Home Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C) Adjustment to Asset-Size Exemption Threshold, 61145-61147 [2017-27879]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations § 195.12 Definitions. * * * * * (u) Small savings association—(1) Definition. Small savings association means a savings association that, as of December 31 of either of the prior two calendar years, had assets of less than $1.252 billion. Intermediate small savings association means a small savings association with assets of at least $313 million as of December 31 of both of the prior two calendar years and less than $1.252 billion as of December 31 of either of the prior two calendar years. * * * * * FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Chapter II For the reasons set forth in the section, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System amends part 228 of chapter II of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION PART 228—COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT (REGULATION BB) 5. The authority citation for part 228 is revised to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 321, 325, 1828(c), 1842, 1843, 1844, and 2901 et seq. 6. Section 228.12 is amended by revising paragraph (u)(1) to read as follows: ■ § 228.12 Definitions. * * * * * (u) Small bank—(1) Definition. Small bank means a bank that, as of December 31 of either of the prior two calendar years, had assets of less than $1.252 billion. Intermediate small bank means a small bank with assets of at least $313 million as of December 31 of both of the prior two calendar years and less than $1.252 billion as of December 31 of either of the prior two calendar years. * * * * * Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1814–1817, 1819– 1820, 1828, 1831u and 2901–2908, 3103– 3104, and 3108(a). 8. Section 345.12 is amended by redesignating paragraph (j)(5) as paragraph (j)(4) and revising paragraph (u)(1) to read as follows: ■ § 345.12 * * * * * (u) Small bank—(1) Definition. Small bank means a bank that, as of December 31 of either of the prior two calendar years, had assets of less than $1.252 billion. Intermediate small bank means a small bank with assets of at least $313 million as of December 31 of both of the prior two calendar years and less than $1.252 billion as of December 31 of either of the prior two calendar years. * * * * * Dated: December 19, 2017. Karen Solomon, Acting Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel. By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, acting through the Secretary of the Board under delegated authority. Ann E. Misback, Secretary of the Board. By order of the Board of Directors. Dated at Washington, DC, this 14th day of December 2017. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Robert E. Feldman, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–27813 Filed 12–26–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–33–P; 6210–01–P; 6714–01–P NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR Part 790 RIN 3133–AE81 Agency Reorganization; Correction daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES 12 CFR Chapter III SUMMARY: 7. The authority citation for part 345 continues to read as follows: ■ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:49 Dec 26, 2017 Jkt 244001 § 790.2 [Corrected] On page 60292, in the second column, in part 790, in amendment 10, the instruction ‘‘In § 790.2, revise the second sentence of paragraph (b)(6), paragraph (b)(12), the third sentence of paragraph (b)(13), and paragraph (b)(15) to read as follows:’’ is corrected to read ‘‘In § 790.2, revise the second sentence of paragraph (b)(6), paragraph (b)(12), the fourth sentence of paragraph (b)(13), and paragraph (b)(15) to read as follows:’’ By the National Credit Union Administration Board on December 21, 2017. Gerard Poliquin, Secretary of the Board [FR Doc. 2017–27962 Filed 12–26–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7535–01–P BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION 12 CFR Part 1003 Home Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C) Adjustment to AssetSize Exemption Threshold Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. ACTION: Final rule; official commentary. AGENCY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is issuing a final rule amending the official commentary that interprets the requirements of the Bureau’s Regulation C (Home Mortgage Disclosure) to reflect the asset-size exemption threshold for banks, savings associations, and credit unions based on the annual percentage change in the average of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI–W). Based on the 2.1 percent increase in the average of the CPI–W for the 12-month period ending in November 2017, the exemption threshold is adjusted to increase to $45 million from $44 million. Therefore, banks, savings associations, and credit unions with assets of $45 million or less as of December 31, 2017, are exempt from collecting data in 2018. DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monique Chenault, Paralegal Specialist, Office of Regulations, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G SUMMARY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). ACTION: Final rule; correction. PART 345—COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT In FR Doc. 2017–27411, appearing on page 60290 in the Federal Register of Wednesday, December 20, 2017, the following corrections are made: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ■ Definitions. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION Authority and Issuance For the reasons set forth in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation amends part 345 of chapter III of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations to read as follows: AGENCY: The NCUA is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on December 20, 2017. The document implemented certain features of the NCUA reorganization that the NCUA Board announced earlier this year. This correction amends one reference within the document. DATES: This correction is effective January 6, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Wirick, Senior Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 or telephone (703) 518–6540. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 61145 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1 61146 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations Street NW, Washington, DC 20552, at (202) 435–7700. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 (HMDA) (12 U.S.C. 2801–2810) requires most mortgage lenders located in metropolitan areas to collect data about their housing related lending activity. Annually, lenders must report their data to the appropriate Federal agencies and make the data available to the public. The Bureau’s Regulation C (12 CFR part 1003) implements HMDA. Prior to 1997, HMDA exempted certain depository institutions as defined in HMDA (i.e., banks, savings associations, and credit unions) with assets totaling $10 million or less as of the preceding year-end. In 1996, HMDA was amended to expand the asset-size exemption for these depository institutions. 12 U.S.C. 2808(b). The amendment increased the dollar amount of the asset-size exemption threshold by requiring a one-time adjustment of the $10 million figure based on the percentage by which the CPI–W for 1996 exceeded the CPI–W for 1975, and it provided for annual adjustments thereafter based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI–W, rounded to the nearest multiple of $1 million. The definition of ‘‘financial institution’’ in § 1003.2(g) provides that the Bureau will adjust the asset threshold based on the year-to-year change in the average of the CPI–W, not seasonally adjusted, for each 12-month period ending in November, rounded to the nearest $1 million. For 2017, the threshold was $44 million. During the 12-month period ending in November 2017, the average of the CPI–W increased by 2.1 percent. As a result, the exemption threshold is increased to $45 million. Thus, banks, savings associations, and credit unions with assets of $45 million or less as of December 31, 2017, are exempt from collecting data in 2018. An institution’s exemption from collecting data in 2018 does not affect its responsibility to report data it was required to collect in 2017. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES II. Procedural Requirements A. Administrative Procedure Act Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), notice and opportunity for public comment are not required if the Bureau finds that notice and public comment are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Pursuant to this final rule, comment 2(g)–2 in VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:49 Dec 26, 2017 Jkt 244001 Regulation C, supplement I, is amended to update the exemption threshold. The amendment in this final rule is technical and non-discretionary, and it merely applies the formula established by Regulation C for determining any adjustments to the exemption threshold. For these reasons, the Bureau has determined that publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking and providing opportunity for public comment are unnecessary. Therefore, the amendment is adopted in final form. Section 553(d) of the APA generally requires publication of a final rule not less than 30 days before its effective date, except (1) a substantive rule which grants or recognizes an exemption or relieves a restriction; (2) interpretive rules and statements of policy; or (3) as otherwise provided by the agency for good cause found and published with the rule. 5 U.S.C. 553(d). At a minimum, the Bureau believes the amendments fall under the third exception to section 553(d). The Bureau finds that there is good cause to make the amendments effective on January 1, 2018. The amendment in this final rule is technical and non-discretionary, and it applies the method previously established in the agency’s regulations for determining adjustments to the threshold. B. Regulatory Flexibility Act Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not require an initial or final regulatory flexibility analysis. 5 U.S.C. 603(a), 604(a). C. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506; 5 CFR part 1320), the agency reviewed this final rule. No collections of information pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act are contained in the final rule. D. Congressional Review Act Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), CFPB will submit a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to the rule taking effect. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has designated this rule as not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1003 Banking, Banks, Credit unions, Mortgages, National banks, Reporting PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations. Authority and Issuance For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau amends Regulation C, 12 CFR part 1003, as set forth below: PART 1003—HOME MORTGAGE DISCLOSURE (REGULATION C) 1. The authority citation for part 1003 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 2803, 2804, 2805, 5512, 5581. 2. In Supplement I to Part 1003, under Section 1003.2—Definitions, 2(g) Financial Institution is revised to read as follows: ■ Supplement I to Part 1003—Official Interpretations * * * * * Section 1003.2—Definitions * * * * * 2(g) Financial Institution 1. Preceding calendar year and preceding December 31. The definition of financial institution refers both to the preceding calendar year and the preceding December 31. These terms refer to the calendar year and the December 31 preceding the current calendar year. For example, in 2019, the preceding calendar year is 2018 and the preceding December 31 is December 31, 2018. Accordingly, in 2019, Financial Institution A satisfies the asset-size threshold described in § 1003.2(g)(1)(i) if its assets exceeded the threshold specified in comment 2(g)–2 on December 31, 2018. Likewise, in 2020, Financial Institution A does not meet the loan-volume test described in § 1003.2(g)(1)(v)(A) if it originated fewer than 25 closed-end mortgage loans during either 2018 or 2019. 2. Adjustment of exemption threshold for banks, savings associations, and credit unions. For data collection in 2018, the asset-size exemption threshold is $45 million. Banks, savings associations, and credit unions with assets at or below $45 million as of December 31, 2017, are exempt from collecting data for 2018. 3. Merger or acquisition—coverage of surviving or newly formed institution. After a merger or acquisition, the surviving or newly formed institution is a financial institution under § 1003.2(g) if it, considering the combined assets, location, and lending activity of the surviving or newly formed institution and the merged or acquired institutions or acquired branches, satisfies the criteria included in § 1003.2(g). For E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations example, A and B merge. The surviving or newly formed institution meets the loan threshold described in § 1003.2(g)(1)(v)(B) if the surviving or newly formed institution, A, and B originated a combined total of at least 500 open-end lines of credit in each of the two preceding calendar years. Likewise, the surviving or newly formed institution meets the asset-size threshold in § 1003.2(g)(1)(i) if its assets and the combined assets of A and B on December 31 of the preceding calendar year exceeded the threshold described in § 1003.2(g)(1)(i). Comment 2(g)–4 discusses a financial institution’s responsibilities during the calendar year of a merger. 4. Merger or acquisition—coverage for calendar year of merger or acquisition. The scenarios described below illustrate a financial institution’s responsibilities for the calendar year of a merger or acquisition. For purposes of these illustrations, a ‘‘covered institution’’ means a financial institution, as defined in § 1003.2(g), that is not exempt from reporting under § 1003.3(a), and ‘‘an institution that is not covered’’ means either an institution that is not a financial institution, as defined in § 1003.2(g), or an institution that is exempt from reporting under § 1003.3(a). i. Two institutions that are not covered merge. The surviving or newly formed institution meets all of the requirements necessary to be a covered institution. No data collection is required for the calendar year of the merger (even though the merger creates an institution that meets all of the requirements necessary to be a covered institution). When a branch office of an institution that is not covered is acquired by another institution that is not covered, and the acquisition results in a covered institution, no data collection is required for the calendar year of the acquisition. ii. A covered institution and an institution that is not covered merge. The covered institution is the surviving institution, or a new covered institution is formed. For the calendar year of the merger, data collection is required for covered loans and applications handled in the offices of the merged institution that was previously covered and is optional for covered loans and applications handled in offices of the merged institution that was previously not covered. When a covered institution acquires a branch office of an institution that is not covered, data collection is optional for covered loans and applications handled by the acquired branch office for the calendar year of the acquisition. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:49 Dec 26, 2017 Jkt 244001 iii. A covered institution and an institution that is not covered merge. The institution that is not covered is the surviving institution, or a new institution that is not covered is formed. For the calendar year of the merger, data collection is required for covered loans and applications handled in offices of the previously covered institution that took place prior to the merger. After the merger date, data collection is optional for covered loans and applications handled in the offices of the institution that was previously covered. When an institution remains not covered after acquiring a branch office of a covered institution, data collection is required for transactions of the acquired branch office that take place prior to the acquisition. Data collection by the acquired branch office is optional for transactions taking place in the remainder of the calendar year after the acquisition. iv. Two covered institutions merge. The surviving or newly formed institution is a covered institution. Data collection is required for the entire calendar year of the merger. The surviving or newly formed institution files either a consolidated submission or separate submissions for that calendar year. When a covered institution acquires a branch office of a covered institution, data collection is required for the entire calendar year of the merger. Data for the acquired branch office may be submitted by either institution. 5. Originations. Whether an institution is a financial institution depends in part on whether the institution originated at least 25 closedend mortgage loans in each of the two preceding calendar years or at least 500 open-end lines of credit in each of the two preceding calendar years. Comments 4(a)–2 through –4 discuss whether activities with respect to a particular closed-end mortgage loan or open-end line of credit constitute an origination for purposes of § 1003.2(g). 6. Branches of foreign banks—treated as banks. A Federal branch or a Statelicensed or insured branch of a foreign bank that meets the definition of a ‘‘bank’’ under section 3(a)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(a)) is a bank for the purposes of § 1003.2(g). 7. Branches and offices of foreign banks and other entities—treated as nondepository financial institutions. A Federal agency, State-licensed agency, State-licensed uninsured branch of a foreign bank, commercial lending company owned or controlled by a foreign bank, or entity operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 61147 Act, 12 U.S.C. 601 and 611 (Edge Act and agreement corporations) may not meet the definition of ‘‘bank’’ under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and may thereby fail to satisfy the definition of a depository financial institution under § 1003.2(g)(1). An entity is nonetheless a financial institution if it meets the definition of nondepository financial institution under § 1003.2(g)(2). * * * * * Dated: December 14, 2017. Mick Mulvaney, Acting Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. [FR Doc. 2017–27879 Filed 12–21–17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION 12 CFR Part 1026 Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) Adjustment to Asset-Size Exemption Threshold Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. ACTION: Final rule; official interpretation. AGENCY: The Bureau is amending the official commentary that interprets the requirements of the Bureau’s Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) to reflect a change in the asset-size threshold for certain creditors to qualify for an exemption to the requirement to establish an escrow account for a higher-priced mortgage loan based on the annual percentage change in the average of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI–W) for the 12month period ending in November. The exemption threshold is adjusted to increase to $2.112 billion from $2.069 billion. The adjustment is based on the 2.1 percent increase in the average of the CPI–W for the 12-month period ending in November 2017. Therefore, creditors with assets of less than $2.112 billion (including assets of certain affiliates) as of December 31, 2017, are exempt, if other requirements of Regulation Z also are met, from establishing escrow accounts for higherpriced mortgage loans in 2018. This asset limit will also apply during a grace period, in certain circumstances, with respect to transactions with applications received before April 1 of 2019. The adjustment to the escrows asset-size exemption threshold will also increase a similar threshold for small-creditor portfolio and balloon-payment qualified mortgages. Balloon-payment qualified mortgages that satisfy all applicable SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61145-61147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27879]


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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

12 CFR Part 1003


Home Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C) Adjustment to Asset-Size 
Exemption Threshold

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Final rule; official commentary.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is 
issuing a final rule amending the official commentary that interprets 
the requirements of the Bureau's Regulation C (Home Mortgage 
Disclosure) to reflect the asset-size exemption threshold for banks, 
savings associations, and credit unions based on the annual percentage 
change in the average of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage 
Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on the 2.1 percent increase 
in the average of the CPI-W for the 12-month period ending in November 
2017, the exemption threshold is adjusted to increase to $45 million 
from $44 million. Therefore, banks, savings associations, and credit 
unions with assets of $45 million or less as of December 31, 2017, are 
exempt from collecting data in 2018.

DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monique Chenault, Paralegal 
Specialist, Office of Regulations, Consumer Financial Protection 
Bureau, 1700 G

[[Page 61146]]

Street NW, Washington, DC 20552, at (202) 435-7700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 (HMDA) (12 U.S.C. 2801-
2810) requires most mortgage lenders located in metropolitan areas to 
collect data about their housing related lending activity. Annually, 
lenders must report their data to the appropriate Federal agencies and 
make the data available to the public. The Bureau's Regulation C (12 
CFR part 1003) implements HMDA.
    Prior to 1997, HMDA exempted certain depository institutions as 
defined in HMDA (i.e., banks, savings associations, and credit unions) 
with assets totaling $10 million or less as of the preceding year-end. 
In 1996, HMDA was amended to expand the asset-size exemption for these 
depository institutions. 12 U.S.C. 2808(b). The amendment increased the 
dollar amount of the asset-size exemption threshold by requiring a one-
time adjustment of the $10 million figure based on the percentage by 
which the CPI-W for 1996 exceeded the CPI-W for 1975, and it provided 
for annual adjustments thereafter based on the annual percentage 
increase in the CPI-W, rounded to the nearest multiple of $1 million.
    The definition of ``financial institution'' in Sec.  1003.2(g) 
provides that the Bureau will adjust the asset threshold based on the 
year-to-year change in the average of the CPI-W, not seasonally 
adjusted, for each 12-month period ending in November, rounded to the 
nearest $1 million. For 2017, the threshold was $44 million. During the 
12-month period ending in November 2017, the average of the CPI-W 
increased by 2.1 percent. As a result, the exemption threshold is 
increased to $45 million. Thus, banks, savings associations, and credit 
unions with assets of $45 million or less as of December 31, 2017, are 
exempt from collecting data in 2018. An institution's exemption from 
collecting data in 2018 does not affect its responsibility to report 
data it was required to collect in 2017.

II. Procedural Requirements

A. Administrative Procedure Act

    Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), notice and 
opportunity for public comment are not required if the Bureau finds 
that notice and public comment are impracticable, unnecessary, or 
contrary to the public interest. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Pursuant to this 
final rule, comment 2(g)-2 in Regulation C, supplement I, is amended to 
update the exemption threshold. The amendment in this final rule is 
technical and non-discretionary, and it merely applies the formula 
established by Regulation C for determining any adjustments to the 
exemption threshold. For these reasons, the Bureau has determined that 
publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking and providing opportunity 
for public comment are unnecessary. Therefore, the amendment is adopted 
in final form.
    Section 553(d) of the APA generally requires publication of a final 
rule not less than 30 days before its effective date, except (1) a 
substantive rule which grants or recognizes an exemption or relieves a 
restriction; (2) interpretive rules and statements of policy; or (3) as 
otherwise provided by the agency for good cause found and published 
with the rule. 5 U.S.C. 553(d). At a minimum, the Bureau believes the 
amendments fall under the third exception to section 553(d). The Bureau 
finds that there is good cause to make the amendments effective on 
January 1, 2018. The amendment in this final rule is technical and non-
discretionary, and it applies the method previously established in the 
agency's regulations for determining adjustments to the threshold.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act does not require an initial or final 
regulatory flexibility analysis. 5 U.S.C. 603(a), 604(a).

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3506; 5 CFR part 1320), the agency reviewed this final rule. No 
collections of information pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act are 
contained in the final rule.

D. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
CFPB will submit a report containing this rule and other required 
information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and 
the Comptroller General of the United States prior to the rule taking 
effect. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has 
designated this rule as not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1003

    Banking, Banks, Credit unions, Mortgages, National banks, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau amends Regulation C, 12 
CFR part 1003, as set forth below:

PART 1003--HOME MORTGAGE DISCLOSURE (REGULATION C)

0
1. The authority citation for part 1003 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 2803, 2804, 2805, 5512, 5581.

0
2. In Supplement I to Part 1003, under Section 1003.2--Definitions, 
2(g) Financial Institution is revised to read as follows:

Supplement I to Part 1003--Official Interpretations

* * * * *

Section 1003.2--Definitions

* * * * *
2(g) Financial Institution
    1. Preceding calendar year and preceding December 31. The 
definition of financial institution refers both to the preceding 
calendar year and the preceding December 31. These terms refer to the 
calendar year and the December 31 preceding the current calendar year. 
For example, in 2019, the preceding calendar year is 2018 and the 
preceding December 31 is December 31, 2018. Accordingly, in 2019, 
Financial Institution A satisfies the asset-size threshold described in 
Sec.  1003.2(g)(1)(i) if its assets exceeded the threshold specified in 
comment 2(g)-2 on December 31, 2018. Likewise, in 2020, Financial 
Institution A does not meet the loan-volume test described in Sec.  
1003.2(g)(1)(v)(A) if it originated fewer than 25 closed-end mortgage 
loans during either 2018 or 2019.
    2. Adjustment of exemption threshold for banks, savings 
associations, and credit unions. For data collection in 2018, the 
asset-size exemption threshold is $45 million. Banks, savings 
associations, and credit unions with assets at or below $45 million as 
of December 31, 2017, are exempt from collecting data for 2018.
    3. Merger or acquisition--coverage of surviving or newly formed 
institution. After a merger or acquisition, the surviving or newly 
formed institution is a financial institution under Sec.  1003.2(g) if 
it, considering the combined assets, location, and lending activity of 
the surviving or newly formed institution and the merged or acquired 
institutions or acquired branches, satisfies the criteria included in 
Sec.  1003.2(g). For

[[Page 61147]]

example, A and B merge. The surviving or newly formed institution meets 
the loan threshold described in Sec.  1003.2(g)(1)(v)(B) if the 
surviving or newly formed institution, A, and B originated a combined 
total of at least 500 open-end lines of credit in each of the two 
preceding calendar years. Likewise, the surviving or newly formed 
institution meets the asset-size threshold in Sec.  1003.2(g)(1)(i) if 
its assets and the combined assets of A and B on December 31 of the 
preceding calendar year exceeded the threshold described in Sec.  
1003.2(g)(1)(i). Comment 2(g)-4 discusses a financial institution's 
responsibilities during the calendar year of a merger.
    4. Merger or acquisition--coverage for calendar year of merger or 
acquisition. The scenarios described below illustrate a financial 
institution's responsibilities for the calendar year of a merger or 
acquisition. For purposes of these illustrations, a ``covered 
institution'' means a financial institution, as defined in Sec.  
1003.2(g), that is not exempt from reporting under Sec.  1003.3(a), and 
``an institution that is not covered'' means either an institution that 
is not a financial institution, as defined in Sec.  1003.2(g), or an 
institution that is exempt from reporting under Sec.  1003.3(a).
    i. Two institutions that are not covered merge. The surviving or 
newly formed institution meets all of the requirements necessary to be 
a covered institution. No data collection is required for the calendar 
year of the merger (even though the merger creates an institution that 
meets all of the requirements necessary to be a covered institution). 
When a branch office of an institution that is not covered is acquired 
by another institution that is not covered, and the acquisition results 
in a covered institution, no data collection is required for the 
calendar year of the acquisition.
    ii. A covered institution and an institution that is not covered 
merge. The covered institution is the surviving institution, or a new 
covered institution is formed. For the calendar year of the merger, 
data collection is required for covered loans and applications handled 
in the offices of the merged institution that was previously covered 
and is optional for covered loans and applications handled in offices 
of the merged institution that was previously not covered. When a 
covered institution acquires a branch office of an institution that is 
not covered, data collection is optional for covered loans and 
applications handled by the acquired branch office for the calendar 
year of the acquisition.
    iii. A covered institution and an institution that is not covered 
merge. The institution that is not covered is the surviving 
institution, or a new institution that is not covered is formed. For 
the calendar year of the merger, data collection is required for 
covered loans and applications handled in offices of the previously 
covered institution that took place prior to the merger. After the 
merger date, data collection is optional for covered loans and 
applications handled in the offices of the institution that was 
previously covered. When an institution remains not covered after 
acquiring a branch office of a covered institution, data collection is 
required for transactions of the acquired branch office that take place 
prior to the acquisition. Data collection by the acquired branch office 
is optional for transactions taking place in the remainder of the 
calendar year after the acquisition.
    iv. Two covered institutions merge. The surviving or newly formed 
institution is a covered institution. Data collection is required for 
the entire calendar year of the merger. The surviving or newly formed 
institution files either a consolidated submission or separate 
submissions for that calendar year. When a covered institution acquires 
a branch office of a covered institution, data collection is required 
for the entire calendar year of the merger. Data for the acquired 
branch office may be submitted by either institution.
    5. Originations. Whether an institution is a financial institution 
depends in part on whether the institution originated at least 25 
closed-end mortgage loans in each of the two preceding calendar years 
or at least 500 open-end lines of credit in each of the two preceding 
calendar years. Comments 4(a)-2 through -4 discuss whether activities 
with respect to a particular closed-end mortgage loan or open-end line 
of credit constitute an origination for purposes of Sec.  1003.2(g).
    6. Branches of foreign banks--treated as banks. A Federal branch or 
a State-licensed or insured branch of a foreign bank that meets the 
definition of a ``bank'' under section 3(a)(1) of the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(a)) is a bank for the purposes of Sec.  
1003.2(g).
    7. Branches and offices of foreign banks and other entities--
treated as nondepository financial institutions. A Federal agency, 
State-licensed agency, State-licensed uninsured branch of a foreign 
bank, commercial lending company owned or controlled by a foreign bank, 
or entity operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve Act, 
12 U.S.C. 601 and 611 (Edge Act and agreement corporations) may not 
meet the definition of ``bank'' under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act 
and may thereby fail to satisfy the definition of a depository 
financial institution under Sec.  1003.2(g)(1). An entity is 
nonetheless a financial institution if it meets the definition of 
nondepository financial institution under Sec.  1003.2(g)(2).
* * * * *

    Dated: December 14, 2017.
Mick Mulvaney,
Acting Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2017-27879 Filed 12-21-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P
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