Filing Requirements and Processing Procedures for Changes in Control With Respect to State Nonmember Banks and State Savings Associations, 65889-65903 [2015-27289]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations beginning with the 2015–16 crop year; (3) handlers are aware of this action which was unanimously recommended by the committee at a public meeting and is similar to other assessment rate actions issued in past years; and (4) this interim rule provides a 60-day comment period, and all comments timely received will be considered prior to finalization of this rule. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 987 Dates, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 987 is amended as follows: PART 987—DATES PRODUCED OR PACKED IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 987 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674. 2. Section 987.339 is revised to read as follows: ■ § 987.339 Assessment rate. On and after October 1, 2015, an assessment rate of $0.10 per hundredweight is established for Riverside County, California dates. Dated: October 22, 2015. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015–27340 Filed 10–27–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 12 CFR Parts 303 and 391 RIN 3064–AE24 Filing Requirements and Processing Procedures for Changes in Control With Respect to State Nonmember Banks and State Savings Associations Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: On November 25, 2014, the FDIC published a notice of proposed rulemaking (proposed rule or NPR) to amend its filing requirements and processing procedures for notices filed under the Change in Bank Control Act (Notices). The comment period closed January 26, 2015, and no comments were received. The FDIC is now adopting that proposed rule as final with one change (final rule). The final Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:19 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 rule accomplishes several objectives. First, the final rule consolidates into one subpart the current requirements and procedures for Notices filed with respect to State nonmember banks and certain parent companies thereof, and the requirements and procedures for Notices filed with respect to State savings associations and certain parent companies thereof. Second, the final rule rescinds the FDIC’s separate regulation governing the requirements and procedures for Notices filed with respect to State savings associations and certain parent companies thereof and rescinds any guidance issued by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) relating to changes in control of State savings associations that is inconsistent with the final rule. Third, the final rule adopts the best practices of the related regulations of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board of Governors). Finally, the final rule clarifies the FDIC’s requirements and procedures based on its experience interpreting and implementing the existing regulation. This final rule is also part of the FDIC’s continuing review of its regulations under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996. DATES: The final rule is effective January 1, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Johnson Taylor, Supervisory Counsel, AJohnsonTaylor@fdic.gov; Gregory S. Feder, Counsel, GFeder@fdic.gov; Rachel J. Ackmann, Counsel, RAckmann@fdic.gov; Robert C. Fick, Senior Counsel, RFick@fdic.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDI Act) at section 7(j) (the Change in Bank Control Act) generally provides that no person may acquire control of an insured depository institution unless the person has provided the appropriate Federal banking agency prior written notice of the transaction and the banking agency has not objected to the proposed transaction.1 Subpart E of Part 303 of the FDIC’s rules and regulations 2 (Subpart E of Part 303) implements section 7(j) of the FDI Act and sets forth the filing requirements and processing procedures for Notices filed with respect to the proposed acquisition of State nonmember banks and certain parent companies thereof.3 1 12 U.S.C. 1817(j). CFR 303.80 et seq. 3 Certain industrial loan companies, trust companies, and credit card banks that are State 2 12 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65889 The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. 5301, et seq. (Dodd-Frank Act), among other things, provided for a substantial reorganization of the regulation of State and Federal savings associations and their holding companies. On July 21, 2011, (the ‘‘transfer date’’ established by section 311 of the Dodd-Frank Act), the powers, duties, and functions formerly assigned to, or performed by, the OTS were transferred to (i) the FDIC, as to State savings associations; 4 (ii) the OCC, as to Federal savings associations; and (iii) the Board of Governors, as to savings and loan holding companies.5 Section 316(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides the manner of treatment for all orders, resolutions, determinations, regulations, and advisory materials that had been issued, made, prescribed, or allowed to become effective by the OTS.6 The section provides that if such materials were in effect on the day before the transfer date, they continue to be in effect and are enforceable by or against the appropriate successor agency until they are modified, terminated, set aside, or superseded in accordance with applicable law by such successor agency, by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. Section 316(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act, further directed the FDIC and the OCC to consult with one another and to publish a list of the continued OTS regulations which would be enforced by each agency.7 On June 14, 2011, the Board of Directors of the FDIC (the Board) approved a ‘‘List of OTS Regulations to be Enforced by the OCC and the FDIC pursuant to the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act’’. This list was published by the FDIC and the OCC as a Joint Notice in the Federal Register on July 6, 2011.8 Although section 312(b)(2)(B)(i)(II) of the Dodd-Frank Act granted the OCC rulemaking authority relating to savings associations, nothing in the Dodd-Frank Act affected the FDIC’s existing authority to issue regulations under the FDI Act and other laws as the nonmember banks under the FDI Act are not ‘‘banks’’ under the Bank Holding Company Act (‘‘BHC Act’’). 12 U.S.C. 1841(c)(2). Therefore, a company that seeks to control such an institution would not necessarily have to be a bank holding company under the BHC Act and would not have to be subject to supervision by the Board of Governors. However, such a company would have to file a Notice with, and obtain the approval of, the FDIC prior to acquiring such an institution. 4 As of June 2015, there are approximately 50 State savings associations insured by the FDIC. 5 12 U.S.C. 5411. 6 12 U.S.C. 5414(b). 7 12 U.S.C. 5414(c). 8 76 FR 39246 (July 6, 2011). E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 65890 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations ‘‘appropriate Federal banking agency’’ or under similar statutory terminology.9 Section 312(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act amended section 3(q) of the FDI Act and designated the FDIC as the ‘‘appropriate Federal banking agency’’ for State savings associations.10 As a result, when the FDIC acts as the designated ‘‘appropriate Federal banking agency’’ (or under similar terminology) for State savings associations, as it has in the final rule, the FDIC is authorized to issue, modify, and rescind regulations involving such associations.11 As noted above, on June 14, 2011, operating pursuant to this authority, the Board reissued and redesignated certain regulations transferred from the former OTS. These regulations were adopted and issued as new FDIC regulations at Parts 390 and 391 of Title 12. When it republished these regulations as new FDIC regulations, the FDIC specifically noted that staff would evaluate the transferred regulations and might later recommend amending them, rescinding them, or incorporating the transferred regulations into other FDIC rules as appropriate. Certain of the regulations transferred to the FDIC govern acquisitions of State savings associations under the Change in Bank Control Act (transferred CBCA regulation).12 The FDIC is incorporating portions of those regulations into the FDIC’s Subpart E of Part 303 and rescinding the transferred CBCA regulation. In addition to consolidating and conforming the change in control regulations for both State nonmember banks and State savings associations, the final rule increases the consistency of Subpart E of Part 303 with the OCC’s and the Board of Governors’ related regulations by incorporating certain best practices of those regulations into Subpart E of Part 303.13 Also, the FDIC is generally updating Subpart E of Part 303 to provide greater transparency to its change in control regulation based on its experience interpreting and implementing the Change in Bank Control Act. II. Proposed Rule On November 25, 2014, the FDIC published the NPR, which proposed amending the FDIC’s filing requirements and processing procedures for Notices.14 The FDIC did not receive any Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES 9 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(B)(i)(II). 10 12 U.S.C. 1813(q). 11 12 U.S.C. 1819(a)(Tenth). 12 12 CFR part 391, subpart E, entitled Acquisitions of Control of State Savings Associations. 13 12 CFR 5.50 et seq. (OCC) and 12 CFR 225.41– .43 (Board of Governors). 14 79 FR 70121 (Nov. 25, 2014). VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 comments on the proposed rule and is now adopting the proposed rule as final with only one modification. III. Final Rule a. Section 303.80 Scope The scope of the final rule makes it clear that Subpart E of Part 303 applies to acquisitions of control of State nonmember banks, State savings associations, and certain companies that control one or more State nonmember banks and/or State savings associations (parent companies). The FDIC believes that expanding the scope of Subpart E of Part 303 to include State savings associations and certain parent companies 15 and rescinding the transferred CBCA regulation both streamlines its rules and procedures and increases regulatory consistency for all FDIC-supervised institutions. To that end, the final rule defines the term ‘‘covered institution’’ to include an insured State nonmember bank, an insured State savings association, and certain companies that control, directly or indirectly, an insured State nonmember bank or an insured State savings association. In addition, the final rule amends the scope of Subpart E of Part 303 to indicate that the subpart implements the Change in Bank Control Act 16 and to clarify that the subpart includes the procedures for filing and processing a Notice. The revised scope section also sets forth the circumstances that require the filing of a Notice. b. Section 303.81 Definitions 1. Acting in Concert The final rule defines ‘‘acting in concert’’ as ‘‘knowing participation in a joint activity or parallel action towards a common goal of acquiring control of a covered institution whether or not pursuant to an agreement.’’ This definition is not substantively different from the definition of ‘‘acting in concert’’ in the existing Subpart E of Part 303.17 The only modification is updated terminology. Specifically, the modification replaces the term ‘‘insured state nonmember bank or a parent company’’ with ‘‘covered institution’’ to reflect that the FDIC is also the appropriate Federal banking agency for State savings associations. The FDIC 15 A company that is not a bank holding company nor a savings and loan holding company and that seeks to acquire a State savings association that operates solely in a fiduciary capacity would not be subject to supervision by the Board of Governors. Such a company would have to file a Notice with, and obtain the approval of, the FDIC. 16 The final rule uses language adopted from the transferred CBCA regulation. 17 See 12 CFR 303.81(b). PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 does not believe any further modifications are necessary. The FDIC has not adopted the comparable definition from the transferred CBCA regulation because the definition in the existing Subpart E of Part 303 is broad enough to include the specific circumstances described in the transferred CBCA regulation and is clear and easy to understand.18 The FDIC notes that a group of persons acting in concert becomes a different group of persons acting in concert when a member of the group leaves or a new member joins. For example, if certain members of a family have previously filed a Notice with, and received a non-objection from, the FDIC as a group acting in concert, each member of the group must file a new Notice and obtain the FDIC’s nonobjection when a member of the group ceases participation in the group, and the group continues to hold sufficient shares to constitute ‘‘control.’’ The FDIC also notes that if a person who is a member of a group acting in concert proposes to acquire voting securities that result in that person holding 25 percent or more of the voting securities in his/her/its own right, then the person must file a Notice with the FDIC because that person individually will have acquired control as defined by the Change in Bank Control Act. Such a person must file a Notice even if that person had already filed and been approved as a member of the group acting in concert. The FDIC further notes that it will look closely at transactions where a lead investor has a material role in organizing a bank’s capital offering. The presence of a lead investor(s) who solicits persons with whom the lead investor has a pattern of co-investing suggests that the solicited investors, together with the lead investor, may constitute a group acting in concert. The FDIC will analyze the facts and circumstances of each case to determine whether such persons constitute a group acting in concert. 2. Company As discussed in section III.c.3 below, the final rule adds certain rebuttable presumptions of acting in concert, including presumptions relating to companies. The final rule defines the term ‘‘company’’ by reference to section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.) (BHC Act) and includes a catch-all for any person that is not an individual or group of individuals acting in 18 See 12 CFR 391.41 for the definition of acting in concert in the transferred CBCA regulation. E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations concert, for example, a limited liability company. 3. Control The final rule defines ‘‘control’’ as ‘‘the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of a covered institution or to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of a covered institution.’’ This definition is not substantively different from the definition of ‘‘control’’ in the existing Subpart E of Part 303.19 The only modification is updated terminology, i.e., replacing ‘‘voting shares’’ with ‘‘voting securities’’ and replacing ‘‘insured state nonmember bank or a parent company’’ with ‘‘covered institution’’ to reflect that the FDIC is also the appropriate Federal banking agency for State savings associations and certain parent companies thereof. The final rule does not adopt the enumerated conditions in the definition of control from the transferred CBCA regulation because the definition of ‘‘control’’ in the final rule is broad enough to include such conditions and enumerating some of the conditions that are probative of control could be read to exclude others.20 Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES 4. Convertible Securities As discussed in section III.c.4, the final rule includes a presumption relating to convertible securities. The final rule defines ‘‘convertible securities’’ as debt or equity interests that may be converted into voting securities. The definition is not in the existing Subpart E of Part 303 or the transferred CBCA regulation, but convertible securities are not uncommon in the industry, and the FDIC’s regulations will now reflect this fact.21 5. Covered Institution The final rule defines the term ‘‘covered institution’’ as ‘‘an insured State nonmember bank, an insured State savings association, and any company that controls, directly or indirectly, an insured State nonmember bank or an insured State savings association other than a holding company that is the subject of an exemption described in either section 303.84(a)(3) or (a)(8).’’ Therefore, the final rule could apply to an individual’s acquisition of voting securities of a bank holding company or savings and loan holding company, provided the transaction is not otherwise exempted under 303.84(a)(3) or (a)(8). Subsections (a)(3) and (a)(8) 19 See 12 CFR 303.81(c). 12 CFR 391.43(a)(1). 21 See 12 CFR 225.31(d)(1). 20 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 exempt transactions that are subject to Section 3 of the BHC Act and transactions for which the Board of Governors reviews a Notice. The 303.84(a)(3) and (a)(8) exemptions are discussed in section III.e.3 and 8. The Board of Governors is not the primary regulator of all companies that control State nonmember banks since some State nonmember banks are not ‘‘banks’’ under the BHC Act.22 Also, the Board of Governors is not the primary regulator of all companies that control State savings associations. Under the Home Owners’ Loan Act,23 ‘‘a company that controls a savings association that functions solely in a trust or fiduciary capacity as described in section 2(c)(2)(D) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956’’ is not a savings and loan holding company.24 As a result, a company that is not otherwise a bank holding company or a savings and loan holding company and that seeks to acquire control of either a State nonmember bank that is not a ‘‘bank’’ under the BHC Act or a State savings association that functions solely in a trust or fiduciary capacity is subject to the final rule and is not be eligible for the exceptions from Notice in 303.84(a)(3) and (a)(8). 6. Immediate Family As discussed in section III.c.3 below, the final rule adds certain rebuttable presumptions of acting in concert, including a presumption relating to a person’s immediate family. The final rule defines ‘‘immediate family’’ as ‘‘a person’s parents, mother-in-law, fatherin-law, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, brothers-in-law, sisters-inlaw, grandparents, and grandchildren, whether biological, adoptive, adjudicated, contractual, or de facto; the spouse of any of the foregoing; and the person’s spouse.’’ This definition is similar to the definitions of ‘‘immediate family’’ in the OCC’s and the Board of Governors’ related regulations.25 The FDIC’s final rule interprets the term ‘‘spouse’’ to include any formalized domestic relationship, for example, through civil union or marriage. The final rule does not adopt the definition of ‘‘immediate family’’ in the transferred CBCA regulation because that definition does not include an acquirer’s grandparents or step-relatives.26 The FDIC believes that these relations typically have a natural tendency to 22 12 U.S.C. 1841(c)(2). U.S.C. 1467a. 24 12 U.S.C. 1467a(a)(1)(D)(ii)(II). 25 See 12 CFR 5.50(d)(4) (OCC) and 12 CFR 225.41(b)(3) (Board of Governors). 26 See 12 CFR 391.41. 23 12 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65891 engage in joint or parallel action to preserve or enhance the value of the family’s investment(s). The FDIC would interpret the term ‘‘sibling’’ as one of two or more individuals having at least one common parent. 7. Person The final rule defines ‘‘person’’ as ‘‘an individual, corporation, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization, voting trust, or any other form of entity; and includes each party to a voting agreement and any group of persons acting in concert.’’ The final rule does not adopt the definition of ‘‘person’’ in the transferred CBCA regulation and instead includes an amended version of the definition from the existing Subpart E of Part 303 because the definition from the existing Subpart E of Part 303 more closely tracks the definition of person in the Change in Bank Control Act.27 The final rule amends the definition from the existing Subpart E of Part 303 to explicitly include limited liability companies as persons. The FDIC believes that limited liability companies are more common in the industry than when the statute was enacted in 1978 and therefore merit express recognition as ‘‘persons’’. The final rule also makes a number of technical edits. For example, to be grammatically correct, the final rule moves ‘‘voting trust’’ to the enumerated list of entities. 8. Management Official As discussed in section III.c.3 below, the final rule includes a new presumption of acting in concert relating to a company and its controlling shareholder or management official. The final rule defines management official as ‘‘any officer, LLC manager, director, partner, or trustee of an entity, or other person with similar functions and powers with respect to a covered institution.’’ This definition is substantively identical to the definition previously adopted by the Board of Governors; 28 the only modification, beyond updated terminology, is the inclusion of the term ‘‘LLC manager’’ to recognize the prevalence of limited liability companies in the industry.29 27 Compare 12 CFR 391.41 and 12 CFR 303.81(e) with 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(8)(A). 28 See 12 CFR 225.2(i). 29 The updated terminology replaces ‘‘a bank or other company’’ with the term ‘‘entity’’ and replaces the term ‘‘employee’’ with the term ‘‘person’’. The OCC recently adopted a definition of E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM Continued 28OCR1 65892 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Generally, the final rule treats members of an LLC who are not managers similar to shareholders in a corporation. The final rule does not adopt the definition of ‘‘management official’’ from the transferred CBCA regulation because the final rule’s definition is a more accurate description of the persons intended to be covered by the presumption. Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES 9. Voting Securities Unlike the existing Subpart E of Part 303, the final rule includes a definition of ‘‘voting securities’’. Including a definition of ‘‘voting securities’’ makes the final rule more consistent with the OCC’s and the Board of Governors’ related regulations. The final rule defines ‘‘voting securities’’ as shares of common or preferred stock, general or limited partnership shares or interests, membership interests, or similar interests if the shares or interests, by statute, charter, or in any manner, entitle the holder: (i) To vote for, or to select, directors, trustees, managers of an LLC, partners, or other persons exercising similar functions of the issuing entity; or (ii) to vote on, or to direct, the conduct of the operations or significant policies of the issuing entity. The final rule further states that shares of common or preferred stock, limited partnership shares or interests, membership interests, or similar interests are not ‘‘voting securities’’ if: (i) Any voting rights associated with the shares or interests are limited solely to the type customarily provided by State statute with regard to matters that would significantly and adversely affect the rights or preference of the security or other interest, such as the issuance of additional amounts or classes of senior securities, the modification of the terms of the security or interest, the dissolution of the issuing entity, or the payment of dividends by the issuing entity when preferred dividends are in arrears; (ii) the shares or interests represent an essentially passive investment or financing device and do not otherwise provide the holder with control over the issuing entity; and (iii) the shares or interests do not entitle the holder, by statute, charter, or in any manner, to select, or to vote for the selection of, directors, trustees, managers of an LLC, partners, or persons exercising similar functions of the issuing entity. The definition of ‘‘voting securities’’ also states that voting securities issued by a single issuer are deemed to be the same class ‘‘management official’’, although the OCC’s definition of the term is not substantially identical to the Board of Governors’ definition. 80 FR 28346 (May 18, 2015). VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 of voting securities, regardless of differences in dividend rights or liquidation preference, if the securities are voted together as a single class on all matters for which the securities have voting rights, other than rights that affect solely the rights or preferences of the securities. The definition derives from the Board of Governors’ definition of ‘‘voting securities’’ with a few minor modifications.30 For example, unlike the Board of Governors’ definition, the definition adopted by the FDIC explicitly references LLCs and managers thereof. Additionally, the definition provides for the existence of nonvoting common stock in addition to nonvoting preferred stock. Similar to the Board of Governors’ definition, the final rule excludes nonvoting preferred stock that includes the right to elect or appoint directors upon failure of the covered institution to pay preferred dividends from the definition of voting securities until such time as the right to vote or appoint directors arises. Once the right to vote for or appoint directors arises, such non-voting preferred stock would become voting securities. Again, the final rule does not adopt the definition of ‘‘voting securities’’ from the transferred CBCA regulation because the definition in the final rule is a more accurate definition of the securities that could trigger application of the Change in Bank Control Act. 10. Other Definitions The final rule does not define ‘‘acquisition’’ as does existing Subpart E of Part 303. The final rule also does not adopt several other definitions in the transferred CBCA regulation. For example, the terms ‘‘State savings association’’ and ‘‘affiliate’’ are also not defined in the final rule as those terms are defined in the FDI Act. The FDIC is not adopting these definitions because they were determined to be unnecessary or are statutorily defined in the FDI Act. c. Section 303.82 Transactions That Require Prior Notice 1. Section 303.82(a) Prior Notice Requirement The proposed rule asked whether the FDIC should continue to exempt all future acquisitions of voting securities of an institution once a person has acquired control in compliance with the procedures from the Change in Bank Control Act. Such a change would make the final rule more consistent with the OCC and the Board of Governors who reserve the right to limit a person’s 30 See PO 00000 12 CFR 225.2(q)(1). Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 future acquisition of voting securities. As noted above, the FDIC received no comments on this question or any other aspect of the proposed rule and has decided to limit the scope of that exemption in the final rule consistent with the regulations of the OCC and the Board of Governors.31 Specifically, the final rule requires persons previously approved to acquire control to file a second prior Notice in certain circumstances. Similar to the proposed rule, the final rule requires any person, whether acting directly or indirectly, alone or in concert with others, to give the FDIC prior written notice before the acquisition of control of a covered institution, unless the acquisition is exempt.32 However, the final rule provides that unless waived by the FDIC, a person who has been approved to acquire control of a covered institution and who has maintained that control must file a second Notice before any acquisition that would increase a person’s ownership, control, or power to vote from less than 25 percent to 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the covered institution. The FDIC may waive this requirement if it is in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of the CBCA and the FDI Act. 2. Section 303.82(b)(1) Rebuttable Presumption of Control The final rule includes a rebuttable presumption of control that generally applies whenever a person’s acquisition would result in that person owning or controlling 10 percent or more of a class of voting securities of a covered institution, and either (1) the institution has issued any class of securities subject to the registration requirements of section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or (2) immediately after the transaction, no other person will own a greater proportion of that class of voting securities. The final rule removes from existing Subpart E of Part 303 the provision that if two or more persons, not acting in concert, each propose to acquire simultaneously equal percentages of 10 percent or more of a class of voting securities of a covered institution, each such person shall file a prior Notice with the FDIC. The final rule clarifies the FDIC’s policy by removing the implication that the 31 12 CFR 5.50(c)((2)(ii) and 12 CFR 225.42(a)(2). 12 CFR 303.82(a) and 12 CFR 391.42(b). The FDIC notes that section 391.42(b) of the transferred CBCA regulation includes two specific exceptions (one for certain persons affiliated with a savings and loan holding company and one for mergers with interim companies) that are not explicitly stated in this section of the final rule. These exceptions are statutory and included in the rule in section 303.84. 32 See E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations largest shareholders only have to file a Notice if they simultaneously acquire the voting securities. By removing that provision, the final rule makes it clear that if two or more shareholders each propose to acquire an equal percentage of any class of voting securities where that percentage is 10 percent or more and where no other shareholder will own or control a greater percentage of that class of voting securities, then each such acquirer must file a Notice. The timing of each shareholder’s acquisition is irrelevant. The transferred CBCA regulation also includes a rebuttable presumption of control, but the presumption is triggered only if there exists one of the enumerated control factors.33 The enumerated control factors include factors such as that the acquirer would be one of the two largest holders of any class of voting stock; the acquirer would hold 25 percent or more of the total stockholders’ equity; the acquirer would hold more than 35 percent of the combined debt securities and stockholders’ equity; or the acquirer and/or the acquirer’s representatives or nominees would constitute more than one member of the institution’s board of directors.34 The final rule does not include any control factors as additional elements to the rebuttable presumption of control. The FDIC notes that the enumerated control factors represent only some of the circumstantial factors that the FDIC analyzes when determining whether a person will acquire the ability to direct the management or policies of a covered institution. The FDIC believes that the determination of whether a person will acquire the power to direct the management or policies of an institution is dependent on the facts and circumstances of the case and that it is impractical and potentially misleading to attempt to list all such factors. It is also noted that the Board of Governors has issued a policy statement entitled Policy Statement on Equity Investments in Banks and Bank Holding Companies regarding the interpretation of the BHC Act.35 The policy statement generally provided certain guidance regarding the amount of total equity a person can control without the Board of Governors determining that the person has the ability to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a banking organization. A person who acquires total equity in excess of the amount proscribed in that 33 12 CFR 391.43(b). CFR 391.43(c). 35 See https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/ press/bcreg/20080922c.htm. 34 12 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 guidance would likely have to file an application under the BHC Act. The FDIC has found the logic of the policy statement useful in analyzing fact patterns under the Change in Bank Control Act, but has not adopted that policy statement pending further consideration. The proposed rule asked to what extent and under what circumstances would the control of one-third or more of a covered institution’s total equity give such a person the power to direct the management or policies of a covered institution. As noted above, no comments were received on the proposed rule. Pending further consideration, the FDIC has determined not to adopt a presumption that the power to control a covered institution for purposes of the Change in Bank Control Act exists at one-third of an institution’s total equity. Instead, the FDIC will continue to review such issues based on the facts and circumstances of each case. The existing Subpart E of Part 303 states that ownership interests other than those set forth in the rebuttable presumption of control and that represent less than 25 percent of a class of an institution’s voting shares do not constitute control for purposes of the Change in Bank Control Act.36 The final rule does not include this provision because the provision has been a source of confusion regarding the meaning of the term ‘‘control’’. The FDIC has occasionally addressed questions regarding this provision and now seeks to clarify in the final rule that the definition of ‘‘control’’ includes two standards: One based on the amount of voting securities controlled by a person and the other based on a facts-andcircumstances analysis of whether a person has the power to direct the management or policies of a covered institution. The FDIC notes that the change does not expand the thresholds in the rebuttable presumption of control, but only removes the potential ambiguity regarding whether the facts and circumstances alone could support a conclusion that a person will control the institution. Such a facts-andcircumstances analysis is consistent with both the statutory definition of ‘‘control’’ in the Change in Bank Control Act and the FDIC’s long-standing practices. 3. Section 303.82(b)(2) Rebuttable Presumptions of Acting in Concert The final rule includes new rebuttable presumptions of acting in concert. The acting in concert presumptions included 36 12 PO 00000 CFR 303.82(d). Frm 00013 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65893 in the final rule are generally derived from the rebuttable presumptions of acting in concert in the Board of Governors’ regulations.37 The OCC recently adopted presumptions consistent with the Board of Governors’ presumptions of acting in concert.38 The final rule includes an acting in concert presumption with respect to a company and any controlling shareholder or management official of that company. If both the company and controlling shareholder or management official will own or control voting securities of a covered institution, then the FDIC will presume that the company and the controlling shareholder or management official are acting in concert. Second, the final rule includes an acting in concert presumption between an individual and one or more members of the individual’s immediate family. If two or more members of an immediate family will own or control voting securities of a covered institution, then the FDIC will presume that those persons are acting in concert. The definition of immediate family is discussed in section III.b.5 above. The final rule also includes presumptions of acting in concert between (i) two or more companies under common control or a company and each other company it controls; (ii) persons that have made or propose to make a joint filing under sections 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; 39 and (iii) a person and any trust for which the person serves as trustee or any trust for which the person is a beneficiary. The final rule also includes a presumption that 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 covered institution, other than through revocable proxies as described in 303.84(a)(5), are presumed to be acting in concert. The FDIC has included these presumptions in the final rule because the interests of such 37 12 CFR 225.41(d). FR 28346 (May 18, 2015). 39 Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’) requires the filing of timely and accurate annual and periodic reports, and Section 14 of the Exchange Act requires the filing of proxy materials. For purposes of the reporting provisions of section 13(g), section 13(g)(3) provides that two or more persons acting ‘‘as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or disposing of securities of an issuer, such syndicate or group shall be deemed a ‘‘person’’ for the purposes of’’ section 13(g)’’. Section 14 has a similar reporting provision for such persons. 38 80 E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 65894 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES parties are so aligned that there exists a natural tendency to act together toward such a common goal. The transferred CBCA regulation includes a presumption of acting in concert for a company that provides certain financial assistance to a controlling shareholder or management official of such company to enable the purchase of a State saving association’s stock.40 The FDIC believes that such situations are included within the presumption regarding a company and any controlling shareholder or management official of that company. The transferred CBCA regulation also includes a presumption of acting in concert when one person provides credit to, or is instrumental in obtaining financing for, another person to purchase stock of a covered institution.41 The FDIC does not believe this situation, by itself, aligns persons’ interests to an extent sufficient to warrant a presumption of acting in concert. Accordingly, the final rule does not include that presumption. However, the FDIC notes that providing or facilitating the financing for another person to purchase stock would be relevant evidence of acting in concert that in combination with other facts and circumstances may result in a determination that those persons are acting in concert. 4. Section 303.82(b)(3) Convertible Securities, Options, and Warrants The final rule includes a rebuttable presumption that an acquisition of convertible securities, options, and warrants is presumed to constitute the acquisition of voting securities as if the conversion already occurred or the options or warrants were already exercised. The existing Subpart E of Part 303 does not explicitly include such a presumption; however, the transferred CBCA regulation, and the related regulations of the Board of Governors, treat such securities in a similar manner. The FDIC’s longstanding position is that the acquisition of an option or warrant constitutes the acquisition of the underlying voting securities for purposes of the Change in Bank Control Act even if they may only be exercised after a period of time. The FDIC also believes that nonvoting interests that may be converted into voting securities at the election of the holder of the convertible securities, or that convert after the passage of time, should be considered voting securities at all times for purposes of the Change in Bank Control Act. However, the FDIC recognizes that nonvoting securities that are convertible into voting securities carry less influence when the nonvoting securities may not be converted into voting securities in the hands of the investor and may only be converted after transfer by the investor: (i) In a widespread public distribution; (ii) in transfers in which no transferee (or group of associated transferees) would receive 2 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the banking organization; or (iii) to a transferee that would control more than 50 percent of the voting securities of the banking organization without any transfer from the investor. The FDIC would generally consider such convertible securities as nonvoting equity. interest in a State savings association to avoid filing a Notice if the acquirer has no intention of participating in, or seeking to exercise control over, a State savings association’s management or policies.45 To qualify for the safe harbor, the acquirer must make certain certifications to the FDIC. The final rule does not include this regulatory safe harbor. The FDIC believes that any certifications or passivity commitments executed in connection with an acquisition of voting securities must be tailored to the facts and circumstances of each situation and a fixed set of certifications would not likely capture the variety of circumstances presented in such situations. 5. Section 303.82(b)(4) Rebuttal of Presumptions The procedures for rebutting a presumption of control remain unchanged from the existing Subpart E of Part 303.42 The final rule does not include the detailed procedures for rebutting the presumptions included in the transferred CBCA regulation because the FDIC believes that the variety of the facts and circumstances often encountered dictate the more flexible process embodied in the existing Subpart E of Part 303.43 d. Section 303.83 Transactions That Require Notice, but Not Prior Notice Existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulation do not require prior Notice for the acquisition of voting securities for certain types of acquisitions. For example, both regulations permit a person acquiring voting securities through inheritance or bona fide gift to provide Notice within 90 calendar days after the acquisition. Existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulation, however, differ materially in what transactions are eligible for an after-the-fact Notice and the limitations imposed on the acquirer before receiving a nonobjection. As discussed in detail below, the final rule materially amends existing Subpart E of Part 303 by incorporating several aspects of the transferred CBCA regulation.46 6. Section 303.82(c) Acquisition of Loans in Default The final rule provides that an acquisition of a loan in default that is secured by voting securities of a covered institution is deemed to be an acquisition of the underlying voting securities. This treatment is not substantively different from the treatment of a loan in default secured by voting securities in the existing Subpart E of Part 303; 44 however, the final rule is not identical to existing Subpart E of Part 303. The FDIC has received questions about the use of the term ‘‘presumes’’ in Subpart E of Part 303 and whether the presumption is rebuttable. As the presumption is not rebuttable, the final rule clarifies this issue by stating that such acquisitions are ‘‘deemed’’ to be an acquisition of the underlying voting securities for purposes of the Change in Bank Control Act. 7. Transferred CBCA Regulation’s Safe Harbor Notwithstanding any other provisions in the transferred CBCA regulation, the ‘‘Safe Harbor’’ provision permits an acquirer of an otherwise controlling 12 CFR 303.82(e). 12 CFR 391.43(e). 44 See 12 CFR 303.82(c). CFR 391.43(d)(3)(ii). VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 2. Section 303.83(a)(2) The final rule, as does the existing Subpart E of Part 303, provides that the acquisition of voting securities in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted for in good faith that would otherwise require prior Notice requires the acquirer to provide Notice to the FDIC within 90 days after the acquisition. (Note that the acquisition of a defaulted loan secured by an amount of a covered institution’s voting securities that would result in the acquirer holding a controlling amount of 42 See 43 See 41 12 1. Section 303.83(a)(1) The final rule, like the existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulation, provides that acquisitions through bona fide gift that result in control of an institution requires the acquirer to provide Notice to the FDIC within 90 days after the acquisition. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 45 12 CFR 391.43(f). 12 CFR 303.83(b) and 12 CFR 391.42(d). 46 See Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations the institution’s voting securities requires prior Notice).47 The transferred CBCA regulation creates separate Notice requirements for such acquisitions based on whether the loan was made in the ordinary course of business for the lender; however, the FDIC does not believe that distinction warrants separate Notice procedures, and therefore, the FDIC has not adopted such separate Notice requirements. 3. Section 303.83(a)(3) The final rule, as does existing Subpart E of Part 303, permits an acquirer to provide Notice to the FDIC within 90 days after the acquisition of voting securities through an inheritance where the acquisition would result in the acquirer holding a controlling amount of the institution’s voting securities. The final rule provides a slightly longer period for filing a Notice than the transferred CBCA regulation. The transferred CBCA regulation provides a sixty-day Notice period for State savings associations.48 In the final rule, acquirers of State savings associations or parent companies of State savings associations have the same timeframe (90 days after the acquisition) as acquirers of State nonmember banks or parent companies of State nonmember banks. Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES 4. Section 303.83(b)(1) The final rule, like the existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulation, permits the filing of a Notice within 90 days after being notified of a redemption of voting securities that results in the acquisition of control of the covered institution.The final rule is substantively the same as existing Subpart E of Part 303. The difference relates to a change in regulatory language to reflect that a person might acquire control without acquiring additional voting securities when a covered institution redeems voting securities. For example, if the two largest shareholders hold 23 and 21 percent of a covered institution’s voting securities, and the covered institution redeems all of the voting securities held by the person with 23 percent, the person with 21 percent would have to file a Notice. As such, the final rule uses the term ‘‘acquisition of control’’ instead of ‘‘a percentage increase in voting securities’’. The transferred CBCA regulation provides different Notice procedures for redemptions based on whether the redemption is pro rata or is not pro rata.49 The FDIC does not believe the distinction between types of redemptions merits varying Notice procedures. Accordingly, the final rule provides that if a person acquires control of a covered institution as a result of a redemption, that person has 90 days after receiving notice of the transaction to provide Notice to the FDIC. 5. Section 303.83(b)(2) Existing Subpart E of Part 303 permits a person to provide the FDIC Notice within 90 days after receiving notice of a sale of shares by any shareholder that is not within the control of a person and which results in that person becoming the largest shareholder.50 The final rule revises this provision. Under the final rule, if a person gains control as a result of any third-party event or action that is not within the control of the person acquiring control, that person must file a Notice within 90 days of receiving notice of such action. This provision, similar to the catch-all in the transferred CBCA regulation, is intended to provide a broader exemption from prior Notice requirements than an exemption based solely on an acquisition of control arising from the sale of securities which results in the acquirer becoming the largest shareholder.51 The FDIC also interprets the catch-all to include any transfer that results from the operation of law. For example, some trustees are appointed by operation of law or in the course of a bankruptcy proceeding. Under the final rule, such a trustee must provide the FDIC with a Notice within 90 days after the trustee is appointed and acquires control of a covered institution. This provision codifies longstanding FDIC policy. The FDIC notes that if the person acquiring control causes the third-party event or action, then prior Notice is required. 6. Section 303.83(c) The final rule expressly provides that the FDIC may disapprove a Notice filed after-the-fact and that nothing in section 303.83 limits the FDIC’s authority to disapprove a Notice. Existing Subpart E of Part 303 includes this provision with respect to acquisitions of control of State nonmember banks and certain parent companies of State nonmember banks; the final rule also applies this provision to acquisitions of control of State savings associations and certain parent companies of State savings associations. 49 12 CFR 391.42(d)(1)(iii). CFR 303.83(b)(2)(ii). 51 See 12 CFR 391.42(d)(1)(iv). 47 See section 303.82(c). 48 12 CFR 391.42(d)(1)(v). VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 50 12 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65895 7. Section 303.83(d) The final rule explicitly states that the relevant information that the FDIC may require under this section may include all of the information typically required for a prior Notice. The relevant information may include, without limitation, all the information requested by the Interagency Notice of Change in Control form and the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report. This provision is not in existing Subpart E of Part 303, but is included in the final rule for transparency and to codify longstanding FDIC policy. 8. Section 303.83(e) The final rule expressly states that if the FDIC disapproves a Notice, then the notificant must divest control of the covered institution which may include, without limitation, disposing of some or all of the voting securities so that the notificant(s) is no longer in control of the covered institution. This provision is not in existing Subpart E of Part 303, but is included in the final rule for clarity and to codify long-standing FDIC policy. 9. Additional Transferred CBCA Regulation Provisions Not Included In addition to the provisions discussed above, the final rule does not include the express caveat that transactions eligible for after-the-fact Notice are only eligible for after-the-fact Notice provided that the timing of the transaction is outside the control of the notificant. The FDIC does not believe that it is necessary to state explicitly such a restraint on eligibility for an after-the-fact Notice because failure to comply with the statutory or regulatory provisions may subject the acquirer to liability. As a result, the FDIC has historically interpreted the exceptions to prior Notice as including this restraint. e. Section 303.84 Transactions That Do Not Require Notice 1. Section 303.84(a)(1) Section 303.84(a)(1) includes grandfather provisions for long-held control interests in covered institutions. Under section 303.84(a)(1)(i), Notice is not required when a person acquires additional voting securities of covered institution if the person held the power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities continuously since the later of March 9, 1979, or the date the institution commenced business. This exemption from Notice requirements is not substantively different from the exemption in the E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES 65896 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations existing Subpart E of Part 303 and only updates terminology.52 The transferred CBCA regulation has a substantively identical exemption to 303.84(a)(1)(i) in the final rule for persons that have previously held the power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities continuously since March 9, 1979; however, it does not exempt persons who held the power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities since the date the savings association commenced business.53 The final rule, however, exempts such an acquisition. As such, compared to the transferred CBCA regulation, the final rule expands the Notice exemptions for persons who held the power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities since the date the savings association commenced business. The FDIC believes this expansion makes the change in control requirements more uniform and consistent among State savings associations, State nonmember banks, and certain parent companies of either. In general, the FDIC does not believe significant reasons exist to treat acquisitions of control of State savings associations or parent companies thereof differently, in this respect, than acquisitions of control of State nonmember banks and parent companies thereof, and, by issuing this final rule, has tried to make their treatment as uniform as possible. Furthermore, because shareholders who have held over 25 percent of the voting securities since the commencement of a State savings association were likely reviewed by the FDIC when the institution acquired its charter and deposit insurance, generally, the FDIC does not believe that the same shareholders need to be reviewed a second time when they acquire additional voting securities. Under section 303.84(a)(1)(ii), Notice is not required when a person who is presumed to have controlled a covered institution continuously since March 9, 1979, acquires additional voting securities of an institution provided that the aggregate amount of voting securities held does not exceed 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities, or the FDIC has determined that the person has continuously controlled the institution since March 9, 1979.54 The final rule does not amend this exemption for State nonmember banks or certain parent companies thereof. The transferred CBCA regulation included a similar provision, 52 See 12 CFR 303.83(a)(1)(i). CFR 391.42(c)(2)(v)(A) and (B). 54 12 CFR 303.83(a)(1)(ii). 53 12 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 except with a grandfather date of December 26, 1985.55 The final rule does not include the grandfather date from the transferred CBCA regulation; rather it adopts the same grandfather provisions for State savings associations as are applicable for State nonmember banks. This treatment generally reflects the FDIC’s position that acquirers of State savings associations should be treated in a similar manner to acquirers of State nonmember banks. In addition, this treatment is consistent with the OCC’s treatment of Federal savings associations.56 2. Section 303.84(a)(2) The existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulations exempt from Notice requirements certain persons who have controlled a covered institution in compliance with the procedures of the Change in Bank Control Act or the repealed Change in Savings and Loan Control Act, or any regulations issued under either act, and who acquires additional voting securities.57 The final rule retains this exemption, with an exception for a notice that is required by a person who increases their ownership as provided in 12 CFR 303.82(a)(2). As noted above, both the OCC and the Board of Governors reserve the right to limit the future acquisitions of a person who has once been approved to acquire control. 3. Section 303.84(a)(3) Under the Change in Bank Control Act and both the existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulation, acquisitions of voting securities that are subject to approval under section 3 of the BHC Act,58 section 18(c) of the FDI Act,59 or section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act 60 are exempt from Notice requirements. These are statutory exemptions and are included in the final rule for clarity.61 4. Section 303.84(a)(4) The existing Subpart E of Part 303 exempts from Notice requirements those transactions that are exempt under the BHC Act including, foreclosures by institutional lenders, fiduciary acquisitions by banks, and increases of 55 The difference in the grandfather date is due to a difference in when the presumptions in the transferred CBCA regulation and Existing Subpart E of Part 303 became effective. The FDIC does not anticipate many persons, if any, would be affected by the March 9,1979 grandfather date for State savings associations. 56 12 CFR 5.50(c)(2). 57 12 CFR 303.83(a)(2) and 391.42(c)(2)(v). 58 12 U.S.C. 1842 et seq. 59 12 U.S.C. 1828(c). 60 12 U.S.C. 1467b. 61 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(17). PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 majority holdings by bank holding companies described in sections 2(a)(5), 3(a)(A), or 3(a)(B), respectively, of the BHC Act, 12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(5), 1842(a)(A), and 1842(a)(B).62 The final rule includes these exemptions, but does not include the text preceding the statutory references. The text, ‘‘foreclosures by institutional lenders, fiduciary acquisitions by banks, and increases of majority holdings by bank holding companies’’ is removed for clarity only; no substantive change is intended or effected. Intended as shorthand references to the subject matter of the statutory provisions, the text has generated confusion regarding its proper interpretation in that it could be interpreted as limiting the scope of those statutory references. In order to eliminate that confusion, the FDIC has deleted the text. Consequently, the final rule provides that any transaction described in sections 2(a)(5), 3(a)(A), or 3(a)(B) of the BHC Act by a person described in those provisions is exempt from Notice requirements. 5. Section 303.84(a)(5) The existing Subpart E of Part 303 exempts a customary one-time proxy solicitation from the Notice requirements.63 The final rule technically modifies this exemption by expressly limiting its applicability to only revocable proxies, which is in line with long-standing FDIC interpretation. This exemption is applicable any time revocable proxies are solicited for a single meeting of a covered institution. This exemption does not cover irrevocable proxies or revocable proxies that do not terminate within a reasonable period after the meeting. The transferred CBCA regulation does not include a similar exemption for the onetime solicitation of revocable proxies. However, the FDIC believes that this exemption is just as appropriate for state savings associations as it is for state nonmember banks, and the final rule extends this exemption to State savings associations. 6. Section 303.84(a)(6) The existing Subpart E of Part 303 also exempts from Notice requirements the receipt of voting shares through a pro rata stock dividend.64 The transferred CBCA regulation has a similar exemption, but extends the exemption to stock splits, if the 62 12 CFR 303.83(a)(4). The transferred CBCA regulation includes references to exempt transactions in 12 CFR 391.42(c)(2)(i)(A), (ii), (iii), and (iv) that are substantially similar to the exempt transactions included in the final rule. 63 12 CFR 303.83(a)(5). 64 12 CFR 303.83(a)(6). E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations proportional interests of the recipients remain substantially the same.65 This language is similar to language contained in the Board of Governors’ change in control regulation.66 The FDIC believes the effect of a stock split is substantially similar to the effect of a pro rata stock dividend and has incorporated this exemption. Thus, the final rule permits an exemption for an increase in voting securities through either a pro rata stock dividend or a stock split, provided the proportional interests of the recipients remain the same. 7. Section 303.84(a)(7) The final rule, like the existing Subpart E of Part 303, exempts the acquisition of voting securities in a foreign bank that has an insured branch in the United States. 8. Section 303.84(a)(8) Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES The existing Subpart E of Part 303 exempts from Notice requirements the acquisition of voting shares of a depository institution holding company that either the Board of Governors or the former OTS reviews under the Change in Bank Control Act.67 The purpose of this exemption is to avoid duplicate regulatory review of the same acquisition of control by both the Board of Governors and the FDIC. The final rule includes this exemption, but removes the reference to the former OTS. The final rule also continues the FDIC’s longstanding practice to recognize this exemption only when the Board of Governors actually reviews a Notice under the Change in Bank Control Act and not when the Board of Governors does not require and review a Notice. Accordingly, if the Board of Governors determines to accept passivity commitments in lieu of a Notice, the FDIC will evaluate the facts and circumstances of the case to determine whether a Notice is required to be filed with the FDIC for the indirect acquisition of control of an FDICsupervised institution. This revision to the existing Subpart E of Part 303 is consistent with the language in the transferred CBCA regulation, which states that transactions for which ‘‘a change of control notice must be submitted’’ to the Board of Governors are exempt from Notice requirements.68 This revision is also consistent with the 65 12 CFR 391.42(c)(2)(i)(C). 12 CFR 225.42(a)(6). 67 12 CFR 303.83(a)(8). This fact pattern would arise, for example, when an individual investor, rather than a company, seeks to acquire control of a bank holding company. 68 12 CFR 391.42(c)(2)(iv). 66 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 65897 purpose of the exemptions and the FDIC’s long-standing practice. to the processing procedures in the final rule. Relative to the procedural requirements in the existing Subpart E 9. Other Transferred CBCA Regulation of Part 303, the only modification is to Exemptions state explicitly that the Change in Bank The transferred CBCA regulation also Control Act permits the FDIC to extend includes an exemption for acquisitions the notice period.74 Material changes of up to twenty-five percent of a class applicable to State savings associations, of stock by a tax-qualified employee as compared to the transferred CBCA stock benefit plan as defined in 12 CFR regulation, are discussed below.75 192.25.69 The final rule does not include First, the final rule does not include this provision because such plans are the provision in the transferred CBCA treated in the same manner as any trust. regulation that failure by a State savings To the extent that a trustee does not association to respond to a written have voting rights or the power to direct request for information or documents how the votes will be cast, typically the within 30 calendar days would be FDIC would not determine that the deemed a withdrawal of the Notice or trustee has control. rebuttal filing.76 Instead, any written request for information from the FDIC f. 303.85 Filing Procedures may include a time-limit within which The filing procedures in the final rule the institution must respond before the are identical to the filing procedures in Notice or rebuttal filing would be 70 The the existing Subpart E of Part 303. considered abandoned or withdrawn. FDIC is not substantially modifying the This procedure provides more flexibility filing procedures in the existing Subpart depending on the depth and amount of E of Part 303 because these procedures information requested. are well-understood by the industry and Second, the final rule does not have historically been easy to include the limitation in the transferred implement by both the FDIC and the CBCA regulation restricting the FDIC’s industry. The final rule changes the additional information requests, after filing procedures specified in the the initial information request, to only transferred CBCA regulation such that information regarding matters derived acquirers of State savings associations and certain parent companies thereof do from the initial information request or not need to file a Notice using the OTS’s Notice, or information of a material nature that was not reasonably available Notice Form 1393.71 Under the final for the acquirer, was concealed, or rule, a specific Notice form is not pertained to developments after the time required, however, all of the of the initial information request.77 The information required by the FFIEC final rule does not include such a Interagency Notice of Change in Control restriction because the FDIC believes it form as well as the Interagency should have the flexibility to obtain all Biographical and Financial Report material information throughout the 72 The FDIC would need to be submitted. notice review period. encourages the use of the FFIEC forms. Additionally, the transferred CBCA Additionally, the final rule does not regulation includes a list of factors that specifically state that the notificant may give rise to a rebuttable presumption amend the Notice, as in the transferred that an acquirer may fail the integrity CBCA regulation, but it is current FDIC and financial condition statutory policy that notificants can amend a factors.78 For example, if during the 10Notice at their own initiative or upon year period immediately preceding the the request of the FDIC. filing of the Notice, certain judgments, g. 303.86 Processing and Disapproval consents, orders, or administrative of Notices proceedings terminated in any agreements or orders issued against the The procedural requirements in the acquirer, or affiliates of the acquirer, by final rule are substantively identical to any governmental entity, which involve: the procedural requirements in the existing Subpart E of Part 303.73 Similar (A) Fraud, moral turpitude, dishonesty, breach of trust or fiduciary duties, to the reasoning for not substantially organized crime or racketeering; (B) modifying the filing procedures in the existing Subpart E of Part 303, the FDIC violation of securities or commodities laws or regulations; (C) violation of is not making any substantive changes depository institution laws or 69 12 CFR 391.42(c)(2)(i)(E). 12 CFR 303.84. 71 12 CFR 391.45(a) and (b). 72 A notificant may choose to use an interagency form which is available at the FFIEC Web site or from an FDIC Regional Director. 73 See 12 CFR 303.85. 70 See PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 74 See 12 CFR 303.86(b)(1). 12 CFR 391.45(c) and 391.46 for relevant provisions of the transferred CBCA regulation. 76 See 12 CFR 391.45(c)(1). 77 See 12 CFR 391.45(c)(3). 78 12 CFR 391.46(g). 75 See E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 65898 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations regulations; (D) violation of housing authority laws or regulations; or (E) violation of the rules, regulations, codes of conduct or ethics of a self-regulatory trade or professional organization, there is a rebuttable presumption that the notificant cannot meet the statutory integrity factor. For the financial condition factor, for instance, if the notificant failed to furnish a business plan or furnished a business plan projecting activities which are inconsistent with economical home financing, then there is a rebuttable presumption the notificant cannot meet the financial condition statutory factor. As discussed above, the final rule does not adopt the presumption regarding disqualification factors. Nevertheless, the FDIC notes that these are the sort of facts that it considers when evaluating the financial or integrity factors. Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES h. 303.87 Public Notice Requirement The final rule does not substantively amend the public notice requirements in the existing Subpart E of Part 303.79 The final rule includes minor revisions to the public notice requirements for Notices that are not filed in accordance with the Change in Bank Control Act and this subpart within the time periods specified. The final rule harmonizes the public notice requirements for such Notices with the requirements for Notices filed in accordance with the Change in Bank Control Act and this subpart. Material changes applicable to State savings associations, as compared to the transferred CBCA regulation, are discussed below.80 First, the transferred CBCA regulation does not explicitly permit the FDIC to delay publication requirements. The final rule, like the existing Subpart E of Part 303, permits the FDIC to delay the publication required if the FDIC determines, for good cause, that it is in the public interest to grant a delay. The final rule also permits the FDIC to shorten the public comment period to a period of not less than 10 days, or waive the public comment or newspaper publication requirements, or act on a Notice before the expiration of a public comment period, if it determines that an emergency exists or that disclosure of the Notice, solicitation of public comment, or delay until expiration of the public comment period would seriously threaten the safety and soundness of the institution to be acquired. The transferred CBCA regulation permits the FDIC to waive the public notice period and submission of comments for supervisory reasons.81 The final rule includes the language from the existing Subpart E of Part 303 and not the broader language from the transferred CBCA regulation because the FDIC believes that such a waiver should be rare and granted only as specified in the existing Subpart E of Part 303. The FDIC believes that public comment is an important right and should only be waived for an emergency or serious threats to an institution’s safety and soundness. The transferred CBCA regulation provides for a 30-day comment period, but the existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the final rule include a 20-day comment period.82 The final rule includes a 20-day comment period because, in the FDIC’s experience, the 20-day comment period in the existing Subpart E of Part 303 has provided potential commenters sufficient time to comment. In addition, a 20-day comment period gives the FDIC sufficient time to review any comments during the limited statutory review period (60-days unless extended further). Finally, a 20-day comment period provides consistency among the Federal banking agencies with respect to State savings associations, State nonmember banks, national banks, and State member banks. The final rule also requires that if a Notice was not filed in accordance with the Change in Bank Control Act and this subpart within the time periods specified, the notificant must publish an announcement of the acquisition of control in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in which the home office of the FDIC-supervised institution acquired is located within 10 days after being directed to file a Notice by the FDIC. This express requirement is not included in the transferred CBCA regulation. The transferred CBCA regulation includes a provision regarding how an applicant can request that information submitted in connection with a Notice be treated as confidential.83 The final rule does not include these procedures because the FDIC has comparable disclosure and confidentiality regulations in 12 CFR part 309 that already cover such requests. Finally, the transferred CBCA regulation explicitly states that the FDIC will notify the State savings association’s State supervisor of the filing of a Notice.84 As this is a statutory requirement, the FDIC does not believe i. 303.88 Reporting of Stock Loans and Changes in Chief Executive Officers and Directors The final rule includes two longstanding statutory reporting requirements that are not included in existing Subpart E of Part 303 or the transferred CBCA regulation. The first statutory reporting requirement relates to any foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, that has credit outstanding to any person or group of persons which is secured, directly or indirectly, by 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of a covered institution.85 The second statutory reporting requirement included in the final rule relates to changes in chief executive officers and directors of a bank within 12 months of a change in control being consummated.86 The final rule does not add to, or modify, the existing statutory requirements and only includes the longstanding statutory requirements to enhance transparency for covered institutions. j. Other Transferred CBCA Regulation Provisions The final rule does not include similar language to that in 12 CFR 391.45(i)–(j), which outlines additional procedures for Notices that involve other filings to the FDIC. Notificants should review other applicable regulatory sections, such as 12 CFR 303.60 et seq. concerning merger applications or mutual-to-stock conversions, for further information on related filings. The FDIC generally prefers not to cross-reference filings that a particular transaction may require. The FDIC notes that acquisitions of voting securities subject to approval under section 18(c) of the FDI Act are exempt from Notice requirements. The transferred CBCA regulation also contains a rebuttal of control agreement.87 The final rule does not include this agreement because the FDIC believes that a rebuttal of control should be tailored to the facts and circumstances of each situation, and a standard agreement would not typically capture the various circumstances that may be present in some situations. The FDIC prefers to make any potential rebuttal of control decision only after reviewing the facts and circumstances of the particular acquisition.88 80 See 12 CFR 303.86. 12 CFR 391.45. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 81 12 85 12 82 12 79 See CFR 391.45(g). CFR 303.86(d) and 12 CFR 391.45(e). 83 12 CFR 391.45(f). 84 12 CFR 391.45(h). its inclusion in the final rule is necessary. 86 12 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 U.S.C. 1817(j)(9). U.S.C. 1817(j)(12). 87 12 CFR 391.48. 88 See also discussion at II.c.7, supra. E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations The final rule also excludes the requirement in the transferred CBCA regulation that certain acquirers of beneficial ownership exceeding 10 percent of any class of stock of a State savings association file a certification of ownership. The FDIC believes that the regulatory burden of these filings exceeds the benefits derived from them. k. Existing OTS Guidance All guidance issued by the OTS that would otherwise apply to changes in control of State savings associations and that is inconsistent with the provisions of this final rule or the FDIC’s policies or procedures is rescinded on the effective date of this final rule to the extent that such guidance would otherwise apply to changes in control of State savings associations. IV. Regulatory Analyses Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES A. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FDIC may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.89 The Interagency Notice of Change in Control form has previously been approved by the OMB under Control No. 3064–0019 for all covered institutions, including State nonmember banks and State savings associations. This final rule does not revise the Interagency Notice of Change in Control form for covered institutions; therefore, no Information Collection Request will be submitted to OMB. B. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that, in connection with a final rulemaking, an agency prepare and make available for public comment a final regulatory flexibility analysis that describes the impact of a final rule on small entities (defined in regulations promulgated by the Small Business Administration to include banking organizations with total assets of less than or equal to $550 million). A regulatory flexibility analysis, however, is not required if the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and publishes its certification and a short explanatory statement in the Federal Register together with the final rule. For the reasons provided below, the FDIC certifies that the final rule does not have a significant economic impact 89 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 on a substantial number of small entities. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. The final rule only affects persons acquiring control of covered institutions, which may include small banking entities. As such, the rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as the final rule does not impose any new requirements or prohibitions on small banking entities and does not impose any direct costs on small banking entities. As discussed in the preamble, the final rule primarily revises the circumstances that require the filing of a Notice for persons acquiring control of a covered institution, including a small banking entity. Any impact of the final rule is borne by the persons acquiring a controlling interest in a covered institution and not by the covered institution directly. Furthermore, for State nonmember banks and certain of their parent companies, the final rule generally codifies existing FDIC practice and should only marginally affect the number of persons subject to Notice requirements. While the changes for State savings associations are more material, the changes generally conform the requirements for acquirers of State savings associations under the transferred CBCA regulation with the requirements for acquirers of other insured depository institutions and should not materially increase the number of change in control Notices that must be filed. Currently, the FDIC receives approximately 35 change in control Notices each year, and the FDIC does not expect the final rule to increase the number of Notices received. As such, the final rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small banking entities. C. Plain Language Section 722 of the Gramm-LeachBliley Act requires the FDIC to use plain language in all proposed and final rules published after January 1, 2000. The FDIC sought to present the proposed rule in a simple and straightforward manner and did not receive any comments on the use of plain language. The FDIC has similarly drafted the final rule. List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 303 Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, Banking, Savings associations, Change in bank control. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65899 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 12 CFR Chapter III Authority and Issuance For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation amends parts 303 and 391 of chapter III of Title 12, Code of Federal Regulations as follows: PART 303—FILING PROCEDURES 1. Revise the authority citation for part 303 to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 378, 1464, 1813, 1815, 1817, 1818, 1819(a) (Seventh and Tenth), 1820, 1823, 1828, 1831a, 1831e, 1831o, 1831p–1, 1831w, 1835a, 1843(l), 3104, 3105, 3108, 3207, 5414; 15 U.S.C. 1601–1607. ■ 2. Revise Subpart E to read as follows: Subpart E—Change in Bank Control Act Sec. 303.80 Scope. 303.81 Definitions. 303.82 Transactions that require prior notice. 303.83 Transactions that require notice, but not prior notice. 303.84 Transactions that do not require notice. 303.85 Filing procedures. 303.86 Processing. 303.87 Public notice requirements. 303.88 Reporting of stock loans and changes in chief executive officers and directors. 303.89–303.99 [Reserved] Subpart E—Change in Bank Control § 303.80 Scope. This subpart implements the provisions of the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, section 7(j) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) (CBCA), and sets forth the filing requirements and processing procedures for a notice of change in control with respect to the acquisition of control of a State nonmember bank, a State savings association, or certain parent companies of either a State nonmember bank or a State savings association. § 303.81 Definitions. For purposes of this subpart: (a) Acting in concert means knowing participation in a joint activity or parallel action towards a common goal of acquiring control of a covered institution whether or not pursuant to an express agreement. (b) Company means a company as defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.) and any person that is not an individual including for example, a limited liability company. (c) Control means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES 65900 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations or policies of a covered institution or to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of a covered institution. (d) Convertible securities mean debt or equity interests that may be converted into voting securities. (e) Covered institution means an insured State nonmember bank, an insured State savings association, and any company that controls, directly or indirectly, an insured State nonmember bank or an insured State savings association other than a holding company that is the subject of an exemption described in either section 303.84(a)(3) or (a)(8). (f) Immediate family means a person’s parents, mother-in-law, father-in-law, children, step-children, siblings, stepsiblings, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandparents, and grandchildren, whether biological, adoptive, adjudicated, contractual, or de facto; the spouse of any of the foregoing; and the person’s spouse. (g) Person means an individual, corporation, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization, voting trust, or any other form of entity; and includes each party to a voting agreement and any group of persons acting in concert. (h) Management official means any officer, LLC manager, director, partner, or trustee of an entity, or other person with similar functions and powers with respect to a company. (i)(1) Voting securities means shares of common or preferred stock, general or limited partnership shares or interests, membership interests, or similar interests if the shares or interests, by statute, charter, or in any manner, entitle the holder: (i) To vote for, or to select, directors, trustees, managers of an LLC, partners, or other persons exercising similar functions of the issuing entity; or (ii) To vote on, or to direct, the conduct of the operations or significant policies of the issuing entity. (2) Nonvoting shares: Shares of common or preferred stock, limited partnership shares or interests, membership interests, or similar interests are not ‘‘voting securities’’ if: (i) Any voting rights associated with the shares or interests are limited solely to the type customarily provided by State statute with regard to matters that would significantly and adversely affect the rights or preference of the security or other interest, such as the issuance of additional amounts or classes of senior securities, the modification of the terms of the security or interest, the VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 dissolution of the issuing entity, or the payment of dividends by the issuing entity when preferred dividends are in arrears; (ii) The shares or interests represent an essentially passive investment or financing device and do not otherwise provide the holder with control over the issuing entity; and (iii) The shares or interests do not entitle the holder, by statute, charter, or in any manner, to select, or to vote for the selection of, directors, trustees, managers of an LLC, partners, or persons exercising similar functions of the issuing entity. (3) Class of voting securities: Voting securities issued by a single issuer are deemed to be the same class of voting securities, regardless of differences in dividend rights or liquidation preference, if the securities are voted together as a single class on all matters for which the securities have voting rights other than matters described in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section that affect solely the rights or preferences of the securities. § 303.82 notice. Transactions that require prior (a) Prior notice requirement. (1) Except as provided in §§ 303.83 and 303.84, no person, acting directly or indirectly, or through or in concert with one or more persons, shall acquire control of a covered institution unless the person shall have given the FDIC prior notice of the proposed acquisition as provided in the CBCA and this subpart, and the FDIC has not disapproved the acquisition within 60 days or such longer period as may be permitted under the CBCA; and (2) Except as provided in §§ 303.83 and 303.84, and unless waived by the FDIC, no person who has been approved to acquire control of a covered institution and who has maintained that control shall acquire, directly or indirectly, or through or in concert with one or more persons, voting securities of such covered institution if that person’s ownership, control, or power to vote will increase from less than 25 percent to 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the covered institution, unless the person shall have given the FDIC prior notice of the proposed acquisition as provided in the CBCA and this subpart, and the FDIC has not disapproved the acquisition within 60 days or such longer period as may be permitted under the CBCA. (b) Rebuttable presumptions—(1) Rebuttable presumptions of control. The FDIC presumes that an acquisition of voting securities of a covered institution constitutes the acquisition of the power PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 to direct the management or policies of that institution requiring prior notice to the FDIC, if, immediately after the transaction, the acquiring person will own, control, or hold with power to vote 10 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the institution, and if: (i) The institution has registered securities under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78l); or (ii) No other person will own, control or hold the power to vote a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the transaction. (2) Rebuttable presumptions of acting in concert. The following persons who own or control, or propose to own or control voting securities in a covered institution, shall be presumed to be acting in concert for purposes of this subpart: (i) A company and any controlling shareholder or management official of the company; (ii) An individual and one or more members of the individual’s immediate family; (iii) Companies under common control or a company and each company it controls; (iv) Two or more persons that have made, or propose to make, a joint filing related to the proposed acquisition under sections 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78n), and the rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission; (v) A person and any trust for which the person serves as trustee or any trust for which the person is a beneficiary; and (vi) 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 covered institution, other than through revocable proxies as described in § 303.84(a)(5). (3) Convertible securities, options, and warrants. The acquisition of convertible securities, or options or warrants to acquire voting securities is presumed to constitute the acquisition of voting securities. (4) Rebuttal of presumptions. The FDIC will afford any person seeking to rebut a presumption in this paragraph (b) an opportunity to present its views in writing. (c) Acquisition of loans in default. An acquisition of a loan in default that is secured by voting securities of a covered institution is deemed to be an acquisition of the underlying securities for purposes of this subpart. Before E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations acquiring a loan in default that upon foreclosure would result in the acquiring person owning, controlling, or holding with the power to vote a controlling amount of a covered institution’s voting securities, the potential acquirer must give the FDIC prior written notice as specified in this subpart. Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES § 303.83 Transactions that require notice, but not prior notice. (a) Notice within 90 days after the acquisition. The following acquisitions of voting securities of a covered institution, which otherwise would require prior notice under this subpart, instead require the acquirer to provide to the appropriate FDIC office within 90 calendar days after the acquisition all relevant information requested by the FDIC: (1) The acquisition of voting securities as a bona fide gift; (2) The acquisition of voting securities in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted in good faith, except as provided in § 303.82(c); and (3) The acquisition of voting securities through inheritance. (b) Notice within 90 days after receiving notice of the event giving rise to the acquisition of control. The following acquisitions of control of a covered institution, which otherwise would require prior notice under this subpart, instead require the person acquiring control to provide to the appropriate FDIC office, within 90 calendar days after receiving notice of the event giving rise to the acquisition of control, all relevant information requested by the FDIC: (1) The acquisition of control resulting from a redemption of voting securities by the issuing covered institution; and (2) The acquisition of control as a result of any event or action (including without limitation the sale of securities) by any third party that is not within the control of the person acquiring control. (c) The FDIC may disapprove a notice filed after an acquisition of control, and nothing in this section limits the authority of the FDIC to disapprove a notice pursuant to § 303.86(c). (d) The relevant information that the FDIC may require under this section may include all information and documents routinely required for a prior notice as provided in § 303.85. (e) If the FDIC disapproves a Notice filed under this § 303.83, the notificant(s) must divest control of the covered institution which may include, without limitation, disposing of some or all of the voting securities so that the notificant(s) is no longer in control of VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 the covered institution, within such period of time and in the manner that the FDIC may determine. § 303.84 notice. Transactions that do not require (a) Exempt transactions. The following transactions do not require notice to the FDIC under this subpart: (1) The acquisition of additional voting securities of a covered institution by a person who: (i) Held the power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the institution continuously since the later of March 9, 1979, or the date that the institution commenced business; or (ii) Is presumed, under § 303.82(b) to have controlled the institution continuously since March 9, 1979, if the aggregate amount of voting securities held does not exceed 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the institution or, in other cases, where the FDIC determines that the person has controlled the institution continuously since March 9, 1979; (2) The acquisition of additional voting securities of a covered institution by a person who has lawfully acquired and maintained control of the institution (for purposes of § 303.82) after obtaining the FDIC’s non-objection under the CBCA and the FDIC’s regulations or the OTS’s non-objection under the repealed Change in Savings and Loan Control Act, 12 U.S.C. 1730(q), and the regulations thereunder then in effect, to acquire control of the institution, unless a notice is required for an increase in ownership described in 12 CFR 303.82(a)(2); (3) Acquisitions of voting securities subject to approval under section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(a)), section 18(c) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(c)), or section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1467a); (4) Any transaction described in sections 2(a)(5), 3(a)(A), or 3(a)(B) of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(5), 1842(a)(A), or 1842(a)(B)) by a person described in those provisions; (5) A customary one-time solicitation of a revocable proxy; (6) The receipt of voting securities of a covered institution through a pro rata stock dividend or stock split if the proportional interests of the recipients remain substantially the same; (7) The acquisition of voting securities in a foreign bank that has an insured branch in the United States. (This exemption does not extend to the reports and information required under paragraphs 9, 10, and 12 of the CBCA (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(9), (10), and (12)); and PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65901 (8) The acquisition of voting securities of a depository institution holding company for which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System reviews a notice pursuant to the CBCA (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)). § 303.85 Filing procedures. (a) Filing notice. (1) A notice required under this subpart shall be filed with the appropriate FDIC office and shall contain all the information required by paragraph 6 of the CBCA, section 7(j) of the FDI Act, (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(6)), or prescribed in the designated interagency forms which may be obtained from any FDIC regional director. (2) The FDIC may waive any of the informational requirements of the notice if the FDIC determines that it is in the public interest. (3) A notificant shall notify the appropriate FDIC office immediately of any material changes in the information contained in a notice submitted to the FDIC, including changes in financial or other conditions. (4) When the acquiring person is an individual, or group of individuals acting in concert, the requirement to provide personal financial data may be satisfied by a current statement of assets and liabilities and an income summary, as required in the designated interagency form, together with a statement of any material changes since the date of the statement or summary. The FDIC may require additional information if appropriate. (b) Other laws. Nothing in this subpart shall affect any obligation which the acquiring person(s) may have to comply with the federal securities laws or other laws. § 303.86 Processing. (a) Acceptance of notice, additional information. The FDIC shall notify the person or persons submitting a notice under this subpart in writing of the date the notice is accepted as substantially complete. The FDIC may request additional information at any time. (b) Commencement of the 60-day notice period: consummation of acquisition. (1) The 60-day notice period specified in § 303.82 shall commence on the day after the date of acceptance of a substantially complete notice by the appropriate regional director. The notificant(s) may consummate the proposed acquisition after the expiration of the 60-day notice period, unless the FDIC disapproves the proposed acquisition or extends the notice period as provided in the CBCA. (2) The notificant(s) may consummate the proposed transaction before the expiration of the 60-day period, E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 65902 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations including any extensions, if the FDIC notifies the notificant(s) in writing of its intention not to disapprove the acquisition. (c) Disapproval of acquisition of control. Subpart D of 12 CFR part 308 sets forth the rules of practice and procedure for a notice of disapproval. Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES § 303.87 Public notice requirements. (a) Publication—(1) Newspaper announcement. Any person(s) filing a notice under this subpart shall publish an announcement soliciting public comment on the proposed acquisition. The announcement shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in which the home office of the covered institution to be acquired is located. (2) Timing of publication. The announcement shall be published as close as is practicable to the date the notice is filed with the appropriate FDIC office, but in no event more than 10 calendar days before or after the filing date. If the filing is not filed in accordance with the CBCA and this subpart within the time periods specified herein, the acquiring person(s) shall, within 10 days of being directed by the FDIC to file a Notice, publish an announcement of the acquisition of control. (3) Contents of newspaper announcement. The newspaper announcement shall conform to the public notice requirements set forth in § 303.7. If the filing is not filed in accordance with the CBCA and this subpart within the time periods specified herein, the announcement shall also include the date of the acquisition and contain a statement indicating that the FDIC is currently reviewing the acquisition of control. (b) Delay of publication. The FDIC may permit delay in the publication required by this section if the FDIC determines, for good cause, that it is in the public interest to grant such a delay. Requests for delay of publication may be submitted to the appropriate FDIC office. (c) Shortening or waiving public comment period, waiving publications; acting before close of public comment period. The FDIC may shorten the public comment period to a period of not less than 10 days, or waive the public comment or newspaper publication requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, or act on a notice before the expiration of a public comment period, if it determines in writing either that an emergency exists or that disclosure of the notice, solicitation of public comment, or delay until expiration of the public comment VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 period would seriously threaten the safety and soundness of the State nonmember bank or State savings association to be acquired. (d) Consideration of public comments. In acting upon a notice filed under this subpart, the FDIC shall consider all public comments received in writing within 20 days following the required newspaper publication or, if the FDIC has shortened the public comment period pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, within such shorter period. § 303.88 Reporting of stock loans and changes in chief executive officers and directors. (a) Requirements of reporting stock loans. (1) Any foreign bank or affiliate of a foreign bank that has credit outstanding to any person or group of persons, in the aggregate, which is secured, directly or indirectly, by 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of a covered institution, shall file a consolidated report with the appropriate FDIC office. (2) Any voting securities of the covered institution held by the foreign bank or any affiliate of the foreign bank as principal must be included in the calculation of the number of voting securities in which the foreign bank or its affiliate has a security interest for purposes of this paragraph (a). (b) Definitions. For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section: (1) Foreign bank shall have the same meaning as in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101). (2) Affiliate shall have the same meaning as in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101). (3) 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 the person or group of persons. (4) Group of persons includes any number of persons that the foreign bank or any affiliate of a foreign bank has reason to believe: (i) Are acting together, in concert, or with one another to acquire or control voting securities of the same covered institution, including an acquisition of voting securities of the same covered institution at approximately the same time under substantially the same terms; or (ii) Have made, or propose to make, a joint filing under section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78n), and the rules PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding ownership of the voting securities of the same covered institution. (c) Exceptions. Compliance with paragraph (a) of this section is not required if: (1) The person or group of persons referred to in paragraph (a) has disclosed the amount borrowed and the security interest therein to the appropriate FDIC office in connection with a notice filed under the CBCA, an application filed under either 12 U.S.C. 1841, et seq. or 12 U.S.C. 1467a, or any other application filed with the FDIC as a substitute for a notice under § 303.82 of this subpart, including an application filed under section 18(c) of the FDI Act (Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)) or section 5 of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1815); or (2) 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, before the bank is opened for business. (d) Report requirements for purposes of paragraph (a) of this section. (1) The consolidated report must indicate the number and percentage of voting securities securing each applicable extension of credit, the identity of the borrower, the number of voting securities held as principal by the foreign bank and any affiliate thereof, and any additional information that the FDIC may require in connection with a particular report. (2) A foreign bank, or any affiliate of a foreign bank, shall file the consolidated report in writing within 30 days of the date on which the foreign bank or affiliate first believes that the security for any outstanding credit consists of 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of a covered institution. (e) Foreign bank or affiliate not supervised by FDIC. If the foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, is not supervised by the FDIC, it shall file a copy of the report filed under paragraph (a) of this section with its appropriate Federal banking agency. (f) Reporting requirement. After the consummation of a change in control, a covered institution must notify the FDIC 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 E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations current business and professional affiliations of the new chief executive officers or directors. §§ 303.89–303.99 [Reserved] PART 391—FORMER OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION REGULATIONS 3. The authority for part 391 is revised to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1819(a) (Tenth).; Subpart A also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1462a; 1463; 1464; 1828; 1831p–1; 1881–1884; 15 U.S.C. 1681w; 15 U.S.C. 6801; 6805.; Subpart B also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1462a; 1463; 1464; 1828; 1831p–1; 1881–1884; 15 U.S.C.1681w; 15 U.S.C. 6801; 6805.; Subpart C also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1462a; 1463; 1464; 1828; 1831p–1; and 1881–1884; 15 U.S.C. 1681m; 1681w.; Subpart D also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1462; 1462a; 1463; 1464; 42 U.S.C. 4012a; 4104a; 4104b; 4106; 4128. Subpart E—[Removed and Reserved] 4. Remove and reserve subpart E, consisting of §§ 391.40 through 391.48. ■ By order of the Board of Directors. Dated at Washington, DC this 22nd day of October, 2015. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Robert E. Feldman, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–27289 Filed 10–27–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6714–01–P FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 12 CFR Parts 308, 364, and 391 RIN 3064–AE28 Removal of Transferred OTS Regulations Regarding Safety and Soundness Guidelines and Compliance Procedures; Rules on Safety and Soundness Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. Soundness Deficiencies,’’ and 12 CFR part 364 (‘‘part 364’’), entitled ‘‘Standards for Safety and Soundness’’ and its corresponding appendices and supplement. Part 391, subpart B was one of several rules transferred to the FDIC following dissolution of the former Office of Thrift Supervision (‘‘OTS’’) in connection with the implementation of applicable provisions of Title III of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (‘‘Dodd-Frank Act’’). Section 316(b)(3) of the DoddFrank Act provided that the former OTS rules that were transferred to the FDIC would be enforceable by or against the FDIC until they were modified, terminated, set aside, or superseded in accordance with applicable law by the FDIC, by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. On January 30, 2015, the FDIC published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NPR’’ or ‘‘Proposed Rule’’) that explained and solicited public comment on a proposal to rescind and remove part 391, subpart B and to amend part 364, its appendices, and its supplement and part 308, subpart R by making them applicable to ‘‘State savings associations’’ and making minor technical updates to the appendices and supplement to part 364. The FDIC received no comments on the Proposed Rule and consequently is adopting the Final Rule as proposed in the NPR without change. DATES: The Final Rule is effective on November 27, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca M. Parks, Review Examiner, Division of Risk Management Supervision (202) 898–3912; Jann L. Harley, Senior Attorney, Legal Division (312) 382–6535; or Michael P. Condon, Counsel, Legal Division (202) 898–6536. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: I. Background The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (‘‘FDIC’’) is adopting a final rule (‘‘Final Rule’’) to rescind and remove from the Code of Federal Regulations 12 CFR part 391, subpart B (‘‘part 391, subpart B’’), entitled ‘‘Safety and Soundness Guidelines and Compliance Procedures,’’ appendices A and B to part 391, subpart B, and supplement A to appendix B. The Final Rule also amends 12 CFR part 308, subpart R (‘‘part 308, subpart R’’), entitled ‘‘Submission and Review of Safety and Soundness Compliance Plans and Issuance of Orders to Correct Safety and The Dodd-Frank Act The Dodd-Frank Act provided for a substantial reorganization of the regulation of State and Federal savings associations and their holding companies. Beginning July 21, 2011, the transfer date established by section 311 of the Dodd-Frank Act, codified at 12 U.S.C. 5411, the powers, duties, and functions formerly performed by the OTS were divided among the FDIC, as to State savings associations, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (‘‘OCC’’), as to Federal savings associations, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (‘‘FRB’’), as to savings and loan holding companies. Section 316(b) of Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65903 the Dodd-Frank Act, codified at 12 U.S.C. 5414(b), provides the manner of treatment for all orders, resolutions, determinations, regulations, and advisory materials that had been issued, made, prescribed, or allowed to become effective by the OTS. The section provides that if such materials were in effect on the day before the transfer date, they continue in effect and are enforceable by or against the appropriate successor agency until they are modified, terminated, set aside, or superseded in accordance with applicable law by such successor agency, by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. Section 316(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act, codified at 12 U.S.C. 5414(c), further directed the FDIC and the OCC to consult with one another and to publish a list of the continued OTS regulations which would be enforced by the FDIC and the OCC, respectively. On June 14, 2011, the FDIC’s Board of Directors approved a ‘‘List of OTS Regulations to be Enforced by the OCC and the FDIC Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.’’ This list was published by the FDIC and the OCC as a Joint Notice in the Federal Register on July 6, 2011.1 Although section 312(b)(2)(B)(i)(II) of the Dodd-Frank Act, codified at 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(B)(i)(II), granted the OCC rulemaking authority relating to both State and Federal savings associations, nothing in the Dodd-Frank Act affected the FDIC’s existing authority to issue regulations under the FDI Act and other laws as the ‘‘appropriate Federal banking agency’’ or under similar statutory terminology. Section 312(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act amended the definition of ‘‘appropriate Federal banking agency’’ contained in Section 3(q) of the FDI Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(q), to add State savings associations to the list of entities for which the FDIC is designated as the ‘‘appropriate Federal banking agency.’’ As a result, when the FDIC acts as the designated ‘‘appropriate Federal banking agency’’ (or under similar terminology) for State savings associations, as it does here, the FDIC is authorized to issue, modify, and rescind regulations involving such associations, as well as for State nonmember banks and insured branches of foreign banks. As noted, on June 14, 2011, operating pursuant to this authority, the FDIC’s Board of Directors reissued and redesignated certain transferring regulations of the former OTS. These transferred OTS regulations were published as new FDIC regulations in 1 76 E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM FR 39247 (July 6, 2011). 28OCR1

Agencies

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65889-65903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27289]


=======================================================================
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FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

12 CFR Parts 303 and 391

RIN 3064-AE24


Filing Requirements and Processing Procedures for Changes in 
Control With Respect to State Nonmember Banks and State Savings 
Associations

AGENCY: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: On November 25, 2014, the FDIC published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (proposed rule or NPR) to amend its filing requirements and 
processing procedures for notices filed under the Change in Bank 
Control Act (Notices). The comment period closed January 26, 2015, and 
no comments were received. The FDIC is now adopting that proposed rule 
as final with one change (final rule). The final rule accomplishes 
several objectives. First, the final rule consolidates into one subpart 
the current requirements and procedures for Notices filed with respect 
to State nonmember banks and certain parent companies thereof, and the 
requirements and procedures for Notices filed with respect to State 
savings associations and certain parent companies thereof. Second, the 
final rule rescinds the FDIC's separate regulation governing the 
requirements and procedures for Notices filed with respect to State 
savings associations and certain parent companies thereof and rescinds 
any guidance issued by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) relating 
to changes in control of State savings associations that is 
inconsistent with the final rule. Third, the final rule adopts the best 
practices of the related regulations of the Office of the Comptroller 
of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System (Board of Governors). Finally, the final rule clarifies the 
FDIC's requirements and procedures based on its experience interpreting 
and implementing the existing regulation. This final rule is also part 
of the FDIC's continuing review of its regulations under the Economic 
Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996.

DATES: The final rule is effective January 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Johnson Taylor, Supervisory 
Counsel, AJohnsonTaylor@fdic.gov; Gregory S. Feder, Counsel, 
GFeder@fdic.gov; Rachel J. Ackmann, Counsel, RAckmann@fdic.gov; Robert 
C. Fick, Senior Counsel, RFick@fdic.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDI Act) at section 7(j) (the 
Change in Bank Control Act) generally provides that no person may 
acquire control of an insured depository institution unless the person 
has provided the appropriate Federal banking agency prior written 
notice of the transaction and the banking agency has not objected to 
the proposed transaction.\1\ Subpart E of Part 303 of the FDIC's rules 
and regulations \2\ (Subpart E of Part 303) implements section 7(j) of 
the FDI Act and sets forth the filing requirements and processing 
procedures for Notices filed with respect to the proposed acquisition 
of State nonmember banks and certain parent companies thereof.\3\
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    \1\ 12 U.S.C. 1817(j).
    \2\ 12 CFR 303.80 et seq.
    \3\ Certain industrial loan companies, trust companies, and 
credit card banks that are State nonmember banks under the FDI Act 
are not ``banks'' under the Bank Holding Company Act (``BHC Act''). 
12 U.S.C. 1841(c)(2). Therefore, a company that seeks to control 
such an institution would not necessarily have to be a bank holding 
company under the BHC Act and would not have to be subject to 
supervision by the Board of Governors. However, such a company would 
have to file a Notice with, and obtain the approval of, the FDIC 
prior to acquiring such an institution.
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    The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 12 
U.S.C. 5301, et seq. (Dodd-Frank Act), among other things, provided for 
a substantial reorganization of the regulation of State and Federal 
savings associations and their holding companies. On July 21, 2011, 
(the ``transfer date'' established by section 311 of the Dodd-Frank 
Act), the powers, duties, and functions formerly assigned to, or 
performed by, the OTS were transferred to (i) the FDIC, as to State 
savings associations; \4\ (ii) the OCC, as to Federal savings 
associations; and (iii) the Board of Governors, as to savings and loan 
holding companies.\5\ Section 316(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides the 
manner of treatment for all orders, resolutions, determinations, 
regulations, and advisory materials that had been issued, made, 
prescribed, or allowed to become effective by the OTS.\6\ The section 
provides that if such materials were in effect on the day before the 
transfer date, they continue to be in effect and are enforceable by or 
against the appropriate successor agency until they are modified, 
terminated, set aside, or superseded in accordance with applicable law 
by such successor agency, by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by 
operation of law.
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    \4\ As of June 2015, there are approximately 50 State savings 
associations insured by the FDIC.
    \5\ 12 U.S.C. 5411.
    \6\ 12 U.S.C. 5414(b).
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    Section 316(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act, further directed the FDIC and 
the OCC to consult with one another and to publish a list of the 
continued OTS regulations which would be enforced by each agency.\7\ On 
June 14, 2011, the Board of Directors of the FDIC (the Board) approved 
a ``List of OTS Regulations to be Enforced by the OCC and the FDIC 
pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection 
Act''. This list was published by the FDIC and the OCC as a Joint 
Notice in the Federal Register on July 6, 2011.\8\
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    \7\ 12 U.S.C. 5414(c).
    \8\ 76 FR 39246 (July 6, 2011).
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    Although section 312(b)(2)(B)(i)(II) of the Dodd-Frank Act granted 
the OCC rulemaking authority relating to savings associations, nothing 
in the Dodd-Frank Act affected the FDIC's existing authority to issue 
regulations under the FDI Act and other laws as the

[[Page 65890]]

``appropriate Federal banking agency'' or under similar statutory 
terminology.\9\ Section 312(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act amended section 
3(q) of the FDI Act and designated the FDIC as the ``appropriate 
Federal banking agency'' for State savings associations.\10\ As a 
result, when the FDIC acts as the designated ``appropriate Federal 
banking agency'' (or under similar terminology) for State savings 
associations, as it has in the final rule, the FDIC is authorized to 
issue, modify, and rescind regulations involving such associations.\11\
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    \9\ 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(2)(B)(i)(II).
    \10\ 12 U.S.C. 1813(q).
    \11\ 12 U.S.C. 1819(a)(Tenth).
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    As noted above, on June 14, 2011, operating pursuant to this 
authority, the Board reissued and redesignated certain regulations 
transferred from the former OTS. These regulations were adopted and 
issued as new FDIC regulations at Parts 390 and 391 of Title 12. When 
it republished these regulations as new FDIC regulations, the FDIC 
specifically noted that staff would evaluate the transferred 
regulations and might later recommend amending them, rescinding them, 
or incorporating the transferred regulations into other FDIC rules as 
appropriate.
    Certain of the regulations transferred to the FDIC govern 
acquisitions of State savings associations under the Change in Bank 
Control Act (transferred CBCA regulation).\12\ The FDIC is 
incorporating portions of those regulations into the FDIC's Subpart E 
of Part 303 and rescinding the transferred CBCA regulation. In addition 
to consolidating and conforming the change in control regulations for 
both State nonmember banks and State savings associations, the final 
rule increases the consistency of Subpart E of Part 303 with the OCC's 
and the Board of Governors' related regulations by incorporating 
certain best practices of those regulations into Subpart E of Part 
303.\13\ Also, the FDIC is generally updating Subpart E of Part 303 to 
provide greater transparency to its change in control regulation based 
on its experience interpreting and implementing the Change in Bank 
Control Act.
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    \12\ 12 CFR part 391, subpart E, entitled Acquisitions of 
Control of State Savings Associations.
    \13\ 12 CFR 5.50 et seq. (OCC) and 12 CFR 225.41-.43 (Board of 
Governors).
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II. Proposed Rule

    On November 25, 2014, the FDIC published the NPR, which proposed 
amending the FDIC's filing requirements and processing procedures for 
Notices.\14\ The FDIC did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
and is now adopting the proposed rule as final with only one 
modification.
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    \14\ 79 FR 70121 (Nov. 25, 2014).
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III. Final Rule

a. Section 303.80 Scope

    The scope of the final rule makes it clear that Subpart E of Part 
303 applies to acquisitions of control of State nonmember banks, State 
savings associations, and certain companies that control one or more 
State nonmember banks and/or State savings associations (parent 
companies). The FDIC believes that expanding the scope of Subpart E of 
Part 303 to include State savings associations and certain parent 
companies \15\ and rescinding the transferred CBCA regulation both 
streamlines its rules and procedures and increases regulatory 
consistency for all FDIC-supervised institutions. To that end, the 
final rule defines the term ``covered institution'' to include an 
insured State nonmember bank, an insured State savings association, and 
certain companies that control, directly or indirectly, an insured 
State nonmember bank or an insured State savings association.
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    \15\ A company that is not a bank holding company nor a savings 
and loan holding company and that seeks to acquire a State savings 
association that operates solely in a fiduciary capacity would not 
be subject to supervision by the Board of Governors. Such a company 
would have to file a Notice with, and obtain the approval of, the 
FDIC.
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    In addition, the final rule amends the scope of Subpart E of Part 
303 to indicate that the subpart implements the Change in Bank Control 
Act \16\ and to clarify that the subpart includes the procedures for 
filing and processing a Notice. The revised scope section also sets 
forth the circumstances that require the filing of a Notice.
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    \16\ The final rule uses language adopted from the transferred 
CBCA regulation.
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b. Section 303.81 Definitions

1. Acting in Concert

    The final rule defines ``acting in concert'' as ``knowing 
participation in a joint activity or parallel action towards a common 
goal of acquiring control of a covered institution whether or not 
pursuant to an agreement.'' This definition is not substantively 
different from the definition of ``acting in concert'' in the existing 
Subpart E of Part 303.\17\ The only modification is updated 
terminology. Specifically, the modification replaces the term ``insured 
state nonmember bank or a parent company'' with ``covered institution'' 
to reflect that the FDIC is also the appropriate Federal banking agency 
for State savings associations. The FDIC does not believe any further 
modifications are necessary. The FDIC has not adopted the comparable 
definition from the transferred CBCA regulation because the definition 
in the existing Subpart E of Part 303 is broad enough to include the 
specific circumstances described in the transferred CBCA regulation and 
is clear and easy to understand.\18\
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    \17\ See 12 CFR 303.81(b).
    \18\ See 12 CFR 391.41 for the definition of acting in concert 
in the transferred CBCA regulation.
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    The FDIC notes that a group of persons acting in concert becomes a 
different group of persons acting in concert when a member of the group 
leaves or a new member joins. For example, if certain members of a 
family have previously filed a Notice with, and received a non-
objection from, the FDIC as a group acting in concert, each member of 
the group must file a new Notice and obtain the FDIC's non-objection 
when a member of the group ceases participation in the group, and the 
group continues to hold sufficient shares to constitute ``control.''
    The FDIC also notes that if a person who is a member of a group 
acting in concert proposes to acquire voting securities that result in 
that person holding 25 percent or more of the voting securities in his/
her/its own right, then the person must file a Notice with the FDIC 
because that person individually will have acquired control as defined 
by the Change in Bank Control Act. Such a person must file a Notice 
even if that person had already filed and been approved as a member of 
the group acting in concert.
    The FDIC further notes that it will look closely at transactions 
where a lead investor has a material role in organizing a bank's 
capital offering. The presence of a lead investor(s) who solicits 
persons with whom the lead investor has a pattern of co-investing 
suggests that the solicited investors, together with the lead investor, 
may constitute a group acting in concert. The FDIC will analyze the 
facts and circumstances of each case to determine whether such persons 
constitute a group acting in concert.

2. Company

    As discussed in section III.c.3 below, the final rule adds certain 
rebuttable presumptions of acting in concert, including presumptions 
relating to companies. The final rule defines the term ``company'' by 
reference to section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as 
amended (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.) (BHC Act) and includes a catch-all for 
any person that is not an individual or group of individuals acting in

[[Page 65891]]

concert, for example, a limited liability company.

3. Control

    The final rule defines ``control'' as ``the power, directly or 
indirectly, to direct the management or policies of a covered 
institution or to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting 
securities of a covered institution.'' This definition is not 
substantively different from the definition of ``control'' in the 
existing Subpart E of Part 303.\19\ The only modification is updated 
terminology, i.e., replacing ``voting shares'' with ``voting 
securities'' and replacing ``insured state nonmember bank or a parent 
company'' with ``covered institution'' to reflect that the FDIC is also 
the appropriate Federal banking agency for State savings associations 
and certain parent companies thereof. The final rule does not adopt the 
enumerated conditions in the definition of control from the transferred 
CBCA regulation because the definition of ``control'' in the final rule 
is broad enough to include such conditions and enumerating some of the 
conditions that are probative of control could be read to exclude 
others.\20\
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    \19\ See 12 CFR 303.81(c).
    \20\ See 12 CFR 391.43(a)(1).
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4. Convertible Securities

    As discussed in section III.c.4, the final rule includes a 
presumption relating to convertible securities. The final rule defines 
``convertible securities'' as debt or equity interests that may be 
converted into voting securities. The definition is not in the existing 
Subpart E of Part 303 or the transferred CBCA regulation, but 
convertible securities are not uncommon in the industry, and the FDIC's 
regulations will now reflect this fact.\21\
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    \21\ See 12 CFR 225.31(d)(1).
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5. Covered Institution

    The final rule defines the term ``covered institution'' as ``an 
insured State nonmember bank, an insured State savings association, and 
any company that controls, directly or indirectly, an insured State 
nonmember bank or an insured State savings association other than a 
holding company that is the subject of an exemption described in either 
section 303.84(a)(3) or (a)(8).'' Therefore, the final rule could apply 
to an individual's acquisition of voting securities of a bank holding 
company or savings and loan holding company, provided the transaction 
is not otherwise exempted under 303.84(a)(3) or (a)(8). Subsections 
(a)(3) and (a)(8) exempt transactions that are subject to Section 3 of 
the BHC Act and transactions for which the Board of Governors reviews a 
Notice. The 303.84(a)(3) and (a)(8) exemptions are discussed in section 
III.e.3 and 8.
    The Board of Governors is not the primary regulator of all 
companies that control State nonmember banks since some State nonmember 
banks are not ``banks'' under the BHC Act.\22\ Also, the Board of 
Governors is not the primary regulator of all companies that control 
State savings associations. Under the Home Owners' Loan Act,\23\ ``a 
company that controls a savings association that functions solely in a 
trust or fiduciary capacity as described in section 2(c)(2)(D) of the 
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956'' is not a savings and loan holding 
company.\24\ As a result, a company that is not otherwise a bank 
holding company or a savings and loan holding company and that seeks to 
acquire control of either a State nonmember bank that is not a ``bank'' 
under the BHC Act or a State savings association that functions solely 
in a trust or fiduciary capacity is subject to the final rule and is 
not be eligible for the exceptions from Notice in 303.84(a)(3) and 
(a)(8).
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    \22\ 12 U.S.C. 1841(c)(2).
    \23\ 12 U.S.C. 1467a.
    \24\ 12 U.S.C. 1467a(a)(1)(D)(ii)(II).
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6. Immediate Family

    As discussed in section III.c.3 below, the final rule adds certain 
rebuttable presumptions of acting in concert, including a presumption 
relating to a person's immediate family. The final rule defines 
``immediate family'' as ``a person's parents, mother-in-law, father-in-
law, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, brothers-in-law, 
sisters-in-law, grandparents, and grandchildren, whether biological, 
adoptive, adjudicated, contractual, or de facto; the spouse of any of 
the foregoing; and the person's spouse.'' This definition is similar to 
the definitions of ``immediate family'' in the OCC's and the Board of 
Governors' related regulations.\25\ The FDIC's final rule interprets 
the term ``spouse'' to include any formalized domestic relationship, 
for example, through civil union or marriage. The final rule does not 
adopt the definition of ``immediate family'' in the transferred CBCA 
regulation because that definition does not include an acquirer's 
grandparents or step-relatives.\26\ The FDIC believes that these 
relations typically have a natural tendency to engage in joint or 
parallel action to preserve or enhance the value of the family's 
investment(s).
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    \25\ See 12 CFR 5.50(d)(4) (OCC) and 12 CFR 225.41(b)(3) (Board 
of Governors).
    \26\ See 12 CFR 391.41.
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    The FDIC would interpret the term ``sibling'' as one of two or more 
individuals having at least one common parent.

7. Person

    The final rule defines ``person'' as ``an individual, corporation, 
limited liability company (LLC), partnership, trust, association, joint 
venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated 
organization, voting trust, or any other form of entity; and includes 
each party to a voting agreement and any group of persons acting in 
concert.'' The final rule does not adopt the definition of ``person'' 
in the transferred CBCA regulation and instead includes an amended 
version of the definition from the existing Subpart E of Part 303 
because the definition from the existing Subpart E of Part 303 more 
closely tracks the definition of person in the Change in Bank Control 
Act.\27\ The final rule amends the definition from the existing Subpart 
E of Part 303 to explicitly include limited liability companies as 
persons. The FDIC believes that limited liability companies are more 
common in the industry than when the statute was enacted in 1978 and 
therefore merit express recognition as ``persons''. The final rule also 
makes a number of technical edits. For example, to be grammatically 
correct, the final rule moves ``voting trust'' to the enumerated list 
of entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ Compare 12 CFR 391.41 and 12 CFR 303.81(e) with 12 U.S.C. 
1817(j)(8)(A).
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8. Management Official

    As discussed in section III.c.3 below, the final rule includes a 
new presumption of acting in concert relating to a company and its 
controlling shareholder or management official. The final rule defines 
management official as ``any officer, LLC manager, director, partner, 
or trustee of an entity, or other person with similar functions and 
powers with respect to a covered institution.'' This definition is 
substantively identical to the definition previously adopted by the 
Board of Governors; \28\ the only modification, beyond updated 
terminology, is the inclusion of the term ``LLC manager'' to recognize 
the prevalence of limited liability companies in the industry.\29\

[[Page 65892]]

Generally, the final rule treats members of an LLC who are not managers 
similar to shareholders in a corporation. The final rule does not adopt 
the definition of ``management official'' from the transferred CBCA 
regulation because the final rule's definition is a more accurate 
description of the persons intended to be covered by the presumption.
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    \28\ See 12 CFR 225.2(i).
    \29\ The updated terminology replaces ``a bank or other 
company'' with the term ``entity'' and replaces the term 
``employee'' with the term ``person''. The OCC recently adopted a 
definition of ``management official'', although the OCC's definition 
of the term is not substantially identical to the Board of 
Governors' definition. 80 FR 28346 (May 18, 2015).
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9. Voting Securities

    Unlike the existing Subpart E of Part 303, the final rule includes 
a definition of ``voting securities''. Including a definition of 
``voting securities'' makes the final rule more consistent with the 
OCC's and the Board of Governors' related regulations. The final rule 
defines ``voting securities'' as shares of common or preferred stock, 
general or limited partnership shares or interests, membership 
interests, or similar interests if the shares or interests, by statute, 
charter, or in any manner, entitle the holder: (i) To vote for, or to 
select, directors, trustees, managers of an LLC, partners, or other 
persons exercising similar functions of the issuing entity; or (ii) to 
vote on, or to direct, the conduct of the operations or significant 
policies of the issuing entity. The final rule further states that 
shares of common or preferred stock, limited partnership shares or 
interests, membership interests, or similar interests are not ``voting 
securities'' if: (i) Any voting rights associated with the shares or 
interests are limited solely to the type customarily provided by State 
statute with regard to matters that would significantly and adversely 
affect the rights or preference of the security or other interest, such 
as the issuance of additional amounts or classes of senior securities, 
the modification of the terms of the security or interest, the 
dissolution of the issuing entity, or the payment of dividends by the 
issuing entity when preferred dividends are in arrears; (ii) the shares 
or interests represent an essentially passive investment or financing 
device and do not otherwise provide the holder with control over the 
issuing entity; and (iii) the shares or interests do not entitle the 
holder, by statute, charter, or in any manner, to select, or to vote 
for the selection of, directors, trustees, managers of an LLC, 
partners, or persons exercising similar functions of the issuing 
entity. The definition of ``voting securities'' also states that voting 
securities issued by a single issuer are deemed to be the same class of 
voting securities, regardless of differences in dividend rights or 
liquidation preference, if the securities are voted together as a 
single class on all matters for which the securities have voting 
rights, other than rights that affect solely the rights or preferences 
of the securities.
    The definition derives from the Board of Governors' definition of 
``voting securities'' with a few minor modifications.\30\ For example, 
unlike the Board of Governors' definition, the definition adopted by 
the FDIC explicitly references LLCs and managers thereof. Additionally, 
the definition provides for the existence of nonvoting common stock in 
addition to nonvoting preferred stock. Similar to the Board of 
Governors' definition, the final rule excludes nonvoting preferred 
stock that includes the right to elect or appoint directors upon 
failure of the covered institution to pay preferred dividends from the 
definition of voting securities until such time as the right to vote or 
appoint directors arises. Once the right to vote for or appoint 
directors arises, such non-voting preferred stock would become voting 
securities. Again, the final rule does not adopt the definition of 
``voting securities'' from the transferred CBCA regulation because the 
definition in the final rule is a more accurate definition of the 
securities that could trigger application of the Change in Bank Control 
Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See 12 CFR 225.2(q)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Other Definitions

    The final rule does not define ``acquisition'' as does existing 
Subpart E of Part 303. The final rule also does not adopt several other 
definitions in the transferred CBCA regulation. For example, the terms 
``State savings association'' and ``affiliate'' are also not defined in 
the final rule as those terms are defined in the FDI Act. The FDIC is 
not adopting these definitions because they were determined to be 
unnecessary or are statutorily defined in the FDI Act.

c. Section 303.82 Transactions That Require Prior Notice

1. Section 303.82(a) Prior Notice Requirement

    The proposed rule asked whether the FDIC should continue to exempt 
all future acquisitions of voting securities of an institution once a 
person has acquired control in compliance with the procedures from the 
Change in Bank Control Act. Such a change would make the final rule 
more consistent with the OCC and the Board of Governors who reserve the 
right to limit a person's future acquisition of voting securities. As 
noted above, the FDIC received no comments on this question or any 
other aspect of the proposed rule and has decided to limit the scope of 
that exemption in the final rule consistent with the regulations of the 
OCC and the Board of Governors.\31\
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    \31\ 12 CFR 5.50(c)((2)(ii) and 12 CFR 225.42(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, the final rule requires persons previously approved 
to acquire control to file a second prior Notice in certain 
circumstances. Similar to the proposed rule, the final rule requires 
any person, whether acting directly or indirectly, alone or in concert 
with others, to give the FDIC prior written notice before the 
acquisition of control of a covered institution, unless the acquisition 
is exempt.\32\ However, the final rule provides that unless waived by 
the FDIC, a person who has been approved to acquire control of a 
covered institution and who has maintained that control must file a 
second Notice before any acquisition that would increase a person's 
ownership, control, or power to vote from less than 25 percent to 25 
percent or more of any class of voting securities of the covered 
institution. The FDIC may waive this requirement if it is in the public 
interest and consistent with the purposes of the CBCA and the FDI Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See 12 CFR 303.82(a) and 12 CFR 391.42(b). The FDIC notes 
that section 391.42(b) of the transferred CBCA regulation includes 
two specific exceptions (one for certain persons affiliated with a 
savings and loan holding company and one for mergers with interim 
companies) that are not explicitly stated in this section of the 
final rule. These exceptions are statutory and included in the rule 
in section 303.84.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Section 303.82(b)(1) Rebuttable Presumption of Control

    The final rule includes a rebuttable presumption of control that 
generally applies whenever a person's acquisition would result in that 
person owning or controlling 10 percent or more of a class of voting 
securities of a covered institution, and either (1) the institution has 
issued any class of securities subject to the registration requirements 
of section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or (2) 
immediately after the transaction, no other person will own a greater 
proportion of that class of voting securities. The final rule removes 
from existing Subpart E of Part 303 the provision that if two or more 
persons, not acting in concert, each propose to acquire simultaneously 
equal percentages of 10 percent or more of a class of voting securities 
of a covered institution, each such person shall file a prior Notice 
with the FDIC. The final rule clarifies the FDIC's policy by removing 
the implication that the

[[Page 65893]]

largest shareholders only have to file a Notice if they simultaneously 
acquire the voting securities. By removing that provision, the final 
rule makes it clear that if two or more shareholders each propose to 
acquire an equal percentage of any class of voting securities where 
that percentage is 10 percent or more and where no other shareholder 
will own or control a greater percentage of that class of voting 
securities, then each such acquirer must file a Notice. The timing of 
each shareholder's acquisition is irrelevant.
    The transferred CBCA regulation also includes a rebuttable 
presumption of control, but the presumption is triggered only if there 
exists one of the enumerated control factors.\33\ The enumerated 
control factors include factors such as that the acquirer would be one 
of the two largest holders of any class of voting stock; the acquirer 
would hold 25 percent or more of the total stockholders' equity; the 
acquirer would hold more than 35 percent of the combined debt 
securities and stockholders' equity; or the acquirer and/or the 
acquirer's representatives or nominees would constitute more than one 
member of the institution's board of directors.\34\ The final rule does 
not include any control factors as additional elements to the 
rebuttable presumption of control. The FDIC notes that the enumerated 
control factors represent only some of the circumstantial factors that 
the FDIC analyzes when determining whether a person will acquire the 
ability to direct the management or policies of a covered institution. 
The FDIC believes that the determination of whether a person will 
acquire the power to direct the management or policies of an 
institution is dependent on the facts and circumstances of the case and 
that it is impractical and potentially misleading to attempt to list 
all such factors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ 12 CFR 391.43(b).
    \34\ 12 CFR 391.43(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is also noted that the Board of Governors has issued a policy 
statement entitled Policy Statement on Equity Investments in Banks and 
Bank Holding Companies regarding the interpretation of the BHC Act.\35\ 
The policy statement generally provided certain guidance regarding the 
amount of total equity a person can control without the Board of 
Governors determining that the person has the ability to exercise a 
controlling influence over the management or policies of a banking 
organization. A person who acquires total equity in excess of the 
amount proscribed in that guidance would likely have to file an 
application under the BHC Act. The FDIC has found the logic of the 
policy statement useful in analyzing fact patterns under the Change in 
Bank Control Act, but has not adopted that policy statement pending 
further consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ See https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/bcreg/20080922c.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule asked to what extent and under what circumstances 
would the control of one-third or more of a covered institution's total 
equity give such a person the power to direct the management or 
policies of a covered institution. As noted above, no comments were 
received on the proposed rule. Pending further consideration, the FDIC 
has determined not to adopt a presumption that the power to control a 
covered institution for purposes of the Change in Bank Control Act 
exists at one-third of an institution's total equity. Instead, the FDIC 
will continue to review such issues based on the facts and 
circumstances of each case.
    The existing Subpart E of Part 303 states that ownership interests 
other than those set forth in the rebuttable presumption of control and 
that represent less than 25 percent of a class of an institution's 
voting shares do not constitute control for purposes of the Change in 
Bank Control Act.\36\ The final rule does not include this provision 
because the provision has been a source of confusion regarding the 
meaning of the term ``control''. The FDIC has occasionally addressed 
questions regarding this provision and now seeks to clarify in the 
final rule that the definition of ``control'' includes two standards: 
One based on the amount of voting securities controlled by a person and 
the other based on a facts-and-circumstances analysis of whether a 
person has the power to direct the management or policies of a covered 
institution. The FDIC notes that the change does not expand the 
thresholds in the rebuttable presumption of control, but only removes 
the potential ambiguity regarding whether the facts and circumstances 
alone could support a conclusion that a person will control the 
institution. Such a facts-and-circumstances analysis is consistent with 
both the statutory definition of ``control'' in the Change in Bank 
Control Act and the FDIC's long-standing practices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ 12 CFR 303.82(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Section 303.82(b)(2) Rebuttable Presumptions of Acting in Concert

    The final rule includes new rebuttable presumptions of acting in 
concert. The acting in concert presumptions included in the final rule 
are generally derived from the rebuttable presumptions of acting in 
concert in the Board of Governors' regulations.\37\ The OCC recently 
adopted presumptions consistent with the Board of Governors' 
presumptions of acting in concert.\38\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ 12 CFR 225.41(d).
    \38\ 80 FR 28346 (May 18, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The final rule includes an acting in concert presumption with 
respect to a company and any controlling shareholder or management 
official of that company. If both the company and controlling 
shareholder or management official will own or control voting 
securities of a covered institution, then the FDIC will presume that 
the company and the controlling shareholder or management official are 
acting in concert.
    Second, the final rule includes an acting in concert presumption 
between an individual and one or more members of the individual's 
immediate family. If two or more members of an immediate family will 
own or control voting securities of a covered institution, then the 
FDIC will presume that those persons are acting in concert. The 
definition of immediate family is discussed in section III.b.5 above.
    The final rule also includes presumptions of acting in concert 
between (i) two or more companies under common control or a company and 
each other company it controls; (ii) persons that have made or propose 
to make a joint filing under sections 13 or 14 of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934; \39\ and (iii) a person and any trust for which 
the person serves as trustee or any trust for which the person is a 
beneficiary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 
``Exchange Act'') requires the filing of timely and accurate annual 
and periodic reports, and Section 14 of the Exchange Act requires 
the filing of proxy materials. For purposes of the reporting 
provisions of section 13(g), section 13(g)(3) provides that two or 
more persons acting ``as a partnership, limited partnership, 
syndicate, or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or 
disposing of securities of an issuer, such syndicate or group shall 
be deemed a ``person'' for the purposes of'' section 13(g)''. 
Section 14 has a similar reporting provision for such persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The final rule also includes a presumption that 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 
covered institution, other than through revocable proxies as described 
in 303.84(a)(5), are presumed to be acting in concert. The FDIC has 
included these presumptions in the final rule because the interests of 
such

[[Page 65894]]

parties are so aligned that there exists a natural tendency to act 
together toward such a common goal.
    The transferred CBCA regulation includes a presumption of acting in 
concert for a company that provides certain financial assistance to a 
controlling shareholder or management official of such company to 
enable the purchase of a State saving association's stock.\40\ The FDIC 
believes that such situations are included within the presumption 
regarding a company and any controlling shareholder or management 
official of that company. The transferred CBCA regulation also includes 
a presumption of acting in concert when one person provides credit to, 
or is instrumental in obtaining financing for, another person to 
purchase stock of a covered institution.\41\ The FDIC does not believe 
this situation, by itself, aligns persons' interests to an extent 
sufficient to warrant a presumption of acting in concert. Accordingly, 
the final rule does not include that presumption. However, the FDIC 
notes that providing or facilitating the financing for another person 
to purchase stock would be relevant evidence of acting in concert that 
in combination with other facts and circumstances may result in a 
determination that those persons are acting in concert.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ 12 CFR 391.43(d)(3)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Section 303.82(b)(3) Convertible Securities, Options, and Warrants

    The final rule includes a rebuttable presumption that an 
acquisition of convertible securities, options, and warrants is 
presumed to constitute the acquisition of voting securities as if the 
conversion already occurred or the options or warrants were already 
exercised. The existing Subpart E of Part 303 does not explicitly 
include such a presumption; however, the transferred CBCA regulation, 
and the related regulations of the Board of Governors, treat such 
securities in a similar manner. The FDIC's longstanding position is 
that the acquisition of an option or warrant constitutes the 
acquisition of the underlying voting securities for purposes of the 
Change in Bank Control Act even if they may only be exercised after a 
period of time. The FDIC also believes that nonvoting interests that 
may be converted into voting securities at the election of the holder 
of the convertible securities, or that convert after the passage of 
time, should be considered voting securities at all times for purposes 
of the Change in Bank Control Act. However, the FDIC recognizes that 
nonvoting securities that are convertible into voting securities carry 
less influence when the nonvoting securities may not be converted into 
voting securities in the hands of the investor and may only be 
converted after transfer by the investor: (i) In a widespread public 
distribution; (ii) in transfers in which no transferee (or group of 
associated transferees) would receive 2 percent or more of any class of 
voting securities of the banking organization; or (iii) to a transferee 
that would control more than 50 percent of the voting securities of the 
banking organization without any transfer from the investor. The FDIC 
would generally consider such convertible securities as nonvoting 
equity.

5. Section 303.82(b)(4) Rebuttal of Presumptions

    The procedures for rebutting a presumption of control remain 
unchanged from the existing Subpart E of Part 303.\42\ The final rule 
does not include the detailed procedures for rebutting the presumptions 
included in the transferred CBCA regulation because the FDIC believes 
that the variety of the facts and circumstances often encountered 
dictate the more flexible process embodied in the existing Subpart E of 
Part 303.\43\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ See 12 CFR 303.82(e).
    \43\ See 12 CFR 391.43(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Section 303.82(c) Acquisition of Loans in Default

    The final rule provides that an acquisition of a loan in default 
that is secured by voting securities of a covered institution is deemed 
to be an acquisition of the underlying voting securities. This 
treatment is not substantively different from the treatment of a loan 
in default secured by voting securities in the existing Subpart E of 
Part 303; \44\ however, the final rule is not identical to existing 
Subpart E of Part 303. The FDIC has received questions about the use of 
the term ``presumes'' in Subpart E of Part 303 and whether the 
presumption is rebuttable. As the presumption is not rebuttable, the 
final rule clarifies this issue by stating that such acquisitions are 
``deemed'' to be an acquisition of the underlying voting securities for 
purposes of the Change in Bank Control Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ See 12 CFR 303.82(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Transferred CBCA Regulation's Safe Harbor

    Notwithstanding any other provisions in the transferred CBCA 
regulation, the ``Safe Harbor'' provision permits an acquirer of an 
otherwise controlling interest in a State savings association to avoid 
filing a Notice if the acquirer has no intention of participating in, 
or seeking to exercise control over, a State savings association's 
management or policies.\45\ To qualify for the safe harbor, the 
acquirer must make certain certifications to the FDIC. The final rule 
does not include this regulatory safe harbor. The FDIC believes that 
any certifications or passivity commitments executed in connection with 
an acquisition of voting securities must be tailored to the facts and 
circumstances of each situation and a fixed set of certifications would 
not likely capture the variety of circumstances presented in such 
situations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ 12 CFR 391.43(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

d. Section 303.83 Transactions That Require Notice, but Not Prior 
Notice

    Existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulation 
do not require prior Notice for the acquisition of voting securities 
for certain types of acquisitions. For example, both regulations permit 
a person acquiring voting securities through inheritance or bona fide 
gift to provide Notice within 90 calendar days after the acquisition. 
Existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulation, 
however, differ materially in what transactions are eligible for an 
after-the-fact Notice and the limitations imposed on the acquirer 
before receiving a non-objection. As discussed in detail below, the 
final rule materially amends existing Subpart E of Part 303 by 
incorporating several aspects of the transferred CBCA regulation.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ See 12 CFR 303.83(b) and 12 CFR 391.42(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Section 303.83(a)(1)

    The final rule, like the existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the 
transferred CBCA regulation, provides that acquisitions through bona 
fide gift that result in control of an institution requires the 
acquirer to provide Notice to the FDIC within 90 days after the 
acquisition.

2. Section 303.83(a)(2)

    The final rule, as does the existing Subpart E of Part 303, 
provides that the acquisition of voting securities in satisfaction of a 
debt previously contracted for in good faith that would otherwise 
require prior Notice requires the acquirer to provide Notice to the 
FDIC within 90 days after the acquisition. (Note that the acquisition 
of a defaulted loan secured by an amount of a covered institution's 
voting securities that would result in the acquirer holding a 
controlling amount of

[[Page 65895]]

the institution's voting securities requires prior Notice).\47\ The 
transferred CBCA regulation creates separate Notice requirements for 
such acquisitions based on whether the loan was made in the ordinary 
course of business for the lender; however, the FDIC does not believe 
that distinction warrants separate Notice procedures, and therefore, 
the FDIC has not adopted such separate Notice requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ See section 303.82(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Section 303.83(a)(3)

    The final rule, as does existing Subpart E of Part 303, permits an 
acquirer to provide Notice to the FDIC within 90 days after the 
acquisition of voting securities through an inheritance where the 
acquisition would result in the acquirer holding a controlling amount 
of the institution's voting securities. The final rule provides a 
slightly longer period for filing a Notice than the transferred CBCA 
regulation. The transferred CBCA regulation provides a sixty-day Notice 
period for State savings associations.\48\ In the final rule, acquirers 
of State savings associations or parent companies of State savings 
associations have the same timeframe (90 days after the acquisition) as 
acquirers of State nonmember banks or parent companies of State 
nonmember banks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ 12 CFR 391.42(d)(1)(v).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Section 303.83(b)(1)

    The final rule, like the existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the 
transferred CBCA regulation, permits the filing of a Notice within 90 
days after being notified of a redemption of voting securities that 
results in the acquisition of control of the covered institution.The 
final rule is substantively the same as existing Subpart E of Part 303. 
The difference relates to a change in regulatory language to reflect 
that a person might acquire control without acquiring additional voting 
securities when a covered institution redeems voting securities. For 
example, if the two largest shareholders hold 23 and 21 percent of a 
covered institution's voting securities, and the covered institution 
redeems all of the voting securities held by the person with 23 
percent, the person with 21 percent would have to file a Notice. As 
such, the final rule uses the term ``acquisition of control'' instead 
of ``a percentage increase in voting securities''. The transferred CBCA 
regulation provides different Notice procedures for redemptions based 
on whether the redemption is pro rata or is not pro rata.\49\ The FDIC 
does not believe the distinction between types of redemptions merits 
varying Notice procedures. Accordingly, the final rule provides that if 
a person acquires control of a covered institution as a result of a 
redemption, that person has 90 days after receiving notice of the 
transaction to provide Notice to the FDIC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ 12 CFR 391.42(d)(1)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Section 303.83(b)(2)

    Existing Subpart E of Part 303 permits a person to provide the FDIC 
Notice within 90 days after receiving notice of a sale of shares by any 
shareholder that is not within the control of a person and which 
results in that person becoming the largest shareholder.\50\ The final 
rule revises this provision. Under the final rule, if a person gains 
control as a result of any third-party event or action that is not 
within the control of the person acquiring control, that person must 
file a Notice within 90 days of receiving notice of such action. This 
provision, similar to the catch-all in the transferred CBCA regulation, 
is intended to provide a broader exemption from prior Notice 
requirements than an exemption based solely on an acquisition of 
control arising from the sale of securities which results in the 
acquirer becoming the largest shareholder.\51\ The FDIC also interprets 
the catch-all to include any transfer that results from the operation 
of law. For example, some trustees are appointed by operation of law or 
in the course of a bankruptcy proceeding. Under the final rule, such a 
trustee must provide the FDIC with a Notice within 90 days after the 
trustee is appointed and acquires control of a covered institution. 
This provision codifies long-standing FDIC policy. The FDIC notes that 
if the person acquiring control causes the third-party event or action, 
then prior Notice is required.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ 12 CFR 303.83(b)(2)(ii).
    \51\ See 12 CFR 391.42(d)(1)(iv).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Section 303.83(c)

    The final rule expressly provides that the FDIC may disapprove a 
Notice filed after-the-fact and that nothing in section 303.83 limits 
the FDIC's authority to disapprove a Notice. Existing Subpart E of Part 
303 includes this provision with respect to acquisitions of control of 
State nonmember banks and certain parent companies of State nonmember 
banks; the final rule also applies this provision to acquisitions of 
control of State savings associations and certain parent companies of 
State savings associations.

7. Section 303.83(d)

    The final rule explicitly states that the relevant information that 
the FDIC may require under this section may include all of the 
information typically required for a prior Notice. The relevant 
information may include, without limitation, all the information 
requested by the Interagency Notice of Change in Control form and the 
Interagency Biographical and Financial Report. This provision is not in 
existing Subpart E of Part 303, but is included in the final rule for 
transparency and to codify long-standing FDIC policy.

8. Section 303.83(e)

    The final rule expressly states that if the FDIC disapproves a 
Notice, then the notificant must divest control of the covered 
institution which may include, without limitation, disposing of some or 
all of the voting securities so that the notificant(s) is no longer in 
control of the covered institution. This provision is not in existing 
Subpart E of Part 303, but is included in the final rule for clarity 
and to codify long-standing FDIC policy.

9. Additional Transferred CBCA Regulation Provisions Not Included

    In addition to the provisions discussed above, the final rule does 
not include the express caveat that transactions eligible for after-
the-fact Notice are only eligible for after-the-fact Notice provided 
that the timing of the transaction is outside the control of the 
notificant. The FDIC does not believe that it is necessary to state 
explicitly such a restraint on eligibility for an after-the-fact Notice 
because failure to comply with the statutory or regulatory provisions 
may subject the acquirer to liability. As a result, the FDIC has 
historically interpreted the exceptions to prior Notice as including 
this restraint.

e. Section 303.84 Transactions That Do Not Require Notice

1. Section 303.84(a)(1)

    Section 303.84(a)(1) includes grandfather provisions for long-held 
control interests in covered institutions. Under section 
303.84(a)(1)(i), Notice is not required when a person acquires 
additional voting securities of covered institution if the person held 
the power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities 
continuously since the later of March 9, 1979, or the date the 
institution commenced business. This exemption from Notice requirements 
is not substantively different from the exemption in the

[[Page 65896]]

existing Subpart E of Part 303 and only updates terminology.\52\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ See 12 CFR 303.83(a)(1)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The transferred CBCA regulation has a substantively identical 
exemption to 303.84(a)(1)(i) in the final rule for persons that have 
previously held the power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of 
voting securities continuously since March 9, 1979; however, it does 
not exempt persons who held the power to vote 25 percent or more of any 
class of voting securities since the date the savings association 
commenced business.\53\ The final rule, however, exempts such an 
acquisition. As such, compared to the transferred CBCA regulation, the 
final rule expands the Notice exemptions for persons who held the power 
to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities since the 
date the savings association commenced business. The FDIC believes this 
expansion makes the change in control requirements more uniform and 
consistent among State savings associations, State nonmember banks, and 
certain parent companies of either. In general, the FDIC does not 
believe significant reasons exist to treat acquisitions of control of 
State savings associations or parent companies thereof differently, in 
this respect, than acquisitions of control of State nonmember banks and 
parent companies thereof, and, by issuing this final rule, has tried to 
make their treatment as uniform as possible. Furthermore, because 
shareholders who have held over 25 percent of the voting securities 
since the commencement of a State savings association were likely 
reviewed by the FDIC when the institution acquired its charter and 
deposit insurance, generally, the FDIC does not believe that the same 
shareholders need to be reviewed a second time when they acquire 
additional voting securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ 12 CFR 391.42(c)(2)(v)(A) and (B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under section 303.84(a)(1)(ii), Notice is not required when a 
person who is presumed to have controlled a covered institution 
continuously since March 9, 1979, acquires additional voting securities 
of an institution provided that the aggregate amount of voting 
securities held does not exceed 25 percent or more of any class of 
voting securities, or the FDIC has determined that the person has 
continuously controlled the institution since March 9, 1979.\54\ The 
final rule does not amend this exemption for State nonmember banks or 
certain parent companies thereof. The transferred CBCA regulation 
included a similar provision, except with a grandfather date of 
December 26, 1985.\55\ The final rule does not include the grandfather 
date from the transferred CBCA regulation; rather it adopts the same 
grandfather provisions for State savings associations as are applicable 
for State nonmember banks. This treatment generally reflects the FDIC's 
position that acquirers of State savings associations should be treated 
in a similar manner to acquirers of State nonmember banks. In addition, 
this treatment is consistent with the OCC's treatment of Federal 
savings associations.\56\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ 12 CFR 303.83(a)(1)(ii).
    \55\ The difference in the grandfather date is due to a 
difference in when the presumptions in the transferred CBCA 
regulation and Existing Subpart E of Part 303 became effective. The 
FDIC does not anticipate many persons, if any, would be affected by 
the March 9,1979 grandfather date for State savings associations.
    \56\ 12 CFR 5.50(c)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Section 303.84(a)(2)

    The existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA 
regulations exempt from Notice requirements certain persons who have 
controlled a covered institution in compliance with the procedures of 
the Change in Bank Control Act or the repealed Change in Savings and 
Loan Control Act, or any regulations issued under either act, and who 
acquires additional voting securities.\57\ The final rule retains this 
exemption, with an exception for a notice that is required by a person 
who increases their ownership as provided in 12 CFR 303.82(a)(2). As 
noted above, both the OCC and the Board of Governors reserve the right 
to limit the future acquisitions of a person who has once been approved 
to acquire control.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ 12 CFR 303.83(a)(2) and 391.42(c)(2)(v).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Section 303.84(a)(3)

    Under the Change in Bank Control Act and both the existing Subpart 
E of Part 303 and the transferred CBCA regulation, acquisitions of 
voting securities that are subject to approval under section 3 of the 
BHC Act,\58\ section 18(c) of the FDI Act,\59\ or section 10 of the 
Home Owners' Loan Act \60\ are exempt from Notice requirements. These 
are statutory exemptions and are included in the final rule for 
clarity.\61\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ 12 U.S.C. 1842 et seq.
    \59\ 12 U.S.C. 1828(c).
    \60\ 12 U.S.C. 1467b.
    \61\ 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(17).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Section 303.84(a)(4)

    The existing Subpart E of Part 303 exempts from Notice requirements 
those transactions that are exempt under the BHC Act including, 
foreclosures by institutional lenders, fiduciary acquisitions by banks, 
and increases of majority holdings by bank holding companies described 
in sections 2(a)(5), 3(a)(A), or 3(a)(B), respectively, of the BHC Act, 
12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(5), 1842(a)(A), and 1842(a)(B).\62\ The final rule 
includes these exemptions, but does not include the text preceding the 
statutory references. The text, ``foreclosures by institutional 
lenders, fiduciary acquisitions by banks, and increases of majority 
holdings by bank holding companies'' is removed for clarity only; no 
substantive change is intended or effected. Intended as shorthand 
references to the subject matter of the statutory provisions, the text 
has generated confusion regarding its proper interpretation in that it 
could be interpreted as limiting the scope of those statutory 
references. In order to eliminate that confusion, the FDIC has deleted 
the text. Consequently, the final rule provides that any transaction 
described in sections 2(a)(5), 3(a)(A), or 3(a)(B) of the BHC Act by a 
person described in those provisions is exempt from Notice 
requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \62\ 12 CFR 303.83(a)(4). The transferred CBCA regulation 
includes references to exempt transactions in 12 CFR 
391.42(c)(2)(i)(A), (ii), (iii), and (iv) that are substantially 
similar to the exempt transactions included in the final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Section 303.84(a)(5)

    The existing Subpart E of Part 303 exempts a customary one-time 
proxy solicitation from the Notice requirements.\63\ The final rule 
technically modifies this exemption by expressly limiting its 
applicability to only revocable proxies, which is in line with long-
standing FDIC interpretation. This exemption is applicable any time 
revocable proxies are solicited for a single meeting of a covered 
institution. This exemption does not cover irrevocable proxies or 
revocable proxies that do not terminate within a reasonable period 
after the meeting. The transferred CBCA regulation does not include a 
similar exemption for the one-time solicitation of revocable proxies. 
However, the FDIC believes that this exemption is just as appropriate 
for state savings associations as it is for state nonmember banks, and 
the final rule extends this exemption to State savings associations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ 12 CFR 303.83(a)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Section 303.84(a)(6)

    The existing Subpart E of Part 303 also exempts from Notice 
requirements the receipt of voting shares through a pro rata stock 
dividend.\64\ The transferred CBCA regulation has a similar exemption, 
but extends the exemption to stock splits, if the

[[Page 65897]]

proportional interests of the recipients remain substantially the 
same.\65\ This language is similar to language contained in the Board 
of Governors' change in control regulation.\66\ The FDIC believes the 
effect of a stock split is substantially similar to the effect of a pro 
rata stock dividend and has incorporated this exemption. Thus, the 
final rule permits an exemption for an increase in voting securities 
through either a pro rata stock dividend or a stock split, provided the 
proportional interests of the recipients remain the same.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ 12 CFR 303.83(a)(6).
    \65\ 12 CFR 391.42(c)(2)(i)(C).
    \66\ See 12 CFR 225.42(a)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Section 303.84(a)(7)

    The final rule, like the existing Subpart E of Part 303, exempts 
the acquisition of voting securities in a foreign bank that has an 
insured branch in the United States.

8. Section 303.84(a)(8)

    The existing Subpart E of Part 303 exempts from Notice requirements 
the acquisition of voting shares of a depository institution holding 
company that either the Board of Governors or the former OTS reviews 
under the Change in Bank Control Act.\67\ The purpose of this exemption 
is to avoid duplicate regulatory review of the same acquisition of 
control by both the Board of Governors and the FDIC. The final rule 
includes this exemption, but removes the reference to the former OTS. 
The final rule also continues the FDIC's longstanding practice to 
recognize this exemption only when the Board of Governors actually 
reviews a Notice under the Change in Bank Control Act and not when the 
Board of Governors does not require and review a Notice. Accordingly, 
if the Board of Governors determines to accept passivity commitments in 
lieu of a Notice, the FDIC will evaluate the facts and circumstances of 
the case to determine whether a Notice is required to be filed with the 
FDIC for the indirect acquisition of control of an FDIC-supervised 
institution. This revision to the existing Subpart E of Part 303 is 
consistent with the language in the transferred CBCA regulation, which 
states that transactions for which ``a change of control notice must be 
submitted'' to the Board of Governors are exempt from Notice 
requirements.\68\ This revision is also consistent with the purpose of 
the exemptions and the FDIC's long-standing practice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \67\ 12 CFR 303.83(a)(8). This fact pattern would arise, for 
example, when an individual investor, rather than a company, seeks 
to acquire control of a bank holding company.
    \68\ 12 CFR 391.42(c)(2)(iv).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Other Transferred CBCA Regulation Exemptions

    The transferred CBCA regulation also includes an exemption for 
acquisitions of up to twenty-five percent of a class of stock by a tax-
qualified employee stock benefit plan as defined in 12 CFR 192.25.\69\ 
The final rule does not include this provision because such plans are 
treated in the same manner as any trust. To the extent that a trustee 
does not have voting rights or the power to direct how the votes will 
be cast, typically the FDIC would not determine that the trustee has 
control.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ 12 CFR 391.42(c)(2)(i)(E).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

f. 303.85 Filing Procedures

    The filing procedures in the final rule are identical to the filing 
procedures in the existing Subpart E of Part 303.\70\ The FDIC is not 
substantially modifying the filing procedures in the existing Subpart E 
of Part 303 because these procedures are well-understood by the 
industry and have historically been easy to implement by both the FDIC 
and the industry. The final rule changes the filing procedures 
specified in the transferred CBCA regulation such that acquirers of 
State savings associations and certain parent companies thereof do not 
need to file a Notice using the OTS's Notice Form 1393.\71\ Under the 
final rule, a specific Notice form is not required, however, all of the 
information required by the FFIEC Interagency Notice of Change in 
Control form as well as the Interagency Biographical and Financial 
Report would need to be submitted.\72\ The FDIC encourages the use of 
the FFIEC forms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \70\ See 12 CFR 303.84.
    \71\ 12 CFR 391.45(a) and (b).
    \72\ A notificant may choose to use an interagency form which is 
available at the FFIEC Web site or from an FDIC Regional Director.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the final rule does not specifically state that the 
notificant may amend the Notice, as in the transferred CBCA regulation, 
but it is current FDIC policy that notificants can amend a Notice at 
their own initiative or upon the request of the FDIC.

g. 303.86 Processing and Disapproval of Notices

    The procedural requirements in the final rule are substantively 
identical to the procedural requirements in the existing Subpart E of 
Part 303.\73\ Similar to the reasoning for not substantially modifying 
the filing procedures in the existing Subpart E of Part 303, the FDIC 
is not making any substantive changes to the processing procedures in 
the final rule. Relative to the procedural requirements in the existing 
Subpart E of Part 303, the only modification is to state explicitly 
that the Change in Bank Control Act permits the FDIC to extend the 
notice period.\74\ Material changes applicable to State savings 
associations, as compared to the transferred CBCA regulation, are 
discussed below.\75\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \73\ See 12 CFR 303.85.
    \74\ See 12 CFR 303.86(b)(1).
    \75\ See 12 CFR 391.45(c) and 391.46 for relevant provisions of 
the transferred CBCA regulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    First, the final rule does not include the provision in the 
transferred CBCA regulation that failure by a State savings association 
to respond to a written request for information or documents within 30 
calendar days would be deemed a withdrawal of the Notice or rebuttal 
filing.\76\ Instead, any written request for information from the FDIC 
may include a time-limit within which the institution must respond 
before the Notice or rebuttal filing would be considered abandoned or 
withdrawn. This procedure provides more flexibility depending on the 
depth and amount of information requested.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \76\ See 12 CFR 391.45(c)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, the final rule does not include the limitation in the 
transferred CBCA regulation restricting the FDIC's additional 
information requests, after the initial information request, to only 
information regarding matters derived from the initial information 
request or Notice, or information of a material nature that was not 
reasonably available for the acquirer, was concealed, or pertained to 
developments after the time of the initial information request.\77\ The 
final rule does not include such a restriction because the FDIC 
believes it should have the flexibility to obtain all material 
information throughout the notice review period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ See 12 CFR 391.45(c)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the transferred CBCA regulation includes a list of 
factors that give rise to a rebuttable presumption that an acquirer may 
fail the integrity and financial condition statutory factors.\78\ For 
example, if during the 10-year period immediately preceding the filing 
of the Notice, certain judgments, consents, orders, or administrative 
proceedings terminated in any agreements or orders issued against the 
acquirer, or affiliates of the acquirer, by any governmental entity, 
which involve: (A) Fraud, moral turpitude, dishonesty, breach of trust 
or fiduciary duties, organized crime or racketeering; (B) violation of 
securities or commodities laws or regulations; (C) violation of 
depository institution laws or

[[Page 65898]]

regulations; (D) violation of housing authority laws or regulations; or 
(E) violation of the rules, regulations, codes of conduct or ethics of 
a self-regulatory trade or professional organization, there is a 
rebuttable presumption that the notificant cannot meet the statutory 
integrity factor. For the financial condition factor, for instance, if 
the notificant failed to furnish a business plan or furnished a 
business plan projecting activities which are inconsistent with 
economical home financing, then there is a rebuttable presumption the 
notificant cannot meet the financial condition statutory factor. As 
discussed above, the final rule does not adopt the presumption 
regarding disqualification factors. Nevertheless, the FDIC notes that 
these are the sort of facts that it considers when evaluating the 
financial or integrity factors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ 12 CFR 391.46(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

h. 303.87 Public Notice Requirement

    The final rule does not substantively amend the public notice 
requirements in the existing Subpart E of Part 303.\79\ The final rule 
includes minor revisions to the public notice requirements for Notices 
that are not filed in accordance with the Change in Bank Control Act 
and this subpart within the time periods specified. The final rule 
harmonizes the public notice requirements for such Notices with the 
requirements for Notices filed in accordance with the Change in Bank 
Control Act and this subpart. Material changes applicable to State 
savings associations, as compared to the transferred CBCA regulation, 
are discussed below.\80\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ See 12 CFR 303.86.
    \80\ See 12 CFR 391.45.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    First, the transferred CBCA regulation does not explicitly permit 
the FDIC to delay publication requirements. The final rule, like the 
existing Subpart E of Part 303, permits the FDIC to delay the 
publication required if the FDIC determines, for good cause, that it is 
in the public interest to grant a delay.
    The final rule also permits the FDIC to shorten the public comment 
period to a period of not less than 10 days, or waive the public 
comment or newspaper publication requirements, or act on a Notice 
before the expiration of a public comment period, if it determines that 
an emergency exists or that disclosure of the Notice, solicitation of 
public comment, or delay until expiration of the public comment period 
would seriously threaten the safety and soundness of the institution to 
be acquired. The transferred CBCA regulation permits the FDIC to waive 
the public notice period and submission of comments for supervisory 
reasons.\81\ The final rule includes the language from the existing 
Subpart E of Part 303 and not the broader language from the transferred 
CBCA regulation because the FDIC believes that such a waiver should be 
rare and granted only as specified in the existing Subpart E of Part 
303. The FDIC believes that public comment is an important right and 
should only be waived for an emergency or serious threats to an 
institution's safety and soundness.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ 12 CFR 391.45(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The transferred CBCA regulation provides for a 30-day comment 
period, but the existing Subpart E of Part 303 and the final rule 
include a 20-day comment period.\82\ The final rule includes a 20-day 
comment period because, in the FDIC's experience, the 20-day comment 
period in the existing Subpart E of Part 303 has provided potential 
commenters sufficient time to comment. In addition, a 20-day comment 
period gives the FDIC sufficient time to review any comments during the 
limited statutory review period (60-days unless extended further). 
Finally, a 20-day comment period provides consistency among the Federal 
banking agencies with respect to State savings associations, State 
nonmember banks, national banks, and State member banks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \82\ 12 CFR 303.86(d) and 12 CFR 391.45(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The final rule also requires that if a Notice was not filed in 
accordance with the Change in Bank Control Act and this subpart within 
the time periods specified, the notificant must publish an announcement 
of the acquisition of control in a newspaper of general circulation in 
the community in which the home office of the FDIC-supervised 
institution acquired is located within 10 days after being directed to 
file a Notice by the FDIC. This express requirement is not included in 
the transferred CBCA regulation.
    The transferred CBCA regulation includes a provision regarding how 
an applicant can request that information submitted in connection with 
a Notice be treated as confidential.\83\ The final rule does not 
include these procedures because the FDIC has comparable disclosure and 
confidentiality regulations in 12 CFR part 309 that already cover such 
requests.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \83\ 12 CFR 391.45(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the transferred CBCA regulation explicitly states that the 
FDIC will notify the State savings association's State supervisor of 
the filing of a Notice.\84\ As this is a statutory requirement, the 
FDIC does not believe its inclusion in the final rule is necessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \84\ 12 CFR 391.45(h).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

i. 303.88 Reporting of Stock Loans and Changes in Chief Executive 
Officers and Directors

    The final rule includes two longstanding statutory reporting 
requirements that are not included in existing Subpart E of Part 303 or 
the transferred CBCA regulation. The first statutory reporting 
requirement relates to any foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, that 
has credit outstanding to any person or group of persons which is 
secured, directly or indirectly, by 25 percent or more of any class of 
voting securities of a covered institution.\85\ The second statutory 
reporting requirement included in the final rule relates to changes in 
chief executive officers and directors of a bank within 12 months of a 
change in control being consummated.\86\ The final rule does not add 
to, or modify, the existing statutory requirements and only includes 
the longstanding statutory requirements to enhance transparency for 
covered institutions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \85\ 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(9).
    \86\ 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

j. Other Transferred CBCA Regulation Provisions

    The final rule does not include similar language to that in 12 CFR 
391.45(i)-(j), which outlines additional procedures for Notices that 
involve other filings to the FDIC. Notificants should review other 
applicable regulatory sections, such as 12 CFR 303.60 et seq. 
concerning merger applications or mutual-to-stock conversions, for 
further information on related filings. The FDIC generally prefers not 
to cross-reference filings that a particular transaction may require. 
The FDIC notes that acquisitions of voting securities subject to 
approval under section 18(c) of the FDI Act are exempt from Notice 
requirements.
    The transferred CBCA regulation also contains a rebuttal of control 
agreement.\87\ The final rule does not include this agreement because 
the FDIC believes that a rebuttal of control should be tailored to the 
facts and circumstances of each situation, and a standard agreement 
would not typically capture the various circumstances that may be 
present in some situations. The FDIC prefers to make any potential 
rebuttal of control decision only after reviewing the facts and 
circumstances of the particular acquisition.\88\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \87\ 12 CFR 391.48.
    \88\ See also discussion at II.c.7, supra.

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

[[Page 65899]]

    The final rule also excludes the requirement in the transferred 
CBCA regulation that certain acquirers of beneficial ownership 
exceeding 10 percent of any class of stock of a State savings 
association file a certification of ownership. The FDIC believes that 
the regulatory burden of these filings exceeds the benefits derived 
from them.

k. Existing OTS Guidance

    All guidance issued by the OTS that would otherwise apply to 
changes in control of State savings associations and that is 
inconsistent with the provisions of this final rule or the FDIC's 
policies or procedures is rescinded on the effective date of this final 
rule to the extent that such guidance would otherwise apply to changes 
in control of State savings associations.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

A. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, the FDIC may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not 
required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a 
currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control 
number.\89\ The Interagency Notice of Change in Control form has 
previously been approved by the OMB under Control No. 3064-0019 for all 
covered institutions, including State nonmember banks and State savings 
associations. This final rule does not revise the Interagency Notice of 
Change in Control form for covered institutions; therefore, no 
Information Collection Request will be submitted to OMB.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \89\ 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that, in 
connection with a final rulemaking, an agency prepare and make 
available for public comment a final regulatory flexibility analysis 
that describes the impact of a final rule on small entities (defined in 
regulations promulgated by the Small Business Administration to include 
banking organizations with total assets of less than or equal to $550 
million). A regulatory flexibility analysis, however, is not required 
if the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and 
publishes its certification and a short explanatory statement in the 
Federal Register together with the final rule. For the reasons provided 
below, the FDIC certifies that the final rule does not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
    The final rule only affects persons acquiring control of covered 
institutions, which may include small banking entities. As such, the 
rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities as the final rule does not impose any new 
requirements or prohibitions on small banking entities and does not 
impose any direct costs on small banking entities. As discussed in the 
preamble, the final rule primarily revises the circumstances that 
require the filing of a Notice for persons acquiring control of a 
covered institution, including a small banking entity. Any impact of 
the final rule is borne by the persons acquiring a controlling interest 
in a covered institution and not by the covered institution directly. 
Furthermore, for State nonmember banks and certain of their parent 
companies, the final rule generally codifies existing FDIC practice and 
should only marginally affect the number of persons subject to Notice 
requirements. While the changes for State savings associations are more 
material, the changes generally conform the requirements for acquirers 
of State savings associations under the transferred CBCA regulation 
with the requirements for acquirers of other insured depository 
institutions and should not materially increase the number of change in 
control Notices that must be filed. Currently, the FDIC receives 
approximately 35 change in control Notices each year, and the FDIC does 
not expect the final rule to increase the number of Notices received. 
As such, the final rule does not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small banking entities.

C. Plain Language

    Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires the FDIC to use 
plain language in all proposed and final rules published after January 
1, 2000. The FDIC sought to present the proposed rule in a simple and 
straightforward manner and did not receive any comments on the use of 
plain language. The FDIC has similarly drafted the final rule.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 303

    Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, Banking, Savings 
associations, Change in bank control.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

12 CFR Chapter III

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation amends parts 303 and 391 of chapter III of Title 
12, Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 303--FILING PROCEDURES

0
1. Revise the authority citation for part 303 to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 378, 1464, 1813, 1815, 1817, 1818, 1819(a) 
(Seventh and Tenth), 1820, 1823, 1828, 1831a, 1831e, 1831o, 1831p-1, 
1831w, 1835a, 1843(l), 3104, 3105, 3108, 3207, 5414; 15 U.S.C. 1601-
1607.


0
2. Revise Subpart E to read as follows:
Subpart E--Change in Bank Control Act
Sec.
303.80 Scope.
303.81 Definitions.
303.82 Transactions that require prior notice.
303.83 Transactions that require notice, but not prior notice.
303.84 Transactions that do not require notice.
303.85 Filing procedures.
303.86 Processing.
303.87 Public notice requirements.
303.88 Reporting of stock loans and changes in chief executive 
officers and directors.
303.89-303.99 [Reserved]

Subpart E--Change in Bank Control


Sec.  303.80  Scope.

    This subpart implements the provisions of the Change in Bank 
Control Act of 1978, section 7(j) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) 
(CBCA), and sets forth the filing requirements and processing 
procedures for a notice of change in control with respect to the 
acquisition of control of a State nonmember bank, a State savings 
association, or certain parent companies of either a State nonmember 
bank or a State savings association.


Sec.  303.81  Definitions.

    For purposes of this subpart:
    (a) Acting in concert means knowing participation in a joint 
activity or parallel action towards a common goal of acquiring control 
of a covered institution whether or not pursuant to an express 
agreement.
    (b) Company means a company as defined in section 2 of the Bank 
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.) and 
any person that is not an individual including for example, a limited 
liability company.
    (c) Control means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the 
management

[[Page 65900]]

or policies of a covered institution or to vote 25 percent or more of 
any class of voting securities of a covered institution.
    (d) Convertible securities mean debt or equity interests that may 
be converted into voting securities.
    (e) Covered institution means an insured State nonmember bank, an 
insured State savings association, and any company that controls, 
directly or indirectly, an insured State nonmember bank or an insured 
State savings association other than a holding company that is the 
subject of an exemption described in either section 303.84(a)(3) or 
(a)(8).
    (f) Immediate family means a person's parents, mother-in-law, 
father-in-law, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, 
brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandparents, and grandchildren, 
whether biological, adoptive, adjudicated, contractual, or de facto; 
the spouse of any of the foregoing; and the person's spouse.
    (g) Person means an individual, corporation, limited liability 
company (LLC), partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, 
syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization, voting 
trust, or any other form of entity; and includes each party to a voting 
agreement and any group of persons acting in concert.
    (h) Management official means any officer, LLC manager, director, 
partner, or trustee of an entity, or other person with similar 
functions and powers with respect to a company.
    (i)(1) Voting securities means shares of common or preferred stock, 
general or limited partnership shares or interests, membership 
interests, or similar interests if the shares or interests, by statute, 
charter, or in any manner, entitle the holder:
    (i) To vote for, or to select, directors, trustees, managers of an 
LLC, partners, or other persons exercising similar functions of the 
issuing entity; or
    (ii) To vote on, or to direct, the conduct of the operations or 
significant policies of the issuing entity.
    (2) Nonvoting shares: Shares of common or preferred stock, limited 
partnership shares or interests, membership interests, or similar 
interests are not ``voting securities'' if:
    (i) Any voting rights associated with the shares or interests are 
limited solely to the type customarily provided by State statute with 
regard to matters that would significantly and adversely affect the 
rights or preference of the security or other interest, such as the 
issuance of additional amounts or classes of senior securities, the 
modification of the terms of the security or interest, the dissolution 
of the issuing entity, or the payment of dividends by the issuing 
entity when preferred dividends are in arrears;
    (ii) The shares or interests represent an essentially passive 
investment or financing device and do not otherwise provide the holder 
with control over the issuing entity; and
    (iii) The shares or interests do not entitle the holder, by 
statute, charter, or in any manner, to select, or to vote for the 
selection of, directors, trustees, managers of an LLC, partners, or 
persons exercising similar functions of the issuing entity.
    (3) Class of voting securities: Voting securities issued by a 
single issuer are deemed to be the same class of voting securities, 
regardless of differences in dividend rights or liquidation preference, 
if the securities are voted together as a single class on all matters 
for which the securities have voting rights other than matters 
described in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section that affect solely the 
rights or preferences of the securities.


Sec.  303.82  Transactions that require prior notice.

    (a) Prior notice requirement. (1) Except as provided in Sec. Sec.  
303.83 and 303.84, no person, acting directly or indirectly, or through 
or in concert with one or more persons, shall acquire control of a 
covered institution unless the person shall have given the FDIC prior 
notice of the proposed acquisition as provided in the CBCA and this 
subpart, and the FDIC has not disapproved the acquisition within 60 
days or such longer period as may be permitted under the CBCA; and
    (2) Except as provided in Sec. Sec.  303.83 and 303.84, and unless 
waived by the FDIC, no person who has been approved to acquire control 
of a covered institution and who has maintained that control shall 
acquire, directly or indirectly, or through or in concert with one or 
more persons, voting securities of such covered institution if that 
person's ownership, control, or power to vote will increase from less 
than 25 percent to 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities 
of the covered institution, unless the person shall have given the FDIC 
prior notice of the proposed acquisition as provided in the CBCA and 
this subpart, and the FDIC has not disapproved the acquisition within 
60 days or such longer period as may be permitted under the CBCA.
    (b) Rebuttable presumptions--(1) Rebuttable presumptions of 
control. The FDIC presumes that an acquisition of voting securities of 
a covered institution constitutes the acquisition of the power to 
direct the management or policies of that institution requiring prior 
notice to the FDIC, if, immediately after the transaction, the 
acquiring person will own, control, or hold with power to vote 10 
percent or more of any class of voting securities of the institution, 
and if:
    (i) The institution has registered securities under section 12 of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78l); or
    (ii) No other person will own, control or hold the power to vote a 
greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after 
the transaction.
    (2) Rebuttable presumptions of acting in concert. The following 
persons who own or control, or propose to own or control voting 
securities in a covered institution, shall be presumed to be acting in 
concert for purposes of this subpart:
    (i) A company and any controlling shareholder or management 
official of the company;
    (ii) An individual and one or more members of the individual's 
immediate family;
    (iii) Companies under common control or a company and each company 
it controls;
    (iv) Two or more persons that have made, or propose to make, a 
joint filing related to the proposed acquisition under sections 13 or 
14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78n), and 
the rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange 
Commission;
    (v) A person and any trust for which the person serves as trustee 
or any trust for which the person is a beneficiary; and
    (vi) 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 covered institution, other than through 
revocable proxies as described in Sec.  303.84(a)(5).
    (3) Convertible securities, options, and warrants. The acquisition 
of convertible securities, or options or warrants to acquire voting 
securities is presumed to constitute the acquisition of voting 
securities.
    (4) Rebuttal of presumptions. The FDIC will afford any person 
seeking to rebut a presumption in this paragraph (b) an opportunity to 
present its views in writing.
    (c) Acquisition of loans in default. An acquisition of a loan in 
default that is secured by voting securities of a covered institution 
is deemed to be an acquisition of the underlying securities for 
purposes of this subpart. Before

[[Page 65901]]

acquiring a loan in default that upon foreclosure would result in the 
acquiring person owning, controlling, or holding with the power to vote 
a controlling amount of a covered institution's voting securities, the 
potential acquirer must give the FDIC prior written notice as specified 
in this subpart.


Sec.  303.83  Transactions that require notice, but not prior notice.

    (a) Notice within 90 days after the acquisition. The following 
acquisitions of voting securities of a covered institution, which 
otherwise would require prior notice under this subpart, instead 
require the acquirer to provide to the appropriate FDIC office within 
90 calendar days after the acquisition all relevant information 
requested by the FDIC:
    (1) The acquisition of voting securities as a bona fide gift;
    (2) The acquisition of voting securities in satisfaction of a debt 
previously contracted in good faith, except as provided in Sec.  
303.82(c); and
    (3) The acquisition of voting securities through inheritance.
    (b) Notice within 90 days after receiving notice of the event 
giving rise to the acquisition of control. The following acquisitions 
of control of a covered institution, which otherwise would require 
prior notice under this subpart, instead require the person acquiring 
control to provide to the appropriate FDIC office, within 90 calendar 
days after receiving notice of the event giving rise to the acquisition 
of control, all relevant information requested by the FDIC:
    (1) The acquisition of control resulting from a redemption of 
voting securities by the issuing covered institution; and
    (2) The acquisition of control as a result of any event or action 
(including without limitation the sale of securities) by any third 
party that is not within the control of the person acquiring control.
    (c) The FDIC may disapprove a notice filed after an acquisition of 
control, and nothing in this section limits the authority of the FDIC 
to disapprove a notice pursuant to Sec.  303.86(c).
    (d) The relevant information that the FDIC may require under this 
section may include all information and documents routinely required 
for a prior notice as provided in Sec.  303.85.
    (e) If the FDIC disapproves a Notice filed under this Sec.  303.83, 
the notificant(s) must divest control of the covered institution which 
may include, without limitation, disposing of some or all of the voting 
securities so that the notificant(s) is no longer in control of the 
covered institution, within such period of time and in the manner that 
the FDIC may determine.


Sec.  303.84  Transactions that do not require notice.

    (a) Exempt transactions. The following transactions do not require 
notice to the FDIC under this subpart:
    (1) The acquisition of additional voting securities of a covered 
institution by a person who:
    (i) Held the power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of 
voting securities of the institution continuously since the later of 
March 9, 1979, or the date that the institution commenced business; or
    (ii) Is presumed, under Sec.  303.82(b) to have controlled the 
institution continuously since March 9, 1979, if the aggregate amount 
of voting securities held does not exceed 25 percent or more of any 
class of voting securities of the institution or, in other cases, where 
the FDIC determines that the person has controlled the institution 
continuously since March 9, 1979;
    (2) The acquisition of additional voting securities of a covered 
institution by a person who has lawfully acquired and maintained 
control of the institution (for purposes of Sec.  303.82) after 
obtaining the FDIC's non-objection under the CBCA and the FDIC's 
regulations or the OTS's non-objection under the repealed Change in 
Savings and Loan Control Act, 12 U.S.C. 1730(q), and the regulations 
thereunder then in effect, to acquire control of the institution, 
unless a notice is required for an increase in ownership described in 
12 CFR 303.82(a)(2);
    (3) Acquisitions of voting securities subject to approval under 
section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(a)), section 
18(c) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(c)), or section 10 of the Home 
Owners' Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1467a);
    (4) Any transaction described in sections 2(a)(5), 3(a)(A), or 
3(a)(B) of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1841(a)(5), 
1842(a)(A), or 1842(a)(B)) by a person described in those provisions;
    (5) A customary one-time solicitation of a revocable proxy;
    (6) The receipt of voting securities of a covered institution 
through a pro rata stock dividend or stock split if the proportional 
interests of the recipients remain substantially the same;
    (7) The acquisition of voting securities in a foreign bank that has 
an insured branch in the United States. (This exemption does not extend 
to the reports and information required under paragraphs 9, 10, and 12 
of the CBCA (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(9), (10), and (12)); and
    (8) The acquisition of voting securities of a depository 
institution holding company for which the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System reviews a notice pursuant to the CBCA (12 U.S.C. 
1817(j)).


Sec.  303.85  Filing procedures.

    (a) Filing notice. (1) A notice required under this subpart shall 
be filed with the appropriate FDIC office and shall contain all the 
information required by paragraph 6 of the CBCA, section 7(j) of the 
FDI Act, (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(6)), or prescribed in the designated 
interagency forms which may be obtained from any FDIC regional 
director.
    (2) The FDIC may waive any of the informational requirements of the 
notice if the FDIC determines that it is in the public interest.
    (3) A notificant shall notify the appropriate FDIC office 
immediately of any material changes in the information contained in a 
notice submitted to the FDIC, including changes in financial or other 
conditions.
    (4) When the acquiring person is an individual, or group of 
individuals acting in concert, the requirement to provide personal 
financial data may be satisfied by a current statement of assets and 
liabilities and an income summary, as required in the designated 
interagency form, together with a statement of any material changes 
since the date of the statement or summary. The FDIC may require 
additional information if appropriate.
    (b) Other laws. Nothing in this subpart shall affect any obligation 
which the acquiring person(s) may have to comply with the federal 
securities laws or other laws.


Sec.  303.86  Processing.

    (a) Acceptance of notice, additional information. The FDIC shall 
notify the person or persons submitting a notice under this subpart in 
writing of the date the notice is accepted as substantially complete. 
The FDIC may request additional information at any time.
    (b) Commencement of the 60-day notice period: consummation of 
acquisition. (1) The 60-day notice period specified in Sec.  303.82 
shall commence on the day after the date of acceptance of a 
substantially complete notice by the appropriate regional director. The 
notificant(s) may consummate the proposed acquisition after the 
expiration of the 60-day notice period, unless the FDIC disapproves the 
proposed acquisition or extends the notice period as provided in the 
CBCA.
    (2) The notificant(s) may consummate the proposed transaction 
before the expiration of the 60-day period,

[[Page 65902]]

including any extensions, if the FDIC notifies the notificant(s) in 
writing of its intention not to disapprove the acquisition.
    (c) Disapproval of acquisition of control. Subpart D of 12 CFR part 
308 sets forth the rules of practice and procedure for a notice of 
disapproval.


Sec.  303.87  Public notice requirements.

    (a) Publication--(1) Newspaper announcement. Any person(s) filing a 
notice under this subpart shall publish an announcement soliciting 
public comment on the proposed acquisition. The announcement shall be 
published in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in 
which the home office of the covered institution to be acquired is 
located.
    (2) Timing of publication. The announcement shall be published as 
close as is practicable to the date the notice is filed with the 
appropriate FDIC office, but in no event more than 10 calendar days 
before or after the filing date. If the filing is not filed in 
accordance with the CBCA and this subpart within the time periods 
specified herein, the acquiring person(s) shall, within 10 days of 
being directed by the FDIC to file a Notice, publish an announcement of 
the acquisition of control.
    (3) Contents of newspaper announcement. The newspaper announcement 
shall conform to the public notice requirements set forth in Sec.  
303.7. If the filing is not filed in accordance with the CBCA and this 
subpart within the time periods specified herein, the announcement 
shall also include the date of the acquisition and contain a statement 
indicating that the FDIC is currently reviewing the acquisition of 
control.
    (b) Delay of publication. The FDIC may permit delay in the 
publication required by this section if the FDIC determines, for good 
cause, that it is in the public interest to grant such a delay. 
Requests for delay of publication may be submitted to the appropriate 
FDIC office.
    (c) Shortening or waiving public comment period, waiving 
publications; acting before close of public comment period. The FDIC 
may shorten the public comment period to a period of not less than 10 
days, or waive the public comment or newspaper publication requirements 
of paragraph (a) of this section, or act on a notice before the 
expiration of a public comment period, if it determines in writing 
either that an emergency exists or that disclosure of the notice, 
solicitation of public comment, or delay until expiration of the public 
comment period would seriously threaten the safety and soundness of the 
State nonmember bank or State savings association to be acquired.
    (d) Consideration of public comments. In acting upon a notice filed 
under this subpart, the FDIC shall consider all public comments 
received in writing within 20 days following the required newspaper 
publication or, if the FDIC has shortened the public comment period 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, within such shorter period.


Sec.  303.88  Reporting of stock loans and changes in chief executive 
officers and directors.

    (a) Requirements of reporting stock loans. (1) Any foreign bank or 
affiliate of a foreign bank that has credit outstanding to any person 
or group of persons, in the aggregate, which is secured, directly or 
indirectly, by 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of 
a covered institution, shall file a consolidated report with the 
appropriate FDIC office.
    (2) Any voting securities of the covered institution held by the 
foreign bank or any affiliate of the foreign bank as principal must be 
included in the calculation of the number of voting securities in which 
the foreign bank or its affiliate has a security interest for purposes 
of this paragraph (a).
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section:
    (1) Foreign bank shall have the same meaning as in section 1(b) of 
the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101).
    (2) Affiliate shall have the same meaning as in section 1(b) of the 
International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101).
    (3) 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 the person or group of 
persons.
    (4) Group of persons includes any number of persons that the 
foreign bank or any affiliate of a foreign bank has reason to believe:
    (i) Are acting together, in concert, or with one another to acquire 
or control voting securities of the same covered institution, including 
an acquisition of voting securities of the same covered institution at 
approximately the same time under substantially the same terms; or
    (ii) Have made, or propose to make, a joint filing under section 13 
or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78n), 
and the rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange 
Commission regarding ownership of the voting securities of the same 
covered institution.
    (c) Exceptions. Compliance with paragraph (a) of this section is 
not required if:
    (1) The person or group of persons referred to in paragraph (a) has 
disclosed the amount borrowed and the security interest therein to the 
appropriate FDIC office in connection with a notice filed under the 
CBCA, an application filed under either 12 U.S.C. 1841, et seq. or 12 
U.S.C. 1467a, or any other application filed with the FDIC as a 
substitute for a notice under Sec.  303.82 of this subpart, including 
an application filed under section 18(c) of the FDI Act (Bank Merger 
Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)) or section 5 of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1815); 
or
    (2) 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, before the bank is opened for business.
    (d) Report requirements for purposes of paragraph (a) of this 
section. (1) The consolidated report must indicate the number and 
percentage of voting securities securing each applicable extension of 
credit, the identity of the borrower, the number of voting securities 
held as principal by the foreign bank and any affiliate thereof, and 
any additional information that the FDIC may require in connection with 
a particular report.
    (2) A foreign bank, or any affiliate of a foreign bank, shall file 
the consolidated report in writing within 30 days of the date on which 
the foreign bank or affiliate first believes that the security for any 
outstanding credit consists of 25 percent or more of any class of 
voting securities of a covered institution.
    (e) Foreign bank or affiliate not supervised by FDIC. If the 
foreign bank, or any affiliate thereof, is not supervised by the FDIC, 
it shall file a copy of the report filed under paragraph (a) of this 
section with its appropriate Federal banking agency.
    (f) Reporting requirement. After the consummation of a change in 
control, a covered institution must notify the FDIC 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

[[Page 65903]]

current business and professional affiliations of the new chief 
executive officers or directors.


Sec. Sec.  303.89-303.99  [Reserved]

PART 391--FORMER OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION REGULATIONS

0
3. The authority for part 391 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1819(a) (Tenth).; Subpart A also issued 
under 12 U.S.C. 1462a; 1463; 1464; 1828; 1831p-1; 1881-1884; 15 
U.S.C. 1681w; 15 U.S.C. 6801; 6805.; Subpart B also issued under 12 
U.S.C. 1462a; 1463; 1464; 1828; 1831p-1; 1881-1884; 15 U.S.C.1681w; 
15 U.S.C. 6801; 6805.; Subpart C also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1462a; 
1463; 1464; 1828; 1831p-1; and 1881-1884; 15 U.S.C. 1681m; 1681w.; 
Subpart D also issued under 12 U.S.C. 1462; 1462a; 1463; 1464; 42 
U.S.C. 4012a; 4104a; 4104b; 4106; 4128.

Subpart E--[Removed and Reserved]

0
4. Remove and reserve subpart E, consisting of Sec. Sec.  391.40 
through 391.48.

    By order of the Board of Directors.

    Dated at Washington, DC this 22nd day of October, 2015.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Robert E. Feldman,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-27289 Filed 10-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6714-01-P

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