * * * *
0
55. The title of subpart B of part 7 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart B--National Bank Corporate Practices

* * * * *
0
56. The title of subpart C of part 7 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart C--Operations

* * * * *
0
57. The section heading for Sec. 7.3000 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.3000 National bank hours and closings.

* * * * *
0
58. Section 7.3001 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.3001 Sharing national bank or Federal association space and
employees.

(a) Sharing space. A national bank or Federal savings association
may:
(1) Lease excess space on national bank or Federal savings
association premises to one or more other businesses (including other
financial institutions);
(2) Share space jointly held with one or more other businesses; or
(3) Offer its services in space owned by or leased to other
businesses.
(b) Sharing employees. When sharing space with other businesses as
described in paragraph (a) of this section, a national bank or Federal
savings association may provide, under one or more written agreements
between the national bank or Federal savings association, the other
businesses, and their employees, that:
(1) A national bank or Federal savings association employee may act
as agent for the other business; or
(2) An employee of the other business may act as agent for the
national bank or Federal savings association.
(c) Supervisory conditions. When a national bank or Federal savings
association engages in arrangements of the types listed in paragraphs
(a) and (b) of this section, the national bank or Federal savings
association shall ensure that:
(1) The other business is conspicuously, accurately, and separately
identified;
(2) Shared employees clearly and fully disclose the nature of their
agency relationship to customers of the national bank or Federal
savings association and of the other businesses so that customers will
know the identity of the national bank, Federal savings association, or
other business that is providing the product or service;
(3) The arrangement does not constitute a joint venture or
partnership with the other business under applicable state law;
(4) All aspects of the relationship between the national bank or
Federal savings association and the other business are conducted at
arm's length, unless a special arrangement is warranted because the
other business is a subsidiary of the national bank or Federal savings
association;
(5) Security issues arising from the activities of the other
business on the premises are addressed;
(6) The activities of the other business do not adversely affect
the safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings
association;
(7) The shared employees or the entity for which they perform
services are duly licensed or meet qualification requirements of
applicable statutes and regulations pertaining to agents or employees
of such other business; and
(8) The assets and records of the parties are segregated.
(d) Other legal requirements. When entering into arrangements of
the types described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, and in
conducting operations pursuant to those arrangements, a national bank
or Federal savings association must ensure that each arrangement
complies with all applicable laws and regulations. If the arrangement
involves an affiliate or a shareholder, director, officer or

[[Page 33385]]

employee of the national bank or Federal savings association:
(1) The national bank or Federal savings association must ensure
compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory provisions
governing national bank or Federal savings association transactions
with these persons or entities;
(2) The parties must comply with all applicable fiduciary duties;
and
(3) The parties, if they are in competition with each other, must
consider limitations, if any, imposed by applicable antitrust laws.
(e) Transition. If, on June 10, 2014, a Federal savings association
shares space or employees with another business under an agreement that
complies with the legal requirements that were in effect prior to June
10, 2014 but which would violate any provision of this section, the
Federal savings association may continue sharing under the existing
agreement but it may not amend, renew, or extend the agreement without
prior approval of the appropriate OCC supervisory office.
0
59. The section heading for Sec. 7.4000 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.4000 Visitorial powers with respect to national banks.

* * * * *
0
60. The section heading for Sec. 7.4001 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.4001 Charging interest by national banks at rates permitted
competing institutions; charging interest to corporate borrowers.

* * * * *

Sec. 7.4003 [Amended]

0
61. Section 7.4003 is amended by:
0
a. Removing the word ``and'' before the phrase ``automated device for
receiving deposits''; and
0
b. Adding the phrase ``, personal computer, telephone, and other
similar electronic devices'' after the phrase ``automated device for
receiving deposits''.
0
62. The section heading for Sec. 7.4005 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.4005 Combination of national bank loan production office,
deposit production office, and remote service unit.

* * * * *
0
63. The section heading for Sec. 7.4007 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.4007 Deposit-taking by national banks.

* * * * *
0
64. The section heading for Sec. 7.4008 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 7.4008 Lending by national banks.

* * * * *
0
65. The heading of subpart E to part 7 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart E--National Bank Electronic Activities

* * * * *

PART 14--CONSUMER PROTECTION IN SALES OF INSURANCE

0
66. The authority citation for part 14 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 24(Seventh), 92, 93a, 1462a,
1463, 1464, 1818, 1831x, and 5412(b)(2)(B).

0
67. Section 14.10(b) is amended by removing the phrase ``Sec. 159.3(h)
of this chapter'' and adding in its place the phrase ``Sec. 5.38(e)(3)
of this chapter''.

PART 32--LENDING LIMITS

Sec. 32.1 Authority, purpose and scope.

0
68. The authority citation for part 32 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 12 U.S.C. 84, 93a, 1462a, 1463,
1464(u), and 5412(b)(2)(B).

0
69. Section 32.3(d)(2) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 32.3 Lending limits.

* * * * *
(d) * * *
(2) Loans by savings associations to develop domestic residential
housing units. (i) Subject to paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, a
savings association may make loans to one borrower to develop domestic
residential housing units, not to exceed the lesser of $30,000,000 or
30 percent of the savings association's unimpaired capital and
unimpaired surplus, including all loans and extensions of credit
subject to paragraph (a) of this section, provided that:
(A) The savings association is, and continues to be, in compliance
with 12 CFR part 3, part 167, part 390, subpart Z, or part 324, as
applicable;
(B) Upon application by a savings association under paragraph
(d)(2)(iv) of this section, the appropriate Federal banking agency
permits, subject to conditions it may impose, the savings association
to use the higher limit set forth under this paragraph (d)(2)(i);
(C) The loans and extensions of credit made under this paragraph
(d)(2)(i) of this section to all borrowers do not, in aggregate, exceed
150 percent of the savings association's unimpaired capital and
unimpaired surplus; and
(D) The loans and extensions of credit made under paragraph
(d)(2)(i) of this section comply with the applicable loan-to-value
requirements.
(ii) The authority of a savings association to make a loan or
extension of credit under the exception in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this
section ceases immediately upon the association's failure to comply
with any one of the requirements set forth in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of
this section or any condition(s) set forth in an order issued by the
appropriate Federal banking agency under paragraphs (d)(2)(i)(B) and
(d)(2)(iv) of this section.
(iii) As used in this section, the term ``to develop'' includes
each of the various phases necessary to produce housing units as an end
product, such as acquisition, development and construction; development
and construction; construction; rehabilitation; and conversion; and the
term ``domestic'' includes units within the fifty states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Pacific
Islands;
(iv) Procedures--(A) Federal savings associations--(1) Application.
A Federal savings association must submit an application to, and
receive approval from, the appropriate OCC supervisory office before
using the higher limit set forth under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this
section. The supervisory office may approve a completed application if
it finds that approval is consistent with safety and soundness. To be
deemed complete, the application must include:
(i) If applicable, certification that the savings association is an
``eligible savings association'';
(ii) A demonstration that the savings association meets the
requirements of paragraphs (d)(2)(i)(A), (C), and (D) of this section;
(iii) A copy of a written resolution by a majority of the savings
association's board of directors approving the use of the limits
provided in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) of this section, and confirming the
terms and conditions for use of this lending authority; and
(iv) A description of how the board will exercise its continuing
responsibility to oversee the use of this lending authority.
(2) Expedited review. An application by an eligible savings
association is deemed approved as of the 30th day after the application
is received by the OCC, unless before that date the OCC informs the
savings association it must obtain prior written approval from the OCC.
(B) State savings associations. A state savings association shall
seek approval to use the higher limit set forth under paragraph
(d)(2)(i) of this section from its appropriate Federal banking agency,
under the rules and procedures

[[Page 33386]]

established by the appropriate Federal banking agency.
* * * * *
0
70. Section 32.7(b) is amended by removing the phrase ``An eligible
bank or eligible savings association'' and inserting in its place the
phrase ``An eligible national bank or eligible savings association''.

PART 34--REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS

0
71. The authority citation for part 34 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 25b, 29, 93a, 371, 1463, 1464,
1465, 1701j-3, 1828(o), 3331 et seq., 5101 et seq., 5412(b)(2)(B)
and 15 U.S.C. 1639h.

Sec. 34.84 [Removed]

0
72. Section 34.84 is removed.

PART 100--RULES APPLICABLE TO SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS

0
73. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 5412(b)(2)(B), 5414(b)(2).

Sec. 100.1 [Amended]

0
74. Section 100.1 is amended by removing the phrase ``The regulations
set forth in parts 100 through 197 of this chapter'' and adding in its
place the phrase ``The regulations set forth in parts 1 through 197 of
this chapter, as applicable, with respect to savings associations''.

Sec. 100.2 [Amended]

0
75. Section 100.2 is amended by removing the phrase ``any provision of
parts 100 through 197'' and adding in its place the phrase ``any
provision of parts 1 through 197 of this chapter, as applicable, with
respect to Federal savings associations''.

PART 116--[REMOVED]

0
76. Part 116 is removed.

PART 143--FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS--GRANDFATHERED AUTHORITY

0
77. The authority citation for part 143 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2901 et seq.,
5412(b)(2)(B).

0
78. The heading of part 143 is revised as set forth above.

143.1 through 143.11 and 143.14 [Removed]

0
79. Sections 143.1 through 143.11 and 143.14 are removed.

PART 144--FEDERAL MUTUAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS-- COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN MEMBERS

0
80. The authority citation for part 144 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2901 et seq.,
5412(b)(2)(B).

0
81. The heading of part 144 is revised to read as set forth above.

Sec. Sec. 144.1 through 144.7 [Removed]

0
82. Sections 144.1 through 144.7 are removed.

PART 145--FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS--OPERATIONS

0
83. The authority citation for part 145 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1828. 5412(b)(2)(B).

Sec. 145.91 and Sec. Sec. 145.93 through 145.96 [Removed]

0
84. Sections 145.91 and 145.93 through 145.96 are removed.

Sec. 145.92 [Amended]

0
85. Section 145.92(b) is amended by removing the phrase ``at Sec. Sec.
145.93 and 145.95 of this chapter'' and adding in its place the phrase
``at Sec. 5.31 of this chapter''.

PART 146--[REMOVED]

0
86. Part 146 is removed.

PART 150--FIDUCIARY POWERS OF FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS

0
87. The authority citation for part 150 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 5412(b)(2)(B).

0
88. Section 150.70 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 150.70 Must I obtain OCC approval or file a notice before I
exercise fiduciary powers?

Except for fiduciary activities subject solely to subpart E, you
should refer to 12 CFR 5.26 to determine if you must obtain OCC
approval or file a notice with the OCC before you exercise fiduciary
powers. A Federal savings association may not exercise fiduciary powers
unless it obtains prior approval from the OCC to the extent required
under 12 CFR 5.26.

Sec. Sec. 150.80 through 150.125 [Removed]

0
89. Sections 150.80 through 150.125 are removed.

Sec. 150.130 [Amended]

0
90. Paragraph (a) of Sec. 150.130 is amended by removing the phrase
``in subpart A of this part'' and adding in its place the phrase ``in
Sec. 5.26 of this chapter''.

PART 152--[REMOVED]

0
91. Part 152 is removed.

PART 159--[REMOVED]

0
92. Part 159 is removed.

PART 160--LENDING AND INVESTMENT

0
93. The authority citation for part 160 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1701j-3, 1828,
3803, 3806, 5412(b)(2)(B); 42 U.S.C. 4106.

Sec. 160.30 [Amended]

0
94. Footnote 16 to Sec. 160.30 is amended by removing the phrase
``part 159 of this chapter'' and adding in its place ``Sec. 5.59 of
this chapter''.
0
95. Section 160.32 is amended by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (b); and
0
b. Removing paragraph (c).
The revision reads as follows:

Sec. 160.32 Pass-through investments.

* * * * *
(b) Your pass-through investments are subject to the requirements
and filing procedures of 12 CFR 5.36.
0
96. Section 160.35(d)(3) is amended by revising the second sentence to
read as follows:

Sec. 160.35 Adjustments to home loans.

* * * * *
(d) * * *
(3) * * * If the OCC provides such notice to the Federal savings
association, the Federal savings association may not use that index
unless it applies for and receives the OCC's prior written approval.

Sec. 160.37 [Removed]

0
97. Section 160.37 is removed.

PART 161--DEFINITIONS FOR REGULATIONS AFFECTING ALL SAVINGS
ASSOCIATIONS

0
98. The authority citation for part 161 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 5412(b)(2)(B).

Sec. 161.45 [Amended]

0
99. Section 161.45 is amended by removing the phrase ``under part 159
of this chapter'' and adding in its place ``under Sec. 5.59 of this
chapter''.

PART 162--REGULATORY REPORTING STANDARDS

0
100. The authority citation for part 162 continues to read as follows:

[[Page 33387]]

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1463, 5412(b)(2)(B).

Sec. 162.4 [Amended]

0
101. Section 162.4(b) is amended by removing the phrase ``, as defined
at Sec. 116.5(c) of this chapter'' and adding in its place the phrase
``under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System''.

PART 163--SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS--OPERATIONS

0
102. The authority citation for part 163 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1817, 1820, 1828,
1831o, 3806, 5101 et seq., 5412(b)(2)(B); 31 U.S.C. 5318; 42 U.S.C.
4106.

Sec. 163.1 [Removed]

0
103. Section 163.1 is removed.

Sec. 163.22 [Removed]

0
104. Section 163.22 is removed.

Sec. 163.81 [Removed]

0
105. Section 163.81 is removed.

Part 163, Subpart E [Removed]

0
106. Subpart E of part 163 is removed.

Part 163, Subpart H [Removed]

0
107. Subpart H of part 163, consisting of Sec. Sec. 163.550 through
163.590, is removed.

PART 174--[REMOVED]

0
108. Part 174 is removed.

PART 192--CONVERSIONS FROM MUTUAL TO STOCK FORM

0
109. The authority citation for part 192 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 2901,
5412(b)(2)(B); 15 U.S.C. 78c, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78w.

0
110. Section 192.25 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the definition of Acting in concert; and
0
b. Amending the definition of Control by removing the phrase ``in part
174 of this chapter'' and adding in its place the phrase ``in Sec.
5.50 of this chapter''.
The revision reads as follows:

Sec. 192.25 What definitions apply to this part?

* * * * *
Acting in concert has the same meaning as in Sec. 5.50(d)(2) of
this chapter. The rebuttable presumptions of Sec. 5.50(f)(2) of this
chapter, other than Sec. 5.50(f)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) of this chapter,
apply to the share purchase limitations at Sec. Sec. 192.355 through
192.395.
* * * * *

Sec. 192.180 [Amended]

0
111. Section Sec. 192.180 is amended in paragraph (a) by removing the
phrase ``in subpart B of part 116 of this chapter'' and adding in its
place ``in Sec. 5.8 of this chapter''.

Sec. 192.185 [Amended]

0
112. Section 192.185 is amended by removing the phrase ``in subpart C
of part 116 of this chapter'' and adding in its place ``in Sec. 5.10
of this chapter''.

Sec. 192.430 [Amended]

0
113. Section 192.430 is amended in paragraphs (a) and (c) by:
0
a. Removing the phrase ``part 152 of this chapter'' and adding in its
place ``Sec. 5.22 of this chapter''; and
0
b. Removing the sentence ``See 12 CFR 152.4(b)(8).'' and adding in its
place ``See Sec. 5.22(g)(7).''.

Sec. 192.510 [Amended]

0
114. Paragraph (c)(1) of Sec. 192.510, is amended by removing the
phrase ``at part 163, subpart E of this chapter'' and adding in its
place ``at Sec. 5.55 of this chapter''.

Sec. 192.520 [Amended]

0
115. Paragraph (c) of Sec. 192.520, is amended by removing the phrase
``under part 163, subpart E of this chapter'' and adding in its place
``under Sec. 5.55 of this chapter''.

Sec. 192.525 [Amended]

0
116. Section 192.525 is amended by:
0
a. In paragraph (b), removing the phrase ``under Sec. Sec. 174.4(a)
and (b) of this chapter'' and adding in its place ``under Sec. 5.50 of
this chapter''; and
0
b. In paragraph (c)(5), removing the phrase ``under part 174 of this
chapter'' and adding in its place ``under Sec. 5.50 of this chapter''.

Sec. 192.660 [Amended]

0
117. Paragraph (g)(2) of Sec. 192.660 is amended by removing the
phrase ``under part 174 of this chapter'' and adding in its place
``under Sec. 5.50 of this chapter''.

PART 193--ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS

0
118. The authority citation for part 193 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 5412(b)(2)(B); 15 U.S.C.
78c(b), 78m, 78n, 78w.

Sec. 193.101 [Amended]

0
119. In paragraph (c) of Sec. 193.101, remove the phrase ``and Sec.
163.81 of this chapter'' and add in its place the phrase ``and Sec.
5.56 of this chapter''.

Dated: May 13, 2014.
Thomas J. Curry,
Comptroller of the Currency.
[FR Doc. 2014-11473 Filed 6-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-01-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.