National Credit Union Administration July 1, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is conducting a comprehensive study of alternative procedures to modernize the agency's examination program. The objective of modernizing is to improve efficiency and effectiveness in achieving the NCUA's mandates under the Federal Credit Union Act. The agency seeks to support a predominately offsite examination and supervision model by taking advantage of new and emerging approaches and techniques to utilizing data and technology. Through modernization, the NCUA intends to: Reduce burden on credit unions and increase agency efficiency by reducing onsite examination time; Improve offsite supervision capabilities; Provide more consistency and standardization for the examination and supervision process; Improve communication between examiners, credit unions, and state supervisory authorities; and Explore and evaluate technology utilization and appetite for adoption. The NCUA is using this RFI as a research tool in its modernization efforts. Specifically, this RFI explains the NCUA's objectives and seeks assistance identifying the interrelated considerations and challenges that could arise if the agency moves forward with doing more examination work using technology. The resulting information will support a re-engineering of the concept of regulatory examination and supervision oversight. Recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have shown that adopting modern technology helps make credit unions more resilient to economic shocks. In turn, a credit union's resiliency has a positive impact on its member-owners and the economy at-large. Further, the current social unrest in the United States has exposed the limited financial options available to many minorities and underserved areas. This modernization effort could reduce the regulatory burden and establish technology options that would make it easier for credit unions to provide services to these underserved communities and populations. The NCUA seeks public input on its modernization initiative and is eager for feedback from interested stakeholders. The NCUA will use stakeholder responses to: Refine a strategy for leveraging technology in the future examination and supervision process; Determine how much onsite examination activity would still be required with an examination primarily done offsite; and Develop an implementation strategy that reduces burden while maintaining the agency's ability to determine whether federally insured credit unions are operating safely and soundly and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition to this RFI, the agency may seek clearance from the Office of Management and Budget to conduct stakeholder calls and form focus groups to gather additional information about barriers and benefits to the modernization initiative. The NCUA invites interested parties to respond generally to this modernization initiative and specifically to the questions included in this RFI.