Compensation in Connection With Loans to Members and Lines of Credit to Members, 16796-16797 [2019-08166]

Download as PDF 16796 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 84, No. 78 Tuesday, April 23, 2019 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR Part 701 RIN 3133–AE97 Compensation in Connection With Loans to Members and Lines of Credit to Members National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: The NCUA Board (Board) is issuing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit comments on ways to improve the agency’s regulations limiting a credit union official’s and employee’s compensation in connection with loans to members and lines of credit to members. These regulations have generated confusion and are likely outdated, burdensome, and at odds with industry standards. The Board is particularly interested in obtaining commenter feedback on how it can provide flexibility with respect to senior executive compensation plans that incorporate lending as part of a broad and balanced set of organizational goals and performance measures. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 24, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods (Please send comments by one method only): • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • NCUA website: https:// www.ncua.gov/regulation-supervision/ rules-regulations/proposed-pendingand-recently-final-regulations. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Email: Address to regcomments@ ncua.gov. Include ‘‘[Your name]— Comments on Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Compensation in Connection with Loans to Members and jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Apr 22, 2019 Jkt 247001 Lines of Credit to Members’’ in the email subject line. • Fax: (703) 518–6319. Use the subject line described above for email. • Mail: Address to Gerard Poliquin, Secretary of the Board, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314– 3428. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as mail address. Public Inspection: You can view all public comments on the NCUA’s website at https://www.ncua.gov/ regulation-supervision/rulesregulations/proposed-pending-andrecently-final-regulations as submitted, except for those we cannot post for technical reasons. The NCUA will not edit or remove any identifying or contact information from the public comments submitted. You may inspect paper copies of comments in the NCUA’s law library at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, by appointment weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. To make an appointment, call (703) 518–6546, or send an email to OGCMail@ncua.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas I. Zells, Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel, at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 or telephone: (703) 548–2478. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background II. Current Standards and Request for Comment III. Legal Authority I. Background In August 2017,1 the Board published and sought comment on the NCUA Regulatory Reform Task Force’s (Task Force) first report on implementing the agency’s regulatory reform agenda (Agenda). The Agenda identifies those regulations the Board intends to amend or repeal because they are outdated, ineffective, or excessively burdensome.2 The Board published the Task Force’s second and final report in December 2018.3 The final report contains the Task Force’s updated recommendations 1 82 FR 39702 (Aug. 22, 2017). is consistent with the spirit of the President’s regulatory reform agenda and Executive Order 13777. Although the NCUA, as an independent agency, is not required to comply with Executive Order 13777, the Board chose to comply with it in spirit and reviewed all of the NCUA’s regulations to that end. 3 83 FR 65926 (Dec. 21, 2018). 2 This PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 and a refined blueprint for implementing the Agenda. One of the Agenda’s recommendations specifically suggested that the Board modify its regulations to ‘‘provide flexibility with respect to senior executive compensation plans that incorporate lending as part of a broad and balanced set of organizational goals and performance measures.’’ The Board recognizes that the NCUA’s regulations in this area, which were last updated over 20 years ago, are likely outdated, burdensome, and at odds with industry standards for senior executive compensation plans.4 As such, the Board is seeking comment on how to update the regulations so that credit unions can offer competitive compensation plans without encouraging inappropriate risks, incentivizing bad loans, or negatively effecting safety and soundness. While the Board is particularly interested in how the agency can update its regulations to provide flexibility with respect to senior executive compensation plans, it would also like comments on how the regulations governing compensation associated with lending can be modernized generally. II. Current Standards and Request for Comment Currently, § 701.21(c)(8)(i) of the NCUA’s regulations establishes a blanket prohibition on the direct or indirect receipt of any commission, fee, or other compensation by any credit union official or employee, or an immediate family member of either, in connection with any loan made by their credit union.5 However, § 701.21(c)(8)(iii) carves out four exceptions to this blanket prohibition. Specifically, § 701.21(c)(8)(iii) permits: (A) Payment, by a federal credit union, of salary to employees; (B) Payment, by a federal credit union, of an incentive or bonus to an employee based on the credit union’s overall financial performance; (C) Payment, by a federal credit union, of an incentive or bonus to an employee, other than a senior management employee, in connection with a loan or loans made by the credit union, provided that the board of directors of the credit union establishes written policies and internal controls in 4 60 5 12 E:\FR\FM\23APP1.SGM FR 51886 (Oct. 4, 1995). CFR 701.21(c)(8)(i). 23APP1 jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2019 / Proposed Rules connection with such incentive or bonus and monitors compliance with such policies and controls at least annually; and (D) Receipt of compensation from a person outside a federal credit union by a volunteer official or non-seniormanagement employee of the credit union, or an immediate family member of a volunteer official or employee of the credit union, for a service or activity performed outside the credit union, provided that no referral has been made by the credit union or the official, employee, or family member. In the past, credit unions have been confused about how to interpret the term ‘‘overall financial performance’’ in § 701.21(c)(8)(iii)(B). As noted, § 701.21(c)(8) generally prohibits most credit union employees and officials from receiving compensation made ‘‘in connection with any loan’’ a credit union makes, but provides exceptions, including one that permits incentive compensation to employees based on the credit union’s overall financial performance. Credit unions have expressed uncertainly about whether the NCUA permits loan metrics such as aggregate loan growth to be a factor in assessing overall financial performance. They also have asserted that the regulation is subject to varying interpretations and levels of enforcement across the NCUA’s regions. Given the degree of confusion and uncertainty this regulation has caused, the Board seeks comment as to how the NCUA should modernize its regulations generally governing the compensation of credit union officials and employees in connection with loans made by credit unions and specifically with respect to defining ‘‘overall financial performance.’’ In addition, the Board specifically requests feedback addressing the following: • Is there a single industry standard or methodology for developing executive compensation plans? Are there multiple standards or methodologies for credit unions of different asset sizes? • Are the terms and conditions of executive compensation plans developed by credit unions themselves or are the plans crafted by third-party vendors? • What do these plans look like? Are there specific formulas employed to determine terms and conditions? If so, what are the formulas? • Is the current structure of § 701.21(c)(8), namely a broad prohibition with specific exceptions, the best format for regulating this area? • Do commenters prefer a bright line test for permissible compensation to VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Apr 22, 2019 Jkt 247001 regulations that make a more holistic evaluation of individual compensation plans and the incentives they provide? Is a bright line test even possible in this highly fact determinative area? If so, where is that line? • Are current credit union compensation plans similar to, and competitive with, those provided at other financial institutions? If not, how do they differ and what, if anything, in the NCUA’s regulations contributes to those differences? • What limitations, if any, are necessary to prevent individuals from being incentivized to take inappropriate risks that endanger their credit unions? What authorities do credit unions need to enable them to compete for talented executives? • To what extent should the NCUA permit loan metrics, such as loan volume, to be a part of compensation plans? How would those metrics be incorporated into the overall plan? • Should the NCUA provide additional requirements for compensation related to a line of business that is new for the credit union or one in which the credit union lacks substantial experience or expertise? III. Legal Authority The Board has issued this ANPR pursuant to its authority under the Federal Credit Union Act (FCU Act). Under the FCU Act, the NCUA is the chartering and supervisory authority for federal credit unions and the federal supervisory authority for federally insured credit unions (FICUs).6 The FCU Act grants NCUA a broad mandate to issue regulations governing both federal credit unions and all FICUs. Section 120 of the FCU Act is a general grant of regulatory authority and authorizes the Board to prescribe rules and regulations for the administration of the FCU Act.7 Section 207 of the FCU Act is a specific grant of authority over share insurance coverage, conservatorships, and liquidations.8 Section 209 of the FCU Act is a plenary grant of regulatory authority to issue rules and regulations necessary or appropriate to carry out its role as share insurer for all FICUs.9 Accordingly, the FCU Act grants the Board broad rulemaking authority to ensure that the credit union industry and the NCUSIF remain safe and sound. 6 12 U.S.C. 1752–1775. U.S.C. 1766(a). 8 12 U.S.C. 1787. 9 12 U.S.C. 1789. 7 12 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 16797 By the National Credit Union Administration Board on April 18, 2019. Gerard Poliquin, Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. 2019–08166 Filed 4–22–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7535–01–P CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 1610 [Docket No. CPSC–2019–0008] Request for Information About Possible Exemptions From Testing and Other Changes to the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Request for information. AGENCY: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requests information about possible changes to the Commission’s Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles to expand the list of fabrics that are exempt from testing under the standard. CPSC is particularly interested in receiving information about the possibility of adding spandex to the list of fabrics that are exempt from the testing requirements. CPSC also would like information about the equipment and procedures specified in the standard and possible ways to update those provisions to reduce the burdens associated with the testing requirements. SUMMARY: CPSC will accept written comments through June 24, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC–2019–20008, using the methods described below. CPSC encourages you to submit comments electronically, rather than in hard copy. Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments provided on the website. To ensure timely processing of comments, please submit all electronic comments through www.regulations.gov, rather than by email to CPSC. Written Submissions: Submit written comments by mail, hand delivery, or courier to: Division of the Secretariat, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) 504–7923. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket DATES: E:\FR\FM\23APP1.SGM 23APP1

Agencies

National Credit Union Administration

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 23, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16796-16797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08166]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 16796]]



NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 701

RIN 3133-AE97


Compensation in Connection With Loans to Members and Lines of 
Credit to Members

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: The NCUA Board (Board) is issuing this advance notice of 
proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit comments on ways to improve the 
agency's regulations limiting a credit union official's and employee's 
compensation in connection with loans to members and lines of credit to 
members. These regulations have generated confusion and are likely 
outdated, burdensome, and at odds with industry standards. The Board is 
particularly interested in obtaining commenter feedback on how it can 
provide flexibility with respect to senior executive compensation plans 
that incorporate lending as part of a broad and balanced set of 
organizational goals and performance measures.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 24, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods (Please send comments by one method only):
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     NCUA website: https://www.ncua.gov/regulation-supervision/rules-regulations/proposed-pending-and-recently-final-regulations. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: Address to [email protected]. Include ``[Your 
name]--Comments on Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Compensation 
in Connection with Loans to Members and Lines of Credit to Members'' in 
the email subject line.
     Fax: (703) 518-6319. Use the subject line described above 
for email.
     Mail: Address to Gerard Poliquin, Secretary of the Board, 
National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, 
Virginia 22314-3428.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as mail address.
    Public Inspection: You can view all public comments on the NCUA's 
website at https://www.ncua.gov/regulation-supervision/rules-regulations/proposed-pending-and-recently-final-regulations as 
submitted, except for those we cannot post for technical reasons. The 
NCUA will not edit or remove any identifying or contact information 
from the public comments submitted. You may inspect paper copies of 
comments in the NCUA's law library at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, 
Virginia 22314, by appointment weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 
To make an appointment, call (703) 518-6546, or send an email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas I. Zells, Staff Attorney, 
Office of General Counsel, at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 or 
telephone: (703) 548-2478.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Current Standards and Request for Comment
III. Legal Authority

I. Background

    In August 2017,\1\ the Board published and sought comment on the 
NCUA Regulatory Reform Task Force's (Task Force) first report on 
implementing the agency's regulatory reform agenda (Agenda). The Agenda 
identifies those regulations the Board intends to amend or repeal 
because they are outdated, ineffective, or excessively burdensome.\2\ 
The Board published the Task Force's second and final report in 
December 2018.\3\ The final report contains the Task Force's updated 
recommendations and a refined blueprint for implementing the Agenda.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 82 FR 39702 (Aug. 22, 2017).
    \2\ This is consistent with the spirit of the President's 
regulatory reform agenda and Executive Order 13777. Although the 
NCUA, as an independent agency, is not required to comply with 
Executive Order 13777, the Board chose to comply with it in spirit 
and reviewed all of the NCUA's regulations to that end.
    \3\ 83 FR 65926 (Dec. 21, 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One of the Agenda's recommendations specifically suggested that the 
Board modify its regulations to ``provide flexibility with respect to 
senior executive compensation plans that incorporate lending as part of 
a broad and balanced set of organizational goals and performance 
measures.'' The Board recognizes that the NCUA's regulations in this 
area, which were last updated over 20 years ago, are likely outdated, 
burdensome, and at odds with industry standards for senior executive 
compensation plans.\4\ As such, the Board is seeking comment on how to 
update the regulations so that credit unions can offer competitive 
compensation plans without encouraging inappropriate risks, 
incentivizing bad loans, or negatively effecting safety and soundness. 
While the Board is particularly interested in how the agency can update 
its regulations to provide flexibility with respect to senior executive 
compensation plans, it would also like comments on how the regulations 
governing compensation associated with lending can be modernized 
generally.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 60 FR 51886 (Oct. 4, 1995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Current Standards and Request for Comment

    Currently, Sec.  701.21(c)(8)(i) of the NCUA's regulations 
establishes a blanket prohibition on the direct or indirect receipt of 
any commission, fee, or other compensation by any credit union official 
or employee, or an immediate family member of either, in connection 
with any loan made by their credit union.\5\ However, Sec.  
701.21(c)(8)(iii) carves out four exceptions to this blanket 
prohibition. Specifically, Sec.  701.21(c)(8)(iii) permits:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 12 CFR 701.21(c)(8)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (A) Payment, by a federal credit union, of salary to employees;
    (B) Payment, by a federal credit union, of an incentive or bonus to 
an employee based on the credit union's overall financial performance;
    (C) Payment, by a federal credit union, of an incentive or bonus to 
an employee, other than a senior management employee, in connection 
with a loan or loans made by the credit union, provided that the board 
of directors of the credit union establishes written policies and 
internal controls in

[[Page 16797]]

connection with such incentive or bonus and monitors compliance with 
such policies and controls at least annually; and
    (D) Receipt of compensation from a person outside a federal credit 
union by a volunteer official or non-senior-management employee of the 
credit union, or an immediate family member of a volunteer official or 
employee of the credit union, for a service or activity performed 
outside the credit union, provided that no referral has been made by 
the credit union or the official, employee, or family member.
    In the past, credit unions have been confused about how to 
interpret the term ``overall financial performance'' in Sec.  
701.21(c)(8)(iii)(B). As noted, Sec.  701.21(c)(8) generally prohibits 
most credit union employees and officials from receiving compensation 
made ``in connection with any loan'' a credit union makes, but provides 
exceptions, including one that permits incentive compensation to 
employees based on the credit union's overall financial performance. 
Credit unions have expressed uncertainly about whether the NCUA permits 
loan metrics such as aggregate loan growth to be a factor in assessing 
overall financial performance. They also have asserted that the 
regulation is subject to varying interpretations and levels of 
enforcement across the NCUA's regions.
    Given the degree of confusion and uncertainty this regulation has 
caused, the Board seeks comment as to how the NCUA should modernize its 
regulations generally governing the compensation of credit union 
officials and employees in connection with loans made by credit unions 
and specifically with respect to defining ``overall financial 
performance.'' In addition, the Board specifically requests feedback 
addressing the following:
     Is there a single industry standard or methodology for 
developing executive compensation plans? Are there multiple standards 
or methodologies for credit unions of different asset sizes?
     Are the terms and conditions of executive compensation 
plans developed by credit unions themselves or are the plans crafted by 
third-party vendors?
     What do these plans look like? Are there specific formulas 
employed to determine terms and conditions? If so, what are the 
formulas?
     Is the current structure of Sec.  701.21(c)(8), namely a 
broad prohibition with specific exceptions, the best format for 
regulating this area?
     Do commenters prefer a bright line test for permissible 
compensation to regulations that make a more holistic evaluation of 
individual compensation plans and the incentives they provide? Is a 
bright line test even possible in this highly fact determinative area? 
If so, where is that line?
     Are current credit union compensation plans similar to, 
and competitive with, those provided at other financial institutions? 
If not, how do they differ and what, if anything, in the NCUA's 
regulations contributes to those differences?
     What limitations, if any, are necessary to prevent 
individuals from being incentivized to take inappropriate risks that 
endanger their credit unions? What authorities do credit unions need to 
enable them to compete for talented executives?
     To what extent should the NCUA permit loan metrics, such 
as loan volume, to be a part of compensation plans? How would those 
metrics be incorporated into the overall plan?
     Should the NCUA provide additional requirements for 
compensation related to a line of business that is new for the credit 
union or one in which the credit union lacks substantial experience or 
expertise?

III. Legal Authority

    The Board has issued this ANPR pursuant to its authority under the 
Federal Credit Union Act (FCU Act). Under the FCU Act, the NCUA is the 
chartering and supervisory authority for federal credit unions and the 
federal supervisory authority for federally insured credit unions 
(FICUs).\6\ The FCU Act grants NCUA a broad mandate to issue 
regulations governing both federal credit unions and all FICUs. Section 
120 of the FCU Act is a general grant of regulatory authority and 
authorizes the Board to prescribe rules and regulations for the 
administration of the FCU Act.\7\ Section 207 of the FCU Act is a 
specific grant of authority over share insurance coverage, 
conservatorships, and liquidations.\8\ Section 209 of the FCU Act is a 
plenary grant of regulatory authority to issue rules and regulations 
necessary or appropriate to carry out its role as share insurer for all 
FICUs.\9\ Accordingly, the FCU Act grants the Board broad rulemaking 
authority to ensure that the credit union industry and the NCUSIF 
remain safe and sound.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 12 U.S.C. 1752-1775.
    \7\ 12 U.S.C. 1766(a).
    \8\ 12 U.S.C. 1787.
    \9\ 12 U.S.C. 1789.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on April 18, 
2019.
Gerard Poliquin,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2019-08166 Filed 4-22-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P

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