2020-25595. Licensing Amendments

AGENCY:

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is amending its rules relating to policies and procedures for corporate activities and transactions involving national banks and Federal savings associations to update and clarify the policies and procedures, eliminate unnecessary requirements consistent with safety and soundness, and make other technical and conforming changes.

DATES:

The final rule is effective on January 11, 2021, except for instruction 15g which is effective on December 11, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information, contact Christopher Crawford, Counsel, Valerie Song, Assistant Director, Heidi M. Thomas, Special Counsel, or Rima Kundnani, Senior Attorney, Chief Counsel's Office, [phone]; or Karen Marcotte, Director for Licensing Activities, [phone], Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20219. For persons who are deaf or hearing impaired, TTY, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Twelve CFR part 5 sets forth the OCC's requirements for national banks and Federal savings associations that seek to engage in certain corporate transactions or activities. It addresses the range of an institution's existence from chartering to dissolution and includes, among other things, business combinations, branching matters, operating subsidiaries, and dividend payments. In some cases, a national bank or Federal savings association is required to apply to engage in a certain transaction or activity while in other situations the bank or savings association must submit a notice to the OCC either for informational purposes or as a means for providing the OCC with the opportunity to object to the transaction or activity. On March 5, 2020, the OCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (proposal) to revise part 5.^[1] This proposal is part of the OCC's continual review of its regulations to eliminate outdated or otherwise unnecessary provisions and to clarify or revise requirements imposed on national banks and Federal savings associations where possible and when not inconsistent with safety and soundness.^[2]

The OCC received six substantive written comments on this proposal. These comments and the OCC's response are discussed in the next section of this Supplementary Information.

II. Description of the Final Rule

Rules of General Applicability (Part 5, Subpart A)

Twelve CFR part 5, subpart A, sets forth the OCC's generally applicable rules and procedures for corporate activities and transactions of national banks and Federal savings associations. The OCC proposed substantive and technical changes to subpart A as explained below.

Rules of General Applicability (§ 5.2) Section 5.2(b) provides that the OCC may adopt materially different procedures for a particular filing or class of filings in exceptional circumstances or for unusual transactions after providing notice to the applicant and any other party that the OCC determines should receive notice. The proposal would increase the OCC's flexibility to address unusual situations by providing that the OCC may adopt materially different procedures as it deems necessary and then using the term “exceptional circumstances or unusual transactions” as examples, but not limitations, as to when the OCC may deem it necessary to adopt materially different procedures. One commenter expressed concern that the phrase “as it deems necessary” seemed vague and suggested the OCC note specific instances where flexibility is needed to eliminate vagueness.

The OCC disagrees with this commenter. The final rule includes examples—for exceptional circumstances or unusual transactions—that are intended to explain when the OCC may act while not limiting its ability in unforeseen cases where additional flexibility may be needed. Therefore, the OCC adopts this change as proposed.

Definitions (§ 5.3) Section 5.3 defines terms that are used throughout part 5. The OCC proposed several new definitions to this section. First, the OCC proposed definitions for “nonconforming assets” and “nonconforming activities.” The OCC uses, but does not define, these terms in §§ 5.23 and 5.24 (conversions to a Federal savings association or national bank, respectively) and § 5.33 (business combinations). The OCC proposed these definitions to mean assets or activities that are impermissible for a national bank or a Federal savings association, as applicable, to hold or conduct, or if permissible, are nonetheless held or conducted in a manner that exceeds limits applicable to national banks or Federal savings associations. Under this proposed definition, the term “assets” includes a national bank's or Federal savings association's investments in subsidiaries or other entities. The OCC did not receive any comments on these definitions and adopts them as proposed.

Second, the OCC proposed to define the term “previously approved activity” to mean, in the case of a national bank, an activity approved in published OCC precedent for a national bank, an operating subsidiary of a national bank, or a non-controlling investment of a national bank; and in the case of a Federal savings association, an activity approved in published OCC or Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) precedent for a Federal savings association, an operating subsidiary of a Federal savings association, or a pass-through investment of a Federal savings association.^[3] The OCC proposed this definition to provide more clarity given the repeated use of this standard in §§ 5.34, 5.36, 5.38, and 5.58. One commenter discussed this definition. This commenter requested that the OCC clarify that this definition includes a previous OCC approval for any bank, not only the bank in question. The intention of this definition is to apply to all previously approved activities. To clarify this, the OCC has changed “an activity” to “any activity” in this definition in the final rule.

The preamble to the proposed rule also noted that for references to previously approved activities, national banks and Federal savings associations may consult the OCC's publications Comparison of the Powers of National Banks and Federal Savings Associations and Activities Permissible for National Banks and Federal Savings Associations, Cumulative.^[4] In response to the commenter, the OCC clarifies that these documents are not exclusive examples of where to find published OCC precedent. The OCC also publishes interpretive letters and corporate decisions that may be used as precedent in its monthly Interpretations and Actions.^[5] This commenter also suggested that the OCC publish its unpublished interpretive letters regarding permissible activities. The OCC notes that it endeavors to publish all pertinent interpretive letters.

Third, the OCC defines the term “well capitalized” differently in various sections of part 5 by cross-referencing to other OCC rules. The OCC proposed to add a definition of “well capitalized” to § 5.3 that incorporates these cross-references so that the individual cross-references in other sections are no longer needed. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it in the final rule as proposed, with one technical change to make a cross-reference citation more specific. As noted in the preamble to the proposed rule, this new definition does not make any substantive changes.

Fourth, the OCC proposed to add the term “well managed” to § 5.3. Currently, part 5 contains two different definitions of “well managed.” Consistent with section 5136A of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 24a), § 5.39 generally defines “well managed” for purposes of financial subsidiaries as a 1 or 2 composite rating under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System and at least a rating of 2 for management. By contrast, §§ 5.34 and 5.38, governing national bank and Federal savings association operating subsidiaries, respectively, generally define “well managed” as a 1 or 2 composite rating without reference to the management rating. Sections 5.35 (bank service company investments), 5.36 (other equity investments by a national bank), and 5.58 (Federal savings association pass-through investments) cross-reference to the §§ 5.34 or 5.38 definition. Additionally, § 5.59(h)(2)(ii)(A) requires a Federal savings association to be well managed to be eligible for expedited review when acquiring or establishing a service corporation.

The OCC proposed a single definition of “well managed” applicable throughout part 5 to eliminate confusion between the two definitions and to further the OCC's supervisory objectives.^[6] The financial subsidiary statute, 12 U.S.C. 24a, defines “well managed” to include the management rating, and the OCC proposed to use this definition for national banks and Federal savings associations. The proposal also defined “well managed” for Federal branches and agencies of foreign banks as meaning the composite ROCA supervisory rating (which rates risk management, operational controls, compliance and assets quality) of 1 or 2, and at least a rating of 2 for risk management.

The OCC received one comment on this proposed definition. This commenter opposed the inclusion of management rating in a definition of “well managed,” except as required by statute. It stated that the financial subsidiary statutory definition of “well managed” was intended for new non-traditional activities, not core banking activities, and that using the new “well managed” definition could cause some banks to conduct activities in the bank rather than the subsidiary. The commenter noted that this could create safety and soundness issues because the bank would no longer benefit from having the activities conducted in a separate entity. In addition, this commenter stated that, in any event, the CAMELS management rating is in need of change.

The OCC disagrees with this commenter. As the OCC explained in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC believes that a single definition of “well managed” would enhance bank safety and soundness and provide a clearer and more consistent standard for national banks and Federal savings associations. In addition, the OCC finds that the components reflected in an entity's management rating, such as bank controls, are relevant to the establishment of operating subsidiaries, investments in bank service companies, other equity investments of a national bank and pass-through investments of a Federal savings association, and Federal savings association investments in service corporations. As explained in the preamble to the proposed rule, a national bank, Federal savings association, or Federal branch or agency with a 2 composite rating but a 3 management, or risk management, rating warrants additional scrutiny. Further, the OCC notes that the definition of “well managed” in Regulation K (international banking) and Regulation Y (bank holding companies) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) also includes both composite and management ratings.^[7]

This commenter also requested that if the OCC adopts the proposed “well managed” definition, the definition should include reasonable exceptions to the associated filing requirements. However, the proposed definition provides that it applies unless the OCC otherwise determines in writing. This provision allows the OCC to make exceptions in certain cases as warranted.

Finally, this commenter requested a transition period in event a bank receives a new rating, noting that without such a transition period a bank might be required to file an application where it already has begun negotiating or entering into an agreement to, for example, make a non-controlling investment, or otherwise relied on the fact that only an after-the-fact notice would be required. Specifically, the commenter recommended that the required “compliance date” of a new rating, particularly if it creates new requirements for the bank, should be several months after it is assigned or there should be an exception for any agreement already entered into at the time the rating is assigned. The OCC disagrees. For safety and soundness reasons, a national bank's or Federal savings association's rating should apply to all its activities as of the date the OCC issues the rating. Furthermore, a national bank or Federal savings association may mitigate any rating changes by including appropriate regulatory approval clauses in agreements with third parties.

For the reasons discussed above, the OCC adopts the definition of “well managed” as proposed.

The proposed rule also noted that the OCC was considering an amendment to the definition of “short-distance relocation.” Currently, moving the premises of a branch or main office of a national bank or a branch or home office of a Federal savings association is a short-distance relocation if the move is within: (1) A one-thousand foot-radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is located within a principal city of a metropolitan statistical area (MSA); (2) a one-mile radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is not located within a principal city but is located within an MSA; or (3) a two-mile radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is not located within an MSA. Under the branch relocation provisions in § 5.30 (national banks) and § 5.31 (Federal savings associations) and the main office and home office relocation provisions in § 5.40, short-distance relocations have a shorter public comment and OCC approval period than other relocations. Additionally, the OCC finds the short-distance relocation provision to be equivalent to a “relocation” for the purposes of branch closings under section 42 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDI Act) (12 U.S.C. 1831r-1).

The preamble to the proposed rule noted that the OCC was considering doubling the distances for short-distance relocations to allow greater flexibility and to reduce regulatory burden for office relocations. The preamble noted that any amended definition would not apply to a branch that would be relocated from a low- or moderate-income (LMI) area to a non-LMI area.

The OCC received three comments on this possible amendment. One commenter supported the change and agreed that it would promote flexibility and reduce regulatory burden without depriving customers of appropriate notice. However, the commenter expressed concerns about having a separate standard for LMI areas because it could affect statistics on bank closures by more heavily weighing branch relocations in LMI areas relative to relocation in non-LMI areas. Another commenter stated that the expanded definitions for “short distance relocations” should not apply when the branch is relocated from an LMI tract to another LMI tract in addition to the suggested exclusion for branches relocated from an LMI tract to a non-LMI tract. The third commenter stated that the suggested definition may disproportionately adversely impact LMI persons and that the OCC should exempt branches in LMI areas or that largely service LMI customers from the definition change. Further, this commenter advocated no change to the definition, noting that it is not only LMI customers who would be inconvenienced.

The OCC has decided not to expand the distances in the definition of “short-distance relocation” in the final rule. In light of these public comments and after further reviewing this suggestion, the OCC believes that a bifurcated definition would increase burden on national banks without providing a compensating benefit. In addition, the exception may cause confusion for banks if a census tract LMI status changes. However, any increase in distance without excluding LMI tracts would negatively affect LMI communities. Therefore, the current definition of “short distance relocation” remains unchanged.

Finally, the OCC proposed technical changes to § 5.3. The OCC received no comments on these technical changes and adopts them as proposed. First, current § 5.3 defines “applicant” as a “person or entity that submits a notice or application to the OCC under” part 5. However, this usage of the term “applicant” is confusing because it covers persons who submit an application or a notice. Accordingly, the final rule changes the term “applicant” to “filer” to more clearly cover both a person who files an application or a notice. The final rule makes conforming changes throughout part 5.

Second, the final rule adds a new definition for “Appropriate Federal banking agency” that cross-references the definition contained in section 3(q) of the FDI Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(q).

Third, the final rule adds a new definition clarifying that “MSA” means metropolitan statistical area as defined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).^[8]

Fourth, part 5 currently defines “notice” to mean a submission notifying the OCC that a national bank or Federal savings association intends to engage in or has commenced certain activities or transactions. The definition notes that the specific meaning depends on context and “may require the filer to obtain prior OCC approval before engaging in the activity or transaction.” As described later in this Supplementary Information, the final rule generally changes the term “notice” to “application” for activities or transactions that require prior OCC approval. Therefore, the final rule removes the quoted language from the definition.

Fifth, the final rule adds abbreviations for the former OTS, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United States (GAAP) to make their use consistent throughout part 5.

Finally, to reflect the more current regulatory drafting style, the final rule removes the paragraph designations in § 5.3 and makes conforming changes to cross-references in § 5.3 and other OCC rules.

The final rule also makes additional technical corrections by removing the phrase “as defined in § 5.3” and related language throughout part 5. The definitions in § 5.3 apply to all of part 5 so these cross-references are not necessary.

Filing required (§ 5.4) Section 5.4 requires a depository institution to file an application or notice with the OCC to engage in certain corporate activities and transactions and provides general information on this filing requirement. Section 5.4(f) currently encourages a potential filer to contact the appropriate OCC licensing office to determine the need for a prefiling meeting, and it specifically provides that the OCC decides whether to require a prefiling meeting on a case-by-case basis. The proposal included more general guidance on when a filer should seek a prefiling meeting with the OCC. Specifically, the OCC proposed to include a new sentence advising potential filers with novel, complex, or unique proposals to contact the appropriate OCC licensing office early in the development of the proposal to help identify and consider relevant policy issues. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed.

Additionally, the OCC proposed to move the certification requirement in current § 5.13(h) to new § 5.4(g). Current § 5.13(h) requires filers to certify that material submitted to the OCC contains no material misrepresentations or omissions. The OCC also may review and verify any information filed in connection with a notice or an application. Section 5.13(h) further provides that material misrepresentations or omissions may be subject to enforcement actions and other penalties, including criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. 1001. As discussed below, the OCC proposed to revise § 5.13(h) to clarify the procedures regarding nullification of decisions. The certification requirement in § 5.13(h) does not fit well in the revised provision so the OCC proposed to move it to § 5.4 with other provisions relating to the form of the filing, as new paragraph (g).

The OCC received one comment on new § 5.4(g). This commenter stated that because proposed § 5.4(g) makes no mention of a legal standard for culpability, it is unclear whether a filer would be subject to criminal penalties even if a material misrepresentation or omission were not made knowingly and willfully. The commenter suggested that in order to provide clarity regarding the applicable legal standard to which criminal penalties may apply when signing a certification, the OCC should amend proposed § 5.4(g) to qualify that filers who “knowingly and willfully” make material misrepresentations or omissions in a filing may be subject to enforcement and criminal penalty under 18 U.S.C. 1001. The commenter also suggested that the OCC update its standard forms accordingly. However, the OCC is not the appropriate agency to make representations about the specific elements of a criminal statute. Further, the OCC notes that the existing phrasing of “may be subject to enforcement action and other penalties” in the rule text indicates that section 1001 may or may not be applicable given the circumstances of a particular case, and that every misrepresentation or omission will not necessarily lead to a violation of section 1001. Section 1001 only would be applicable if the misrepresentation or omission meets the standard for a violation set forth in section 1001. Therefore, the OCC declines to address this comment in § 5.4(g).

Filing fees (§ 5.5) Section 5.5(a) provides the procedure for submitting filing fees to the OCC. The current rule requires payment to the OCC by check, money order, cashier's check, or wire transfer. The OCC proposed updating this provision by providing that a filer can pay the fees by check payable to the OCC or by other means acceptable to the OCC. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed. The OCC notes that it does not currently charge filing fees for licensing filings and is not imposing any fees as part of this final rule.

Investigations (§ 5.7) Section 5.7 provides the OCC with examination and investigation authority related to a filing. As discussed in the “Background Investigations” booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual, the OCC routinely engages in background investigations of filers and other individuals involved in filings for new charters, changes in bank control, and changes in directors and senior executive officers. As part of these background investigations, the OCC collects fingerprints and submits them to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history background check. The OCC proposed adding a new paragraph (b) to § 5.7 to codify this procedure. The OCC also proposed conforming changes to other sections in part 5 to clarify when it collects fingerprints. The OCC received one comment in support of these changes. The final rule includes these changes as proposed.

Public availability, Comments, and Hearings and other meetings (§§ 5.9, 5.10, 5.11) Section 5.9 addresses the public availability and confidential treatment of filings. Section 5.10 provides the process for public comment periods and the submission of public comments. Section 5.11 provides the process for hearings and public and private meetings. The OCC proposed changing the terms “application” to “filing” and “applicant” to “filer” in these sections to reflect the more general terminology proposed in this rule. Furthermore, each of these sections currently uses the term “interested persons” to refer to persons other than the filer who seek to interact with a filing or related procedure. The OCC understands the term “interested persons” to mean any person who is or may wish to be involved in the licensing process. Such a person may, but need not, have particular financial, pecuniary, or other interest in the transaction itself, the filer, or other party to the transaction. In the proposal, the OCC invited comment about whether the term “interested persons” is sufficiently clear, or whether a change in terminology would be helpful to indicate the breadth of this provision. The OCC received no comments on changing the terms “application” to “filing” and “applicant” to “filer” and adopts these changes in the final rule. Further the OCC received no comments in the term “interested persons” and so does not change this term in the final rule.

Decisions (§ 5.13) Section 5.13 contains the OCC's procedures for acting on a filing. Paragraph (a)(2) of this section provides the procedures for the OCC's expedited review, including extending the time frame for reviewing or removing a filing from expedited review. Specifically, the OCC may change the expedited review procedures if it concludes that the filing, or an adverse comment regarding the filing, presents a significant supervisory, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) ^[9] (if applicable), or compliance concern or raises a significant legal or policy issue requiring additional OCC review. Paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of § 5.13 provides that the OCC will not change the expedited procedures if it determines, among other things, that an adverse comment does not raise a significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern or a significant legal or policy issue, or is frivolous or filed primarily as a means of delaying action on the filing. The OCC proposed adding non-substantive comments to this list to better align the regulation with OCC policy. The proposal stated that the OCC considers a comment to be “non-substantive” if it is: (1) A generalized opinion that a filing should or should not be approved; or (2) a conclusory statement, lacking factual or analytical support.

The OCC received three comments on this proposed change. One commenter supported the addition of “non-substantive” to the list of items that do not remove a filing from expedited processing stating that this change would provide commenters with a clear standard and reduce unfair or unnecessary delays where a comment lacks factual or analytical support.

Another commenter opposed this change stating that it would increase the risk that the OCC could arbitrarily classify comments as non-substantive. The OCC disagrees with this commenter. For example, in the analogous context of informal rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA),^[10] agencies need only “consider and respond to significant comments” received during the public comment period.^[11] Courts have not interpreted the APA as requiring agencies to respond to insubstantial comments.^[12] As stated by the Supreme Court, “administrative proceedings should not be a game or a forum to engage in unjustified obstructionism by making cryptic and obscure reference to matters that `ought to be' considered and then, after failing to do more to bring the matter to the agency's attention, seeking to have that agency determination vacated on the ground that the agency failed to consider matters `forcefully presented.' ” ^[13]

The regulation's requirement that a party seeking relief must provide sufficient and supported information to warrant review of its claim is fully consistent with established principles that wholly speculative or unsupported comments need not be addressed.^[14] Further, the receipt of a large number of comments that set forth a particular view regarding a proposal does not necessarily render those comments “significant” or material ^[15] if they do not contain the requisite level of analytical or substantive content.

The situation also may be analogized with the standards applicable to setting forth minimally viable claims in litigation. A Federal plaintiff has an “obligation to provide the `grounds' of his `entitle[ment] to relief' [that] requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.” ^[16] “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” ^[17]

The OCC believes that either of these standards, as expressed by the Supreme Court, are analogous to those proposed for a comment on a licensing filing to warrant a change to expedited procedures. The requirement that a comment not be “non-substantive” to be considered reflects that the OCC will not “accept as true a legal conclusion couched as a factual allegation.” ^[18] Similarly, the requirement is consistent with the APA's provisions governing formal rulemaking proceedings.^[19] Thus, a comment containing merely a conclusory statement would not be sufficient to change the expedited processing procedures. It is appropriate for the OCC to require that a comment must have factual and analytical support to allow the OCC to determine that one of the concerns set forth in § 5.13(a)(1) has indeed been raised, thus warranting additional OCC review.^[20]

Accordingly, the OCC believes that the criteria for being “non-substantive” set forth in the amendment provides a clear standard for when the OCC will consider a comment to be non-substantive and provides commenters with guidance on submitting views on a filing. Further, the OCC notes that if a commenter believes that the OCC inadequately considered a comment, they may have grounds to challenge the OCC's licensing decision under the APA.

This commenter also stated that the final rule should describe the procedure by which the OCC would notify the commenter if the OCC determines a comment to be non-substantive and the procedure for re-submission of the comment. The OCC also disagrees with this comment. The OCC does not intend to notify a commenter that it finds its comment non-substantive. As indicated above, the OCC believes the provision as proposed adequately explains the OCC's standards for non-substantive comments and that these standards should inform commenters when the OCC would find a comment to be non-substantive.

Another commenter requested the OCC to define and explain the term “significant” as used in the current rule to describe supervisory, CRA, and compliance concerns and to provide the criteria it would use to determine the significance of concerns. In response to this comment, the OCC intends “significant” as used in the current and final rule to mean a “substantive” comment that raises material concerns requiring a longer review period to determine the impact on the application. A “substantive” comment is one that includes specific, concrete statements raising an issue on the relevant subject with supporting argument and material. A comment may be “substantive” but not “significant” if it does not raise concerns for which the OCC would need a longer time period to review to determine their impact on the application (e.g., they are relatively minor or can be addressed in other ways). The OCC notes that it considers all comments received.

This commenter also requested that the final rule clarify whether a “prior filing” means a filing from the current filer or a different bank that shares the same assessment area. This provision is referring to the current filer. As requested by the commenter, the final rule includes language to clarify this point.

Current § 5.13(a)(2)(ii) also provides that the OCC will not change the expedited procedures if the adverse comment raises a CRA concern that the OCC determines has been satisfactorily resolved. The current rule states that the OCC considers a CRA concern to be satisfactorily resolved if the OCC previously reviewed (e.g., in an examination or application) a concern presenting substantially the same issue in substantially the same assessment area during substantially the same time, and the OCC determines that the concern would not warrant denial or imposition of a condition on approval of the application. The OCC proposed amending this provision to expand what is meant by “previously reviewed” to include other supervisory activity, in addition to an examination, and a prior filing, which includes notices and applications.

One commenter read this proposed amendment to mean that the OCC would not consider a comment to be substantive if it addresses an issue the OCC previously resolved during an examination or application and as such opposed this change, noting that it would increase the arbitrariness of the OCC's rulings. However, the commenter misreads the proposal. The proposal does not classify an already addressed issue as non-substantive. Instead, a CRA concern that has been satisfactorily resolved is currently, and remains in the final rule, a separate basis for not changing expedited processing under § 5.13(a)(2). The only proposed change to this provision was to broaden the types of activities in which the concern had already been addressed. The commenter does not address this aspect of the proposal. Further, as stated in the “Public Notice and Comments” booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual, “[t]he OCC construes these standards [for satisfactorily resolved CRA concerns] narrowly. The OCC may consider a CRA concern to be unresolved, for example, if the agency receives new information on a matter that it reviewed previously.” ^[21]

The OCC also proposed amending the introductory text to paragraph (a)(2) to reflect that some expedited review procedures in part 5 do not require the national bank or Federal savings association to be an eligible bank or eligible savings association, as defined in § 5.3. In addition, the OCC proposed clarifying paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii) by revising the punctuation and sentence structure so that it is easier to read.

For these reasons, the OCC adopts these proposed amendments to § 5.13 (a)(2) with the change discussed above. Additionally, the OCC is making additional technical amendments to paragraph (a)(2)(iii) to conform with the general change in terminology from “application” to “filing” in rules of general applicability.

Paragraph (h) of § 5.13 provides that the OCC may nullify a decision on a filing if: (1) The OCC discovers a material misrepresentation or omission after the OCC has rendered a decision on the filing; (2) the decision is contrary to law, regulation, or OCC policy; or (3) the OCC granted the decision due to clerical or administrative error or a material mistake of law or fact. The OCC's decisions on filings generally contain a statement that the “OCC may modify, suspend or rescind this approval if a material change in the information on which the OCC relied occurs prior to the date of the transaction to which the decision pertains.” The OCC proposed revising paragraph (h) to clarify that the OCC may nullify a decision on a filing either prior to or after consummation of the transaction and that the OCC may nullify a decision based on a material misrepresentation or omission in any information provided to the OCC in the filing or supporting materials. Additionally, the OCC proposed adding a new paragraph (i) that would provide that the OCC may modify, suspend, or rescind a decision on a filing if a material change in the information or circumstance on which the OCC relied occurs prior to the date of the consummation of the transaction to which the decision pertains. The OCC received no comments on these amendments to § 5.13(g) and new § 5.13(i) and adopts them as proposed. As explained in the preamble to the proposed rule, these revisions are intended to clarify that nullification is based on the facts, law, and policy as they existed at the time of the OCC's decision. By contrast, modification, suspension, or rescission is based on a change in facts or circumstance from the time of the OCC's decision until consummation of the transaction to which the decision pertains.

As indicated previously in this Supplementary Information, the final rule moves the provisions in current § 5.13(h) regarding certification of the submitted filing and penalties for material misrepresentation and omissions in a filing to new paragraph § 5.4(g).

Organizing a National Bank or Federal Savings Association (§ 5.20)

Section 5.20 provides the procedures and requirements involved in organizing a de novo national bank or Federal savings association. The OCC proposed two new definitions to § 5.20(d). First, the OCC proposed defining “principal shareholder” as a person who directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more persons or companies, or together with members of their immediate family, will own, control, or hold 10 percent or more of the stock of the proposed national bank or Federal savings association. This definition is consistent with the definition used in the “Background Investigations” booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual and the instructions for the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report.^[22] The OCC proposed this definition in conjunction with provisions related to background checks and fingerprint collections in § 5.20(i)(3), discussed below.

Second, the OCC proposed clarifying that the term “organizer” means a member of the organizing group. This definition is not clearly stated in current § 5.20.

The OCC received no comments on these new definitions and adopts them as proposed.

Paragraph (i) contains procedures for filing a charter application. The OCC proposed a new paragraph (i)(3) requiring each proposed organizer, director, executive officer, or principal shareholder to submit to the OCC the information prescribed in the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report and legible fingerprints. New paragraph (i)(3) permits the OCC to request additional information, if appropriate, and waive the requirements of that paragraph if the OCC determines it to be in the public interest. The OCC received no comments on this provision and adopts it as proposed. As discussed in the “Charters” booklet of the Comptroller Licensing Manual, the OCC generally conducts routine background checks on insiders, including proposed organizers, directors, executive officers, and controlling shareholders. This revision to § 5.20(i), which is consistent with the final rule's background investigation changes in § 5.7(b), codifies this process and authorizes the collection of fingerprints for charter applications.

The OCC also proposed a number of technical changes to § 5.20. First, in the definition of “organizing group” in § 5.20(d)(7), the OCC proposed to change the term “persons” to “individuals” to more accurately reflect who may make up an organizing group. One commenter stated that further clarity is needed for changing this term. The OCC proposed this change to clarify that only individuals and not entities may serve in the organizing group, as provided by 12 U.S.C. 21. Section 21 states that “[a]ssociations for carrying on the business of banking . . . . may be formed by any number of natural persons, not less in any case than five.” However, to be as consistent as possible with this statute, the final rule instead changes the term “persons” to “natural persons.” Although 12 U.S.C. 21 only applies to national banks, this definitional change applies to both national banks and Federal savings associations. Second, in § 5.20(g)(4)(ii), the OCC proposed to change the phrase “withdrawal of preliminary approval” to “nullification or rescission of preliminary approval” to align with the terminology in proposed §§ 5.13(h) and (i). Third, in § 5.20(i), the OCC proposed to change the term “spokesperson” to “contact person” in redesignated paragraph (i)(5) to conform to the use of this term in other paragraphs of this section. Fourth, in redesignated paragraph (i)(5), the OCC proposed to change the term “interested parties” to “relevant parties,” which more accurately describes who the OCC should notify of its decision on an application. Lastly, the OCC proposed to remove the reference to 12 CFR part 197 in § 5.20(i), redesignated paragraph (i)(6)(iii), because the OCC has removed this regulation. The remaining citation, 12 CFR part 16, now applies to both national banks and Federal savings associations. The OCC received no comments on these technical changes and therefore adopts them as proposed, with an additional technical correction of cross-references in redesignated paragraph (i)(6)(i).

The final rule makes one new technical correction to § 5.20. It removes the reference to 12 CFR part 195, the Federal savings association CRA rule, in § 5.20(e)(2)(ii) as of December 11, 2020. The OCC recently amended 12 CFR part 25 to include Federal savings associations and removed 12 CFR part 195 as of October 1, 2020.^[23]

Federal Mutual Savings Association Charter and Bylaws (§ 5.21)

Section 5.21 governs the procedures and requirements for charters and bylaws of Federal mutual savings associations. Pursuant to paragraph (f)(2), charter amendments are generally subject to prior approval by the OCC although, under paragraph (g), most applications for charter amendments are subject to expedited review and deemed approved as of the 30th day after filing unless the OCC notifies the filer that it has denied the amendment, or the amendment is not eligible for expedited review. An application is not eligible for expedited review if the charter amendment would render more difficult or discourage a merger, proxy contest, the assumption of control by a mutual account holder of the association, or the removal of incumbent management or involves a significant issue of law or policy. Paragraph (g) further provides that a notice is required within 30 days after adoption if the filer adopts the optional charter amendments contained in paragraph (g) without change.

The OCC proposed to reorganize these provisions to clarify the procedures Federal mutual savings associations must follow in adopting charter amendments, to align the terminology in § 5.21 with general usage in part 5, and to make other clarifying changes. As indicated in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC does not intend these changes to be substantive. The OCC received no comments on these amendments to § 5.21 and adopts them as proposed, with technical amendments. Specifically, the final rule amends paragraphs (j)(2) to reflect the changes made by the OCC's interim final rule on Director, Shareholder, and Member Meetings.^[24] These amendments do not make any substantive changes to paragraph (j)(2) as proposed.

As a result of the final rule, all of this section's procedural requirements for adopting charter amendments are located in paragraph (f)(2). These amendments clarify that charter amendments are subject to a three-part regime: Application with expedited review, standard application, or notice. As a result, revised paragraph (g) now only contains provisions relating to optional charter amendments. Additionally, the final rule adds a new paragraph (f)(3) specifying that a charter amendment is effective once it is: (1) Approved by the OCC, if approval is required under paragraph (f)(2); and (2) adopted by the association provided the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting the amendment. The final rule also makes a clarifying amendment to paragraph (g)(2) to reflect that change of a Federal savings association's title does not require prior OCC notice under § 5.42, as is implied by the current paragraph (g)(2).^[25] The OCC intends no substantive change with this amendment.

Current paragraph (j) of § 5.21 governs the bylaws for Federal mutual savings associations. Paragraph (j)(2)(viii) requires the bylaws to specify that the Federal mutual association's board of directors consist of no fewer than five nor more than fifteen members unless the OCC has authorized a higher or lower number. However, unlike the corresponding provision for Federal stock savings associations, 12 CFR 5.22(l)(2), paragraph (j)(2)(viii) does not explicitly address numbers of directors authorized by the former OTS. Accordingly, the final rule revises this paragraph to explicitly acknowledge that authorizations by the former OTS remain effective.

Current paragraph (j)(3) contains the filing requirements for changes to Federal mutual savings association bylaws. Currently, all bylaw amendments require some sort of filing with the OCC. As with the charter amendments discussed above, the OCC reorganizes these provisions in the final rule to clarify the procedures Federal mutual savings associations must follow in adopting bylaw amendments and to align the terminology with that used in part 5. The OCC also is eliminating the filing requirement for savings associations that adopt without change the OCC's model or optional bylaws, thereby reducing burden for these Federal mutual savings associations. As a result, these amendments specify that bylaw amendments are subject to a four-part regime: Application with expedited review, standard application, notice, and no filing required. As with the charter amendments, the final rule provides that a bylaw amendment is effective after approval by the OCC, if required, and adoption by the association, provided that the association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in adopting the amendment. Additionally, the final rule makes two additional technical changes. First it corrects a cross reference in paragraph (j)(3)(i)(A) to correctly refer to paragraph (j)(3)(i)(B). Second, it changes the heading of proposed paragraph (j)(3)(ii) from “Notice requirement” to “Corporate governance election and notice requirement” to better reflect the subject of this paragraph.

As discussed later in this Supplementary Information, the OCC proposed technical changes throughout part 5, including replacing the word “shall” with another appropriate word or words. These technical changes, as well as other minor proposed wording changes, are included in the model charter and bylaw provisions provided in revised § 5.21. As indicated in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC does not intend these technical changes to require any changes on the part of Federal mutual savings associations that use the current model language. Further, the OCC does not intend these technical changes to have any effect on the provisions or effectiveness of a Federal mutual savings association's current charter or bylaws.

Federal Stock Savings Association Charter and Bylaws (§ 5.22)

Section 5.22 governs the procedures and requirements for Federal stock savings association charters and bylaws. Section 5.22 generally parallels § 5.21, which applies to Federal mutual savings association charters and bylaws. The OCC proposed equivalent changes to § 5.22 as proposed for § 5.21. The OCC also proposed two additional technical amendments to § 5.22. Section 5.22 contains sample charter and bylaw provisions, and paragraph (g)(7) provides an optional “Section 8” for Federal stock savings association charters following mutual to stock conversions. This optional section contains a definition of “acting in concert.” The OCC proposed minor wording changes to this definition for consistency with the definition of this term in the OCC's change in bank control regulation, § 5.50. The OCC also proposed correcting a cross-reference to 12 CFR part 192 in paragraph (e). The OCC received no comments on the revisions to § 5.22 and adopts them as proposed, with additional technical amendments. First, as discussed above regarding § 5.21, the final rule amends paragraph (g)(1) to reflect that change of a Federal savings association's title does not require prior OCC notice under § 5.42. Second, the final rule corrects the cross-reference in paragraph (i) to the form “Federal stock charter.” Third, the final rule changes the heading in proposed paragraph (j)(2)(ii) from “Notice requirement” to “Corporate governance election and notice requirement” to better reflect the subject of this paragraph. Fourth, the final rule amends paragraphs (k)(1) and (l)(3) and (8) to reflect the changes made by the OCC's interim final rule on Director, Shareholder, and Member Meetings.^[26] Fifth, the final rule corrects cross-references in paragraphs (k)(2) and (k)(4)(ii). Finally, the final rule amends paragraph (m)(2) to remove the sentence that provides that employment contracts shall conform with 12 CFR 163.39 because the OCC removed § 163.39 in a separate final rule.^[27]

Conversion To Become a Federal Savings Association (§ 5.23) and Conversion To Become a National Bank (§ 5.24)

Sections 5.23 and 5.24 are largely parallel rules that provide the procedures and standards for OCC review and approval of an application by an institution to convert to a Federal savings association or national bank, respectively. The OCC proposed a number of amendments to these sections and did not receive any comments. Therefore, the OCC adopts these amendments as proposed.

First, § 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(A) and 5.24(e)(2)(i) each require the president or other duly authorized officer to sign the conversion application. OCC applications also require an authorized signature. However, these sections are the only provisions in part 5 that require an authorized officer to sign the application. The final rule removes §§ 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(A) and 5.24(e)(2)(i) because the OCC does not find it necessary to specify this signature requirement in a regulation.

Second, the “Conversions to Federal Charter” booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual indicates that filers should include a list of directors and senior executive officers of the converting institution as well as a list of individuals, directors, and shareholders who directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with one or more persons or companies, or together with members of their immediate family, do or will own, control, or hold 10 percent or more of the converting institution's stock. It is necessary for the OCC to have a complete list of these individuals because the OCC generally conducts routine background investigations as part of the application process. The final rule codifies these requirements in §§ 5.23(d)(2)(ii) and 5.24(e)(2). Additionally, the final rule makes a technical change to redesignated § 5.23(d)(2)(ii)(F) to correctly reference § 5.58 for Federal savings association equity investments, rather than § 5.36, which applies to national banks.

Furthermore, as proposed, the final rule adds a new paragraph to each of these rules, §§ 5.23(d)(2)(iv) and 5.24(e)(4), providing that the OCC may require directors and senior executive officers of the converting institution to submit the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report and legible fingerprints. This amendment codifies the background investigation process set forth in the “Conversions to Federal Charter” booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual and specifically authorizes the collection of fingerprints for conversion applications, consistent with the background investigation changes proposed to other sections in this final rule.

Sections 5.23(d)(4) and 5.24(h) provide for expedited review for conversion from an eligible national bank to a Federal savings association, and vice versa. Currently, this conversion application is deemed approved as of the 60th day after the OCC receives the filing. As noted in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC believes that it can review and decide these conversion applications in a shorter period because it already supervises an entity eligible to use the expedited review process. Accordingly, the final rule decreases the time period for the expedited review to 45 days. The final rule also makes a technical change to § 5.23(d)(4) to remove the modifier “national” before bank as the defined term in § 5.3 is “eligible bank.” This deletion does not change the scope of institutions eligible for expedited review as only a national bank, and not a State bank, may be an eligible bank under the definition in § 5.3.

Fiduciary Powers of National Banks and Federal Savings Associations (§ 5.26)

Section 5.26 contains the application requirements and processes for a national bank or Federal savings association to engage in the exercise of fiduciary powers. Paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C) requires a national bank or Federal savings association to submit sufficient biographical information on proposed trust management personnel as part of an application for fiduciary powers. The OCC proposed two changes to this paragraph and did not receive any comments. Therefore, the OCC adopts them as proposed. Because the scope of the term “trust management personnel” in paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C) is unclear, the final rule clarifies that the biographical information is required for proposed senior trust management personnel, as identified by the OCC. The final rule also provides that the application required in paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C) include, if requested by the OCC, the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report and legible fingerprints for these individuals, consistent with the background investigation changes made to other sections of part 5 by this final rule.

Section 5.26(e)(6) requires a national bank or Federal savings association to submit a written notice to the OCC no later than 10 days after it begins previously approved fiduciary activities in additional States. The OCC proposed to reorganize this paragraph with no substantive changes. No commenters discussed this reorganization and the OCC adopts it as proposed. Under the final rule, paragraph (e)(6)(i) generally requires a written notice after the national bank or Federal savings association begins any of the activities specified in 12 CFR 9.7(d) in a new State. Paragraph (e)(6)(ii) requires the notice to include the new States, the fiduciary activities to be conducted, and the extent to which the activities differ materially from the fiduciary activities currently conducted. Paragraph (e)(6)(iii) provides that no notice is required if the information required by paragraph (e)(6)(ii) is provided by other means, such as in a merger application. Finally, the final rule redesignates current paragraph (iii), which provides that no notice is required if the national bank or Federal savings association is conducting only activities ancillary to its fiduciary business through a trust representative office or otherwise, as paragraph (iv).

One commenter discussed § 5.26(e)(5), which the OCC did not propose to amend. This provision requires a national bank or Federal savings association that has ceased to conduct previously approved fiduciary powers for 18 consecutive months to provide the OCC with a new notice as set forth by this section 60 days prior to commencing any fiduciary activity. The commenter requested that the OCC change this 18 month time period to five years. The commenter noted that five years would be consistent with 12 U.S.C. 92a(k), which allows the OCC to revoke the authority to engage in fiduciary activities if the national bank has not exercised it for five consecutive years. The OCC disagrees with this commenter's recommendation and continues to believe, as discussed when the OCC originally adopted this requirement in 2015, that an 18-month time period is appropriate to ensure that the management and condition of a national bank or Federal savings association has not changed since the OCC's original approval of the fiduciary activities.^[28] Further, this 18-month notification period enables the OCC to allocate supervisory resources to evaluate the institution when it resumes fiduciary activities. Lastly, § 5.26(e)(5) requires notice to the OCC, and not OCC approval. Therefore, the OCC does not find this requirement to be overly burdensome.

Establishment, Acquisition, and Relocation of a Branch of a National Bank (§ 5.30)

Section 5.30 describes the application procedures to establish and relocate a national bank branch. Paragraph (d) provides definitions applicable to § 5.30. The OCC proposed two amendments to paragraph (d). First, paragraph (d)(1)(i) lists certain types of facilities that are considered branches. The OCC proposed to reorder this list so that the reference to 12 U.S.C. 36(c) applies only to seasonal agencies and not to the other types of facilities. Second, paragraph (d)(1)(iii) specifies that remote service units (RSUs) and certain types of offices are not within the definition of “branch.” The OCC proposed to clarify this provision by adding both a cross-reference to the description of RSUs contained in 12 CFR 7.4003 ^[29] and a reference to automated teller machines (ATMs), including interactive ATMs, codifying OCC Interpretive Letter No. 1165 (August 2019).^[30] As discussed in this interpretive letter, a national bank establishment of an interactive ATM does not constitute establishing a branch if the machine meets the definition of an ATM used for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 36 consistent with OCC interpretations, and the nature of the interactions between the customer and remote bank personnel are delimited as would be the case with an RSU. The OCC received no comments on these amendments and adopts them as proposed.

One commenter requested that the OCC amend the definition of “mobile branch” in § 5.30(d)(5) to clarify that a mobile branch may be located at one location for up to four months without requiring an application for a temporary branch. Currently, paragraph (d)(5) defines “mobile branch” as a branch of a national bank, other than a messenger service branch, that does not have a single, permanent site, and includes a vehicle that travels to various public locations to enable customers to conduct their banking business. Pursuant to this definition, a mobile branch may provide services at various regularly scheduled locations or it may be open at irregular times and locations such as at county fairs, sporting events, or school registration periods. The OCC agrees that the rule does not clearly indicate how long a mobile branch may serve one location before losing its status as a mobile branch and that clarity and uniformity on this point would be helpful. Further, the OCC finds that locating a mobile branch at one location for a limited period of time without having to continuously move it back and forth to this location to prevent it from losing its status as a mobile branch would be useful in certain circumstances, especially during emergency situations such as weather-related emergencies or during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the OCC is clarifying in the final rule that a mobile branch may be stationed continuously at a single location within the geographic area it is approved to serve for a period of up to four months. The OCC views this new language as interpretive. The OCC notes that a mobile branch is only permitted in States where a State bank is permitted to establish a mobile branch. Because State statutes restricting mobile branch locations are applicable to national banks, if a State statute restricts how long a mobile branch could serve a given location, that restriction is applicable to national bank mobile branches in that State.

In the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC noted that it is considering one additional change to the definition of “branch” in paragraph (d). Paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(B) provides that a facility is not a branch if it is located at the site, or is an extension, of an approved main office or branch office of the national bank. The rule further provides that the OCC determines whether a facility is an extension of an existing main office or branch office on a case-by-case basis. However, the rule deems a drive-in or pedestrian facility located within 500 feet of a public entrance to an existing main office or branch office to be an extension of the existing main office or branch office, provided the functions performed at the drive-in or pedestrian facility are limited to functions that are ordinarily performed at a teller window, without the OCC's case-by case analysis. The OCC requested comment on expanding this 500 foot distance to 1,500 feet. One commenter supported this increase. However, after further review, the OCC has concluded that 500 feet is a more appropriate limit for a facility to have the benefit of automatic treatment as an extension of the main office or branch.^[31] Furthermore, a facility at a distance greater than 500 feet may still be considered an extension of the main office or branch based on the OCC's case-by-case analysis. The OCC believes this current rule provides adequate flexibility without the need to increase the regulatory distance threshold.

Finally, the OCC proposed a technical change to paragraph (f), which provides the procedures for establishing a national bank branch. Paragraph (f)(1) requires each national bank that proposes to establish a branch to submit an application to the OCC, except in the case of messenger services as specified in paragraph (f)(2). However, paragraph (f)(3) provides that if a national bank proposes to establish a branch jointly with one or more national banks or other depository institutions, only one of the national banks must submit a branch application and this bank may act as agent for the other institutions. Even if a single application is submitted for a joint branch, the OCC still considers the relevant factors for each national bank. The OCC proposed including paragraph (f)(3) as an additional exception to the application requirement in paragraph (f)(1), thereby conforming these two paragraphs. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed.

Establishment, Acquisition, and Relocation of a Branch and Establishment of an Agency Office of a Federal Savings Association (§ 5.31)

Section 5.31 describes application and notice procedures for the establishment, acquisition, or relocation of a Federal savings association branch. Paragraph (j), implementing section 5(m) of the Home Owners' Loan Act (HOLA) (12 U.S.C. 1464(m)), requires a Federal or State savings association to obtain prior OCC approval to establish or move a branch or move its principal office in the District of Columbia. The OCC proposed to add a new paragraph (j)(3) to clarify that a branch in the District of Columbia includes any location at which accounts are opened, payments are received, or withdrawals made, including ATMs that perform one or more of these functions. This amendment implements court opinions finding that ATMs that accept deposits or disburse funds against a customer's account constitute a branch.^[32] Although Congress amended 12 U.S.C. 36(j) to remove ATMs and RSUs from the definition of a national bank “branch,” Congress has not similarly amended section 5(m) of the HOLA. Therefore, the OCC and OTS have long taken the position that an ATM established by a savings association in the District of Columbia constitutes a branch requiring approval. The OCC did not receive any comments on this proposed amendment and adopts it as proposed. Because new paragraph (j)(3) codifies the OCC's existing legal interpretation, the OCC believes that this amendment does not add any regulatory burden to savings associations.

Business Combinations Involving a National Bank or Federal Savings Association (§ 5.33)

Section 5.33 provides the application requirements and procedures for business combinations involving national banks and Federal savings associations, such as mergers, consolidations, and certain purchase and assumption transactions. The OCC proposed several changes to this section.

Paragraph (e) of § 5.33 sets forth policies the OCC considers when evaluating business combinations. Paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(F) provides that the OCC will not approve a transaction that would violate the deposit concentration limit in 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(13). Only interstate merger transactions as defined 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(13)(C)(i) are subject to this deposit concentration limit. The OCC proposed adding a reference to 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(13)(C)(i) in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(F) for clarity. The OCC did not receive any comments on this change and adopts it as proposed.

Paragraph (e)(1)(iii) provides the OCC's policy for evaluating business combinations under the CRA. Under 12 U.S.C. 2903(a)(2), the OCC must evaluate an insured national bank's or Federal savings association's CRA record when evaluating its application for a business combination. The OCC proposed three changes to paragraph (e)(1)(iii). First, the OCC proposed a new paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(A) to better describe the OCC's review of a business combination and to more closely track the statutory language under which the OCC is required to assess the track record of the applicant. This paragraph specifies that the OCC takes into account the filer's CRA record of performance in considering an application for a business combination. It also states that the OCC's conclusion of whether the CRA performance is or is not consistent with approval of an application is considered in conjunction with the other factors in § 5.33, codifying the OCC's practice of evaluating all policy factors in light of the whole application as set forth in the OCC's Policies and Procedures Manual (PPM-6300-2).

One commenter supported the clarification that the OCC will consider the institution's CRA's performance in conjunction with the other factors in § 5.33, stating that this change is consistent with statutory requirements and codifies existing OCC practice. Another commenter said that it would break with precedent to remove the provision providing that the OCC will take into account the CRA record of the target institution. This commenter also stated that this change would impair the public's ability to comment and render the OCC unable to fully consider the public benefit of the proposed merger as required by the CRA statute. The commenter stated that only a review of the CRA performance of both the target and the acquiring bank provides a full understanding of likely future CRA performance and the resultant bank's ability to meet the convenience and needs of the communities it serves.

The OCC disagrees with this commenter. The OCC's review of an institution's CRA performance is retrospective, while the OCC's review of a business combination application is prospective. As noted in the preamble to the proposed rule, OCC practice is to consider and evaluate a filer's record of performance under the CRA and, more broadly, the filer's plans and ability to enable the combined organization to serve the convenience and needs of its communities. Thus, the target's CRA record will inform the convenience and needs analysis but is not in of itself a factor in the OCC's review of the application. Additionally, the OCC notes that public benefit is not a statutory factor the OCC must consider despite the comment's reference to it as such.^[33] The OCC therefore adopts this new paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(A) as proposed.

Second, the OCC proposed a new paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(B) to recognize the expanded community reinvestment compliance review required by 12 U.S.C. 1831u(b)(3) when the filing national bank would have a branch or bank affiliate immediately following the transaction in any State in which the filer had no branch or bank affiliate immediately before the transaction. Specifically, this new paragraph provides that the OCC considers the CRA record of performance of the filer and its resulting bank affiliates and the filer's record of compliance with applicable State community reinvestment laws when required by 12 U.S.C. 1831(b)(3). The OCC received no comments on this new paragraph and adopts it as proposed.

Third, the OCC proposed a new paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(C) requiring the filer to disclose whether it has entered into and disclosed a covered agreement, as defined in 12 CFR 35.2, in accordance with 12 CFR 35.6 and 35.7. These regulations implement the CRA sunshine requirements of section 48 of the FDI Act, 12 U.S.C. 1831y. Requiring disclosure of any covered agreements will better permit the OCC to review the filer's CRA record and any CRA-related comments on the filing. One commenter supported the disclosure of these covered agreements. Therefore, the OCC adopts this new paragraph as proposed. The final rule also includes a technical amendment that changes the heading of paragraph (e) from “Policy” to “Policy and related filing requirements” to better reflect the contents of this paragraph.

This commenter also stated that the regulators should work with community groups and banks on the development of a process for recognizing these agreements during the merger application process and for their implementation to become a factor on CRA performance evaluations. The OCC agrees that these agreements may provide the OCC with context on the credit needs of the community served during the application process. However, the OCC and the other Federal banking regulators have long held the position that these agreements are private agreements between depository institutions and private parties. Therefore, the Federal banking regulators do not monitor compliance with, nor enforce, these agreements.^[34] Because they are private agreements, a bank's compliance with these agreements should not be a factor in the OCC's decision on an application.

The OCC noted in the preamble to the proposed rule that it is considering whether to require a filer to memorialize and publish any discussion between the filer and any third party with respect to the development of any community reinvestment plan, community benefit plan, or similar plan in connection with a business combination. Two commenters opposed this idea. One commenter stated that the requirement to memorialize discussions would be burdensome, frivolous, and extraneous because all relevant information is included in the final plan. This commenter also stated that such a requirement may cause disagreements about what is covered and what constitutes an acceptable level of memorialization. In addition, this commenter noted that this requirement would discourage community participation in discussions for these agreements. The second commenter stated that this requirement could have a chilling effect on discussions between filers and third parties causing them to be less candid during these discussions, reducing the likelihood of reaching an agreement. This commenter also stated that the filer and third party may disagree in the way in which the discussion has been memorialized. Lastly this commenter noted that this requirement would duplicate the CRA sunshine requirements in 12 CFR part 35, which provides the circumstances under which these discussions should be made public.

The OCC disagrees with these comments and is adding a new paragraph in the final rule requiring that the national bank or Federal savings association submitting a business combination filing must provide summaries of, or documents relating to, all substantive discussions with respect to the development of the content of a covered agreement submitted pursuant to new paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(C)(1). This summary must include the names of participants, dates, and synopsis of these discussions. The OCC believes that memorializing and disclosing discussions between a national bank or Federal savings association and a community group during the development of an agreement promotes transparency and results in a fairer and more robust agreement for both the financial institution and the community served by the institution, furthering the intent of the CRA Sunshine statute as well as providing the OCC with additional context during the application process on the credit needs of the community served. The OCC does not expect minor or trivial communications to be memorialized; for example, discussions regarding scheduling or staffing need not be documented. However, national banks and Federal savings associations will need to memorialize and disclose substantive discussions pertaining to the content of a plan. This documentation may consist of summaries or transcripts of the discussions, or work product produced to further the negotiations, such as summaries of suggested terms of the plan. Further, to avoid conflicts between the institution and the community group, the institution may share the documentation with the community group prior to disclosure. Because national banks and Federal savings associations already should be documenting these discussions in the course of normal business operations, and because many of the documents are already produced as part of the negotiating process, the OCC believes that any additional burden placed on banks and savings associations will be minimal and will be outweighed by the benefit of ensuring transparency in the development of these plans in connection with a business combination.

The OCC also proposed a new paragraph (e)(1)(iv) to state that the OCC considers the standards and requirements contained in 12 U.S.C. 1831u for interstate merger transactions between insured banks, when applicable. Current paragraph (h) describes the application of 12 U.S.C. 1831u to combinations between insured banks with different home states. As part of the reorganization of paragraphs (g) and (h), discussed below, the OCC proposed instead to include its review of the 12 U.S.C. 1831u factors in paragraph (e)(1) for clarity. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed.

Paragraph (e)(8)(ii) requires a national bank or Federal savings association with one or more classes of securities subject to registration under sections 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to file preliminary proxy material or information statements with the Director, Securities and Corporate Practices Division (SCP) of the OCC. As a result of an internal reorganization, the OCC proposed replacing the reference to SCP in paragraph (e)(8)(ii) with the OCC Chief Counsel's Office. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed.

Paragraph (g) provides procedures for different types of consolidations and mergers. Paragraph (o) provides general procedures for approval of Federal savings association business combinations. These paragraphs provide detailed procedures for national banks and Federal savings associations engaging in several different types of business combinations. Some of these requirements are imposed by statute. Specifically, 12 U.S.C. 215 and 215a provide procedures for consolidations and mergers, respectively, between national banks and State or national banks located in the same State resulting in a national bank. Similarly, 12 U.S.C. 214 through 214d provide procedures for consolidations and mergers between national banks and State banks located in the same State resulting in a State bank. Other consolidation and merger transactions described in § 5.33 do not have any statutory procedures, including interstate consolidations and mergers involving a national bank under 12 U.S.C. 215a-1; consolidations and mergers of national banks and Federal savings associations under 12 U.S.C. 215c and 1467a(s); consolidations and mergers of Federal savings associations and State banks, State savings associations, State trust companies, or credit unions under 12 U.S.C. 1464(d)(3)(A) and 1467a(s); and mergers of national banks with their non-bank affiliates under 12 U.S.C. 215a-3.

In order to increase flexibility and reduce regulatory burden for national banks and Federal savings associations involved in business combinations for which procedural requirements are not specified by statute, the OCC proposed a number of changes to these procedural provisions. First, the OCC proposed that a national bank may follow the procedures for mergers and consolidations under sections 2 and 3 of the National Bank Consolidation and Merger Act (NBCMA) currently provided in paragraph (g) for the specific transaction.

Second, the OCC proposed that a national bank or Federal savings association may elect to follow the procedures applicable to a State bank or State savings association, respectively, chartered by the State in which the national bank's main office or the Federal savings association's home office is located. In connection with this election, the OCC proposed rules of construction so that the State procedures function logically for national banks and Federal savings associations. Specifically, any references to a State agency in the applicable State procedures would be read as referring to the OCC. Additionally, unless otherwise specified in Federal law, all filings required by the applicable State procedures would be made to the OCC. Requiring filings prescribed by State law to be made with the OCC, rather than a State agency, is consistent with past OCC practice for certain transactions under State corporate governance procedures adopted pursuant to 12 CFR 7.2000.^[35]

Third, the OCC proposed that the national bank or Federal savings association that is the acquiring institution in a transaction may follow a de minimis procedure that does not require a shareholder vote pursuant to proposed § 5.33(p) if certain criteria are met. Proposed § 5.33(p) is similar to the de minimis exception to general shareholder voting requirements for Federal stock savings associations in current § 5.33(o)(3)(ii), which applies if the transaction does not involve an interim savings association; the Federal savings association charter does not change; each share of stock outstanding will be identical to an outstanding share or treasury share after the effective date of the transaction; and either no stock or securities convertible into stock will be issued or delivered under the plan of combination, or the authorized unissued shares or treasury shares of the resulting Federal savings association to be issued or delivered, plus those initially issuable upon conversion of any securities to be issued or delivered, do not exceed 15 percent of the total shares of voting stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the consolidation or merger.

The OCC proposed making this de minimis exception available to a national bank engaging in transactions not subject to statutory procedural requirements as well as a Federal stock savings association in new paragraph (p) with two revisions. First, the OCC proposed permitting certain combinations involving an interim bank or savings association. Specifically, a national bank or Federal stock savings association engaging in a transaction involving an interim bank or interim saving association would potentially be able to use the procedures in paragraph (p) if the existing shareholders of the national bank or Federal stock savings association would directly hold the shares of the resulting national bank or Federal stock savings association. In promulgating an amendment to the predecessor to current § 5.33(o)(3)(ii), the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the predecessor to OTS, stated that “[a]lthough the ownership interests of shareholders of a reorganizing association generally do not undergo substantive change upon a reorganization into holding company form, the Board believes that shareholders should, nevertheless, be given an opportunity to approve or disapprove a plan of reorganization.” ^[36] The OCC believes that in a transaction involving reorganization into a holding company structure, shareholders of the national bank or Federal stock savings association should have the opportunity to vote. However, the OCC believes that a national bank or Federal stock savings association may engage in transactions involving interim banks or savings association that do not involve holding company reorganizations where shareholder votes are not necessary, if the rest of the requirements of proposed paragraph (p) are met.

Second, to provide additional flexibility, the OCC also proposed increasing the maximum issuance of shares eligible under this procedure for both national banks and Federal savings associations from 15 percent of total outstanding shares to 20 percent. This change mirrors the 20 percent threshold in similar procedures under Delaware law.^[37]

The new procedural options described above would apply to: (1) Consolidations and mergers of national banks and Federal savings associations under 12 U.S.C. 215c and 1467a(s), resulting in either a national bank or Federal savings association; (2) consolidations and mergers of Federal savings associations and State banks, State savings associations, State trust companies, or credit unions under 12 U.S.C. 1464(d)(3)(A) and 1467a(s), resulting in either a Federal savings association or another entity; and (3) mergers of national banks with their non-bank affiliates under 12 U.S.C. 215a-3, resulting in either a national bank or a non-bank affiliate.

The new procedural options also would apply to interstate consolidations and mergers involving a national bank under 12 U.S.C. 215a-1 based on a revised analysis of the NBCMA. As indicated in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC formerly opined in licensing decisions that 12 U.S.C. 215a-1 incorporates the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 215 for consolidations and 12 U.S.C. 215a for mergers.^[38] Twelve U.S.C. 215a-1 is the codification of section 4 of the NBCMA, which was enacted by section 102(b)(4)(D) of the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994.^[39] Twelve U.S.C. 215 and 215a are codifications of sections 2 and 3 of the NBCMA, respectively. Section 4 of the NBCMA states that “a national bank may engage in a consolidation or merger under this Act with an out-of-State bank if the consolidation or merger is approved” (emphasis added) ^[40] under 12 U.S.C. 1831u, which sets out requirements for interstate mergers of insured banks. In prior licensing decisions, the OCC interpreted “under this Act” to mean that an interstate consolidation or merger authorized under section 4 of the NBCMA is a consolidation or merger under section 2 or 3 of the NBCMA, respectively, and thus subject to the procedural provisions of those sections with respect to shareholder vote, dissenter's rights, and other matters as well as the substantive provisions addressing corporate succession, transfer of assets, liabilities, property, rights and interests including fiduciary appointments, and the status of the resulting bank (collectively “corporate succession provisions”). In other words, section 4 extended sections 2 and 3, which cover consolidations and mergers between banks located in the same state, to also cover consolidations and mergers between banks with different home states. The OCC therefore implemented the NBCMA in § 5.33(h) by applying these provisions of sections 2 and 3 of the NBCMA to transactions authorized under section 4 of the NBCMA.

However, after further analysis, the OCC believes that the proper reading of section 4 of the NBCMA is that it does not directly incorporate any provisions of sections 2 or 3 of the NBCMA. As noted above, the OCC previously focused on the phrase “under this Act” as imposing the requirements of sections 2 and 3 on a merger conducted under section 4. However, the statutory language is ambiguous and does not require the OCC to incorporate any of the provisions in sections 2 or 3 of the NBCMA. Upon further consideration, the OCC believes the text taken in its entirety may be read as merely specifying the source of the authority and imposing the requirement that the consolidation or merger be approved under section 1831u, but not imposing additional requirements or conditions with which the bank must comply. As there are no other sections of the NBCMA under which an interstate merger between banks with different home States could be conducted in cases in which the acquiring bank does not have branches in the same State as the target bank,^[41] “under this Act” can be read to refer only to section 4 itself. Since section 4 of the NBCMA, 12 U.S.C. 215a-1, does not contain any substantive or procedural provisions, there are no statutory procedures for interstate bank mergers under 12 U.S.C. 215a-1 resulting in a national bank. Therefore, the new proposed procedures described above apply to these section 4 transactions.

In addition to new paragraph (p), the OCC proposed implementing the changes discussed above through revisions to paragraphs (g), (h), and (o). Specifically, the OCC proposed redesignating current paragraphs (g)(2), (g)(3), (g)(6), and (g)(7) as paragraphs (g)(3), (g)(6), (g)(7), and (g)(9), respectively. The proposal included new paragraph (g)(2) that provides procedures for interstate consolidations and mergers under 12 U.S.C. 215a-1 resulting in a national bank and paragraph (g)(8) providing procedures for interstate mergers between an insured national bank and an insured State bank resulting in a State bank. Procedures for these transactions are currently contained in paragraph (h). New paragraphs (g)(2) and (g)(8) include an option to follow the procedures for intrastate mergers resulting in a national bank or State bank in paragraphs (g)(1) and redesignated paragraph (g)(7), respectively. The proposal also included in new and redesignated paragraphs (g)(2), (g)(3), (g)(4), (g)(5), (g)(6), and (g)(8) a reference to a national bank making an election under paragraph (h). Revised paragraph (h) would permit a national bank to elect to follow the procedures of the laws of the State which the national bank association has elected to follow pursuant to 12 CFR 7.2000(b) or to use the de minimis procedure in new paragraph (p) if applicable. Further, the proposal included a new corporate succession provision in new paragraph (g)(2)(iv) for interstate mergers resulting in a national bank to ensure that the resulting bank succeeds to the rights, franchises, and interests, including the fiduciary appointments, of the consolidating or merging banks. The proposal also included coordinating revisions to cross-references to paragraph (g).

For Federal savings associations, the OCC proposed reorganizing paragraph (o) to contain the election procedures. Revised paragraph (o)(1)(i) permits a Federal savings association to follow the procedures applicable to a State savings association chartered by the State where the Federal savings association's home office is located or to follow the standard procedures in revised paragraph (o)(2). As discussed above for national banks, revised paragraph (o)(1)(ii) would direct Federal savings associations to read references to State agencies as the OCC and to make filings generally with the OCC.

Revised paragraph (o)(2) would contain the procedures in current paragraphs (o)(1) and (o)(3) governing board and shareholder votes, respectively. The proposal changed the de minimis exception to the shareholder voting requirement in current paragraph (o)(3)(ii), redesignated by the proposal as paragraph (o)(2)(ii)(B), to a cross-reference to new paragraph (p) and redesignated current paragraph (o)(2) regarding the Federal savings association's change in name or home office as paragraph (o)(3). Finally, the OCC proposed a technical amendment to revised paragraph (o)(2)(ii)(A), replacing the citation to 12 CFR 152.4 with the current citation, 12 CFR 5.22.

The OCC received one comment on these proposed procedures, which focused on national bank business combinations conducted under section 4 of the NBCMA. This commenter stated that the proposal contradicts prior OCC public precedent. The OCC acknowledges this is a reversal of the OCC's prior interpretation of section 4. However, an agency is permitted to change its position on an interpretation of law.^[42] As noted above, the statutory language is ambiguous. The OCC's change of position is based on the OCC's belief, after further review, that reading the language in section 4 of the NBCMA in its entirety as authorizing a consolidation or merger with an out-of-State bank under the NBCMA if it is approved pursuant 12 U.S.C. 1831u, but not importing the substantive or procedural requirements of sections 2 and 3 into section 4 through oblique terminology is more in accordance with the statutory language. Moreover, the OCC notes that this commenter did not identify any reliance concerns implicated by the change in position, nor did the OCC receive any such comments from OCC-regulated entities that could conceivably have such an interest.

This commenter also stated that the proposal contradicts prior OCC licensing decisions and has contradictory results, arguing that if sections 2 and 3 of the NBCMA cannot now be used to authorize a combination of a national bank with an out-of-State bank, then the OCC would need to reverse its prior interpretation set forth in previous business combination approvals that a bank is located in a State for purposes of sections 2 and 3 by virtue of having a branch in that State. The OCC disagrees with this point. As noted above, sections 2 and 3 authorize consolidations and mergers between insured banks that are located in the same State. Section 4 authorizes mergers between insured banks with different home States if the merger is approved under 12 U.S.C. 1831u. It stands on its own and is not tied to sections 2 and 3. However, the OCC is not changing its interpretation of sections 2 and 3 that was involved in the prior business combination approvals to which the commenter refers, namely, that an acquiring bank that has a different home State than the target bank but that has a branch in the target bank's State is located in the target bank's State for purposes of section 2 and 3.^[43] The OCC continues to believe such banks could engage in the transaction under the authority of section 2 or 3 or, alternatively, could engage in the transaction under section 4. Neither the revised interpretation of section 4 nor the prior interpretation affects the applicability of sections 2 or 3 to such transactions. An interstate merger that must be conducted under section 4 because the acquiring bank is not located in the same State as the target bank would be conducted under the procedures that apply for transactions under section 4 at the time of the application (whether the procedures of section 2 or 3 of the NBCMA as under the current rule or the procedures available under the proposed rule). Thus, the commenter failed to distinguish between a transaction conducted under section 4 and following the procedures of sections 2 or 3, as in the OCC's prior interpretation of section 4, and a transaction conducted under sections 2 or 3.

In addition, this commenter argues that the proposed change may raise issues with respect to the Tenth Amendment, citing Hopkins Federal Savings & Loan Association v. Cleary,^[44] noting that section 4 does not contain a “not in contravention of State law” provision. Sections 2 and 3 contain such a provision, and under the OCC's prior interpretation of section 4, that provision would have been incorporated into section 4. Under the OCC's new interpretation, this provision is not incorporated, and the commenter claims that raises an issue. The OCC does not agree that such language is needed in Section 4. Sections 2 and 3 include State banks within their scope, authorizing them to consolidate or merge with a national bank, but by virtue of a non-contravention provision in those sections, a State bank may not engage in a business combination pursuant to sections 2 and 3 with a national bank if it would contravene State law. However, section 4 (interpreted as a stand-alone provision, not incorporating sections 2 and 3) is directed only at national banks; it does not refer to State banks. Therefore, the OCC's proposal with respect to transactions authorized under section 4 does not affect State banks. A State bank can engage in an interstate merger with a national bank if the State bank has authority to do so under State law.

The commenter similarly suggests that failure to include a “not in contravention of State law” provision with respect to corporate succession in mergers conducted under section 4 raises issues under Hopkins. However, as noted, an interstate merger of a national bank and a State bank under section 4, resulting in a national bank, would occur only if the State bank had authority to engage in the merger under State law. Moreover, a Federal law providing for corporate succession and the transfer of property, fiduciary appointments, and other relationships in a merger with a resulting national bank does not raise the same concerns as a Federal law purporting to authorize a State bank to convert into a Federal institution, as in Hopkins.

Lastly, this commenter stated that the OCC did not adequately explain the proposed change regarding interim transactions appropriate for de minimis transactions. Per proposed § 5.33(g) and (o), a national bank or Federal savings association that is the acquiring institution in a transaction may elect not to have a shareholder vote if a vote is not required by statute and certain criteria are met, including the de minimis nature of the transaction. The proposed de minimis procedures in § 5.33(p) are similar to existing Federal savings association de minimis procedures except for two changes. First, they permit the use of the procedures for transactions that use interim charters that are not holding company reorganizations provided that the existing shareholders of the national bank or Federal savings association will directly hold the shares of the resulting national bank or Federal savings association and the national bank's articles or Federal savings association's charter is not changed. Second, they increase the maximum issuance of shares under this procedure from 15% total outstanding shares to 20%. The current Federal savings association regulation for de minimis transactions excludes those involving an interim because such transactions were commonly used in a reorganization to form a holding company and the OCC believes that shareholders in these transactions should have a vote. However, it is possible to have a transaction that involves an interim in which the existing institution and its shareholders continue as the surviving institution after the transaction in a manner that meets the requirements set out in the rule that the existing shareholders of the national bank or Federal savings association directly hold the shares of the resulting national bank or Federal savings association and the national bank's articles or Federal savings association's charter is not changed. In this case, there is no reason not to allow the acquiring institution to use the procedures in proposed paragraph (p).

For the reasons stated above, the OCC adopts the proposed procedures that a national bank or Federal savings association may elect for business combinations for which there are no statutory procedural requirements.

Current paragraph (k) of § 5.33 requires a national bank or Federal savings association engaging in a consolidation or merger in which it is not the filer and the resulting institution to file a notice with the OCC advising of its intention. This requirement currently applies even when the surviving institution is another national bank or Federal savings association. Because the OCC already supervises the surviving institution and has acted on the application for consolidation or merger, the OCC proposed removing this requirement for the disappearing national bank or Federal savings association in this type of transaction and making a conforming revisions to paragraph (g). In such a case, the OCC already has the information that it needs to process termination and ensure that the disappearing national bank or Federal savings association has met all applicable requirements. The OCC received one comment on this provision, which supported the change. The OCC therefore adopts this change as proposed. The final rule also makes technical amendments to cross-references in paragraph (k)(4).

Current paragraph (n) provides authority for, and limits on, certain business combinations for Federal savings associations. In addition to consolidations, mergers, and other specified forms of business combinations, this paragraph addresses “other combinations,” the definition of which in § 5.33(d)(10) includes the transfer of any deposit liabilities to another insured depository institution, credit union, or other institution. Paragraph (n)(2)(iii) provides special requirements for mutual savings associations. Specifically, if any combining savings association is a mutual savings association, the resulting institution must be a mutually held depository institution insured by the FDIC, unless the transaction is approved under 12 CFR part 192 governing mutual to stock conversions or the transaction involves a mutual holding company organization under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(o) or a similar transaction under State law. Under the definition of “other combination,” § 5.33(n)(2)(iii) applies to any transfer of deposit liabilities, such as the sale of a branch, even if the mutual savings association still exists as an ongoing institution after the transaction. Accordingly, a branch sale would not be permissible unless the sale is to an insured mutual institution or either the mutual to stock or mutual holding company reorganization exception applied. The OCC proposed revising paragraph (n)(2)(iii) to state that a consolidation or merger involving a mutual savings association or the transfer of all or substantially all of the deposits of a mutual savings association must result in a mutually held depository institution insured by the FDIC unless one of the exceptions applies.

As noted in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC did not intend paragraph (n)(2)(iii) to apply to this type of transfer of deposit liabilities when it last amended this provision in 2015 (2015 Final Rule).^[45] In fact, § 5.33(n)(4), which requires mutual savings associations to provide notice to accountholders of a proposed account transfer and to give them the option of retaining the account in the transferring Federal savings association if the account liabilities are transferred to an uninsured institution, contemplates just such an account transfer. In addition, the anomalous reading of § 5.33(n)(2)(iii) was not present in the pre-integration version of the Federal savings association combination rules.^[46] Former 12 CFR 146.2(a)(4) contained a similar restriction on the resulting institution being a mutually held savings association with similar exceptions. However, § 146.2(a) applied to combinations, which was defined in 12 CFR 152.13(b)(1) as a merger or consolidation with another depository institution, or an acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities of a depository institution by another depository institution. Accordingly, a branch purchase or other transfer of less than substantially all deposits was not a combination and thus not subject to the restrictions in § 146.2(a)(4). Furthermore, in the preamble to the 2015 Final Rule, the OCC did not describe paragraph (n)(2)(iii) as applying to transfers of less than substantially all deposits.^[47]

The OCC did not receive any comments on this change to paragraph (n)(2)(iii) and adopts it as proposed.

The OCC also proposed adding an additional exception to paragraph (n)(2)(iii), as new paragraph (n)(2)(iii)(C). The OCC and OTS have permitted transactions where a mutual savings association transferred all of its deposits to a non-mutual savings association institution followed by the voluntarily liquidation of the mutual savings association. These transactions are subject to approvals or non-objections by the OCC. However, the literal reading of § 5.33(n)(2)(iii) may not permit such transactions. Accordingly, the OCC proposed adding a new exception to the requirement that the resulting institution be an insured mutual institution when the transaction is part of a voluntary liquidation for which the OCC has provided non-objection under § 5.48. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed.

Finally, the OCC proposed technical amendments to paragraph (l) to correct a typographical error and to revise paragraph (o)(2)(ii)(A) to replace the citation to 12 CFR 152.4 with the current citation, 12 CFR 5.22. The OCC received no comments on these technical amendments and adopts them as proposed. The final rule makes additional technical amendments to paragraphs (o)(2)(ii)(A) and (o)(2)(ii)(C) to correct cross-references, paragraphs (f)(3) and (g)(6) to properly reflect the reorganization of paragraph (g), and paragraph (g) to conform headings to the plural form.

Two commenters suggested changes to § 5.33 that were not included in the proposed rule. One of these commenters suggested that prefiling discussions between the OCC and national banks filing to engage in a business combination be memorialized and made public after the bank submits its application. The OCC notes that § 5.33 does not contain a requirement for prefiling meetings but that these meetings may occur. This commenter asserts that publication of these discussions would promote fairness and transparency and deter the OCC from giving unfair advantage to certain banks. The OCC disagrees with this commenter. Prefiling discussions generally concern confidential business and often supervisory information, which may not be disclosed. The OCC therefore is not including this suggestion in its final rule.

The other commenter suggested a change to § 5.33(e)(1)(ii), which lists the policies that the OCC considers when evaluating a business combination under the Bank Merger Act. Specifically, this commenter requested a change to paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(D), which states that the OCC considers the effectiveness of any insured depository institution involved in the business combination in combating money laundering activities, including in overseas branches. This commenter requested that the OCC change this provision to provide that, as the OCC proposed with respect to CRA, the OCC's conclusion of whether the filer's effectiveness in combatting money laundering activities is consistent with approval of an application be considered in conjunction with the other factors in § 5.33. The OCC disagrees with the commenter. CRA is a separate statute and is not included in the Bank Merger Act. However, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(11) requires the OCC to consider, among other factors, the effectiveness of insured depository institutions' efforts in combating money laundering when evaluating proposals subject to the Bank Merger Act. The current regulatory text repeats this statutory requirement. In addition, banks with significant Bank Secrecy Act deficiencies may not have the capability to put in place sufficient controls to mitigate additional money laundering or terrorist financing risks associated with significant corporate activities.

Operating Subsidiaries of a National Bank (§ 5.34)

Section 5.34 provides the licensing requirements for a national bank's acquisition or establishment of an operating subsidiary or commencement of a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary. Paragraph (e)(2)(i) specifies what entities may qualify as an operating subsidiary. Paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) requires that the national bank must have the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary and no other person or entity exercises effective operating control over the subsidiary or has the ability to influence the subsidiary's operations to an extent equal to or greater than that of the bank. The OCC proposed to clarify this provision by requiring that no other person or entity has the ability to exercise effective control or influence over the management or operations of the subsidiary to an extent equal to or greater than that of the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof. The OCC also proposed conforming amendments to current § 5.34(e)(5)(A)(3)(i), redesignated by the proposed rule as § 5.34(f)(2)(i)(C)(l), which contains a parallel requirement for operating subsidiary filings. Redesignated § 5.34(f)(2)(i)(C)(l) provides additional requirements for how the national bank must effectively control the operating subsidiary to be eligible to submit a notice to the OCC instead of an application to establish or engage in an activity in an operating subsidiary. The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed.

Section 5.34(e)(2)(ii) identifies certain subsidiaries that are not operating subsidiaries for purposes of § 5.34. The OCC proposed to replace the word “subsidiaries” with “entities” to further clarify the exclusion. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed.

The OCC also proposed a new paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(C) to specify that a trust formed for purposes of securitizing assets held by the bank as part of its banking business would not be considered an operating subsidiary. This proposal would codify the OCC's position that securitization trusts generally do not qualify as operating subsidiaries because of the bank's limited control over the trust and because beneficial interests in trusts lack many of the indicia of traditional equity. The OCC received two comments on this new paragraph. One commenter supported removing securitization trusts from the definition of operating subsidiary, but also proposed excluding trusts formed for the purpose of holding securities, off-lease property, real estate, and other assets held in satisfaction of debt previously contracted (DPC assets) from this definition. The OCC does not agree with this suggested change. The parent bank likely will have actual control and management of trusts holding securities, off-lease property, real estate, and other DPC assets. Therefore, the reasons for excluding securitization trusts from the definition of operating subsidiary are unlikely to be present for these trusts identified by the commenter.

A second commenter disagreed with the proposed change asserting that the OCC has not indicated any authority for the proposition that securitization trusts are not operating subsidiaries or non-controlling investments. The commenter also stated that the OCC has not adequately discussed the intent or expected impact of the proposal. As indicted above, the OCC generally has not treated the securitization trust as an operating subsidiary. The interests in securitization trusts typically are not the equivalent of “equity” for purposes of 12 CFR 5.34, 5.36, 5.38, and 5.58, and do not provide indicia of “control” for purposes of 12 CFR 5.34 and 5.38. Rather, the beneficial interest or any other interests retained in a securitization trust are more akin to economic interests than to traditional equity interests. The beneficial interests do not give rise to traditional voting power associated with equity interests in a corporation or LLC. Furthermore, securitization trusts are generally structured simply as a set of instructions for administering the securitization that are difficult to change. Given these factors, the bank does not control the trust in the traditional sense of directing its operations.

For the reasons discussed above, the OCC adopts new paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(C) as proposed.

Paragraph (e)(5) of § 5.34 provides the procedures for operating subsidiary filings. The OCC proposed to redesignate the majority of paragraph (e)(5) as paragraph (f) and to redesignate current paragraph (e)(6), addressing grandfathered operating subsidiaries, as paragraph (g). The OCC also proposed conforming revisions to cross-references. The OCC received no comments on these technical changes and adopts them as proposed.

Redesignated § 5.34(f)(2) contains the requirements for a national bank to qualify for the notice process for operating subsidiary filings. In addition to meeting additional control requirements and being well capitalized and well managed, paragraph (f)(2)(i)(A) permits a national bank to file a notice instead of an application if the activity is listed in paragraph (e)(5), redesignated by the proposal as paragraph (f)(5). The OCC proposed to expand the scope of this requirement to include any activity that is substantively the same as a previously approved activity and that will be conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the previously approved activity. As discussed previously in this Supplementary Information, the OCC proposed to define “previously approved activity” in § 5.3 to mean, for national banks, any activity approved in published OCC precedent for a national bank, an operating subsidiary of a national bank, or a non-controlling investment of a national bank.^[48] The OCC noted in the preamble to the proposed rule that the expansion of the notice requirement to activities that are substantively the same as previously approved activities does not relieve the national bank from the requirement to ensure that the operating subsidiary is only conducting permissible activities and would not affect the OCC's ability to take action if the OCC finds that the activities are not permissible or are conducted in an unsafe or unsound manner.

The proposal also raised as an alternative removing all filing requirements for national bank operating subsidiaries noting that a filing would not be required if the activity was conducted in the bank. Under this alternative, a national bank would be able to acquire or establish an operating subsidiary or commence a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary without filing a notice or application if the activity to be engaged in by the operating subsidiary is a permissible bank activity, provided the operating subsidiary meets the ownership and structural aspects currently required for notice and the national bank is well capitalized and well managed.

One commenter supported this alternative noting that no filing would be required if the activity were performed in the bank and contending that there are safety and soundness reasons to reduce regulatory obstacles to conducting an activity in an operating subsidiary.^[49] However, upon further consideration, the OCC has determined not to pursue this alternative at this time. The OCC would like experience with the new notice provision for an activity that is substantively the same as a previously approved activity before making a decision on removing all filings for operating subsidiaries. Therefore, the OCC is not including this change in the final rule.

This commenter also argued that the OCC should extend the proposal to fiduciary powers, stating that operating subsidiaries should be able to rely on the fiduciary powers of the parent national bank or Federal savings association without notifying or seeking approval from the OCC, so long as the parent national bank or Federal savings association was not required to notify or seek approval from the OCC prior to engaging in permissible bank activities. The commenter argued that this change would also obviate the need for many national banks and Federal savings associations to register an operating subsidiary as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) when the subsidiary is exercising its investment discretion on behalf of its customers or providing investment advice for a fee under 12 CFR part 9 and therefore would substantially reduce regulatory burden.

The OCC disagrees with this comment. Regardless of the OCC's decision regarding the alternative proposal, the provision regarding fiduciary powers and investment advice activity is special and distinct. Current § 5.34(e)(5)(vii)(B) does not require an investment advisory subsidiary to be registered. Rather, the provision provides that if the subsidiary is registered, the national bank or Federal savings association need not have fiduciary powers, but if the subsidiary is not registered, then the national bank or Federal savings association must have fiduciary powers. This requirement is necessary to ensure that there will be some applicable law that will govern the conduct of the subsidiary, whether it is the Advisers Act or 12 CFR part 9.

The commenter further recommended that if the OCC does not eliminate filings for operating subsidiary fiduciary activities, the OCC should add the exercise of fiduciary powers to the list of activities for which no advance filing is required under 12 CFR 5.34(e)(5)(vi). The OCC disagrees with this recommendation because the proposal to expand the activities eligible for notice under § 5.34(e)(5)(v) to include all previously approved activities would already include most national bank subsidiary fiduciary activities.

The commenter also argues that subsidiaries engaging in the activities listed in § 5.34(e)(5)(v) are an example of why a bank's ability to establish an operating subsidiary should not be tied to the bank's management rating, as required by the proposed definition of “well managed.” The commenter contends that if a bank is well capitalized and has a satisfactory composite rating, it should be able to establish, without a separate regulatory approval, a subsidiary to engage in activities listed in § 5.34(e)(5)(v), such as the management and disposition of DPC assets. The commenter requests that the OCC retain the existing definition of “well managed” for this section, instead of the proposed definition which includes the management rating. The OCC disagrees with this comment. If a bank is not “well managed” it may lack sufficient internal controls and processes to properly manage an operating subsidiary, such as one managing DPC assets. As such, an application should be required. If the bank is well managed and well capitalized, it need only file a notice once, as it can rely on the provision in current § 5.34(e)(5)(vi) to form additional subsidiaries engaging in the same activity without any additional filing.

The commenter also suggests that, in the event that the OCC decides to retain some filing requirements, the OCC use a notice rather than an application when a national bank intends to acquire as an operating subsidiary an entity that engages in de minimis activities not permissible for a national bank. The OCC does not agree with this comment. Although de minimis-type provisions did exist in the past, all were removed after the passage of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Public Law 105-102. In addition, a financial subsidiary provides an alternative existing mechanism if a national bank wishes to use a subsidiary to conduct limited activities not permissible for a national bank.

For the reasons discussed above, the OCC adopts redesignated § 5.34(f) as proposed, with two technical amendments. First, the final rule removes unnecessary cross-references to § 5.3 for the definitions of ”well capitalized,” “well managed, ” and “previously approved activity.” As indicated above, the definitions in § 5.3 apply to all of part 5 so these cross-references are unnecessary. Additionally, the final rule corrects a cross-reference to redesignated § 5.34(f) in § 5.34(c) regarding ownership requirements applying to a foreign bank rather than its Federal branch. The OCC inadvertently did not adjust the current cross-reference in § 5.34(c) to § 5.34(e)(5)(i)(B) when it restructured the rule in 2008.^[50] The final rule restores the cross-reference to the ownership requirement to file a notice under § 5.34, as was originally promulgated in 2001.^[51]

Current paragraph (e)(7) requires national banks to file an annual report with the OCC describing operating subsidiaries that do business directly with consumers. The OCC publishes this information on its website. The OCC proposed to remove this requirement to reduce burden and because it generally duplicates information contained elsewhere, such as the FFIEC's National Information Center (NIC). In addition, the majority of the operating subsidiaries reported are now subject to the jurisdiction of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and not the OCC, for most consumer law issues. The OCC received one comment on this proposal. The commenter supported the proposal and agreed that the existing regulation is redundant. The final rule therefore removes the requirement as proposed.

Bank Service Company Investments by a National Bank or Federal Savings Association (§ 5.35)

Section 5.35 addresses national bank and Federal savings association investments in bank service companies as authorized by the Bank Service Company Act (BSCA) (12 U.S.C. 1861-1867). Pursuant to section 2 of the BSCA (12 U.S.C. 1862), paragraph (i) of § 5.35 provides that a national bank or Federal savings association may not invest more than 10 percent of its capital and surplus in a bank service company. In addition, paragraph (i) also provides that the national bank's or Federal savings association's total investments in all bank service companies may not exceed five percent of the national bank's or Federal savings association's total assets. However, section 2 of the BSCA also specifies that the investment limitations in section 5(c)(4)(B) of the HOLA apply to Federal savings associations with regard to bank service company investments. This limitation is not currently included in paragraph (i). Accordingly, the OCC proposed to revise paragraph (i) to directly reference the limitations in section 2 of the BSCA. The OCC also proposed a technical correction to the title of this section that would remove the extraneous word “investment.” The OCC received no comments on the changes it proposed to § 5.35 and adopts them in the final rule as proposed with additional technical changes. Specifically, the final rule does not include the unnecessary cross reference to § 5.3 for the definitions of “well capitalized” and “well managed” in paragraph (f). The final rule also corrects a reference to the FDI Act in paragraph (d)(3).

Other Equity Investments by a National Bank (§ 5.36)

Section 5.36 provides the procedures for national banks to make certain types of equity investments. Paragraphs (e) and (f) provide the procedures and requirements for a national bank to make a non-controlling investment that is not prescribed by other OCC rules. The OCC proposed to clarify the types of national bank equity investments that are subject to § 5.36 by adding a new definition to paragraph (c) that would define “non-controlling investment” to mean an equity investment made pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh) that is not governed by procedures prescribed by another OCC rule. Additionally, the OCC proposed to specify in the definition that the term “non-controlling investment” does not include a national bank holding interests in a trust formed for the purposes of securitizing assets held by the bank as part of its banking business or for the purposes of holding multiple legal titles of motor vehicles or equipment in conjunction with lease financing transactions. This would codify the OCC's interpretation that these interests do not have sufficient indicia of ownership and control to qualify as an equity investment for purposes of § 5.36. The OCC also proposed a conforming change to paragraphs (e) and (f). The OCC received no comments to the new definition and conforming amendments and adopts them in the final rule as proposed.

For a national bank to make a noncontrolling investment, current § 5.36 requires a filing with the OCC that: (1) Describes the structure of the investment and the activity or activities conducted by the enterprise in which the bank is investing; (2) describes how the bank has the ability to prevent the enterprise from engaging in impermissible activities or has the ability to withdraw its investment; (3) describes how the investment is convenient and useful to the bank in carrying out its business and not a mere passive investment; (4) certifies that the bank's loss exposure is limited; and (5) certifies that the enterprise agrees to be subject to OCC supervision and examination, subject to the limitations and requirements of section 45 of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1831v) and section 115 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1820a).

A national bank must file an application with the OCC to make a non-controlling investment unless it qualifies for the notice procedure in § 5.36(e). A national bank may file a notice if: (1) The investment meets the above requirements; (2) the enterprise engages in activities that are listed in § 5.34(e)(5)(v) (permissible operating subsidiary activities) or an activity that is substantively the same as that contained in published OCC precedent approving a non-controlling investment by a national bank or its operating subsidiary; and (3) the bank is well managed and well capitalized. As with operating subsidiary notices, the OCC proposed to expand the activities eligible for notice for non-controlling investments to all previously approved activities, as defined in proposed § 5.3. This definition includes activities approved for national banks and their operating subsidiaries, in addition to previously approved non-controlling investments. The proposal also reorganized paragraph (e) and made conforming changes to paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(4). Additionally, the OCC stated that it is considering an alternative amendment removing the filing requirement for non-controlling investments in enterprises engaging in bank permissible activities, as discussed above for national bank operating subsidiaries.

The OCC received one comment relating to § 5.36(e), supporting the alternative amendment. However, for the reasons noted in the discussion on § 5.34, Operating subsidiaries, the OCC declines to include this alternative in the final rule.

This commenter also recommended that if the OCC retains the notice requirements and limits the use of a notice to banks meeting the proposed definition to “well managed” in § 5.3, the OCC should make exceptions to these filing requirements for investments that help to meet the credit needs of the community and for investments below a specified threshold. As noted above in its discussion of comments on the definition of “well managed” in § 5.3, the OCC finds that the components reflected in an entity's management rating, such as bank controls, are relevant to the establishment of other equity investments of a national bank and that a national bank with a 2 composite rating but a 3 management, or risk management, rating warrants additional scrutiny. This rationale is generally applicable, regardless of the size of the investment, including for investments that help meet the credit needs of the community.

For these reasons, the OCC adopts these changes to § 5.36(e) as proposed, with technical amendments to remove unnecessary cross-references to § 5.3.

As noted, whether a national bank is filing a notice under paragraph (e) or an application under paragraph (f), the current rule requires the enterprise in which the bank will make a non-controlling investment to agree to OCC supervision and examination. The OCC proposed to amend paragraph (f), redesignated as paragraph (f)(1), to permit national banks to file an application for prior approval to invest in an enterprise that has not agreed to be subject to OCC supervision and examination. Additionally, the OCC proposed a new paragraph (f)(2) to provide for expedited review of certain applications for investments in enterprises that do not agree to OCC supervision and examination that pose minimal risk to the national bank's safety and soundness. An application under proposed paragraph (f)(2) would be deemed approved by the OCC within 10 days after the application is received if five additional requirements are met. First, the enterprise must engage in permissible bank activities as described in proposed paragraph (e) of this section. Second, the national bank must be well managed and well capitalized. These two requirements parallel the requirements for filing a notice. Third, the book value of the national bank's non-controlling investment for which the application is submitted must not be more than 1% of the bank's capital and surplus. Fourth, no more than 50% of the enterprise may be owned or controlled by banks or savings associations subject to examination by an appropriate Federal banking agency or credit unions insured by the National Credit Union Association. Many enterprises in which national banks make non-controlling investments are owned by a consortium of banks and savings associations and provide services to their owners and others. Given the potentially complex interactions between these enterprises and their owners and the additional risks posed to the owners, the OCC believes that OCC supervision and examination of these enterprises is necessary for the safety and soundness of the investing national banks and Federal savings associations. Accordingly, the proposed rule did not permit investments in these entities without their commitment to OCC supervision and examination, and therefore expedited review of these investments would not be available. Finally, the OCC must not have notified the national bank that the application has been removed from expedited review, or that the expedited review process has been extended, pursuant to the standards contained in § 5.13(a)(2).

The OCC received one comment on these proposed amendments to § 5.36(f), which supported the proposed changes. The OCC therefore adopts these amendments to paragraph (f) as proposed, with one technical change in wording for clarity. As explained in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC believes that these amendments will give national banks greater flexibility to make permissible non-controlling investments, while giving the OCC an opportunity for an in-depth review of the proposed investment to ensure there is no inappropriate risk to the national bank's safety and soundness. Furthermore, the OCC believes that this added flexibility will in particular facilitate national bank investments in financial technology (fintech) companies, which will enhance the ability of national banks to enter into strategic partnerships and to develop innovative products, services, and processes while ensuring the OCC receives adequate information to supervise the attendant banking activities.^[52]

In addition, the OCC proposed adding a new paragraph (g) to § 5.36 to permit a national bank to make a non-controlling investment without a filing to the OCC in certain circumstances. Specifically, a national bank would be permitted to make a non-controlling investment without an application or notice if the activities of the enterprise are limited to those activities previously reported by the bank in connection with making or acquiring a non-controlling investment; the activities in the enterprise continue to be legally permissible for a national bank; the bank's non-controlling investment will be made in accordance with any conditions imposed by the OCC in approving any prior non-controlling investment in an enterprise conducting these same activities; and the bank is able to make the representations and certifications specified in amended §§ 5.36(e)(3) through (e)(7). As a conforming amendment, the OCC proposed to redesignate current paragraphs (g) through (i) as paragraphs (h) through (j), respectively.

The OCC received no comments on new paragraph (g) and the conforming amendments and adopts the revisions as proposed, with two technical changes to correct a cross-reference in paragraph (h)(1) to reflect the redesignation and to remove an unnecessary cross-reference to § 5.3 in redesignated paragraph (i). As stated in the preamble to the proposed rule, the national bank would already have a non-controlling investment in an entity conducting particular activities, and the OCC finds that there would be little risk in the bank making an additional non-controlling investment in an entity conducting the same activities. Furthermore, the OCC finds that non-controlling investments pose similar risks to national banks as operating subsidiaries, and new paragraph (g) would parallel current § 5.34(e)(5)(vi), redesignated in the final rule as § 5.34(f)(6), which permits national banks to make investments in operating subsidiaries without a filing. Therefore, the OCC believes that the revisions to paragraph (g) will reduce burden without jeopardizing the national bank's safety and soundness.

Redesignated paragraph (j) provides exceptions to the rules of general applicability. The OCC proposed to remove the exception to § 5.9, public availability, because some of these investments may be of public interest. Further, the proposal would permit the OCC to determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply if it concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues. This proposed paragraph (j) would parallel the equivalent provision for operating subsidiary filings in current § 5.34(e)(5)(iii). The OCC received one comment to these changes to paragraph (j). The commenter opposed making the public availability requirements of § 5.9 applicable to non-controlling investment filings on the grounds that the information included in those filings could be competitive information and the commenter contended that a bank cannot rely on the OCC deeming this information confidential. Therefore, the commenter argued that the proposed change would have a chilling effect on equity investments by banks. The commenter also stated that the public will learn about bank noncontrolling investments when the bank or firm in which the bank invested announces the investment.

The OCC has reconsidered this proposed amendment in light of this comment. A noncontrolling investment filing differs from an operating subsidiary filing. Although confidential information can be redacted in both of these types of filings when made available to the public, the fact that a national bank is making a noncontrolling investment in an entity may itself be considered confidential information until the national bank or entity announces the investment. Therefore, the OCC is not removing the exception to § 5.9, public availability, for § 5.36 filings as proposed. However, the OCC is adopting in the final rule the proposed provision that permits the OCC to determine that some or all of the provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply if it concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, with the addition of § 5.9 to this sentence.

Investment in National Bank or Federal Savings Association Premises (§ 5.37)

Section 5.37 describes the procedures for national bank and Federal savings association investment in bank premises. Paragraph (d)(1)(i) provides that the procedures of § 5.37 are applicable to investments in the stocks, bonds, debentures, or other obligations of any corporation holding the premises of the national bank or Federal savings association in addition to direct investments in the bank premises. Twelve CFR 7.1000 provides the authority for national bank and Federal savings association investments in bank premises.^[53] In addition to the investments listed in § 5.37(d)(1)(i), § 7.1000(a)(3) provides that national banks and Federal savings associations may hold bank premises through a subsidiary organized as a corporation, partnership, or similar entity (e.g., a limited liability company). The OCC proposed to revise § 5.37(d)(1)(i) to recognize the permissibility of holding bank premises through partnerships and similar entities, such as limited liability companies, so that it is consistent with § 7.1000(a)(3). In addition, the OCC proposed to remove the definition of “capital and surplus” in § 5.37 as it is redundant with the definition of this term in § 5.3. The OCC also proposed adding § 5.9, public availability, to the exceptions to rules of general applicability in § 5.37(d)(5). Finally, the OCC proposed to correct a technical error in paragraph (a), replacing “12 U.S.C. 317d” with “12 U.S.C. 371d.”

The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed, with two technical changes to remove an unnecessary cross-reference to § 5.3 in paragraph (d)(3)(i) and to conform a cross-reference in paragraph (d)(4).

Operating Subsidiaries of a Federal Savings Association (§ 5.38)

Section 5.38 provides the application requirements for a Federal savings association's acquisition or establishment of an operating subsidiary or commencement of a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary when required by section 18(m) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(m)). Section 5.38 is largely parallel to § 5.34 for national bank operating subsidiaries, except that where a national bank would file a notice, a Federal savings association would file an application eligible for expedited review. Accordingly, the OCC proposed coordinating revisions to § 5.38 including: (1) Revising the standard for qualifying subsidiaries in paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A); (2) excluding securitization trusts from the scope of the section in new paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(C); (3) redesignating paragraphs (e)(5), (e)(6), and (e)(7) as paragraphs (f), (g), and (h), respectively; (4) expanding the activities eligible for expedited review to include activities substantially the same as a previously approved activity (as proposed to be defined in § 5.3) and conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the previously approved activity, in redesignated paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(B); (5) expanding the entities eligible for expedited review to include certain trusts where the Federal savings association or its operating subsidiary is the sole beneficiary and has the ability to replace the trustee at will, in redesignated paragraphs (f)(2)(ii)(C) and (D); and (6) explicitly recognizing that the control required by redesignated paragraphs (f)(2)(ii)(D) may be met through an operating subsidiary of the Federal savings association. In addition, the OCC proposed technical changes that would remove the definitions of “well capitalized” and “well managed” from § 5.38, as with § 5.34, and replace the word “subsidiary” with the more appropriate word “entity” in the introductory text of paragraph (e)(2)(iii). The OCC received no comments on these proposed amendments and the OCC adopts them as proposed, with one technical change to remove unnecessary cross-references to § 5.3 in paragraph (f).

In addition, the OCC proposed to correct an inadvertent omission in the 2015 Final Rule by amending redesignated § 5.38(f)(2)(ii)(D)(1), which contains requirements for how a Federal savings association must effectively control an operating subsidiary to be eligible for expedited review of an application. Although the OCC made changes in the 2015 Final Rule to current §§ 5.34(e)(2)(i)(A), 5.34(e)(5)(ii)(A)(3)(i), and 5.38(e)(2)(i)(A) to address commenter's concerns regarding the application of the rule to joint ventures,^[54] the OCC did not make corresponding conforming changes to current § 5.38(e)(5)(ii)(B)(4)(i), redesignated in the proposal as § 5.38(f)(2)(ii)(D)(1). However, all of these provisions should contain parallel language. Accordingly, the OCC proposed to revise redesignated § 5.38(f)(2)(ii)(D)(1) so that it parallels current § 5.34(e)(5)(ii)(A)(3)(i), redesignated in this proposal as § 5.34(f)(2)(i)(C)(1). The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed.

Financial Subsidiaries of a National Bank (§ 5.39)

Section 5.39 describes the procedures for national bank acquisition of, and conduct of activities in, a financial subsidiary pursuant to section 5136A of the Revised Statutes.^[55] Paragraph (h)(5)(ii) of § 5.39 specifies that the restrictions contained in section 23A(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act ^[56] do not apply to a covered transaction between a bank and its financial subsidiary. However, section 609 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act removed this section 23A exclusion. Accordingly, the OCC proposed to remove paragraph (h)(5)(ii).

The OCC also proposed to clarify the approval process for financial subsidiary activities. First, consistent with other changes in part 5, the OCC proposed to change the terminology for filings under § 5.39 from notice to application. The OCC did not intend any substantive change in standards or procedures as a result of this proposal.

Second, as the OCC recognized in the initial proposal for § 5.39, section 24a states that OCC approval shall be based solely upon statutory factors.^[57] Accordingly, the OCC initially proposed the current procedures for § 5.39 upon the understanding that the approval may occur upon a bank's submission of information demonstrating satisfaction of the statutory criteria.^[58] In the current proposal, the OCC proposed to add a new paragraph (i)(3) specifying that an application is deemed approved upon filing of the information required by the procedures of paragraphs (i)(1) or (i)(2) within the time frames provided.

Finally, the OCC proposed technical changes to paragraph (d) that would remove the definitions of “appropriate Federal banking agency,” “well capitalized,” and “well managed.”

The OCC received no comments specific to the amendments it proposed to § 5.39 and adopts them as proposed with technical changes that remove an unnecessary cross-reference to § 5.3 in paragraph (g) and correct a cross-reference in paragraph (h)(5), and with other technical changes to citations.

Change in Location of a Main Office of a National Bank or Home Office of a Federal Savings Association (§ 5.40)

The final rule makes a technical correction to § 5.40. Among other things, § 5.40(c)(2)(ii) requires a Federal savings association to obtain shareholder approval required under its charter if relocating its home office outside the limits of its city, town, or village, and must amend its charter. Because this provision applies to both Federal stock savings associations and Federal mutual savings associations, the OCC is amending this provision to include member approval as Federal mutual savings associations have members and not shareholders.

National Bank Director Residency and Citizenship Waivers (New § 5.43)

The OCC proposed a new § 5.43 to provide procedures for waivers of the national bank director residency and citizenship requirements. Section 5146 of the Revised Statues (12 U.S.C. 72) requires every director of a national bank to be a citizen of the United States and that a majority of the directors reside in the State, Territory, or District where the national bank is located, or within one hundred miles of the location of the office of the bank. These requirements reflect the principle of local ownership and control of national banks. Twelve U.S.C. 72 provides the Comptroller the discretion to waive the residency requirement and to waive the citizenship requirement for not more than a minority of the total number of directors.

The OCC has processed requests for waivers of the residency and citizenship requirements for many years. The “National Bank Director Waivers” booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual currently describes the procedures for requesting and granting waivers. The OCC proposed codifying these procedures in a new 12 CFR 5.43 to better clarify and structure the waiver process. The OCC received no comments on this new section and adopts these provisions as proposed, with the changes discussed below.

Specifically, paragraph (a) of § 5.43 sets forth the authority for the regulation, 12 U.S.C. 72 and 93a, the latter of which grants the OCC general rulemaking authority. Paragraph (b) sets forth the scope of the section as describing the procedures for the OCC to waive the residency and citizenship requirements.

Paragraph (c) sets forth the application procedures. Under paragraph (c)(1), a national bank would file a written application with the OCC to request a waiver of the residency requirement. Paragraph (c)(1) also provides that the OCC may grant this waiver for individual directors or for any number of director positions. The OCC typically grants residency waivers for a certain number of directors on the board rather than to specific individuals, but the final rule increases flexibility by permitting either procedure. As a clarifying change, the final rule provides that the waiver is valid until the OCC revokes it in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, or, if granted on an individual basis, until the individual no longer serves on the board.

Under paragraph (c)(2), a national bank may request a waiver of the citizenship requirements for individuals who comprise up to a minority of the total number of directors by filing a written application with the OCC. Paragraph (c)(2) also provides that the OCC may grant a waiver on an individual basis. Given the more prescriptive nature of the citizenship requirement and the greater background investigation that the OCC undertakes on proposed non-citizen directors, OCC practice is to grant waivers to individuals and not to a designated number of directors. Accordingly, the final rule specifies in paragraph (c)(2) that a citizenship waiver is valid until the individual leaves the board or the OCC revokes the waiver in accordance with paragraph (d), discussed below.

Paragraph (c)(3)(i) requires the subject of a citizenship waiver application to submit the information prescribed in the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report. Paragraph (c)(3)(ii) provides that the OCC may require additional information about the subject of a citizenship waiver application, including legible fingerprints, if appropriate. This paragraph also permits the OCC to waive any of the information requirements if the OCC determines that doing so is in the public interest. The final rule makes a technical correction to the cross-reference in this paragraph.

Paragraph (c)(4) provides exceptions to the rules of general applicability. Specifically, §§ 5.8 (public notice), 5.9 (public availability), 5.10 (comments), and 5.11 (hearings and other meetings) do not apply to applications for citizenship waivers. As noted in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC believes the applications will largely consist of information specific to a bank's internal practice as well as private information about the individuals subject to the waiver applications. Accordingly, these applications should not be publicly available nor subject to public notice, comment, or hearings.

Paragraph (d) provides procedures for the OCC's revocation of a residency or citizenship waiver. Under these procedures, the OCC will provide written notice before a revocation to the national bank and affected director(s) of its intention to revoke the waiver and the basis for its intention. The OCC recognizes that discretion in revoking residency and citizenship waivers is premised upon the guarantee of due process. Accordingly, this paragraph provides the bank and the affected director(s) the opportunity to respond in writing to the OCC's intention to revoke a waiver within 10 calendar days, unless the OCC determines that a shorter period is appropriate in light of relevant circumstances. The OCC will consider the written responses of the bank and affected director(s), if any, prior to deciding whether or not to revoke a residency or citizenship waiver. The OCC will notify the national bank and the director of the OCC's decision to revoke a residency or citizenship waiver in writing. If the director appeals pursuant to paragraph (e), this waiver decision is effective upon the director's receipt of the decision of the Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official, to uphold the initial decision to revoke the residency or citizenship waiver. If the director does not appeal, the revocation is effective at the expiration of the period to appeal. As stated in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC believes the decision to revoke a waiver is consistent with the Comptroller's authority to grant a waiver even though 12 U.S.C. 72 does not contain any specific provisions for revoking a waiver. Absent this authority many residency waivers effectively would be perpetual as the OCC generally grants residency waivers for a designated number of director positions. Further, changing geo-political circumstances may in some circumstances warrant the revocation of citizenship waivers, particularly if foreign governments are unduly influencing directors' activities with regard to a national bank.

Paragraph (e) provides an appeals process for a director whose residency or citizenship waiver the OCC has decided to revoke. This appeals process parallels the appeals process provided for disapprovals of directors and senior executive officers in 12 CFR 5.51, and provides review by the Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or a designated appellate official. As proposed, a director may appeal on the grounds that the reasons for the initial decision to revoke were contrary to fact or arbitrary and capricious. The final rule provides that either the director or the national bank, or both, may make this appeal. This change corrects an inadvertent omission in the proposed rule and is consistent with the language in § 5.51. The Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official will independently determine whether the reasons given for the initial decision to revoke are contrary to fact or arbitrary and capricious. If they determine either to be the case, the Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official may reverse the initial decision to revoke the waiver. The final rule also corrects the cross-reference in paragraph (e)(4) for the effective date of a revocation.

Paragraph (f) provides that waivers outstanding on the effective date of the final rule remain in effect, unless revoked pursuant to paragraph (d). The OCC adopts this provision as proposed with a technical change for clarity. The final rule removes the language “notwithstanding paragraph (c)(2)” and instead adds a reference to a waiver no longer being in effect because the individual is no longer on the board, as provided in paragraph (c).

Increases in Permanent Capital of a Federal Stock Savings Association (§ 5.45)

Section 5.45 sets out the OCC's rules addressing increases in permanent capital by a Federal savings association organized in stock form. The OCC proposed two technical amendments to this section. The OCC received no comments to these technical changes and adopts them as proposed. Specifically, the final rule changes the term “Federal savings association” or “savings association” to “Federal stock savings association” each time it appears, except as used in the defined term “eligible savings association,” to more accurately reflect the scope of this section. Second, the final rule replaces the reference to 12 CFR part 197 in paragraph (h) with 12 CFR part 16, which now applies to Federal savings associations.

The OCC invited comment on another possible change to § 5.45. Under the current rule, Federal savings associations that meet the criteria for an eligible savings association described in § 5.3 may have their applications for capital increases, when required, reviewed under an expedited process. The OCC requested comment on whether it should amend its regulations so that only well capitalized and well managed Federal savings associations are eligible to request expedited review of their applications for capital increases. The preamble to the proposed rule explained that if the OCC makes this change to § 5.45 in the final rule, it would also amend its other capital filing-related rules in part 5 based on this same rationale, §§ 5.46 (Changes in permanent capital of a national bank), 5.47 (Subordinated debt issued by a national bank), 5.55 (Capital distributions by Federal savings associations), and 5.56 (Inclusion of subordinated debt securities and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock as Federal savings association supplementary (tier 2) capital).

The OCC received no comments specifically on the changes proposed or suggested for § 5.45. As discussed further below regarding § 5.46, the OCC believes that the current standard for evaluating capital filings, including the compliance rating, is appropriate. Therefore, the OCC adopts the amendments to § 5.45 as proposed.

Changes in Permanent Capital of a National Bank (§ 5.46)

Section 5.46 sets out the OCC's rules addressing changes in permanent capital for a national bank. Paragraph (g)(1)(ii) provides that prior OCC approval is required for an increase in permanent capital in certain cases. In addition, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 57, paragraph (i)(3) of § 5.46 requires a bank to submit a notice to the appropriate licensing office after it completes an increase in capital, regardless of whether prior approval is required. The OCC proposed to clarify these procedures for increases in capital requiring prior approval by referencing paragraph (i)(3) in the introductory text of paragraph (g)(1)(ii) and removing it from paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(C). The OCC also proposed to clarify the introductory text of paragraph (g)(1)(ii) to specifically indicate that an application to increase a national bank's permanent capital may be eligible for expedited review under paragraph (i)(2). The OCC received no comments to these changes.

Paragraph (h) provides that a national bank must apply and obtain the OCC's prior approval for any reduction in its permanent capital. Paragraph (i)(2) provides expedited review procedures and currently provides that an eligible bank may request approval for decreasing its capital for up to four consecutive quarters. The OCC proposed a number of amendments to paragraphs (h) and (i) to add flexibility for national banks and to clarify procedures. First, the OCC proposed to amend paragraph (h) to permit a national bank to request approval in a standard application for a reduction in capital for multiple quarters. The request need only specify a total dollar amount for the requested period and need not specify amounts for each quarter. As a result, a national bank may request approval for a reduction in permanent capital over more than four consecutive quarters. However, this request would not be eligible for expedited review so that the OCC may have the time to carefully review the request. Second, the OCC proposed to add flexibility to the expedited process in paragraph (i)(2) by specifying that an eligible national bank need only state the total dollar amount rather than per-quarter reductions in requests for four-quarter decreases. As a conforming change, the OCC proposed to amend paragraph (i)(5) to clarify that the OCC's approval of a capital change does not expire within one year of the date of the approval if the OCC specifies a longer period.

The OCC received one comment on this proposal, which supported the proposed amendments. This commenter also recommended amending the criteria for an eligible bank in the context of requesting approval for decreasing its capital for four consecutive quarters. The commenter recommended adopting a single eligibility standard for all part 5 filings and other procedures that takes into account the criteria that are most relevant to the activity at hand, which, in this section, would relate to the bank's capital levels. However, the commenter stated that if a uniform standard is not adopted, then the OCC should not require a bank to receive a consumer compliance rating (or any other single component rating) of at least 2 in order to meet the eligible bank standard for changes to its permanent capital through the expedited review process. The commenter recommended that the OCC instead employ a standard for eligibility that relates to the bank's capital levels.

The OCC disagrees with this commenter's recommendation. The OCC believes that a consistent definition of “eligible bank” is appropriate across part 5. Further, “eligible bank” status only results in expedited processing. Since a bank has to file an application regardless of whether it is an “eligible bank,” the suggested change does not reduce burden. Finally, the OCC believes that expedited treatment for a bank with a consumer compliance rating lower than 2 is not appropriate when considering a capital reduction. For the reasons discussed above, the OCC has not made any changes to the final rule in response to this comment and adopts the amendments to § 5.46 as proposed.

Subordinated Debt Issued by a National Bank (§ 5.47)

Section 5.47 describes the requirements applicable to a national bank's issuance of subordinated debt, including subordinated debt intended for inclusion in tier 2 capital. The OCC proposed numerous changes to this section. Specifically, the OCC proposed to add a new definition of “subordinated debt document” to § 5.47(c) to mean any document pertaining to an issuance of subordinated debt, and any renewal, extension, amendment, modification, or replacement thereof, including the subordinated debt note, and any global note, pricing supplement, note agreement, trust indenture, paying agent agreement, or underwriting agreement. The OCC also proposed conforming revisions throughout § 5.47 to better reflect this terminology. The OCC received one comment on this new definition stating that the definition of “subordinated debt document” is broad. The OCC disagrees with this comment because the “subordinated debt document” definition is intended to capture the scope of documents that could impact a bank's compliance with the OCC's regulatory requirements. Therefore, the OCC adopts this definition as proposed. This change clarifies that a national bank should submit with their applications all material documents needed for the OCC to review the application for compliance with its regulatory requirements. The OCC reviews ancillary securities documents to ensure that they do not contain language that conflicts with required disclosures or statements made in the subordinated debt note. The OCC notes that this list of documents in the definition is illustrative and not exclusive. The final rule makes a conforming change in paragraph (c) to remove the proposed numbering of the definitions.

Paragraph (d)(3)(ii) contains a list of statements and descriptions that a national bank must clearly and accurately disclose in the subordinated debt note. The OCC proposed adding language to paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(C) to clarify that a national bank is only required to disclose the OCC's authority under 12 CFR 3.11 to limit certain distributions if the disclosure requirement is applicable to the subordinated debt issuance. The OCC received no comments on this new language and adopts it as proposed. Under the final rule, a national bank is only required to incorporate this disclosure language into a subordinated debt note if the issuing bank, or any successor institution to the issuing bank, would have discretion under the terms of the subordinated debt to permanently or temporarily suspend payments without triggering an event of default. The OCC believes that this amendment will provide flexibility and reduce burden by permitting national banks to omit the provisions when warranted.

The OCC also proposed to add a new paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(D) that would require a national bank to disclose in a subordinated debt note that the subordinated debt obligation may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. government in the event that the national bank enters into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation, or similar proceeding. This proposed requirement mirrors the language in 12 CFR 3.20(d)(1)(xi), which requires advanced approaches banks to disclose this information in the governing agreement, offering circular, or prospectus of an instrument to be included in tier 2 capital. The proposal also made a conforming change to the paragraph (e) introductory text to remove the reference to advanced approaches national banks. The OCC received no comments on this new paragraph or the conforming change and adopts them as proposed. As stated in the preamble to the proposal, the OCC believes that disclosing this information to potential investors in subordinated debt is beneficial for all national banks, even those that are not advanced approaches banks or that do not intend to include the debt in tier 2 capital.

Paragraphs (f)(1)(ii) and (h) govern the procedures for a national bank to include subordinated debt in tier 2 capital. Currently, these provisions provide that a national bank may not include subordinated debt as tier 2 capital unless it has filed a notice with the OCC and received notification from the OCC that the subordinated debt qualifies as tier 2 capital. The OCC proposed to make these paragraphs consistent with the general usage in part 5 by changing the terminology from notice to application. The OCC also proposed clarifying changes to these paragraphs. The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts then as proposed. The OCC does not intend these changes to be substantive.

Additionally, the OCC proposed to provide explicit regulatory authority for a national bank to seek approval to include subordinated debt as tier 2 capital before issuance of the subordinated debt in paragraphs (f)(1)(ii) and (h)(1). National banks routinely seek confirmation from the OCC that subordinated debt will qualify as tier 2 capital prior to issuance to mitigate the risk of issuing nonqualifying subordinated debt. This paragraph codifies this practice. Relatedly, the OCC proposed a conforming revision to paragraph (h)(2)(ii), which requires the application to include the amount and date of receipt of funds, to permit submission of the projected amount and date of receipt. The OCC also proposed to add a new paragraph (h)(2)(iii) requiring the application to include the interest rate or expected calculation method for the interest rate for the subordinated debt. This paragraph would assist the OCC in reviewing applications for inclusion of the subordinated debt in tier 2 capital. The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed. Under the final rule, and as with current practice, the OCC will not provide final approval that the subordinated debt qualifies as tier 2 capital until after the debt is issued and final pricing is available.

Paragraphs (f)(2)(ii) and (g)(1)(ii) require OCC approval for a national bank to prepay subordinated debt. The approval requirements for prepayment of subordinated debt include specific additional requirements for prepayment that is in the form of a call option. Specifically, a national bank seeking to prepay subordinated debt in the form of a call option is required to provide: (1) A statement explaining why the national bank believes that following the proposed prepayment the national bank would continue to hold an amount of capital commensurate with its risk; or (2) a description of the replacement capital instrument that meets the criteria for tier 1 or tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20, including the amount of such instrument, and the time frame for issuance. As noted in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC has found that the distinction between prepayment and prepayment in the form of a call option is immaterial to OCC review, that the additional requirements are generally satisfied in most prepayment applications, and that the additional information is helpful for the OCC to determine the impact of the prepayment on the national bank's capital levels and safety and soundness. Accordingly, the OCC proposed having a single procedure for the prepayment of subordinated debt that would incorporate the requirements for prepayment in the form of a call option. The proposal contained a coordinating revision to paragraph (g)(2)(ii) regarding OCC approval. The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed.

Currently, § 5.47 does not explicitly require a national bank to make a filing with the OCC if the national bank makes a material change to its outstanding subordinated debt note or any related subordinated debt documents. The OCC proposed to add new paragraphs (f)(3) and (g)(1)(iii) to ensure that subordinated debt issuances remain compliant with OCC regulatory requirements, including the requirements for inclusion in tier 2 capital. These revisions would require OCC approval for a material change to an existing subordinated debt document if the bank would have been required to receive OCC approval to issue the security under paragraph (f)(1) or to include it in tier 2 capital under paragraph (h). An application to make a material change would include: (1) A description of the proposed changes; (2) a statement of whether the national bank is subject to or required to file a capital plan with the OCC, and if so, how the proposed change conforms to the capital plan; (3) a copy of the revised subordinated debt documents reflecting all proposed changes; and (4) a statement that the proposed changes to the subordinated debt documents comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

The OCC received one comment letter suggesting that the OCC not implement this OCC approval requirement for material changes to subordinated debt documents. The commenter stated that the “material change” standard is imprecise, the “subordinated debt document” definition is broad, and the overall requirement would increase burden. The commenter also argued against tying the application requirements to the bank's consumer compliance rating, which is a component of whether a bank is an “eligible bank” under 12 CFR 5.3 and therefore subject to certain procedural requirements.

The OCC disagrees with this comment and is finalizing the OCC approval requirement for material changes as proposed. The OCC reviews subordinated debt documents for compliance with the OCC's licensing requirements at 12 CFR 5.47 and the OCC's capital component eligibility criteria at 12 CFR 3.20. The OCC reviews ancillary securities documents to ensure that they do not contradict the statements and disclosures made in the primary documents. As previously explained, the “subordinated debt document” definition is intended to capture the scope of documents that could impact a bank's compliance with the OCC's regulatory requirements.

The OCC uses the “eligible bank” criteria as a proxy for determining the appropriate level of review for subordinated debt issuance and prepayment actions. As discussed elsewhere in this Supplementary Information, the OCC believes that expedited treatment for a bank with a consumer compliance rating lower than 2 is not appropriate. Because the terms of a subordinated debt document govern the rights and obligations of the issuing bank throughout the lifetime of the security, the OCC's supervisory interest in reviewing subordinated debt documents for regulatory compliance extends past the security's date of issuance.

The commenter also requested, in the event the OCC finalized this provision as proposed, that the OCC confirm that approval would only be required in the event that the bank would have been required to receive approval to issue the security under 12 CFR 5.47(f)(1) or to include it in tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 5.47(h). In response, the OCC notes that a bank would only have to seek OCC approval of a change to a subordinated debt document if: (1) The change is material and (2) at the time of issuance of the security, the bank would have been required to receive OCC approval to issue the security under 12 CFR 5.47(f)(1) or to include it in tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 5.47(h). In response to the comment that the “material change” standard is imprecise, the OCC notes that it would not consider a change to a subordinated debt document to be material if it consists entirely of technical or administrative changes to the subordinated debt document, such as a change to a filing address or filing procedure. The OCC would consider a change to be material if it pertains to subjects covered by the OCC regulatory requirements at 12 CFR 3.20 and 12 CFR 5.47, such as pricing and maturity, rights and obligations of the lender and borrowers, and required regulatory disclosures.

Finally, the OCC proposed to make certain stylistic changes to the rule text of § 5.47 that are not intended to impact the substantive requirements applicable to national banks. The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed.

Change in Control of a National Bank or Federal Savings Association; Reporting of Stock Loans (§ 5.50)

Section 5.50 sets forth the procedures and standards for changes in control of national banks and Federal savings associations. Paragraph (d)(8) contains a definition of insured depository institution. However, that term is not used within § 5.50. Accordingly, the OCC proposed to replace that definition with the definition of “depository institution,” to mean a depository institution as defined in section 3(c)(1) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(c)(1)).

Paragraph (f)(3)(iv) states that an applicant may request a hearing by the OCC within 10 days of receipt of a notice disapproving a change in control and that following final agency action under 12 CFR part 19, further review by the courts is available. Paragraph (f)(6) provides that the OCC will notify the proposed acquiror in writing of a disapproval within three days and will indicate the basis of its disapproval. For clarity, the OCC proposed combining these provisions in a revised paragraph (f)(6). The OCC also proposed to add language stating that this disapproval notice will inform the filer of the availability of a hearing. Additionally, the OCC proposed a new paragraph (f)(6)(iii) specifying that if a filer fails to request a hearing with a timely request, the notice of disapproval constitutes a final and unappealable order. This language is currently included in 12 CFR 19.161 and the OCC stated in the preamble to the proposal that it believes the language also should be included in § 5.50 to put filers on notice of the implications of failure to request a hearing in a timely manner.

Finally, paragraph (g)(2)(i) provides procedures for the OCC's release of information related to a change in control notice, including publication of information in the OCC's Weekly Bulletin. The OCC proposed revising this provision to reflect the information that the OCC publishes in the Weekly Bulletin in practice, namely the date of filing, the disposition of the notice and date thereof, and the consummation date of the transaction, if applicable.

The OCC received no comments on these changes to § 5.50 and adopts them as proposed.

Changes in Directors and Senior Executive Officers of a National Bank or Federal Savings Association (§ 5.51)

Section 5.51 implements section 914 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1831i). Section 914 requires a national bank or Federal savings association to provide prior notice to the OCC of the proposed addition of any individual to the board of directors or the employment of any individual as a senior executive officer of a bank if, among other things, the bank is in troubled condition. Paragraph (c)(4) defines “senior executive officer” to mean the president, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief lending officer, chief investment officer, and any other individual the OCC identifies in writing to the national bank or Federal savings association who exercises significant influence over, or participates in, major policy making decisions of the bank or savings association without regard to title, salary, or compensation. The term also includes employees of entities retained by a national bank or Federal savings association to perform functions in lieu of directly hiring the individuals, and the individual functioning as the chief managing official of the Federal branch of a foreign bank. The OCC proposed to add chief risk officer to the definition of senior executive officer given the increase in that role at many national banks and Federal savings associations. The OCC received no comments to this change and adopts it as proposed.

Paragraph (c)(7) provides the definition of “troubled condition,” which is one of the circumstances in which a national bank or Federal savings association is required to file a notice under § 5.51. Pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii), this definition includes a national bank or Federal savings association that is subject to a cease and desist order, a consent order, or a formal written agreement, unless otherwise informed in writing by the OCC. The OCC proposed to amend paragraph (c)(7)(ii) to specify that the cease and desist order, consent order, or formal written agreement must require the bank or savings association to improve its financial condition for the institution to be considered in “troubled condition” solely as a result of the enforcement action. The OCC expects to inform a bank in writing when an enforcement action does not require action to improve the financial condition of the bank. The OCC's general policy is not to apply troubled condition status to national banks or Federal savings associations solely as a result of cease and desist orders, consent orders, or formal written agreements that do not require improvement in the financial condition of the bank or savings association, such as enforcement actions that address certain compliance-related deficiencies that do not affect the financial condition of the bank or savings association. Typically, the OCC has noted in these actions that the bank or savings association is not in troubled condition as a result of the action. The proposal updated the definition of troubled condition in § 5.51 to align with the OCC's current supervisory practice. The OCC noted in the preamble to the proposal that this practice is consistent with that of the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC, and the proposed revision would align the OCC's regulations with the Federal Reserve Board's and FDIC's regulations implementing section 914.^[59] The OCC received a comment in response to this proposed amendment that strongly supported the revised definition of “troubled condition.” Therefore, the OCC finalizes this definition as proposed.

Capital Distributions by Federal Savings Associations (§ 5.55)

Section 5.55 provides standards and procedures for capital distributions made by Federal savings associations. Paragraph (d)(2) defines “capital” as total capital, computed under 12 CFR part 3. The OCC proposed to delete this definition as unnecessary because all references to “capital” are either in relation to the defined term “capital distribution” or contain an explicit reference to calculations under 12 CFR part 3. Additionally, the OCC proposed a new definition of “control,” to have the same meaning as in section 10(a)(2) of the HOLA (12 U.S.C. 1467a(a)(2)), and to use this term to describe control relationships, rather than the current use of the term “subsidiary” in § 5.55. The OCC did not receive any comments on these updated definitions and adopts them as proposed.

Current paragraph (e)(1) of § 5.55 requires a Federal savings association to file an application if it is not an eligible savings association. Current paragraphs (e)(2) and (g)(2) of § 5.55 require eligible savings associations to file a notice if certain requirements are met. Consistent with other changes in part 5, the OCC proposed to change the terminology for notice to application and to make corresponding changes throughout § 5.55. As a result, filings that are currently notices would be applications subject to expedited review. In addition, the OCC proposed to reorganize paragraphs (e) and (g) to clarify the procedures; however no substantive change is intended. The OCC also proposed additional stylistic revisions to current paragraph (e)(4) of § 5.55 to clarify that the notice mentioned in this paragraph is that of the notice filed with the Federal Reserve Board. The OCC did not receive any comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed with clarifying technical changes.

The OCC proposed a substantive change to the application procedures. Current paragraph (e)(1)(ii) requires a Federal savings association to file an application if the total amount of all its capital distributions (including the proposed capital distribution) for the applicable calendar year exceeds its net income for that year to date plus retained net income for the preceding two years. Under 12 CFR 5.64(c)(2), a national bank may calculate its dividends in excess of a single year's current net income by offsetting certain excess dividends against retained net income from each of the prior two years, with the potential to incorporate net income from up to four years prior to the current year when determining the maximum dividend payout possible without prior OCC approval. To provide additional flexibility, the OCC proposed to permit a Federal savings association to conduct this calculation when determining whether this application requirement applies. Specifically, if the capital distribution is from retained earnings, a Federal savings association would be able to calculate the aggregate limitation for a capital distribution in accordance with 12 CFR 5.64(c)(2), substituting “capital distributions” for “dividends” in that section. The OCC did not receive any comments on this change to the application procedures and adopts it as proposed with a confirming change to a citation.

Paragraph (f)(2) provides that the capital distribution application may include a schedule proposing capital distributions over a specified period, not to exceed 12 months. The OCC proposed to remove this 12-month limitation to allow a Federal savings association more flexibility for its distributions and to align this provision with the analogous national bank provision, 12 CFR 5.46(i)(1)(ii). The OCC did not receive any comments on the removal of this 12-month limitation and adopts it as proposed.

Additionally, the OCC proposed a new paragraph (g)(3) to clarify the appropriate OCC filing office for capital distribution applications and notices. In general, a Federal savings association would file with the appropriate OCC licensing office. However, the Federal savings association must submit the application to the appropriate OCC supervisory office if the application involves solely a cash dividend from retained earnings or involves a cash dividend from retained earnings and a concurrent cash distribution from permanent capital. The OCC did not receive any comments on this change, and the OCC adopts it as proposed.

Finally, the OCC proposed to reorganize paragraph (h), which addresses OCC review of an application, by providing separate paragraphs for OCC denials and approvals. As a result, paragraph (h)(1) would address OCC denials and include the majority of current paragraph (h) and paragraph (h)(2) would address OCC approvals. In doing so, the proposal clarified that the OCC may approve an application in whole or in part and that the OCC may waive any waivable prohibition or condition to permit a distribution. The proposal also changed the cross-reference in the current introductory text to the more appropriate paragraph (e)(1). The OCC did not receive any comments on these changes to paragraph (h) of § 5.55 and adopts them as proposed.

Inclusion of Subordinated Debt Securities and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock as Federal Savings Association Supplementary (Tier 2) Capital (§ 5.56)

Section 5.56 provides the requirements and procedures for a Federal savings association to include subordinated debt and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock (collectively, “covered securities”) in tier 2 capital. Paragraph (b) provides the filing procedures, including the application and notice procedures. Under § 5.56, the OCC must approve an application or notice before a Federal savings association may include covered securities as tier 2 capital. As with § 5.47, the OCC proposed to make this process consistent with the general usage in part 5 by changing the terminology from notice to application where appropriate throughout § 5.56. The proposal also clarified that a savings association may not include covered securities in tier 2 capital until the OCC approves the application and the securities are issued. This change is not intended to be substantive.

Paragraph (b)(2) requires an application and prior approval from the OCC for a Federal savings association to prepay covered securities included in tier 2 capital. Similar to the national bank requirement in § 5.47, paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) and (h) of § 5.56 contain additional application requirements for OCC review of prepayments in the form of a call option. As provided in the discussion for § 5.47 in this Supplemental Information, and for the same reasons, the OCC proposed to incorporate the application requirements currently applicable to prepayment in the form of a call option to all prepayment applications. The OCC also proposed one additional technical change in § 5.56(b)(2) to replace a reference to “a tier 1 or tier 2 instrument” to refer to “tier 1 or tier 2 capital.”

Paragraph (d)(1) contains disclosure requirements for covered securities. The OCC proposed to add a new paragraph (d)(1)(i)(H) to require the covered security to state that it may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. government in the event that the savings association enters into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation, or similar proceeding. As discussed above regarding § 5.47, a Federal savings association that is an advanced approaches institution must make this disclosure under 12 CFR 3.20(d)(1)(xi). As stated in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC believes that disclosing this information to potential investors in the covered security is beneficial for all Federal savings associations, even those that are not advanced approaches Federal savings associations or that do not intend to include the debt in tier 2 capital.

In addition, the OCC proposed to replace the reference to 12 CFR part 197 in paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) and (d)(2)(i) of § 5.56 with 12 CFR part 16, which now applies to Federal savings associations. The OCC also proposed to make certain purely stylistic changes to the rule text of § 5.56 that are not intended to impact the substantive requirements applicable to Federal savings associations.

The OCC received no comments to any changes proposed to § 5.56 and adopts them as proposed. The final rule also makes a technical correction to the statutory reference to the definition of accredited investor in paragraph (d)(2)(ii).

Pass-Through Investments by a Federal Savings Association (§ 5.58)

Section 5.58 provides the licensing procedures for Federal savings associations making pass-through investments. Although based on different authority, § 5.58 is largely analogous to the provisions in § 5.36 governing national bank non-controlling investments. Accordingly, the OCC proposed amendments to § 5.58 similar to those proposed for § 5.36, and for the same reasons.

First, the OCC proposed to amend paragraph (d), Definitions, by defining “pass-through investment” as an investment authorized under 12 CFR 160.32(a). As discussed in this Supplemental Information for the proposed definition of “non-controlling investment” in § 5.36, the proposed definition for “pass-through investment” would exclude a Federal savings association holding interests in a trust formed for the purposes of securitizing assets held by the bank as part of its business or for the purposes of holding multiple legal titles of motor vehicles or equipment in conjunction with lease financing transactions. The OCC received no comments on the proposed definition of “pass-through investment” and adopts it as proposed.

The OCC also proposed to amend paragraph (d) by removing the definitions of “well capitalized” and “well managed” because the proposed rule defined these terms in § 5.3. The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed, with a technical change that removes unnecessary cross-references to § 5.3 in paragraph (e).

Second, the OCC proposed to expand the activities eligible for notice to include activities that are substantially the same as previously approved activities, as proposed to be defined in § 5.3. In making this change, the proposal reorganized paragraph (e) and made conforming changes to paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(4). Additionally, the OCC stated in the preamble to the proposed rule that it is considering removing the filing requirement for pass-through investments in enterprises engaging in activities permissible for a Federal savings association, as discussed above for national bank operating subsidiaries and non-controlling investments. Under the alternative, the OCC would not remove the filing requirement if the enterprise would be a subsidiary of the Federal savings association for purposes of section 18(m) of the FDIA Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(m)), which generally requires a Federal savings association to provide 30-days prior notice to the OCC before establishing or acquiring a subsidiary defined in section 3(w)(4) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(w)(4)).

The OCC received no comments to the alternative proposal in § 5.58 directly, but did receive comments to the similar alternative proposal for operating subsidiaries, § 5.34, and noncontrolling investments of national banks, § 5.36. For the reasons noted in the discussion on § 5.34, Operating subsidiaries in this Supplemental Information, the OCC declines to include this alternative in the final rule.

Third, the OCC proposed to revise paragraph (f)(1) of § 5.58 to permit a Federal savings association to file an application to make a pass-through investment in an entity that does not agree to OCC supervision and examination. The proposal redesignated paragraph (f)(2) as paragraph (f)(3) and added a new paragraph (f)(2) providing for expedited review for certain applications. The qualifications for expedited review are equivalent to those in proposed § 5.36(f). The OCC received no direct responses to this proposal but as discussed in this Supplemental Information received one comment in support of the similar proposal for noncontrolling investments of national banks under § 5.36. The OCC adopts these proposed changes to § 5.58(f), with clarifying technical changes, for the same reasons discussed in the corresponding change to § 5.36. The final rule also makes conforming changes to redesignated paragraph (f)(3) to reflect that a Federal savings association may make a pass-through investment requiring a filing under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m) in an entity that has not agreed to OCC supervision and examination.

Fourth, the OCC proposed to add a new paragraph (g) that would permit a Federal savings association to make a pass-through investment without a notice or application to the OCC. The standards would be equivalent to those in proposed § 5.36(g) except that the enterprise must not be a subsidiary of the Federal savings association for purposes of section 18(m) of the FDI Act. In such a case, an application would be required under § 5.58(f)(2). The OCC received no comments on new paragraph (g) and adopts it as proposed. Additionally, the final rule corrects a cross-reference in redesignated paragraph (h)(1).

Finally, the OCC proposed to amend redesignated paragraph (j) to provide exceptions to the rules of general applicability in the same manner as proposed § 5.36(j). As with this amendment to § 5.36, the OCC has not removed the proposed exception to public availability, § 5.9, in the final rule. However, as with § 5.36, the OCC is adopting in the final rule the proposed provision that permits the OCC to determine that some or all of these rules of general applicability apply if it concludes that the application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, with the addition of § 5.9 to this sentence.

§ 5.59 Service Corporations of Federal Savings Associations.

Section 5.59 provides procedures governing OCC review and approval of filings by Federal savings associations to establish or acquire, or to conduct new activities in existing, service corporations pursuant to the authority provided in section 5(c)(4)(B) of the HOLA, 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B). An application under this section is eligible for expedited review if, among other things, the Federal savings association is “well capitalized” and “well managed.” However, this section currently does not define “well managed.” The proposal applied the proposed definition of “well managed” in § 5.3 to this term as used in § 5.59. The final rule adopts this amendment as proposed, with one technical change that removes the cross-reference to § 5.3 in paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(A). As indicated elsewhere in this SUPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, because the definitions in § 5.3 apply to all of part 5, this cross-reference is not necessary.

Earnings Limitation Under 12 U.S.C. 60 (§ 5.64)

Section 5.64 describes the calculations for earnings available for dividends under 12 U.S.C. 60. Paragraph (d) provides special rules for what the OCC referred to as “surplus surplus,” which is an amount in capital surplus in excess of capital stock that the national bank can demonstrate came from earnings in prior periods. A national bank had been required to retain a certain percentage of net income as capital surplus whenever it paid dividends. In addition, a variety of statutes and regulations established limits for banks based on permanent capital, including capital surplus, and ignored any amounts in retained earnings, which provided an incentive for banks to shift earnings into permanent capital. After Congress revised the statutes to provide more flexibility to include retained earnings as capital for purposes of the statutory limits, the OCC permitted banks to distribute these surplus surplus funds as dividends rather than as reductions in permanent capital given the surplus surplus funds' origin as earnings rather than paid in capital. As these statutory and regulatory changes occurred decades ago, national banks have not needed to create new surplus surplus for many years but may still incur recordkeeping burden associated with identifying regulatory surplus surplus within capital surplus. Accordingly, the OCC proposed to remove the concept of surplus surplus and associated procedures described in paragraph (d). The OCC received no comments on these proposed changes and finalizes them as proposed. The OCC notes that removal of paragraph (d) will not prevent a bank from distributing amounts contained in the capital surplus accounts. A national bank may make an appropriate filing under 12 CFR 5.46 for a reduction in capital to distribute these funds.

Dividends Payable in Property Other Than Cash (§ 5.66)

Section 5.66 provides procedures for payment of dividends in non-cash property by national banks. This section currently provides that these dividends are equivalent to a cash dividend in an amount equal to the actual current value of the property, even if the bank previously has charged down or written off the property. Before the dividend is declared, the bank should show the excess of the actual value over book value on its books as a recovery and should declare the dividend in the amount of the full book value (equivalent to the actual current value) of the property being distributed. The OCC proposed to revise this section to clarify that the dividend is equivalent to a cash dividend in an amount equal to the actual current value of the property, regardless of whether the book value is higher or lower under GAAP. The OCC also proposed to apply this valuation methodology to all non-cash dividends, not just those for property that has been charged down or written off. Further, the amendment would provide that the bank should show the difference between the actual value and book value on its books as gain or loss, as applicable, prior to recording the non-cash dividend reflecting the actual value of the property. The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed. As stated in the preamble to the proposed rule, the OCC believes this approach better reflects the value of the property being distributed from the bank, particularly in cases where the non-cash property was recorded at historical cost under GAAP.

Fractional Shares (§ 5.67)

Section 5.67 provides a number of potential arrangements that a national bank may adopt to avoid the issuance of fractional shares. The OCC proposed to simplify this section for a national bank by retaining only one of these options, the remittance of the cash equivalent of the fraction not being issued to those to whom fractional shares would otherwise be issued. The OCC believes this procedure is the simplest and is the predominant method of disposing of fractional shares today. Other options in the current rule include issuing warrants for fractional shares or permitting shareholders to purchase additional fractions up to one whole share. While the OCC permitted these methods historically, these methods can create significant recordkeeping costs today when bank stock may be traded in “round lots” of 100 shares or more. The OCC received no comments on this change and adopts it as proposed. Because a transaction that would result in the issuance of fractional shares will generally require an application with the OCC, revised § 5.67 maintains flexibility for banks by permitting the bank to propose an alternate method in the application for the stock issuance, which could include one of the options being removed from the rule.

Federal Branches and Agencies (§ 5.70)

Section 5.70 provides the filing procedures for corporate activities and transactions involving Federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. Consistent with the background investigation changes proposed to other sections, the OCC proposed adding a new paragraph (d)(3) to explicitly permit the OCC to require any senior executive officer of a Federal branch or agency submitting a filing to submit an Interagency Biographical and Financial Report and legible fingerprints.

The OCC received no comments to this new paragraph and adopts it as proposed.

Additional Issues and General Comments

Digital and remote filings. One commenter encouraged the OCC to advance digital and remote filing procedures, such as digital signatures and virtual notarization. The OCC has already updated its licensing regulation to encourage the use of electronic filings, including permitting digital signatures in the OCC's Central Application Tracking System (CATS). Further, the OCC is unable to update to virtual notarization because notarization is governed by State law.

Public input. One commenter generally opposed the proposed changes for procedures outlining public input. The commenter further expressed that it is more difficult for community organizations to offer meaningful input under these proposed procedures, which limits the OCC's ability to determine whether an application achieves a public benefit. The OCC disagrees with this comment. The OCC notes that “public benefit” is not a factor for any licensing filings, rather the OCC is seeking public comments that provide meaningful and substantive information about a bank's CRA performance. Only such comments can assist the OCC in its evaluation of a transaction.

CRA ratings. Generally, the OCC requires a rating of at least “Satisfactory” for approval of a filing. In response to the CRA ratings used in §§ 5.30, 5.31, 5.33, 5.40, one commenter suggested that a CRA rating of less than “Satisfactory” should not automatically preclude approval of a filing. The OCC is not adopting this commenter's recommendation. OCC policy provides that if an applicant bank has an overall less than “Satisfactory” rating, the OCC provides enhanced scrutiny of covered applications by the bank. Further, proposed § 5.33(e)(1)(iii)(A) makes clear that the CRA consideration is in conjunction with the other factors.

One commenter requested that the OCC codify the policies in PPM 5000-43 and Bulletin 2018-23 regarding CRA downgrades. The commenter also asserted that the OCC should allow expedited reexamination if a bank believes it has remediated a CRA concern. The OCC notes that this comment is outside the scope of this rulemaking.

Public comment period. One commenter questioned the proposed rule's compliance with the notice requirements of the APA noting that the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published on the OCC website on March 5, 2020, but not in the Federal Register until April 2, 2020, with the comment period ending May 4, 2020.^[60] The commenter is incorrect about the requirements of the APA. The OCC notes that the APA does not provide a minimum comment period and that the generally recommended time for comment is 60 days.^[61] Here, the public had notice of the proposal for 60 days beginning on March 5 when the OCC provided notice of the proposal on its website and issued a news release and OCC Bulletin on the proposal. Moreover, the proposal was published in the Federal Register for 32 days.^[62]

General Technical Changes

The OCC proposed numerous technical changes throughout 12 CFR part 5. The OCC received no comments on these changes and adopts them as proposed, with additional conforming changes. Specifically, the final rule:

• Replaces the word “shall” with “must,” “will,” or other appropriate language, which is the more current rule writing convention for imposing an obligation and is the recommended drafting style of the Federal Register;
• Generally replaces the term “notice” with the term “application” where prior OCC approval is required, thereby conforming the terminology to the licensing action provided in the provision (notices would continue to include informational filings to the OCC as well as certain transactions that the OCC has the power to disapprove, such as changes in control);
• Amends the expedited review provisions throughout part 5 to refer to the OCC removing a filing from expedited review rather than making a determination that the filing is not eligible for expedited review to accord with the language and procedure in § 5.13(a)(2).
• Revises citations to the U.S. Code and the Code of Federal Regulations by adjusting cross-references, making citations more specific, and using consistent style;
• Updates and standardizes references to the OCC website;
• Simplifies gender references by replacing “his or her” with the neutral “their;”
• Uniformly capitalizes the word “State,” in conformance with Federal Register drafting style; and
• Replaces the terms “bank” and “savings association” with “national bank” or “Federal savings association,” respectively, where appropriate.

The OCC also is adopting in this final rule additional corrections to cross-references and citations throughout part 5. Further, the OCC is adopting technical changes that update the cross-reference to the § 5.3 definition of “eligible bank” in 12 CFR 3.701(f)(1)(vi) and the cross-reference to the § 5.3 definition of “appropriate OCC licensing office” in 12 CFR 7.2008(c).

III. Regulatory Analyses

A. Paperwork Reduction Act

Paperwork Reduction Act

Certain provisions of the proposed rulemaking contain “collection of information” requirements within the meaning of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521). In accordance with the requirements of the PRA, the OCC may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

The OCC reviewed the final rule and determined that it revises certain information collection requirements previously cleared by OMB under OMB Control No. 1557-0014. The OCC submitted the information collection requirements at the proposed rule stage. OMB neither approved nor disapproved the submission, requiring OCC to resubmit the collection at the final rule stage. Therefore, the OCC has submitted the revised information collection to OMB for review under section 3507(d) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) and section 1320.11 of the OMB's implementing regulations (5 CFR 1320).

Current Actions

The final rule:

• Adds new definitions to add clarity and consistency across part 5. This includes proposing a single definition well managed applicable throughout part 5. 12 CFR 5.3.
• Requires each proposed organizer, director, executive officer, or principal shareholder to submit information prescribed in the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report and legible fingerprints. This amendment merely codifies current application requirements and will not result in a change in burden. 12 CFR 5.20.
• Eliminates the bylaw amendment notice requirement for Federal savings associations that adopt without change the OCC's model or optional bylaws set forth in the rule. 12 CFR 5.21, 5.22.
• Requires that applications to convert to a Federal savings association or national bank include: A list of directors and senior executive officers of the converting institution; and a list of individuals, directors, and shareholders who directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with one or more persons or companies, or together with members of their immediate family, do or will own, control, or hold 10 percent or more of the converting institution's stock. This amendment merely codifies current application requirements and will not result in a change in burden. 12 CFR 5.23(d)(2)(ii), 5.24(e)(2).
• Permits the OCC to require directors and senior executive officers of a converting institution to submit the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report and legible fingerprints. This amendment merely codifies current application requirements and will not result in a change in burden. 12 CFR 5.23, 5.24.
• Requires that applications for national banks or Federal savings associations that wish to engage in the exercise of fiduciary powers include, if requested by the OCC, the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report and legible fingerprints. 12 CFR 5.26.
• Requires a filer of a business combination application under CRA to disclose whether it has entered into and disclosed a covered agreement, as defined in 12 CFR 35.2. A filer must also provide summaries of, or documents related to, all substantive discussions with respect to the development of the content of a CRA sunshine agreement. 12 CFR 5.33(e)(1)(iii).
• Removes the requirement that a disappearing national bank or Federal savings association consolidating or merging with another OCC-supervised institution provide a notice to the OCC. § 5.33(g), (k).
• For national bank operating subsidiaries, expands the after the fact notice for national banks to activities that are substantially the same as previously approved activities that will be conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the previously approved activity. Expands the list of eligible entities to include trusts provided that the bank or operating subsidiary has the ability to replace the trustee at will and be the sole beneficial owner of the trust. 12 CFR 5.34.
• Removes the requirement for a national bank to file an annual report identifying its operating subsidiaries that do business directly with consumers and are not functionally regulated. 12 CFR 5.34.
• For national bank non-controlling investments and Federal savings association pass-through investments, expands the activities eligible for notice to activities that are substantially the same as previously approved activities. 12 CFR 5.36, 5.58.
• Allows national banks and Federal savings associations to file an application to make a non-controlling investment or a pass-through investment, respectively, in an enterprise that has not agreed to be subject to OCC supervision and examination. 12 CFR 5.36(f), 5.58(f).
• Allows national banks and Federal savings associations to make non-controlling investments or a pass-through investments, respectively, without a filing if the activities of the enterprise are limited to those previously reported to the OCC in connection with a prior investment. 12 CFR 5.36, 5.58.
• For Federal savings association operating subsidiaries, expands the expedited approval process for Federal savings associations to include activities that are substantially the same as previously approved activities that will be conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the previously approved activity. Expands the list of eligible entities to include trusts provided that the Federal savings association or operating subsidiary has the ability to replace the trustee at will and be the sole beneficial owner of the trust. 12 CFR 5.38.
• Permits national banks to request approval for a reduction in permanent capital for multiple quarters. 12 CFR 5.46.
• Regarding subordinated debt notes, allows national banks to omit inapplicable provisions when warranted, and require national banks to disclose in subordinated debt notes that the subordinated debt obligation may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. government in the event that the national bank enters into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation, or similar proceeding. 12 CFR 5.47.
• Revises the standard for when prior approval is required for a national bank's issuance of subordinated debt and for prepayment of any subordinated debt that is not included in tier 2 capital 12 CFR 5.47(f).
• Requires OCC approval for a material change to an existing subordinated debt document if the national bank would have been required to receive OCC approval to issue the security under § 5.47(f)(1) or to include it in tier 2 capital under § 5.47(h). 12 CFR 5.47.
• Adds the position of chief risk officer to the definition of senior executive officer. This change requires prior OCC approval for the employment of an individual as a chief risk officer by a national bank or Federal savings association in troubled condition. 12 CFR 5.51.
• Requires a covered security (inclusion of subordinated debt and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock) issued by a Federal savings association to state that it may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. government in the event that the savings association enters into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation, or similar proceeding. 12 CFR 5.56.
• Permits the OCC to require any senior executive officer of a Federal branch or agency submitting a filing to submit an Interagency Biographical and Financial Report and legible fingerprints. This amendment merely codifies current application requirements and will not result in a change in burden. 12 CFR 5.70.

Title of Information Collection: Licensing Manual.

Frequency: Event generated.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit.

Estimated number of respondents: 3,698.

Total estimated annual burden: 12,981 hours.

Comments are invited on:

a. Whether the collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the agencies' functions, including whether the information has practical utility;

b. The accuracy or the estimate of the burden of the information collections, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

d. Ways to minimize the burden of the information collections on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

e. Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments on aspects of this notice that may affect reporting, recordkeeping, or disclosure requirements and burden estimates should be sent to the addresses listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. A copy of the comments may also be submitted to the OMB desk officer by mail to U.S. Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, #10235, Washington, DC 20503; facsimile to [phone]; or email to [e-mail], Attention, Federal Banking Agency Desk Officer.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

In general, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires an agency, in connection with a final rule, to prepare a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis describing the impact of the rule on small entities (defined by the SBA for purposes of the RFA to include commercial banks and savings institutions with total assets of $600 million or less and trust companies with total revenue of $41.5 million or less). However, under section 605(b) of the RFA, this analysis is not required if an agency certifies that the rule would 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 along with its rule.

The OCC currently supervises approximately 1,163 institutions (commercial banks, trust companies, Federal savings associations, and branches or agencies of foreign banks, collectively banks), of which 745 are small entities.^[63] To measure whether a rule will have a “significant economic impact,” the OCC focuses on the potential costs of the rule to OCC-supervised small entities, consistent with guidance on the RFA published by the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.^[64] Because the rule applies to all OCC-supervised depository institutions, the final rule would affect all small OCC-supervised entities, and thus a substantial number of them.

The OCC classifies the economic impact of total costs on an OCC-regulated entity as significant if the total costs for the entity in a single year are greater than 5 percent of total salaries and benefits, or greater than 2.5 percent of total non-interest expense. The OCC estimates that the monetized direct cost of this rulemaking will range from a low of approximately $4,600 per bank (40 hours × $115 per hour ^[65] ) to a high of approximately $18,400 per bank (160 hours × $115 per hour).^[66] Using the upper bound average direct cost per bank, the OCC finds the compliance costs will have a significant economic impact on no more than 18 small banks, which is not a substantial number.^[67] Therefore, the OCC finds that this final rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities supervised by the OCC. Accordingly, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required.

C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

The OCC has analyzed the final rule under the factors in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). Under this analysis, the OCC considered whether the final rule includes a Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year, adjusted annually for inflation (currently $157 million). The UMRA does not apply to regulations that incorporate requirements specifically set forth in law.

Based on the OCC estimate that the monetized direct cost of this rulemaking would range from a low of approximately $4,600 per bank to a high of approximately $18,400 per bank, the OCC's overall estimate of the total effect of the final rule ranges from approximately $5.4 million to approximately $21.4 million for the approximately 1,163 institutions supervised by the OCC. Therefore, the OCC finds that the final rule does not trigger the UMRA cost threshold. Accordingly, the OCC has not prepared the written statement described in section 202 of the UMRA.

D. Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994

Pursuant to section 302(a) of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (RCDRIA) (12 U.S.C. 4802(a)), in determining the effective date and administrative compliance requirements for new regulations that impose additional reporting, disclosure, or other requirements on insured depository institutions, the OCC must consider, consistent with the principles of safety and soundness and the public interest: (1) Any administrative burdens that the rule would place on depository institutions, including small depository institutions and customers of depository institutions; and (2) the benefits of the rule. The has considered the changes made by this final rule and believes that the overall effective date of January 11, 2021 will provide OCC-regulated institutions with adequate time to comply with the rule.^[68] With respect to administrative compliance requirements, the OCC has considered the administrative burdens and the benefits of this final rule and believes that any burdens are necessary for safety and soundness and proper OCC supervision. The final rule's benefits include increased flexibility for filing procedures, elimination of redundant or unnecessary reporting requirements consistent with safety and soundness, and updated policies and procedures that increase clarity and reduce ambiguity for banks seeking compliance with 12 CFR part 5 requirements. Further discussion of the consideration by the OCC of these administrative compliance requirements is found in other sections of the final rule's SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

E. Effective Date

The APA ^[69] requires that a substantive rule must be published not less than 30 days before its effective date, except for: (1) Substantive rules which grant or recognize an exemption or relieve a restriction; (2) interpretative rules and statements of policy; or (3) as otherwise provided by the agency for good cause.^[70] The January 11, 2021 effective date of this final rule for all but one of its amendments meets the APA effective date requirements, as it will take effect at least 30 days after its publication date of December 11, 2020. One technical amendment takes effect on December 11, 2020. This amendment removes the reference to 12 CFR part 195, the Federal savings association CRA rule, in § 5.20(e)(2)(ii) because the OCC recently amended 12 CFR part 25 to include Federal savings associations and removed 12 CFR part 195 as of October 1, 2020.^[71] Because this is a technical amendment that aligns § 5.20(e)(2)(ii) with revised part 25, the OCC believes it has good cause to issue this rule without a delayed effective date.

Pursuant to section 553(b)(B) of the APA, general notice and the opportunity for public comment are not required with respect to a rulemaking when an “agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” ^[72] As described in the final rule's SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, the final rule includes a number of technical, clarifying, or conforming amendments that the OCC did not include in its proposed rule. Because these amendments are not substantive and merely correct or clarify the rule, update the rule to reflect current law, or fix citation and regulatory text format, the OCC believes that public notice of these changes is unnecessary and therefore that it has good cause to adopt these changes without notice and comment.

F. Congressional Review Act

For purposes of the Congressional Review Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) makes a determination as to whether a final rule constitutes a “major rule.” ^[73] If a rule is deemed a “major rule” by OMB, the Congressional Review Act generally provides that the rule may not take effect until at least 60 days following its publication.^[74]

The Congressional Review Act defines a “major rule” as any rule that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the OMB finds has resulted in or is likely to result in: (1) An annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) a significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.^[75]

OMB has determined that this final rule is not a major rule. As required by the Congressional Review Act, the OCC will submit the final rule and other appropriate reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office for review.

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 3

• Administrative practice and procedure
• Capital
• National banks
• Federal savings associations
• Risk

12 CFR Part 5

• Administrative practice and procedure
• Federal savings associations
• National banks
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Securities

12 CFR Part 7

• Computer technology
• Credit
• Derivatives
• Federal savings associations
• Insurance
• Investments
• Metals
• National banks
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Securities
• Security bonds

For the reasons set out in the preamble, the OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR chapter I as follows:

PART 3—CAPITAL ADEQUACY STANDARDS

1. The authority citation for part 3 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 93a, 161, 1462, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1818, 1828(n), 1828 note, 1831n note, 1835, 3907, 3909, 5412(b)(2)(B), and Pub. L. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281.134 Stat. 281.

§ 3.701

[Amended]

2. Amend § 3.701(f)(1)(vi) by removing the phrase “ 12 CFR 5.3(g)” and adding in its place the phrase “12 CFR 5.3”.

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

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

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 24a, 35, 93a, 214a, 215, 215a, 215a-1, 215a-2, 215a-3, 215c, 371d, 481, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1817(j), 1831i, 1831u, 2901 et seq., 3101 et seq., 3907, and 5412(b)(2)(B).

§ 5.2

[Amended]

4. Amend § 5.2 by:

a. In paragraph (b), removing the word “filings,” and adding in its place the phrase “filings as it deems necessary, for example,” and removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”; and

b. In paragraph (c), removing the phrase “on the OCC's Internet Web page”.

5. Revise § 5.3 to read as follows.

§ 5.3

Definitions.

As used in this part:

Application means a submission requesting OCC approval to engage in various corporate activities and transactions.

Appropriate Federal banking agency has the meaning set forth in section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(q).

Appropriate OCC licensing office means the OCC office that is responsible for processing applications or notices to engage in various corporate activities or transactions, as described at www.occ.gov.

Appropriate OCC supervisory office means the OCC office that is responsible for the supervision of a national bank or Federal savings association, as described in subpart A of 12 CFR part 4.

Capital and surplus means:

(1) For qualifying community banking organizations that have elected to use the community bank leverage ratio framework, as set forth under the OCC's Capital Adequacy Standards at part 3 of this chapter:

(i) A qualifying community banking organization's tier 1 capital, as used under § 3.12 of this chapter; plus

(ii) A qualifying community banking organization's allowance for loan and lease losses or adjusted allowances for credit losses, as applicable, as reported in the national bank's or Federal savings association's Consolidated Report of Condition and Income (Call Report); or

(2) For all other national banks and Federal savings associations:

(i) A national bank's or Federal savings association's tier 1 and tier 2 capital calculated under the OCC's risk-based capital standards set forth in part 3 of this chapter, as applicable, as reported in the Call Report, respectively; plus

(ii) The balance of the national bank's or Federal savings association's allowance for loan and lease losses or adjusted allowances for credit losses, as applicable, not included in the institution's tier 2 capital, for purposes of the calculation of risk-based capital described in paragraph (2)(i) of this definition, as reported in the Call Report.

Depository institution means any bank or savings association.

Eligible bank or eligible savings association means a national bank or Federal savings association that:

(1) Is well capitalized under § 5.3;

(2) Has a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (CAMELS);

(3) Has a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), 12 U.S.C. 2901 et seq., rating of “Outstanding” or “Satisfactory,” if applicable;

(4) Has a consumer compliance rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Interagency Consumer Compliance Rating System; and

(5) Is not subject to a cease and desist order, consent order, formal written agreement, or Prompt Corrective Action directive (see 12 CFR part 6, subpart B) or, if subject to any such order, agreement, or directive, is informed in writing by the OCC that the bank or savings association may be treated as an “eligible bank or eligible savings association” for purposes of this part.

Eligible depository institution means:

(1) With respect to a national bank, a State bank or a Federal or State savings association that meets the criteria for an “eligible bank or eligible savings association” under § 5.3 and is FDIC-insured; and

(2) With respect to a Federal savings association, a State or national bank or a State savings association that meets the criteria for an “eligible bank or eligible savings association” under § 5.3 and is FDIC-insured.

FDIC means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Filer means a person or entity that submits a notice or application to the OCC under this part.

Filing means an application or notice submitted to the OCC under this part.

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United States.

MSA means metropolitan statistical area as defined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Nonconforming assets and nonconforming activities mean assets or activities, respectively, that are impermissible for national banks or Federal savings associations to hold or conduct, as applicable, or, if permissible, are held or conducted in a manner that exceeds limits applicable to national banks or Federal savings associations, as applicable. Assets include investments in subsidiaries or other entities.

Notice, in general, means a submission notifying the OCC that a national bank or Federal savings association intends to engage in or has commenced certain corporate activities or transactions. The specific meaning of notice depends on the context of the rule in which it is used and may provide the OCC with authority to disapprove the notice or may be informational requiring no official OCC action.

OTS means the former Office of Thrift Supervision.

Previously approved activity means:

(1) In the case of a national bank, any activity approved in published OCC precedent for a national bank, an operating subsidiary of a national bank, or a non-controlling investment of a national bank; and

(2) In the case of a Federal savings association, any activity approved in published OCC or OTS precedent for a Federal savings association, an operating subsidiary of a Federal savings association, or a pass-through investment of a Federal savings association.

Principal city means an area designated as a “principal city” by the Office of Management and Budget.

Short-distance relocation means moving the premises of a branch or main office of a national bank or a branch or home office of a Federal savings association within a:

(1) One thousand foot-radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is located within a principal city of an MSA;

(2) One-mile radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is not located within a principal city, but is located within an MSA; or

(3) Two-mile radius of the site if the branch, main office, or home office is not located within an MSA.

Well capitalized means:

(1) In the case of a national bank or Federal savings association, the capital level described in 12 CFR 6.4(b)(1);

(2) In the case of a Federal branch or agency, the capital level described in 12 CFR 4.7(b)(1)(iii); or

(3) In the case of another depository institution, the capital level designated as “well capitalized” by the institution's appropriate Federal banking agency pursuant to section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831 o).

Well managed means:

(1) In the case of a national bank or Federal savings association:

(i) Unless otherwise determined in writing by the OCC, the national bank or Federal savings association has received a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System in connection with its most recent examination, and at least a rating of 2 for management, if such a rating is given; or

(ii) In the case of a national bank or Federal savings association that has not been examined by the OCC, the existence and use of managerial resources that the OCC determines are satisfactory.

(2) In the case of a Federal branch or agency of a foreign bank:

(i) Unless determined otherwise in writing by the OCC, the Federal branch or agency has received a composite ROCA supervisory rating (which rates risk management, operational controls, compliance, and asset quality) of 1 or 2 at its most recent examination, and at least a rating of 2 for risk management, if such a rating is given; or

(ii) In the case of a Federal branch or agency that has not been examined by the OCC, the existence and use of managerial resources that the OCC determines are satisfactory.

(3) In the case of another depository institution:

(i) Unless otherwise determined in writing by the appropriate Federal banking agency, the institution has received a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under an equivalent rating system) in connection with the most recent examination or subsequent review of the depository institution and, at least a rating of 2 for management, if such a rating is given; or

(ii) In the case of another depository institution that has not been examined by its appropriate Federal banking agency, the existence and use of managerial resources that the appropriate Federal banking agency determines are satisfactory.

6. Amend § 5.4 by:

a. In paragraph (a), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”;

b. In paragraph (b), removing the phrase “on the OCC's Internet Web page”;

c. In paragraph (c), removing the word “applicant” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “filer”;

d. In paragraph (d):

i. Removing the phrases “An applicant” and “an applicant” and adding in their place the phrases “A filer” and “a filer”, respectively; and

ii. Removing the phrase “the OCC's Internet Web page at”;

e. In paragraph (e), removing the phrase “An applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “A filer”;

f. Revising paragraph (f); and

g. Adding paragraph (g).

The addition and revision read as follows:

§ 5.4

Filing required.

* * * * *

(f) Prefiling meeting. Before submitting a filing to the OCC, a potential filer is encouraged to contact the appropriate OCC licensing office to determine the need for a prefiling meeting. The OCC decides whether to require a prefiling meeting on a case-by-case basis. Submission of a draft business plan or other relevant information before any prefiling meeting may expedite the filing review process. A potential filer considering a novel, complex, or unique proposal is encouraged to contact the appropriate OCC licensing office to schedule a prefiling meeting early in the development of its proposal for the early identification and consideration of policy issues. Information on model business plans can be found in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual.

(g) Certification. A filer must certify that any filing or supporting material submitted to the OCC contains no material misrepresentations or omissions. The OCC may review and verify any information filed in connection with a notice or an application. Any person responsible for any material misrepresentation or omission in a filing or supporting materials may be subject to enforcement action and other penalties, including criminal penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

7. Amend § 5.5 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 5.5

Filing fees.

(a) Procedure. A filer must submit the appropriate filing fee, if any, in connection with its filing. Filing fees must be paid by check payable to the OCC or by other means acceptable to the OCC. Additional information on filing fees, including where to file, can be found in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual. The OCC generally does not refund the filing fees.

* * * * *

8. Amend § 5.7 by redesignating paragraph (b) as paragraph (c) and adding a new paragraph (b) to read as follows:

§ 5.7

Investigations.

* * * * *

(b) Fingerprints. For certain filings, the OCC collects fingerprints for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history background check.

* * * * *

§ 5.8

[Amended]

9. Amend § 5.8 by:

a. In paragraph (a), removing the phrase “An applicant shall publish” and adding in its place the phrase “A filer must publish” and removing the phrase “the applicant proposes” and adding in its place the phrase “the filer proposes”;

b. In paragraphs (a) and (b), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”;

c. In paragraphs (b) and (g)(1), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”;

d. In paragraphs (c) and (d), removing the phrase “applicant shall” and adding in its place the phrase “filer must”; and

e. In paragraphs (e) and (g) introductory text, removing the phrase “an applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “a filer”.

§ 5.9

[Amended]

10. Amend § 5.9 by:

a. In paragraph (b), in the second sentence, removing the word “Applicants” and adding in its place the word “Filers”; and

b. In paragraph (c), in the first sentence, removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”.

§ 5.10

[Amended]

11. Amend § 5.10 by:

a. In paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(3), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”;

b. In paragraph (b)(2)(ii), removing the word “application” and adding in its place the word “filing”; and

c. In paragraph (b)(3), revising the paragraph heading by removing the word “ Applicant” and adding in its place the word “Filer”.

§ 5.11

[Amended]

12. Amend § 5.11 by:

a. In paragraphs (a), (e), and (g)(2), removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must”;

b. In paragraphs (a), (d)(1), (e), (g)(1), and (g)(2), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”;

c. In paragraph (c), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “will”;

d. In paragraphs (e) and (f), removing the phrase “his or her” and adding in its place the word “their”;

e. In paragraph (h), removing the word “applicant's” and adding in its place the word “filer's”; and

f. In paragraph (i)(1) removing the phrase “an application” and adding in its place the phrase “a filing” and removing the phrase “the application” and adding in its place the phrase “the filing”; and

g. In paragraph (i)(2), removing the phrase “an applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “a filer”.

§ 5.12

[Amended]

13. Amend § 5.12 by removing the phrase “an application” and adding in its place the phrase “a filing”.

14. Amend § 5.13 by:

a. In paragraphs (a) introductory text and (b)(1), (d), and (g), removing the phrase “the applicant” wherever it appears and adding in its place the phrase “the filer”;

b. Revising paragraph (a)(2);

c. In paragraph (b)(3), removing the phrase “The applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “The filer”;

d. In paragraph (c), removing the phrase “an applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “a filer”;

e. In paragraph (f), removing the phrase “An applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “A filer”;

f. In paragraph (g), removing the word “applicant's” and adding in its place the word filer's”;

g. Revising paragraph (h); and

h. Adding paragraph (i).

The revisions and addition read as follows:

§ 5.13

Decisions.

(a) * * *

(2) Expedited review. The OCC grants qualifying national banks and Federal savings associations expedited review within a specified time after filing or commencement of the public comment period for certain filings.

(i) The OCC may extend the expedited review period or remove a filing from expedited review procedures if it concludes that the filing, or an adverse comment regarding the filing, presents a significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern or raises a significant legal or policy issue requiring additional OCC review. The OCC will provide the filer with a written explanation if it decides not to process an application from a qualifying national bank or Federal savings association under expedited review pursuant to this paragraph.

(ii) Adverse comments that the OCC determines do not raise a significant supervisory, CRA (if applicable), or compliance concern or a significant legal or policy issue; are frivolous, non-substantive, or filed primarily as a means of delaying action on the filing; or raise a CRA concern that has been satisfactorily resolved do not affect the OCC's decision under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section. The OCC considers a comment to be non-substantive if it is a generalized opinion that a filing should or should not be approved or a conclusory statement, lacking factual or analytical support. The OCC considers a CRA concern to have been satisfactorily resolved if the OCC previously reviewed (e.g., in an examination, other supervisory activity, or a prior filing made by the current filer) a concern presenting substantially the same issue in substantially the same assessment area during substantially the same time, and the OCC determines that the concern would not warrant denial or imposition of a condition on approval of the application.

(iii) If a bank or savings association makes a filing for any activity or transaction that is dependent upon the approval of another filing under this part, or if requests for approval for more than one activity or transaction are combined in a single filing under applicable sections of this part, none of the subject filings may be deemed approved upon expiration of the applicable time periods, unless all of the filings are subject to expedited review procedures and the longest of the time periods expires without the OCC issuing a decision or notifying the bank or savings association that the filings are not eligible for expedited review under the standards in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.

* * * * *

(h) Nullifying a decision. The OCC may nullify any decision on a filing either prior to or after consummation of the transaction if:

(1) The OCC discovers a material misrepresentation or omission in any information provided to the OCC in the filing or supporting materials;

(2) The decision is contrary to law, regulation, or OCC policy thereunder; or

(3) The decision was granted due to clerical or administrative error, or a material mistake of law or fact.

(i) Modifying, Suspending, or Rescinding a Decision. The OCC may modify, suspend, or rescind a decision on a filing if a material change in the information or circumstance on which the OCC relied occurs prior to the date of the consummation of the transaction to which the decision pertains.

15. Amend § 5.20 by:

a. In paragraph (b), paragraph (e)(1)(iii) introductory text, and paragraphs (h)(1)(i), (h)(2), (h)(3)(i), (h)(5)(i), (h)(5)(ii), (h)(5)(iii), (h)(7), (i)(2), (k)(1), (l)(1), and (l)(2), removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must”;

b. In paragraph (d)(2), removing the phrase “section 2” and adding in its place “section 2(a)(2)” and removing the phrase “section 10” and adding in its place “section 10(a)(2)”;

c. Redesignating paragraphs (d)(7) and (8) as paragraphs (d)(8) and (9), respectively, and adding new paragraphs (d)(7) and (d)(10);

d. In redesignated paragraph (d)(8), adding the word “natural” before the word “persons”; and

e. In redesignated paragraph (d)(9), removing the phrase “an applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “a filer”;

f. In paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A), removing the word “applicants” and adding in its place the word “filers”;

g. Effective December 11, 2020, revising paragraph (e)(2);

h. In paragraph (e)(3), removing the phrase “Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)” and adding in its place the word “FDIC”;

i. In paragraph (g)(4)(ii), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “may” and removing the phrase “withdrawal of preliminary approval” and adding in its place the phrase “nullification or rescission of a preliminary approval”;

j. In paragraphs (i)(1) and (j)(2), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”;

k. Redesignating paragraphs (i)(3) through (5) as paragraphs (i)(4) through (i)(6) and adding a new paragraph (i)(3);

l. In redesignated paragraph (i)(4), removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must”;

m. In redesignated paragraph (i)(5), removing the phrase “spokesperson and other interested persons” and adding in its place the phrase “contact person and other relevant parties”;

n. In redesignated paragraph (i)(6)(i), removing the phrase “paragraph (i)(5)(iii)” wherever it appears and adding in its place the phrase “paragraph (i)(6)(iii)”;

o. In redesignated paragraphs (i)(6)(ii)(A) and (B), and (iii) and (iv), removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must”;

p. In redesignated paragraph (i)(6)(iii), removing the phrase “or part 197”;

q. Revising paragraph (j)(1); and

r. In paragraphs (k)(2) and (l)(1), removing the phrase “An applicant” wherever it appears and adding in its place the phrase “A filer”.

The additions and revision read as follows:

§ 5.20

Organizing a national bank or Federal savings association.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(7) Organizer means a member of the organizing group.

* * * * *

(10) Principal shareholder means a person who directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more persons or companies, or together with members of their immediate family, will own, control, or hold 10 percent or more of the voting stock of the proposed national bank or Federal savings association.

(e) * * *

(2) Community Reinvestment Act. Twelve CFR part 25 requires the OCC to take into account a proposed insured national bank's or Federal savings association's description of how it will meet its CRA objectives.

* * * * *

(i) * * *

(3) Biographical and financial reports—(i) Each proposed organizer, director, executive officer, or principal shareholder must submit to the appropriate OCC licensing office:

(A) The information prescribed in the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report, available at www.occ.gov;​; and

(B) Legible fingerprints.

(ii) The OCC may require additional information about any proposed organizer, director, executive officer, or principal shareholder, if appropriate. The OCC may waive any of the information requirements of this paragraph if the OCC determines that it is in the public interest.

* * * * *

(j) * * *

(1) Notifies the filer prior to that date that the filing has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2); or

* * * * *

16. Amend § 5.21 by:

a. In paragraph (d), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “do”;

b. In paragraph (e) introductory text, removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” in the first and second sentence; and removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “will” in the last sentence;

c. In the form “Federal Mutual Charter” following paragraph (e):

i. Removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is” in Section 2 and Section 7;

ii. In Section 6:

A. Removing the phrase “shall be permitted” and adding in its place the phrase “is permitted”;

B. Removing the phrase “shall cast” and adding in its place the phrase “may cast”; and

C. Removing the phrase “accounts shall be” and adding in its place the phrase “accounts are”;

iii. In Section 7:

A. Removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is”;

B. Removing the phrase “shall not” and adding in its place the phrase “may not”; and

iv. Removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “will” wherever it appears in Section 8 and Section 9;

d. Revising paragraph (f)(2) and adding paragraph (f)(3);

e. Revising paragraph (g) introductory text;

f. Revising paragraph (g)(1):

g. In paragraph (g)(2), removing the phrase “has complied” and adding in its place the word “complies”;

h. Revising paragraph (i); and

g. Revising paragraph (j).

The revisions and addition read as follows.

§ 5.21

Federal mutual savings association charter and bylaws.

* * * * *

(f) * * *

(2) Form of filing—(i) Application requirement. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, a Federal mutual savings association must file the proposed charter amendment with, and obtain the prior approval of, the OCC.

(A) Expedited review. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the charter amendment will be deemed approved as of the 30th day after filing, unless the OCC notifies the filer that the amendment is denied or that the amendment contains procedures of the type described in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section and is not eligible for expedited review, provided the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting the amendment.

(B) Amendments exempted from expedited review. Expedited review is not available for a charter amendment that would render more difficult or discourage a merger, proxy contest, the assumption of control by a mutual account holder of the association, or the removal of incumbent management; or involve a significant issue of law or policy.

(ii) Notice requirement. No application under paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section is required if the text of the amendment is contained within paragraphs (e) or (g) of this section. In such case, the Federal mutual savings association must submit a notice with the charter amendment to the OCC within 30 days after adoption.

(3) Effectiveness. A charter amendment is effective after approval by the OCC, if required pursuant to paragraph (f)(2) of this section, and adoption by the association, provided the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting the amendment.

(g) Optional charter amendments. The following charter amendments are subject to the notice requirement in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section if adopted without change:

(1) Purpose and powers. Add a second paragraph to section 4, as follows:

Section 4. Purpose and powers. * * * The association has the express power: (i) To act as fiscal agent of the United States when designated for that purpose by the Secretary of the Treasury, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, to perform all such reasonable duties as fiscal agent of the United States as may be required, and to act as agent for any other instrumentality of the United States when designated for that purpose by any such instrumentality; (ii) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any court of law or equity; (iii) To have a corporate seal, affixed by imprint, facsimile or otherwise; (iv) To appoint officers and agents as its business requires and allow them suitable compensation; (v) To adopt bylaws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States and rules and regulations adopted thereunder and under this Charter; (vi) To raise unlimited capital by accepting payments on savings, demand, or other accounts, as are authorized by rules and regulations made by the OCC, and the holders of all such accounts or other accounts as will, to such extent as may be provided by such rules and regulations, be members of the association and will have such voting rights and such other rights as are thereby provided; (vii) To issue notes, bonds, debentures, or other obligations, or securities, provided by or under any provision of Federal statute as from time to time is in effect; (viii) To provide for redemption of insured accounts; (ix) To borrow money without limitation and pledge and otherwise encumber any of its assets to secure its debts; (x) To lend and otherwise invest its funds as authorized by statute and the rules and regulations of the OCC; (xi) To wind up and dissolve, merge, consolidate, convert, or reorganize; (xii) To purchase, hold, and convey real estate and personalty consistent with its objects, purposes, and powers; (xiii) To mortgage or lease any real estate and personalty and take such property by gift, devise, or bequest; and (xiv) To exercise all powers conferred by law. In addition to the foregoing powers expressly enumerated, this association has the power to do all things reasonably incident to the accomplishment of its express objects and the performance of its express powers.

* * * * *

(i) Availability of chartering documents. A Federal mutual savings association must make available a true copy of its charter and bylaws and all amendments thereto to accountholders at all times in each office of the savings association, and must upon request deliver to any accountholders a copy of such charter and bylaws or amendments thereto.

(j) Bylaws for Federal mutual savings associations—(1) In general. A Federal mutual savings association must operate under bylaws that contain provisions that comply with all requirements specified by the OCC in this paragraph and that are not otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph; the association's charter; and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations provided that, a bylaw provision inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph may be adopted with the approval of the OCC. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by a majority of the votes cast by the members at a legal meeting or a majority of the association's board of directors. The bylaws for a Federal mutual savings bank must substitute the term “savings bank” for “association”. The term “trustee” may be substituted for the term “director”.

(2) Requirements. The following requirements are applicable to Federal mutual savings associations:

(i) Annual meetings of members. (A) An association must provide for and conduct an annual meeting of its members for the election of directors and at which any other business of the association may be conducted. Such meeting must be held at any convenient place the board of directors may designate, and at a date and time within 150 days after the end of the association's fiscal year. The association's bylaws may provide for telephonic or electronic participation of members at an annual meeting. Members participating in an annual meeting telephonically or electronically will be deemed present in person for purposes of the quorum requirement in paragraph (j)(2)(v) of this section.

(B) At each annual meeting, the officers must make a full report of the financial condition of the association and of its progress for the preceding year and must outline a program for the succeeding year.

(C) If the association's bylaws provide for telephonic or electronic participation in member meetings, the association must follow the procedures for telephonic or electronic participation of the State corporate governance procedures it is permitted to elect pursuant to paragraph (j)(3)(ii) of this section, if those State corporate governance procedures include telephonic or electronic participation procedures; the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. Tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) (with “member” substituting for “stockholder”); or the Model Business Corporation Act (with “member” substituting for “shareholder”), provided, however, that such procedures are not inconsistent with applicable Federal statutes and regulations and safety and soundness. The association must indicate the use of these procedures in its bylaws.

(ii) Special meetings of members. Procedures for calling any special meeting of the members and for conducting such a meeting must be set forth in the bylaws. The board of directors of the association or the holders of 10 percent or more of the voting capital must be entitled to call a special meeting. The association's bylaws may provide for telephonic or electronic participation of members at a special meeting pursuant to the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(2)(i)(C) of this section. Members participating in a special meeting telephonically or electronically will be deemed present in person for purposes of the quorum requirement in paragraph (j)(2)(v) of this section. For purposes of this paragraph, “voting capital” means FDIC-insured deposits as of the voting record date.

(iii) Notice of meeting of members. Notice specifying the date, time, and place of the annual or any special meeting and adequately describing any business to be conducted must be published for two successive weeks immediately prior to the week in which such meeting will convene in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or county in which the principal place of business of the association is located, or mailed postage prepaid at least 15 days and not more than 45 days prior to the date on which such meeting will convene to each of its members of record. A similar notice must be posted in a conspicuous place in each of the offices of the association during the 14 days immediately preceding the date on which such meeting will convene. The bylaws may permit a member to waive in writing any right to receive personal delivery of the notice. When any meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjournment and reconvening of the meeting must be given as in the case of the original meeting.

(iv) Fixing of record date. The bylaws must provide for the fixing of a record date and a method for determining from the books of the association the members entitled to vote. Such date may not be more than 60 days nor fewer than 10 days prior to the date on which the action, requiring such determination of members, is to be taken. The same determination must apply to any adjourned meeting.

(v) Member quorum. Any number of members present and voting, represented in person or by proxy, at a regular or special meeting of the members constitutes a quorum. A majority of all votes cast at any meeting of the members determines any question, unless otherwise required by regulation. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. Members present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment.

(vi) Voting by proxy. Procedures must be established for voting at any annual or special meeting of the members by proxy pursuant to the rules and regulations of the OCC. Proxies may be given telephonically or electronically as long as the holder uses a procedure for verifying the identity of the member. All proxies with a term greater than eleven months or solicited at the expense of the association must run to the board of directors as a whole, or to a committee appointed by a majority of such board.

(vii) Communications between members. Provisions relating to communications between members must be consistent with § 144.8 of this chapter. No member, however, may have the right to inspect or copy any portion of any books or records of a Federal mutual savings association containing:

(A) A list of depositors in or borrowers from such association;

(B) Their addresses;

(C) Individual deposit or loan balances or records; or

(D) Any data from which such information could be reasonably constructed.

(viii) Number of directors, membership. The bylaws must set forth a specific number of directors, not a range. The number of directors may not be fewer than five nor more than fifteen, unless a higher or lower number has been authorized by the OTS prior to July 21, 2011 or by the OCC. Each director of the association must be a member of the association. Directors may be elected for periods of one to three years and until their successors are elected and qualified, but if a staggered board is chosen, provision must be made for the election of approximately one-third or one-half of the board each year, as appropriate. State-chartered savings banks converting to Federal savings banks may include alternative provisions for the election and term of office of directors so long as such provisions are authorized by the OCC, and provide for compliance with the standard provisions of this paragraph no later than six years after the conversion to a Federal savings association.

(ix) Meetings of the board. The board of directors determines the place, frequency, time, procedure for notice, which must be at least 24 hours unless waived by the directors, and waiver of notice for all regular and special meetings. The board also may permit telephonic or electronic participation at meetings. The bylaws may provide for action to be taken without a meeting if unanimous written consent is obtained for such action. A majority of the authorized directors constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum will be the act of the board.

(x) Officers, employees and agents. (A) The bylaws must contain provisions regarding the officers of the association, their functions, duties, and powers. The officers of the association must consist of a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer or comptroller, each of whom must be elected annually by the board of directors. Such other officers and assistant officers and agents as may be deemed necessary may be elected or appointed by the board of directors or chosen in such other manner as may be prescribed in the bylaws. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary.

(B) Any officer may be removed by the board of directors with or without cause, but such removal, other than for cause, must be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed. Termination for cause, for purposes of this section and § 5.22, includes termination because of the person's personal dishonesty; incompetence; willful misconduct; breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit; intentional failure to perform stated duties; willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease and desist order; or material breach of any provision of an employment contract.

(xi) Vacancies, resignation or removal of directors. In the event of a vacancy on the board, the board of directors may, by its affirmative vote, fill such vacancy, even if the remaining directors constitute less than a quorum. A director elected to fill a vacancy may serve only until the next election of directors by the members. The bylaws must set out the procedure for the resignation of a director. Directors may be removed only for cause, as defined in paragraph (j)(2)(x)(B) of this section, by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.

(xii) Powers of the board. The board of directors has the power to exercise any and all of the powers of the association not expressly reserved by the charter to the members.

(xiii) Nominations for directors. The bylaws must provide that nominations for directors may be made at the annual meeting by any member and must be voted upon, except, however, the bylaws may require that nominations by a member must be submitted to the secretary and then prominently posted in the principal place of business at least 10 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. However, if such provision is made for prior submission of nominations by a member, then the bylaws must provide for a nominating committee, which, except in the case of a nominee substituted as a result of death or other incapacity, must submit nominations to the secretary and have such nominations similarly posted at least 15 days prior to the date of the annual meeting.

(xiv) New business. The bylaws must provide procedures for the introduction of new business at the annual meeting.

(xv) Amendment. Bylaws may include any provision for their amendment that would be consistent with applicable law, rules, and regulations and adequately addresses its subject and purpose.

(A) Amendments will be effective:

(1) After approval by a majority vote of the authorized board, or by a majority of the vote cast by the members of the association at a legal meeting; and

(2) After receipt of any applicable regulatory approval.

(B) When an association fails to meet its quorum requirement, solely due to vacancies on the board, the bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of a majority of the sitting board.

(xvi) Miscellaneous. The bylaws also may address any other subjects necessary or appropriate for effective operation of the association.

(3) Form of filing—(i) Application requirement. Except as provided in paragraphs (j)(3)(ii) or (j)(3)(iii) of this section, a Federal mutual savings association must file the proposed bylaw amendment with, and obtain the prior approval of, the OCC.

(A) Expedited review. Except as provided in paragraph (j)(3)(i)(B) of this section, the bylaw amendment will be deemed approved as of the 30th day after filing, unless the OCC notifies the filer that the bylaw amendment is denied or that the amendment contains procedures of the type described in paragraph (j)(3)(i)(B) of this section and is not eligible for expedited review, provided the association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in adopting the amendment.

(B) Amendments not subject to expedited review. A bylaw amendment is not subject to expedited review if it would render more difficult or discourage a merger, proxy contest, the assumption of control by a mutual account holder of the association, or the removal of incumbent management; involve a significant issue of law or policy, including indemnification, conflicts of interest, and limitations on director or officer liability; or be inconsistent with the requirements of this paragraph or with applicable laws, rules, regulations, or the association's charter.

(ii) Corporate governance election and notice requirement. A Federal mutual association may elect to follow the corporate governance procedures of the laws of the State where the home office of the institution is located, provided that such procedures are not inconsistent with applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and safety and soundness, and such procedures are not of the type described in paragraph (j)(3)(i)(B) of this section. If this election is selected, a Federal mutual association must designate in its bylaws the provision or provisions from the body of law selected for its corporate governance procedures, and must submit a notice containing a copy of such bylaws, within 30 days after adoption. The notice must indicate, where not obvious, why the bylaw provisions meet the requirements stated in paragraph (j)(3)(i)(B) of this section.

(iii) No filing required. No filing is required for purposes of paragraph (j)(3) of this section if a bylaw amendment adopts the language of the OCC's model or optional bylaws without change.

(4) Effectiveness. A bylaw amendment is effective after approval by the OCC, if required, and adoption by the association, provided that the association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in adopting the amendment.

(5) Effect of subsequent charter or bylaw change. Notwithstanding any subsequent change to its charter or bylaws, the authority of a Federal mutual savings association to engage in any transaction is determined only by the association's charter or bylaws then in effect.

17. Amend § 5.22 by:

a. In paragraph (d), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “do”;

b. In paragraph (e) introductory text removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must” and removing “§ 192.3(c)(13)” and adding in its place “§ 192.485”;

c. In the form “Federal Stock Charter” following paragraph (e):

i. In Section 2, removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is”;

ii. Revising Section 5;

iii. In Section 6, removing the phrase “shall not be entitled” and adding in its place the phrase “are not entitled”;

iv. In Section 7, removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the phrase “will be” and removing the phrase “shall not be” and adding in its place the phrase “may not be”; and

v. In Section 8, removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place “may be”;

d. Revising paragraph (f)(2) and adding paragraph (f)(3);

e. Revising paragraph (g) introductory text;

f. In paragraph (g)(1), removing the phrase “has complied” and adding in its place the word “complies”;

g. Revising paragraph (g)(4);

h. Removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “will” in paragraph (g)(6); and

i. Revising paragraph (g)(7);

j. In paragraph (h):

i. Removing the phrase “shall file” and adding in its place the word “files”;

ii. Removing the phrase “for approval” and adding in its place the phrase “pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section”;

iii. Removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State”; and

iv. Removing the phrase “shall not” and adding in its place the phrase “may not”;

k. In paragraph (i), removing the phrase “under (c) of this part” and adding in its place “in the form “Federal Stock Charter” in paragraph (e) of this section”;

l. Revising paragraphs (j)(2) and (3);

m. In paragraph (j)(4), removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is”:

n. Revising paragraphs (k)(1) through (7);

o. Revising paragraphs (l)(1) through (10);

p. In paragraph (m)(1) removing the phrase “shall be a president” and adding in its place the phrase “must consist of a president”; removing the phrase “shall be elected” and adding in its place the phrase “must be elected”; and removing the word “chairman” and adding in its place the word “chair”; and

q. In paragraph (m)(2) removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the phrase “will be” and removing the last sentence; and

r. Revising paragraph (n).

The addition and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.22

Federal stock savings association charter and bylaws.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

Federal Stock Charter

* * * * *

Section 5. Capital stock. The total number of shares of all classes of the capital stock that the association has the authority to issue is __, all of which is common stock of par [or if no par is specified then shares have a stated] value of __per share. The shares may be issued from time to time as authorized by the board of directors without the approval of its shareholders, except as otherwise provided in this Section 5 or to the extent that such approval is required by governing law, rule, or regulation. The consideration for the issuance of the shares must be paid in full before their issuance and may not be less than the par [or stated] value. Neither promissory notes nor future services may constitute payment or part payment for the issuance of shares of the association. The consideration for the shares must be cash, tangible or intangible property (to the extent direct investment in such property would be permitted to the association), labor, or services actually performed for the association, or any combination of the foregoing. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the value of such property, labor, or services, as determined by the board of directors of the association, is conclusive. Upon payment of such consideration, such shares are deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable. In the case of a stock dividend, that part of the retained earnings of the association that is transferred to common stock or paid-in capital accounts upon the issuance of shares as a stock dividend is deemed to be the consideration for their issuance.

Except for shares issued in the initial organization of the association or in connection with the conversion of the association from the mutual to stock form of capitalization, no shares of capital stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of other securities) may be issued, directly or indirectly, to officers, directors, or controlling persons of the association other than as part of a general public offering or as qualifying shares to a director, unless the issuance or the plan under which they would be issued has been approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at a legal meeting. The holders of the common stock exclusively possess all voting power. Each holder of shares of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held by such holder, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election of directors, unless the charter provides that there will be no such cumulative voting. Subject to any provision for a liquidation account, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association, the holders of the common stock will be entitled, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of the association, to receive the remaining assets of the association available for distribution, in cash or in kind. Each share of common stock must have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of common stock.

* * * * *

(f) * * *

(2) Form of filing—(i) Application requirement. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, a Federal stock savings association must file the proposed charter amendment with, and obtain the prior approval of the OCC.

(A) Expedited review. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the charter amendment will be deemed approved as of the 30th day after filing, unless the OCC notifies the filer that the amendment is denied or that the amendment contains procedures of the type described in paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(B) of this section and is not subject to expedited review, provided the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting the amendment.

(B) Amendments exempted from expedited review. Expedited review is not available for a charter amendment that would render more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a block of the association's stock, the removal of incumbent management, or involve a significant issue of law or policy.

(ii) Notice requirement. No application under paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section is required if the amendment is contained within paragraphs (e) or (g) of this section. In such case, the Federal stock savings association must submit a notice with the charter amendment to the OCC within 30 days after adoption.

(3) Effectiveness. A charter amendment is effective after approval by the OCC, if required, and adoption by the association, provided the association follows the requirements of its charter in adopting the amendments.

(g) Optional charter amendments. The following charter amendments are subject to the notice requirement in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section if adopted without change:

* * * * *

(4) Capital stock. A Federal stock association may amend its charter by revising Section 5 to read as follows:

Section 5. Capital stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the association has the authority to issue is __, of which __is common stock of par [or if no par value is specified the stated] value of __per share and of which [list the number of each class of preferred and the par or if no par value is specified the stated value per share of each such class]. The shares may be issued from time to time as authorized by the board of directors without further approval of shareholders, except as otherwise provided in this Section 5 or to the extent that such approval is required by governing law, rule, or regulation. The consideration for the issuance of the shares must be paid in full before their issuance and may not be less than the par [or stated] value. Neither promissory notes nor future services may constitute payment or part payment for the issuance of shares of the association. The consideration for the shares must be cash, tangible or intangible property (to the extent direct investment in such property would be permitted), labor, or services actually performed for the association, or any combination of the foregoing. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the value of such property, labor, or services, as determined by the board of directors of the association, will be conclusive. Upon payment of such consideration, such shares will be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable. In the case of a stock dividend, that part of the retained earnings of the association that is transferred to common stock or paid-in capital accounts upon the issuance of shares as a stock dividend will be deemed to be the consideration for their issuance.

Except for shares issued in the initial organization of the association or in connection with the conversion of the association from the mutual to the stock form of capitalization, no shares of capital stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of other securities) may be issued, directly or indirectly, to officers, directors, or controlling persons of the association other than as part of a general public offering or as qualifying shares to a director, unless their issuance or the plan under which they would be issued has been approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at a legal meeting.

Nothing contained in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections hereto) entitles the holders of any class of a series of capital stock to vote as a separate class or series or to more than one vote per share, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election of directors, unless the charter otherwise provides that there will be no such cumulative voting: Provided, That this restriction on voting separately by class or series does not apply:

i. To any provision which would authorize the holders of preferred stock, voting as a class or series, to elect some members of the board of directors, less than a majority thereof, in the event of default in the payment of dividends on any class or series of preferred stock;

ii. To any provision that would require the holders of preferred stock, voting as a class or series, to approve the merger or consolidation of the association with another corporation or the sale, lease, or conveyance (other than by mortgage or pledge) of properties or business in exchange for securities of a corporation other than the association if the preferred stock is exchanged for securities of such other corporation: Provided, That no provision may require such approval for transactions undertaken with the assistance or pursuant to the direction of the OCC or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

iii. To any amendment which would adversely change the specific terms of any class or series of capital stock as set forth in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections hereto), including any amendment which would create or enlarge any class or series ranking prior thereto in rights and preferences. An amendment which increases the number of authorized shares of any class or series of capital stock, or substitutes the surviving association in a merger or consolidation for the association, is not considered to be such an adverse change.

A description of the different classes and series (if any) of the association's capital stock and a statement of the designations, and the relative rights, preferences, and limitations of the shares of each class of and series (if any) of capital stock are as follows:

A. Common stock. Except as provided in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections thereto) the holders of the common stock exclusively possess all voting power. Each holder of shares of the common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held by each holder, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election of directors, unless the charter otherwise provides that there will be no such cumulative voting.

Whenever there has been paid, or declared and set aside for payment, to the holders of the outstanding shares of any class of stock having preference over the common stock as to the payment of dividends, the full amount of dividends and of sinking fund, retirement fund, or other retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in preference to the common stock, then dividends may be paid on the common stock and on any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith as to dividends out of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends.

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association, the holders of the common stock (and the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to participate with the common stock in the distribution of assets) will be entitled to receive, in cash or in kind, the assets of the association available for distribution remaining after: (i) Payment or provision for payment of the association's debts and liabilities; (ii) distributions or provision for distributions in settlement of its liquidation account; and (iii) distributions or provision for distributions to holders of any class or series of stock having preference over the common stock in the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association. Each share of common stock will have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of common stock.

B. Preferred stock. The association may provide in supplementary sections to its charter for one or more classes of preferred stock, which must be separately identified. The shares of any class may be divided into and issued in series, with each series separately designated so as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series and classes. The terms of each series must be set forth in a supplementary section to the charter. All shares of the same class must be identical except as to the following relative rights and preferences, as to which there may be variations between different series:

a. The distinctive serial designation and the number of shares constituting such series;

b. The dividend rate or the amount of dividends to be paid on the shares of such series, whether dividends are cumulative and, if so, from which date(s), the payment date(s) for dividends, and the participating or other special rights, if any, with respect to dividends;

c. The voting powers, full or limited, if any, of shares of such series;

d. Whether the shares of such series are redeemable and, if so, the price(s) at which, and the terms and conditions on which, such shares may be redeemed;

e. The amount(s) payable upon the shares of such series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the association;

f. Whether the shares of such series are entitled to the benefit of a sinking or retirement fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares, and if so entitled, the amount of such fund and the manner of its application, including the price(s) at which such shares may be redeemed or purchased through the application of such fund;

g. Whether the shares of such series are convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock of the association and, if so, the conversion price(s) or the rate(s) of exchange, and the adjustments thereof, if any, at which such conversion or exchange may be made, and any other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange.

h. The price or other consideration for which the shares of such series are issued; and

i. Whether the shares of such series which are redeemed or converted have the status of authorized but unissued shares of serial preferred stock and whether such shares may be reissued as shares of the same or any other series of serial preferred stock.

Each share of each series of serial preferred stock must have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of the same series.

The board of directors has authority to divide, by the adoption of supplementary charter sections, any authorized class of preferred stock into series, and, within the limitations set forth in this section and the remainder of this charter, fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series so established.

Prior to the issuance of any preferred shares of a series established by a supplementary charter section adopted by the board of directors, the association must file with the OCC a dated copy of that supplementary section of this charter established and designating the series and fixing and determining the relative rights and preferences thereof.

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(7) Anti-takeover provisions following mutual to stock conversion. Notwithstanding the law of the State in which the association is located, a Federal stock association may amend its charter by renumbering existing sections as appropriate and adding a new section 8 as follows:

Section 8. Certain Provisions Applicable for Five Years. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Association's charter or bylaws to the contrary, for a period of [specify number of years up to five] years from the date of completion of the conversion of the Association from mutual to stock form, the following provisions will apply:

A. Beneficial Ownership Limitation. No person may directly or indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10 percent of any class of an equity security of the association. This limitation does not apply to a transaction in which the association forms a holding company without change in the respective beneficial ownership interests of its stockholders other than pursuant to the exercise of any dissenter and appraisal rights, the purchase of shares by underwriters in connection with a public offering, or the purchase of less than 25 percent of a class of stock by a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan as defined in 12 CFR 192.25.

In the event shares are acquired in violation of this section 8, all shares beneficially owned by any person in excess of 10 percent will be considered “excess shares” and will not be counted as shares entitled to vote and may not be voted by any person or counted as voting shares in connection with any matters submitted to the stockholders for a vote.

For purposes of this section 8, the following definitions apply:

1. The term “person” includes an individual, a group acting in concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of the equity securities of the association.

2. The term “offer” includes every offer to buy or otherwise acquire, solicitation of an offer to sell, tender offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, a security or interest in a security for value.

3. The term “acquire” includes every type of acquisition, whether effected by purchase, exchange, operation of law or otherwise.

4. The term “acting in concert” means (a) knowing participation in a joint activity or parallel action towards a common goal of acquiring control whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, or (b) a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, whether written or otherwise.

B. Cumulative Voting Limitation. Stockholders may not cumulate their votes for election of directors.

C. Call for Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders relating to changes in control of the association or amendments to its charter may be called only upon direction of the board of directors.

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(j) * * *

(2) Form of filing—(i) Application requirement. Except as provided in paragraphs (j)(2)(ii) or (j)(2)(iii) of this section, a Federal stock savings association must file the proposed bylaw amendment with, and obtain the prior approval of, the OCC.

(A) Expedited review. Except as provided in paragraph (j)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the bylaw amendment will be deemed approved as of the 30th day after filing, unless the OCC notifies the filer that the application is denied or that the amendment contains procedures of the type described in paragraph (j)(2)(i)(B) of this section and is not eligible for expedited review, provided the association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in adopting the amendment.

(B) Amendments exempted from expedited review. Expedited review is not available for a bylaw amendment that would:

(1) Render more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the association's stock, or the removal of incumbent management; or

(2) Be inconsistent with paragraphs (k) through (n) of this section, with applicable laws, rules, regulations or the association's charter or involve a significant issue of law or policy, including indemnification, conflicts of interest, and limitations on director or officer liability.

(ii) Corporate governance election and notice requirement. A Federal stock association may elect to follow the corporate governance procedures of: The laws of the State where the home office of the association is located; the laws of the State where the association's holding company, if any, is incorporated or chartered; Delaware General Corporation law; or The Model Business Corporation Act, provided that such procedures may be elected to the extent not inconsistent with applicable Federal statutes and regulations and safety and soundness, and such procedures are not of the type described in paragraph (j)(2)(i)(B) of this section. If this election is selected, a Federal stock association must designate in its bylaws the provision or provisions from the body or bodies of law selected for its corporate governance procedures, and must file a notice containing a copy of such bylaws, within 30 days after adoption. The notice must indicate, where not obvious, why the bylaw provisions meet the requirements stated in paragraph (j)(2)(i)(B) of this section.

(iii) No filing required. No filing is required for purposes of paragraph (j)(2) of this section if a bylaw amendment adopts the language of the OCC's model or optional bylaws without change.

(3) Effectiveness. A bylaw amendment is effective after approval by the OCC, if required, and adoption by the association, provided that the association follows the requirements of its charter and bylaws in adopting the amendment.

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(k) * * *

(1) Shareholder meetings. (i) In general. A meeting of the shareholders of the association for the election of directors and for the transaction of any other business of the association must be held annually within 150 days after the end of the association's fiscal year. Unless otherwise provided in the association's charter, special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or on the request of the holders of 10 percent or more of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting, or by such other persons as may be specified in the bylaws of the association.

(ii) Location of shareholder meetings. (A) In general. All annual and special meetings of shareholders of the association may be held at any convenient place the board of directors may designate. The association's bylaws may provide for the telephonic or electronic participation of shareholders in these meetings. Shareholders participating in an annual or special meeting telephonically or electronically will be deemed present in person for purposes of the quorum requirement in paragraph (k)(5) of this section.

(B) Procedures for telephonic or electronic participation. If the association's bylaws provide for telephonic or electronic participation in shareholder meetings, the association must elect to follow corporate governance procedures for these meetings pursuant to paragraph (j)(2)(ii) of this section that include procedures for telephonic or electronic participation in shareholder meetings. The association must indicate the use of these elected procedures in its bylaws.

(2) Notice of shareholder meetings. Written notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called must be delivered not fewer than 20 nor more than 50 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the chair of the board, the president, the secretary, or the directors, or other persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice will be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the mail, addressed to the shareholder at the address appearing on the stock transfer books or records of the association as of the record date prescribed in paragraph (k)(3) of this section, with postage thereon prepaid. When any shareholders' meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as in the case of an original meeting. Notwithstanding anything in this section, however, a Federal stock association that is wholly owned is not subject to the shareholder notice requirement.

(3) Fixing of record date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the board of directors must fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of shareholders. Such date in any case may not be more than 60 days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days prior to the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders, is to be taken. When a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination will apply to any adjournment thereof.

(4) Voting lists. (i) At least 20 days before each meeting of the shareholders, the officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for the shares of the association must make a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting, or any adjournments thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address and the number of shares held by each. This list of shareholders must be kept on file at the home office of the association and is subject to inspection by any shareholder of record or the stockholder's agent during the entire time of the meeting. The original stock transfer book will constitute prima facie evidence of the stockholders entitled to examine such list or transfer books or to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding anything in this section, however, a Federal stock association that is wholly owned is not subject to the voting list requirements.

(ii) In lieu of making the shareholders list available for inspection by any shareholders as provided in paragraph (k)(4)(i) of this section, the board of directors may perform such acts as required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 14a-7 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.14a-7) as may be duly requested in writing, with respect to any matter which may be properly considered at a meeting of shareholders, by any shareholder who is entitled to vote on such matter and who must defray the reasonable expenses to be incurred by the association in performance of the act or acts required.

(5) Shareholder quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the association entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter will be the act of the stockholders, unless the vote of a greater number of stockholders voting together or voting by classes is required by law or the charter. Directors, however, are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an election of directors.

(6) Shareholder voting—(i) Proxies. Unless otherwise provided in the association's charter, at all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote in person or by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by a duly authorized attorney in fact. Proxies may be given telephonically or electronically as long as the holder uses a procedure for verifying the identity of the shareholder. Proxies solicited on behalf of the management must be voted as directed by the shareholder or, in the absence of such direction, as determined by a majority of the board of directors. No proxy maybe valid more than eleven months from the date of its execution except for a proxy coupled with an interest.

(ii) Shares controlled by association. Neither treasury shares of its own stock held by the association nor shares held by another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors of such other corporation are held by the association, may be voted at any meeting or counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time for purposes of any meeting.

(7) Nominations and new business submitted by shareholders. Nominations for directors and new business submitted by shareholders must be voted upon at the annual meeting if such nominations or new business are submitted in writing and delivered to the secretary of the association at least five days prior to the date of the annual meeting. Ballots bearing the names of all the persons nominated must be provided for use at the annual meeting.

* * * * *

(l) * * *

(1) General powers and duties. The business and affairs of the association must be under the direction of its board of directors. Directors need not be stockholders unless the bylaws so require.

(2) Number and term. The bylaws must set forth a specific number of directors, not a range. The number of directors may not be fewer than five nor more than fifteen, unless a higher or lower number has been authorized by the OTS prior to July 21, 2011 or the OCC. Directors must be elected for a term of one to three years and until their successors are elected and qualified. If a staggered board is chosen, the directors must be divided into two or three classes as nearly equal in number as possible and one class must be elected by ballot annually.

(3) Regular meetings. The board of directors determines the place, frequency, time and procedure for notice of regular meetings. The bylaws may provide for telephonic or electronic participation at these meetings.

(4) Quorum. A majority of the number of directors constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board of directors. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be the act of the board of directors, unless a greater number is prescribed by regulation of the OCC.

(5) Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors even with less than a quorum of the board of directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy may serve only until the next election of directors by the shareholders. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by election by the board of directors for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the shareholders.

(6) Removal or resignation of directors. (i) At a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose, any director may be removed only for cause, as termination for cause is defined in § 5.21(j)(2)(x)(B), by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Associations may provide for procedures regarding resignations in the bylaws.

(ii) If less than the entire board is to be removed, no one of the directors may be removed if the votes cast against the removal would be sufficient to elect a director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the class of directors of which such director is a part.

(iii) Whenever the holders of the shares of any class are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the charter or supplemental sections thereto, the provisions of this section apply, in respect to the removal of a director or directors so elected, to the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole.

(7) Executive and other committees. The board of directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the full board, may designate from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees. No committee may have the authority of the board of directors with reference to: The declaration of dividends; the amendment of the charter or bylaws of the association; recommending to the stockholders a plan of merger, consolidation, or conversion; the sale, lease, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property and assets of the association otherwise than in the usual and regular course of its business; a voluntary dissolution of the association; a revocation of any of the foregoing; or the approval of a transaction in which any member of the executive committee, directly or indirectly, has any material beneficial interest. The designation of any committee and the delegation of authority thereto does not operate to relieve the board of directors, or any director, of any responsibility imposed by law or regulation.

(8) Notice of special meetings. Written notice of at least 24 hours regarding any special meeting of the board of directors or of any committee designated thereby must be given to each director in accordance with the bylaws, although such notice may be waived by the director. The attendance of a director at a meeting constitutes a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. The bylaws may provide for telephonic or electronic participation at a special meeting.

(9) Action without a meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the actions so taken, is signed by all of the directors.

(10) Presumption of assent. A director of the association who is present at a meeting of the board of directors at which action on any association matter is taken is presumed to have assented to the action taken unless their dissent or abstention is entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless a written dissent to such action is filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or is forwarded by registered mail to the secretary of the association within five days after the date on which a copy of the minutes of the meeting is received. Such right to dissent does not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

* * * * *

(n) Certificates for shares and their transfer—(1) Certificates for shares. Certificates representing shares of capital stock of the association must be in such form as determined by the board of directors and approved by the OCC. The name and address of the person to whom the shares are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, must be entered on the stock transfer books of the association. All certificates surrendered to the association for transfer must be cancelled and no new certificate may be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares has been surrendered and cancelled, except that in the case of a lost or destroyed certificate a new certificate may be issued upon such terms and indemnity to the association as the board of directors may prescribe.

(2) Transfer of shares. Transfer of shares of capital stock of the association may be made only on its stock transfer books. Authority for such transfer may be given only by the holder of record or by a legal representative, who must furnish proper evidence of such authority, or by an attorney authorized by a duly executed power of attorney and filed with the association. The transfer may be made only on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for the shares. The person in whose name shares of capital stock stand on the books of the association is deemed by the association to be the owner for all purposes.

18. Amend § 5.23 by:

a. In paragraph (b)(2), removing the phrase “an industrial bank or a credit union, chartered in” and adding in its place the phrase “an industrial bank, or a credit union chartered in”;

b. In paragraphs (c), (d)(2)(ii) introductory text, (e), and (f)(1), removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must”;

c. In paragraphs (c), (d)(1), and (d)(2)(i), removing the word “applicant” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “filer”;

d. In paragraph (c), removing the phrase “Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)” and adding in its place the word “FDIC”;

e. Removing paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(A), redesignating paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(B) through (K) as paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(A) through (J), respectively and adding new paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(K) and (d)(2)(ii)(L);

f. In redesignated paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(D), removing the phrase “state-chartered” and adding in its place the phrase “State-chartered” and removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State”;

g. In redesignated paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(F), removing the citations “§ 5.36, § 5.38” and adding in their place “§ 5.38, § 5.58”;

h. In redesignated paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(G), removing the comma after the phrase “engages in”;

i. In redesignated paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(I), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State” wherever it appears and removing the word “and” after the phrase “after conversion;”;

j. In redesignated paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(J), removing the period after the phrase “from the OCC” and adding in its place a semicolon;

k. In paragraph (d)(2)(iii), removing the word “HOLA” and adding in its place “Home Owners' Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1464(c))”;

l. Redesignating paragraphs (d)(2)(iv) through (v) as paragraphs (d)(2)(v) through (vi) and adding a new paragraph (d)(2)(iv);

m. In redesignated paragraph (d)(2)(vi), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”;

n. Revising paragraph (d)(4);

o. In paragraph (e), removing the phrase “an applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “a filer”;

p. In paragraph (f)(1), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State”; and

q. In paragraph (g) removing the phrase “shall continue” and adding in its place the word “continues” and removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is”.

The additions and revision read as follows.

§ 5.23

Conversion to become a Federal savings association

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(2) * * *

(ii) * * *

(K) Include a list of directors and senior executive officers, as defined in § 5.51, of the converting institution; and

(L) Include a list of individuals, directors, and shareholders who directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with one or more persons or companies, or together with members of their immediate family, do or will own, control, or hold 10 percent or more of the institution's voting stock.

* * * * *

(iv) The OCC may require directors and senior executive officers of the converting institution to submit the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report, available at www.occ.gov,, and legible fingerprints.

* * * * *

(4) Expedited review. An application by an eligible bank to convert to a Federal savings association charter is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the filer prior to that date that the filing has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2).

* * * * *

19. Amend § 5.24 by:

a. In paragraphs (b), (c)(1), (c)(2), (d), (e)(2) introductory text, and (e)(3), removing the word “state” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “State”;

b. In paragraphs (b), (e)(2) introductory text, and (f), removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must”;

c. In paragraph (c)(2), removing the word “ state” and adding in its place the word “State”;

d. In paragraphs (d), and (e)(1), removing the word “applicant” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “filer”;

e. Removing paragraph (e)(2)(i) and redesignating paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) through (x) as paragraphs (e)(2)(i) through (ix), respectively, and adding paragraphs (e)(2)(x) and (xi);

f. In redesignated paragraphs (e)(2)(iv) and (e)(2)(ix), removing the word “state” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “State”;

g. At the end of redesignated paragraph (e)(2)(viii), removing the word “and”;

h. At the end of redesignated paragraph (e)(2)(ix), removing the period and adding in its place a semicolon;

i. Redesignating paragraphs (e)(4) through (5) as paragraphs (e)(5) through (6), respectively, and adding a new paragraph (e)(4);

j. In redesignated paragraph (e)(6), removing the word “applicant” and adding the word “filer” in its place;

k. Revising paragraph (h); and

l. In paragraph (i):

i. In the first sentence, removing the phrase “shall continue” and adding in its place the word “continues”; and

ii. In the second sentence, removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is”.

The additions and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.24

Conversion to become a national bank.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

(2) * * *

(x) Include a list of directors and senior executive officers, as defined in § 5.51, of the converting institution; and

(xi) Include a list of individuals, directors, and shareholders who directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with one or more persons or companies, or together with members of their immediate family, do or will own, control, or hold 10 percent or more of the institution's voting stock.

* * * * *

(4) The OCC may require directors and senior executive officers of the converting institution to submit the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report, available at www.occ.gov,, and legible fingerprints.

* * * * *

(h) Expedited review. An application by an eligible savings association to convert to a national bank charter is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 45th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the filer prior to that date that the filing has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2).

* * * * *

§ 5.25

[Amended]

20. Amend § 5.25 by:

a. In the section heading and in paragraphs (b), (c), (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3)(i), and (d)(4), removing the word “state” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “State”

b. In paragraphs (b), (d)(3)(i), and (d)(3)(ii) introductory text, removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must”; and

c. In paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(3)(i), removing the phrase “defined in 214(a)” wherever it appears and adding in its place the phrase “defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a)”.

21. Amend § 5.26 by:

a. In paragraph (a), removing the phrase “ 12 U.S.C. 92a and” and adding in its place the phrase “12 U.S.C. 92a,”;

b. In paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(4), removing the phrase “Office of Thrift Supervision” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “OTS”;

c. In paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(4), (e)(1)(ii), (e)(1)(iii), (e)(2)(i)(B), (e)(2)(i)(E), and (e)(2)(iii)(B), removing the word “state” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “State”; and

d. In paragraph (e)(2)(i) introductory text, removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”;

e. Revising paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C);

f. In paragraph (e)(2)(ii), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”; and

g. Revising paragraphs (e)(3) and (6). .

The revisions read as follows.

§ 5.26

Fiduciary powers of national banks and Federal savings associations.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

(2) * * *

(i) * * *

(C) Sufficient biographical information on proposed senior trust management personnel, as identified by the OCC, to enable the OCC to assess their qualifications, including, if requested by the OCC, legible fingerprints and the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report, available at www.occ.gov;​;

* * * * *

(3) Expedited review. An application by an eligible bank or eligible savings association to exercise fiduciary powers is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the application is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the bank or savings association prior to that date that the filing has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2).

* * * * *

(6) Notice of fiduciary activities in additional States. (i) Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(6)(iii) through (iv) of this section, a national bank or Federal savings association with existing OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers must provide written notice to the OCC no later than 10 days after it begins to engage in any of the activities specified in § 9.7(d) of this chapter in a State in addition to the State or States described in the application for fiduciary powers that the OCC has approved.

(ii) A notice submitted pursuant to paragraph (e)(6)(i) of this section must identify the new State or States involved, identify the fiduciary activities to be conducted, and describe the extent to which the activities differ materially from the fiduciary activities the national bank or Federal savings association previously conducted.

(iii) No notice under paragraph (e)(6)(i) of this section is required if the national bank or Federal savings association provides the information required by paragraph (e)(6)(ii) of this section through other means, such as a merger application.

(iv) No notice is required if the national bank or Federal savings association is conducting only activities ancillary to its fiduciary business through a trust representative office or otherwise.

* * * * *

22. Amend § 5.30 by:

a. In paragraphs (b), (f)(1), (f)(4), (g), (h)(1), and (j), removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “must”;

b. In paragraph (c)(2), removing “ 12 CFR 5.24” and adding in its place “§ 5.24”;

c. Revising paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (iii);

d. In paragraph (d)(2), removing the word “ state” and adding in its place the word “State”;

e. In paragraphs (d)(2), (d)(3), (g), and (h)(4), removing the word “state” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “State”;

f. In paragraph (d)(5), adding a sentence after the second sentence;

g. In paragraph (f)(1), removing the phrase “paragraph (f)(2)” and adding in its place the phrase “paragraphs (f)(2) or (f)(3)”; and

h. In paragraph (f)(6), removing the phrase “is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2)” and adding in its place the phrase “has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2)”.

The revisions read as follows.

§ 5.30

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

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(1) * * *

(i) A branch established by a national bank includes a seasonal agency described in 12 U.S.C. 36(c), a mobile facility, a temporary facility, an intermittent facility, or a drop box.

* * * * *

(iii) A branch does not include a remote service unit (RSU) as described in 12 CFR 7.4003. This encompasses RSUs that are automated teller machines (ATMs), including interactive ATMs. A branch also does not include a loan production office, a deposit production office, a trust office, an administrative office, a data processing office, or any other office that does not engage in at least one of the activities in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.

* * * * *

(5) * * * A mobile branch may be stationed continuously at a single location within the geographic area it is approved to serve for a period of up to four months. * * *

23. Amend § 5.31 by:

a. In paragraph (a) removing the period after “1464” and adding in its place a comma; and adding a comma after “2907”;

b. In paragraphs (b), (f)(1)(i), (f)(3), (i), (j)(2), and (k)(2)(ii) removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears;

c. In paragraph (c)(2), removing “ 12 CFR 5.23” and adding in its place “§ 5.23” and removing “12 CFR 5.33” and adding in its place “§ 5.33”;

d. In paragraphs (c)(3) and paragraph (j)(1), removing the word “HOLA” and adding in its place the phrase “Home Owners' Loan Act” wherever it appears;

e. In paragraph (d)(1), removing the word “ office”;

f. In paragraph (d)(2), removing the word “ state” and adding in its place the word “State”;

g. In paragraphs (d)(2), (g)(2), and (j)(2), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State” wherever it appears;

h. In paragraph (f)(1)(iii), removing the word “Federal” and removing the phrase “is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2)” and adding in its place the phrase “has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2)”;

i. In paragraph (f)(2)(ii), removing the phrase “, as defined in § 5.3(l)”;

j. In paragraph (f)(2)(iii) introductory text, removing the phrase “as defined in § 5.3(g)”;

k. In the heading to paragraph (j), removing the word “ HOLA” and adding in its place “Home Owners' Loan Act”; and

k. Adding paragraph (j)(3).

The addition reads as follows.

§ 5.31

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

* * * * *

(j) * * *

(3) For purposes of 12 U.S.C. 1464(m)(1), a branch in the District of Columbia includes any location at which accounts are opened, payments are received, or withdrawals are made. This includes an Automated Teller Machine that performs one or more of these functions.

* * * * *

§ 5.32

[Amended]

24. Amend § 5.32 by:

a. In paragraphs (c), (f), (h)(1), and (h)(2), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears ;

b. In paragraph (d)(1), removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is”;

c. In paragraph (d)(2)(i), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “will”;

d. In paragraph (e), removing the phrase “his or her” and adding in its place the word “their”;

e. In paragraph (f), removing the word Applicants” and adding in its place the word “Filers”; and

f. In paragraph (h)(1), removing the phrase “An applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “A filer”; and

g. In paragraph (h)(2), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”.

25. Revise § 5.33 to read as follows:

§ 5.33

Business combinations involving a national bank or Federal savings association.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh), 93a, 181, 214a, 214b, 215, 215a, 215a-1, 215a-3, 215b, 215c, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1828(c), 1831u, 2903, and 5412(b)(2)(B).

(b) Scope. This section sets forth the provisions governing business combinations and the standards for:

(1) OCC review and approval of an application by a national bank or a Federal savings association for a business combination resulting in a national bank or Federal savings association; and

(2) Requirements of notices and other procedures for national banks and Federal savings associations involved in other combinations in which a national bank or Federal savings association is not the resulting institution.

(c) Licensing requirements. As prescribed by this section, a national bank or Federal savings association must submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval for a business combination when the resulting institution is a national bank or Federal savings association. As prescribed by this section, a national bank or Federal savings association must give notice to the OCC prior to engaging in any other combination where the resulting institution will not be a national bank or Federal savings association.^[1] A national bank must submit an application and obtain prior OCC approval for any merger between the national bank and one or more of its nonbank affiliates.

(d) Definitions. For purposes of this section:

(1) Bank means any national bank or any State bank.

(2) Business combination means:

(i) Any merger or consolidation between a national bank or a Federal savings association and one or more depository institutions or State trust companies, in which the resulting institution is a national bank or Federal savings association;

(ii) In the case of a Federal savings association, any merger or consolidation with a credit union in which the resulting institution is a Federal savings association;

(iii) In the case of a national bank, any merger between a national bank and one or more of its nonbank affiliates;

(iv) The acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings association of all, or substantially all, of the assets of another depository institution; or

(v) The assumption by a national bank or a Federal savings association of any deposit liabilities of another insured depository institution or any deposit accounts or other liabilities of a credit union or any other institution that will become deposits at the national bank or Federal savings association.

(3) Business reorganization means either:

(i) A business combination between eligible banks and eligible savings associations, or between an eligible bank or an eligible savings association and an eligible depository institution, that are controlled by the same holding company or that will be controlled by the same holding company prior to the combination; or

(ii) A business combination between an eligible bank or an eligible savings association and an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association chartered in a transaction in which a person or group of persons exchanges its shares of the eligible bank or eligible savings association for shares of a newly formed holding company and receives after the transaction substantially the same proportional share interest in the holding company as it held in the eligible bank or eligible savings association (except for changes in interests resulting from the exercise of dissenters' rights), and the reorganization involves no other transactions involving the bank or savings association.

(4) Company means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, business trust, association, or similar organization.

(5) For business combinations under paragraphs (g)(4) and (5) of this section, a company or shareholder is deemed to control another company if:

(i) Such company or shareholder, directly or indirectly, or acting through one or more other persons owns, controls, or has power to vote 25 percent or more of any class of voting securities of the other company; or

(ii) Such company or shareholder controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors or trustees of the other company. No company is deemed to own or control another company by virtue of its ownership or control of shares in a fiduciary capacity.

(6) Credit union means a financial institution subject to examination by the National Credit Union Administration Board.

(7) Home State means, with respect to a national bank, the State in which the main office of the national bank is located and, with respect to a State bank, the State by which the bank is chartered.

(8) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association means a national bank or Federal savings association that does not operate independently but exists solely as a vehicle to accomplish a business combination.

(9) Nonbank affiliate of a national bank means any company (other than a bank or Federal savings association) that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the national bank.

(10) Other combination means:

(i) Any merger or consolidation between a national bank or a Federal savings association and one or more depository institutions or State trust companies, in which the resulting institution is not a national bank or Federal savings association;

(ii) In the case of a Federal stock savings association, any merger or consolidation with a credit union in which the resulting institution is a credit union;

(iii) The transfer by a national bank or a Federal savings association of any deposit liabilities to another insured depository institution, a credit union or any other institution; or

(iv) The acquisition by a national bank or a Federal savings association of all, or substantially all, of the assets, or the assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities, of any company other than a depository institution.

(11) Savings association and State savings association have the meaning set forth in section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(b).

(12) State trust company means a trust company organized under State law that is not engaged in the business of receiving deposits, other than trust funds.

(e) Policy and related filing requirements—(1) Factors—(i) In general. When the OCC evaluates any application for a business combination, the OCC considers the following factors:

(A) The capital level of any resulting national bank or Federal savings association;

(B) The conformity of the transaction to applicable law, regulation, and supervisory policies;

(C) The purpose of the transaction;

(D) The impact of the transaction on safety and soundness of the national bank or Federal savings association; and

(E) The effect of the transaction on the national bank's or Federal savings association's shareholders (or members in the case of a mutual savings association), depositors, other creditors, and customers.

(ii) Bank Merger Act. When the OCC evaluates an application for a business combination under the Bank Merger Act, the OCC also considers the following factors:

(A) Competition. (1) The OCC considers the effect of a proposed business combination on competition. The filer must provide a competitive analysis of the transaction, including a definition of the relevant geographic market or markets. A filer may refer to the Comptroller's Licensing Manual for procedures to expedite its competitive analysis.

(2) The OCC will deny an application for a business combination if the combination would result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of the United States. The OCC also will deny any proposed business combination whose effect in any section of the United States may be substantially to lessen competition, or tend to create a monopoly, or which in any other manner would be in restraint of trade, unless the probable effects of the transaction in meeting the convenience and needs of the community clearly outweigh the anticompetitive effects of the transaction. For purposes of weighing against anticompetitive effects, a business combination may have favorable effects in meeting the convenience and needs of the community if the depository institution being acquired has limited long-term prospects, or if the resulting national bank or Federal savings association will provide significantly improved, additional, or less costly services to the community.

(B) Financial and managerial resources and future prospects. The OCC considers the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the existing or proposed institutions.

(C) Convenience and needs of community. The OCC considers the probable effects of the business combination on the convenience and needs of the community served. The filer must describe these effects in its application, including any planned office closings or reductions in services following the business combination and the likely impact on the community. The OCC also considers additional relevant factors, including the resulting national bank's or Federal savings association's ability and plans to provide expanded or less costly services to the community.

(D) Money laundering. The OCC considers the effectiveness of any insured depository institution involved in the business combination in combating money laundering activities, including in overseas branches.

(E) Financial stability. The OCC considers the risk to the stability of the United States banking and financial system.

(F) Deposit concentration limit. The OCC will not approve a transaction that would violate the deposit concentration limit in 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(13) for interstate merger transactions, as defined in 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(13)(C)(i).

(iii) Community Reinvestment Act—(A) In General. The OCC takes into account the filer's Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) record of performance in considering an application for a business combination. The OCC's conclusion of whether the CRA performance is or is not consistent with approval of an application is considered in conjunction with the other factors of this section.

(B) Interstate mergers under 12 U.S.C. 1831u. The OCC considers the CRA record of performance of the filer and its resulting bank affiliates and the filer's record of compliance with applicable State community reinvestment laws when required by 12 U.S.C. 1831u(b)(3).

(C) CRA Sunshine. A filer must:

(1) Disclose whether it has entered into and disclosed a covered agreement, as defined in 12 CFR 35.2, in accordance with 12 CFR 35.6 and 35.7; and

(2) Provide summaries of, or documents relating to, all substantive discussions with respect to the development of the content of a covered agreement disclosed in (e)(1)(iii)(C)(1) that include the names of participants, dates, and synopsis of the discussions.

(iv) Interstate mergers under 12 U.S.C. 1831u. The OCC considers the standards and requirements contained in 12 U.S.C. 1831u for interstate merger transactions between insured banks, when applicable.

(2) Acquisition and retention of branches. A filer must disclose the location of any branch it will acquire and retain in a business combination, including approved but unopened branches. The OCC considers the acquisition and retention of a branch under the standards set out in § 5.30 or § 5.31, as applicable, but it does not require a separate application.

(3) Subsidiaries. (i) A filer must identify any subsidiary, financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, or other equity investment to be acquired in a business combination and state the activities of each subsidiary or other company in which the filer would be acquiring an investment. The OCC does not require a separate application or notice under §§ 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, 5.38, 5.39, 5.58, and 5.59.

(ii) A national bank filer proposing to acquire, through a business combination, a subsidiary, financial subsidiary investment, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, or other equity investment of any entity other than a national bank must provide the same information and analysis of the subsidiary's activities, or of the investment, that would be required if the filer were establishing the subsidiary, or making such investment, pursuant to §§ 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, or 5.39.

(iii) A Federal savings association filer proposing to acquire, through a business combination, a subsidiary, bank service company investment, service corporation investment, or other equity investment of any entity other than a Federal savings association must provide the same information and analysis of the subsidiary's activities, or of the investment, that would be required if the filer were establishing the subsidiary, or making such investment, pursuant to §§ 5.35, 5.38, 5.58, or 5.59.

(4) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association—(i) Application. A filer for a business combination that plans to use an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association to accomplish the transaction must file an application to organize an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association as part of the application for the related business combination.

(ii) Conditional approval. The OCC grants conditional preliminary approval to form an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association when it acknowledges receipt of the application for the related business combination.

(iii) Corporate status. An interim national bank or interim Federal savings association becomes a legal entity and may enter into legally valid agreements when it has filed, and the OCC has accepted, the interim national bank's duly executed articles of association and organization certificate or the Federal savings association's charter and bylaws. OCC acceptance occurs:

(A) On the date the OCC advises the interim national bank that its articles of association and organization certificate are acceptable or advises the interim Federal savings association that its charter and bylaws are acceptable; or

(B) On the date the interim national bank files articles of association and an organization certificate that conform to the form for those documents provided by the OCC in the Comptroller's Licensing Manual or the date the interim Federal savings association files a charter and bylaws that conform to the requirements set out in this part 5.

(iv) Other corporate procedures. A filer should consult the Comptroller's Licensing Manual to determine what other information is necessary to complete the chartering of the interim national bank as a national bank or the interim Federal savings association as a Federal savings association.

(5) Nonconforming assets. (i) A filer must identify any nonconforming activities and assets, including nonconforming subsidiaries, of other institutions involved in the business combination that will not be disposed of or discontinued prior to consummation of the transaction. The OCC generally requires a national bank or Federal savings association to divest or conform nonconforming assets, or discontinue nonconforming activities, within a reasonable time following the business combination.

(ii) Any resulting Federal savings association must conform to the requirements of sections 5(c) and 10(m) of the Home Owners' Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1464(c) and 1467a(m)) within the time period prescribed by the OCC.

(6) Fiduciary powers. (i) A filer must state whether the resulting national bank or Federal savings association intends to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to § 5.26(b).

(ii) If a filer intends to exercise fiduciary powers after the combination and requires OCC approval for such powers, the filer must include the information required under § 5.26(e)(2).

(7) Expiration of approval. Approval of a business combination, and conditional approval to form an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association, if applicable, expires if the business combination is not consummated within six months after the date of OCC approval, unless the OCC grants an extension of time.

(8) Adequacy of disclosure. (i) A filer must inform shareholders of all material aspects of a business combination and must comply with any applicable requirements of the Federal securities laws and securities regulations of the OCC. Accordingly, a filer must ensure that all proxy and information statements prepared in connection with a business combination do not contain any untrue or misleading statement of a material fact, or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(ii) A national bank or Federal savings association filer with one or more classes of securities subject to the registration provisions of section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78 l (b) or 78 l (g), must file preliminary proxy material or information statements for review with the Director, Bank Advisory, OCC, Washington, DC 20219. Any other filer must submit the proxy materials or information statements it uses in connection with the combination to the appropriate OCC licensing office no later than when the materials are sent to the shareholders.

(f) Exceptions to rules of general applicability—(1) National bank or Federal savings association filer—(i) In general. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10 and 5.11 apply.

(ii) Statutory notice. If an application is subject to the Bank Merger Act or to another statute that requires notice to the public, a national bank or Federal savings association filer must follow the public notice requirements contained in 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(3) or the other statute and §§ 5.8(b) through 5.8(e), 5.10, and 5.11.

(2) Interim national bank or interim Federal savings association. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to an application to organize an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that any or all parts of §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply. The OCC treats an application to organize an interim national bank or interim Federal savings association as part of the related application to engage in a business combination and does not require a separate public notice and public comment process.

(3) State bank, or State savings association, State trust company, or credit union as resulting institution. Sections 5.7 through 5.13 do not apply to transactions covered by paragraphs (g)(7) through (g)(9) of this section.

(g) Provisions governing consolidations and mergers with different types of entities—(1) Consolidations and mergers under 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a of a national bank with other national banks and State banks as defined in 12 U.S.C. 215b(1) resulting in a national bank. A national bank entering into a consolidation or merger authorized pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, respectively, is subject to the approval procedures and requirements with respect to treatment of dissenting shareholders set forth in those provisions.

(2) Interstate consolidations and mergers under 12 U.S.C. 215a-1 resulting in a national bank—(i) With the approval of the OCC, an insured national bank may consolidate or merge with an insured out-of-State bank, as defined in 12 U.S.C. 1831u(g)(8), with the national bank as the resulting institution.

(ii) Unless it has elected to follow the procedures set out in paragraph (h) of this section, the resulting national bank entering into the consolidation or merger must comply with the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, as applicable.

(iii) Unless it has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State banks under paragraph (h)(1)(i), any national bank that will not be the resulting bank in a consolidation or merger pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 215a-1 must comply with the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, as applicable.

(iv) Corporate existence. The corporate existence of each bank participating in a consolidation or merger continues in the resulting national bank, and all the rights, franchises, property, appointments, liabilities, and other interests of the participating bank are transferred to the resulting national bank, as set forth in 12 U.S.C. 215(b), (e) and (f) or 12 U.S.C. 215a(a), (e), and (f), as applicable.

(3) Consolidations and mergers of a national bank with Federal savings associations under 12 U.S.C. 215c resulting in a national bank. (i) With the approval of the OCC, any national bank and any Federal savings association may consolidate or merge with a national bank as the resulting institution by complying with the following procedures:

(A) Unless it has elected to follow the procedures set out in paragraph (h) of this section, a national bank entering into the consolidation or merger must follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, respectively, as if the Federal savings association were a national bank.

(B)(1) A Federal savings association entering into the consolidation or merger must comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and follow the procedures set out in paragraph (o) of this section.

(2) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(3), a combination in which a national bank acquires all or substantially all of the assets, or assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of a Federal savings association will be treated as a consolidation for the Federal savings association.

(ii)(A) Unless the national bank has elected to follow the procedures set out in paragraph (h) of this section, national bank shareholders who dissent from a plan to consolidate may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 215 as if the Federal savings association were a national bank.

(B) Unless the Federal savings association has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State savings associations pursuant to paragraph (o)(1)(i)(A) of this section, Federal savings association shareholders who dissent from a plan to consolidate or merge may receive in cash the value of their Federal savings association shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a as if the Federal savings association were a national bank.

(C) Unless the national bank or Federal savings association has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State banks or State savings associations, respectively, pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (o)(1)(i)(A) of this section, respectively, the OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of a national bank or Federal savings association held by dissenting shareholders in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 215 or 215a, as applicable, except that the costs and expenses of any appraisal or reappraisal may be apportioned and assessed by the Comptroller as he or she may deem equitable against all or some of the parties. In making this determination the Comptroller will consider whether any party has acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect to the rights provided by this paragraph.

(iii) The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution.

(4) Mergers of a national bank with its nonbank affiliates under 12 U.S.C. 215a-3 resulting in a national bank. (i) With the approval of the OCC, a national bank may merge with one or more of its nonbank affiliates, with the national bank as the resulting institution, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, provided that the law of the State or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized allows the nonbank affiliate to engage in such mergers. If the national bank is an insured bank, the transaction is also subject to approval by the FDIC under the Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c).

(ii) Unless it has elected to follow the procedures set out in paragraph (h) of this section, a national bank entering into the merger must follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 215a as if the nonbank affiliate were a State bank, except as otherwise provided herein.

(iii) A nonbank affiliate entering into the merger must follow the procedures for such mergers set out in the law of the State or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized.

(iv) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of dissenters' shares of stock in the nonbank affiliate entering into the merger must be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the State or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized.

(v) The corporate existence of each institution participating in the merger continues in the resulting national bank, and all the rights, franchises, property, appointments, liabilities, and other interests of the participating institutions are transferred to the resulting national bank, as set forth in 12 U.S.C. 215a(a), (e), and (f) in the same manner and to the same extent as in a merger between a national bank and a State bank under 12 U.S.C. 215a(a), as if the nonbank affiliate were a State bank.

(5) Mergers of an uninsured national bank with its nonbank affiliates under 12 U.S.C. 215a-3 resulting in a nonbank affiliate. (i) With the approval of the OCC, a national bank that is not an insured bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(h) may merge with one or more of its nonbank affiliates, with the nonbank affiliate as the resulting entity, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, provided that the law of the State or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized allows the nonbank affiliate to engage in such mergers.

(ii) Unless it has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State banks under paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section, a national bank entering into the merger must follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a, as if the nonbank affiliate were a State bank, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(iii) A nonbank affiliate entering into the merger must follow the procedures for such mergers set out in the law of the State or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized.

(iv)(A) National bank shareholders who dissent from an approved plan to merge may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the nonbank affiliate were a State bank. The OCC may conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of dissenters' shares of stock in a national bank involved in the merger if all parties agree that the determination is final and binding on each party and agree on how the total expenses of the OCC in making the appraisal will be divided among the parties and paid to the OCC.

(B) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of dissenters' shares of stock in the nonbank affiliate involved in the merger must be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the State or other jurisdiction under which the nonbank affiliate is organized.

(v) The corporate existence of each entity participating in the merger continues in the resulting nonbank affiliate, and all the rights, franchises, property, appointments, liabilities, and other interests of the participating national bank are transferred to the resulting nonbank affiliate as set forth in 12 U.S.C. 214b, in the same manner and to the same extent as in a merger between a national bank and a State bank under 12 U.S.C. 214a, as if the nonbank affiliate were a State bank.

(6) Consolidations and mergers of a Federal savings association with other Federal savings associations, national banks, State banks, State savings banks, State savings associations, State trust companies, or credit unions resulting in a Federal savings association. (i) With the approval of the OCC, a Federal savings association may consolidate or merge with another Federal savings association, a national bank, a State bank, a State savings association, a State trust company, or a credit union with the Federal savings association as the resulting institution by complying with the following procedures:

(A)(1) The filer Federal savings association must comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and follow the procedures set out in paragraph (o) of this section.

(2) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(6), a combination in which a Federal savings association acquires all or substantially all of the assets, or assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of another other participating institution will be treated as a consolidation for the acquiring Federal savings association and as a consolidation by a Federal savings association whose assets are acquired, if any.

(B)(1) Unless it has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State banks under paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section, a national bank entering into a merger or consolidation with a Federal savings association when the resulting institution will be a Federal savings association must comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a and 12 U.S.C. 214c as if the Federal savings association were a State bank. However, for these purposes the references in 12 U.S.C. 214c to “law of the State in which such national banking association is located” and “any State authority” mean “laws and regulations governing Federal savings associations” and “Office of the Comptroller of the Currency” respectively.

(2) Unless the national bank has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State banks under paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section, national bank shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the Federal savings association were a State bank. The OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the national bank shares held by dissenting shareholders in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 214a, except that the costs and expenses of any appraisal or reappraisal may be apportioned and assessed by the Comptroller as he or she may deem equitable against all or some of the parties. In making this determination the Comptroller will consider whether any party has acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect to the rights provided by this paragraph.

(C)(1) A Federal savings association entering into a merger or consolidation with another Federal savings association when the resulting institution will be the other Federal savings association must comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and the procedures of paragraph (o) of this section.

(2) Unless the Federal savings association has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State savings associations under paragraph (o)(1)(i)(A), Federal savings association shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their Federal savings association shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the other Federal savings association were a State bank. The OCC will conduct an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the Federal savings association shares held by dissenting shareholders in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 214a, except that the costs and expenses of any appraisal or reappraisal may be apportioned and assessed by the Comptroller as he or she may deem equitable against all or some of the parties. In making this determination the Comptroller will consider whether any party has acted arbitrarily or not in good faith in respect to the rights provided by this paragraph.

(3) Unless the Federal savings association has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State savings associations under paragraph (o)(1)(i)(A), the plan of merger or consolidation must provide the manner of disposing of the shares of the resulting Federal savings association not taken by the dissenting shareholders of the Federal savings association.

(D)(1) A State bank, State savings association, State trust company, or credit union entering into a consolidation or merger with a Federal savings association when the resulting institution will be a Federal savings association must follow the procedures for such consolidations or mergers set out in the law of the State or other jurisdiction under which the State bank, State savings association, State trust company, or credit union is organized.

(2) The rights of dissenting shareholders and appraisal of dissenters' shares of stock in the State bank, State savings association, or State trust company, entering into the consolidation or merger will be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the State or other jurisdiction under which the State bank, State savings association, or State trust company is organized.

(ii) The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution.

(7) Consolidations and mergers under 12 U.S.C. 214a of a national bank with State banks resulting in a State bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a)—(i) In general. Prior OCC approval is not required for the merger or consolidation of a national bank with a State bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a). Termination of a national bank's existence and status as a national banking association is automatic, and its charter cancelled, upon completion of the statutory and regulatory requirements for engaging in the consolidation or merger and consummation of the consolidation or merger.

(ii) Procedures. A national bank desiring to merge or consolidate with a State bank as defined in 12 U.S.C. 214(a) when the resulting institution will be a State bank must comply with the requirements and follow the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a and 214c and must provide notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section.

(iii) Dissenters' rights and appraisal procedures. National bank shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their national bank shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a. The OCC conducts an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the national bank shares held by dissenting shareholders as provided for in 12 U.S.C. 214a.

(iv) Liquidation account. The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution.

(8) Interstate consolidations and mergers between an insured national bank and insured State banks resulting in a State bank.—(i) In general. Prior OCC approval is not required for the merger or consolidation of an insured national bank with an insured out-of-State State bank, as defined in 12 U.S.C. 1831u(g)(8), with the State bank as the resulting institution, that has been approved by the appropriate Federal banking agency for the State bank. Termination of a national bank's existence and status as a national banking association is automatic, and its charter cancelled, upon completion of the statutory and regulatory requirements for engaging in the consolidation or merger and consummation of the consolidation or merger.

(ii) Procedures. Unless it has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State banks under paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section, the national bank entering into the consolidation or merger must comply with the procedures of 12 U.S.C. 214a, as applicable.

(iii) Notice. The national bank must provide a notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section.

(9) Consolidations and mergers of a Federal savings association with State banks, State savings banks, State savings associations, State trust companies, or credit unions resulting in a State bank, State savings bank, State savings association, State trust company, or credit union—(i) Policy. Prior OCC approval is not required for the merger or consolidation of a Federal savings association with a State bank, State savings bank, State savings association, State trust company, or credit union when the resulting institution will be a State institution or credit union. Termination of a national bank's or Federal savings association's existence and status as a national banking association or Federal savings association is automatic, and its charter cancelled, upon completion of the statutory and regulatory requirements for engaging in the consolidation or merger and consummation of the consolidation or merger.

(ii) Procedures. (A) A Federal savings association desiring to merge or consolidate with a State bank, State savings bank, State savings association, State trust company, or credit union when the resulting institution will be a State institution or credit union must comply with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section and the procedures of paragraph (o) of this section and must provide notice to the OCC under paragraph (k) of this section.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph (g)(9), a combination in which a State bank, State savings bank, State savings association, State trust company, or credit union acquires all or substantially all of the assets, or assumes all or substantially all of the liabilities, of a Federal savings association must be treated as a consolidation by the Federal savings association.

(iii) Dissenters' rights and appraisal procedures. (A) Unless the Federal savings association has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State savings associations under paragraph (o)(1)(i)(A), Federal savings association shareholders who dissent from a plan to merge or consolidate may receive in cash the value of their Federal savings association shares if they comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 214a as if the Federal savings association were a national bank. The OCC conducts an appraisal or reappraisal of the value of the Federal savings association shares held by dissenting shareholders only if all parties agree that the determination will be final and binding. The parties also must agree on how the total expenses of the OCC in making the appraisal will be divided among the parties and paid to the OCC.

(B) Unless the Federal savings association has elected to follow the procedures applicable to State savings associations under paragraph (o)(1)(i)(A), the plan of merger or consolidation must provide the manner of disposing of the shares of the resulting State institution not taken by the dissenting shareholders of the Federal savings association.

(iv) Liquidation account. The consolidation or merger agreement must address the effect upon, and the terms of the assumption of, any liquidation account of any participating institution by the resulting institution.

(h) Procedural requirements for national bank combinations—(1) Permissible elections. A national bank participating in a combination pursuant to paragraph (g)(2), (g)(3), (g)(4), (g)(5), (g)(6), or (g)(8) of this section may elect to follow with respect to the combination:

(i) The procedures applicable to a State bank chartered by the State where the national bank's main office is located; or

(ii) Paragraph (p) of this section, if applicable.

(2) Rules of Construction. For purposes of paragraph (h)(1) of this section:

(i) Any references to a State agency in the applicable State procedures should be read as referring to the OCC; and

(ii) Unless otherwise specified in Federal law, all filings required by the applicable State procedures must be made to the OCC.

(i) Expedited review for business reorganizations and streamlined applications. A filing that qualifies as a business reorganization as defined in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, or a filing that qualifies as a streamlined application as described in paragraph (j) of this section, is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 15th day after the close of the comment period, unless the OCC notifies the filer that the filing is not eligible for expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2). An application under this paragraph must contain all necessary information for the OCC to determine if it qualifies as a business reorganization or streamlined application.

(j) Streamlined applications. (1) A filer may qualify for a streamlined business combination application in the following situations:

(i) At least one party to the transaction is an eligible bank or eligible savings association, and all other parties to the transaction are eligible banks, eligible savings associations, or eligible depository institutions, the resulting national bank or resulting Federal savings association will be well capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, and the total assets of the target institution are no more than 50 percent of the total assets of the acquiring bank or Federal savings association, as reported in each institution's Consolidated Report of Condition and Income filed for the quarter immediately preceding the filing of the application;

(ii) The acquiring bank or Federal savings association is an eligible bank or eligible savings association, the target bank or savings association is not an eligible bank, eligible savings association, or an eligible depository institution, the resulting national bank or resulting Federal savings association will be well capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, and the filers in a prefiling communication request and obtain approval from the appropriate OCC licensing office to use the streamlined application;

(iii) The acquiring bank or Federal savings association is an eligible bank or eligible savings association, the target bank or savings association is not an eligible bank, eligible savings association, or an eligible depository institution, the resulting bank or resulting Federal savings association will be well capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, and the total assets acquired do not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the acquiring national bank or acquiring Federal savings association, as reported in each institution's Consolidated Report of Condition and Income filed for the quarter immediately preceding the filing of the application; or

(iv) In the case of a transaction under paragraph (g)(4) of this section, the acquiring bank is an eligible bank, the resulting national bank will be well capitalized immediately following consummation of the transaction, the filers in a prefiling communication request and obtain approval from the appropriate OCC licensing office to use the streamlined application, and the total assets acquired do not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the acquiring national bank, as reported in the bank's Consolidated Report of Condition and Income filed for the quarter immediately preceding the filing of the application.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (j)(1) of this section, a filer does not qualify for a streamlined business combination application if the transaction is part of a conversion under part 192 of this chapter.

(3) When a business combination qualifies for a streamlined application, the filer should consult the Comptroller's Licensing Manual to determine the abbreviated application information required by the OCC. The OCC encourages prefiling communications between the filers and the appropriate OCC licensing office before filing under paragraph (j) of this section.

(k) Exit notice to OCC—(1) Notice required. As provided in paragraphs (g)(7)(ii), (g)(8)(iii), and (g)(9)(ii) of this section, a national bank or Federal savings association engaging in a consolidation or merger in which it is not the filer and the resulting institution must file a notice rather than an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office advising of its intention.

(2) Timing of notice. The national bank or Federal savings association must submit the notice at the time the application to merge or consolidate is filed with the responsible agency under the Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(c), or if there is no such filing then no later than 30 days prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation.

(3) Content of notice. The notice must include the following:

(i)(A) A short description of the material features of the transaction, the identity of the acquiring institution, the identity of the State or Federal regulator to whom the application was made, and the date of the application; or

(B) A copy of a filing made with another Federal or State regulatory agency seeking approval from that agency for the transaction under the Bank Merger Act or other applicable statute;

(ii) The planned consummation date for the transaction;

(iii) Information to demonstrate compliance by the national bank or Federal savings association with applicable requirements to engage in the transactions (e.g., board approval or shareholder or accountholder requirements); and

(iv) If the national bank or Federal savings association submitting the notice maintains a liquidation account established pursuant to part 192 of this chapter, the notice must state that the resulting institution will assume such liquidation account.

(4) Termination of status. The national bank or Federal savings association must advise the OCC when the transaction is about to be consummated. Termination of a national bank's or Federal savings association's existence and status as a national banking association or Federal savings association is automatic, and its charter cancelled, upon completion of the statutory and regulatory requirements and consummation of the consolidation or merger. When the national bank or Federal savings association files the notice under paragraph (k)(1) of this section, the OCC provides instructions to the national bank or Federal savings association for terminating its status as a national bank or Federal savings association, including surrendering its charter to the OCC immediately after consummation of the transaction.

(5) Expiration. If the action contemplated by the notice is not completed within six months after the OCC's receipt of the notice, a new notice must be submitted to the OCC, unless the OCC grants an extension of time.

(l) Mergers and consolidations; transfer of assets and liabilities to the resulting institution. (1) In any consolidation or merger in which the resulting institution is a national bank or Federal savings association, on the effective date of the merger or consolidation, all assets and property (real, personal and mixed, tangible and intangible, choses in action, rights, and credits) then owned by each participating institution or which would inure to any of them, immediately by operation of law and without any conveyance, transfer, or further action, become the property of the resulting national bank or Federal savings association. The resulting national bank or Federal savings association is deemed to be a continuation of the entity of each participating institution, and will succeed to such rights and obligations of each participating institution and the duties and liabilities connected therewith.

(2) The authority in paragraph (l)(1) of this section is in addition to any authority granted by applicable statutes for specific transactions and is subject to the National Bank Act, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and other applicable statutes.

(m) Certification of combination; effective date. (1) When a national bank or Federal savings association is the filer and will be the resulting entity in a consolidation or merger, after receiving approval from the OCC, it must complete any remaining steps needed to complete the transaction, provide the OCC with a certification that all other required regulatory or shareholder approvals have been obtained, and inform the OCC of the planned consummation date.

(2) When the transaction is consummated, the filer must notify the OCC of the consummation date. The OCC will issue a letter certifying that the combination was effective on the date specified in the filer's notice.

(n) Authority for and certain limits on business combinations and other transactions by Federal savings associations. (1) Federal savings associations may enter into business combinations only in accordance with this section, the Bank Merger Act, and sections 5(d)(3)(A) and 10(s) of the Home Owners' Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1464(d)(3)(A) and 1467a(s)).

(2) A Federal savings association may consolidate or merge with another depository institution, a State trust company or a credit union, may engage in another business combination listed in paragraphs (d)(2)(iv) and (v) of this section, or may engage in any other combination listed in paragraph (d)(10), provided that:

(i) The combination is in compliance with, and receives all approvals required under, any applicable statutes and regulations;

(ii) Any resulting Federal savings association meets the requirements for insurance of accounts; and

(iii) A consolidation or merger involving a mutual savings association or the transfer of all or substantially all of the deposits of a mutual savings association must result in a mutually held depository institution that is insured by the FDIC, unless:

(A) The transaction is approved under part 192 governing mutual to stock conversions;

(B) The transaction involves a mutual holding company reorganization under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(o) or a similar transaction under State law; or

(C) The transaction is part of a voluntary liquidation for which the OCC has provided non-objection under § 5.48.

(3) Where the resulting institution is a Federal mutual savings association, the OCC may approve a temporary increase in the number of directors of the resulting institution provided that the association submits a plan for bringing the board of directors into compliance with the requirements of § 5.21(e) within a reasonable period of time.

(4)(i) The Federal savings associations described in paragraph (n)(4)(ii) of this section below must provide affected accountholders with a notice of a proposed account transfer and an option of retaining the account in the transferring Federal savings association. The notice must allow affected accountholders at least 30 days to consider whether to retain their accounts in the transferring Federal savings association.

(ii) The following savings associations must provide the notices:

(A) A Federal mutual savings association transferring account liabilities to an institution the accounts of which are not insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund or the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund; and

(B) Any Federal mutual savings association transferring account liabilities to a stock form depository institution.

(o) Procedural requirements for Federal savings association approval of combinations—(1) In general—(i) Permissible elections. A Federal savings association participating in a combination may elect to follow the applicable procedures with respect to the combination:

(A) The procedures applicable to a State savings association chartered by the State where the Federal savings association's home office is located: or

(B) The standard procedures provided in paragraph (o)(2) of this section.

(ii) Rules of Construction. For purposes of paragraph (o)(1)(i) of this section:

(A) Any references to a State agency in the applicable State procedures should be read as referring to the OCC; and

(B) Unless otherwise specified in Federal law, all filings required by the applicable State procedures must be made to the OCC.

(2) Standard procedures—(i) Board approval. Before a Federal savings association files a notice or application for any consolidation or merger, the combination and combination agreement must be approved by majority vote of the entire board of each constituent Federal savings association in the case of Federal stock savings associations or a two-thirds vote of the entire board of each constituent Federal savings association in the case of Federal mutual savings associations.

(ii) Shareholder vote—(A) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (o)(2)(ii), an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of any constituent Federal stock savings association is required for approval of a consolidation or merger. If any class of shares is entitled to vote as a class pursuant to § 5.22(g)(4), an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of each voting class and two-thirds of the total voting shares is required. The required vote must be taken at a meeting of the savings association.

(B) General exception. Stockholders of the resulting Federal stock savings association need not authorize a consolidation or merger if the transaction meets the requirements of paragraph (p) of this section.

(C) Exceptions for certain combinations involving an interim association. Stockholders of a Federal stock savings association need not authorize by a two-thirds affirmative vote consolidations or mergers involving an interim Federal savings association or interim State savings association when the resulting Federal stock savings association is acquired pursuant to the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System at 12 CFR 238.15(e) (relating to the creation of a savings and loan holding company by a savings association). In those cases, an affirmative vote of 50 percent of the shares of the outstanding voting stock of the Federal stock savings association plus one affirmative vote is required. If any class of shares is entitled to vote as a class pursuant to the charter provisions in § 5.22(g)(4), an affirmative vote of 50 percent of the shares of each voting class plus one affirmative vote is required. The required votes must be taken at a meeting of the association.

(3) Change of name or home office. If the name of the resulting Federal savings association or the location of the home office of the resulting Federal savings association will change as a result of the business combination, the resulting Federal savings association must amend its charter accordingly.

(4) Mutual member vote. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the OCC may require that a consolidation, merger or other business combination be submitted to the voting members of any mutual savings association participating in the proposed transaction at duly called meetings and that the transaction, to be effective, must be approved by such voting members.

(p) Exception to voting requirements. Shareholders of a resulting national bank or Federal stock savings association need not authorize a consolidation or merger if:

(1) Either:

(i) The transaction does not involve an interim bank or an interim savings association; or

(ii) The transaction involves an interim bank or an interim savings association and the existing shareholders of the national bank or Federal stock savings association will directly hold the shares of the resulting national bank or Federal stock savings association;

(2) The national bank's articles of association or the Federal stock savings association's charter, as applicable, is not changed;

(3) Each share of stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the consolidation or merger is to be an identical outstanding share or a treasury share of the resulting national bank or Federal stock savings association after such effective date; and

(4) Either:

(i) No shares of voting stock of the resulting national bank or Federal stock savings association and no securities convertible into such stock are to be issued or delivered under the plan of combination; or

(ii) The authorized unissued shares or the treasury shares of voting stock of the resulting national bank or Federal stock savings association to be issued or delivered under the plan of merger or consolidation, plus those initially issuable upon conversion of any securities to be issued or delivered under such plan, do not exceed 20 percent of the total shares of voting stock of such national bank or Federal stock savings association outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the consolidation or merger.

26. Amend § 5.34 by:

a. In paragraph (a), removing “3101 et seq.” and adding in its place “and 3102(b).”;

b. In paragraph (c), removing the phrase “(e)(5)(i)(B) of this section shall apply” and adding in its place the phrase “(f)(2)(i)(C)( 2) of this section applies”;

c. Revising paragraph (d);

d. In paragraphs (e)(1)(i)(B), (e)(3), and (e)(4)(ii), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State” wherever it appears;

e. Revising paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A);

f. In paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C), removing the phrase “generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)” and adding in its place the word “GAAP”;

g. In paragraph (e)(2)(ii) introductory text, removing the phrase “following subsidiaries” and adding in its place the phrase “following entities”;

h. In paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(A), removing the phrase “part 24; and” and adding in its place the phrase “ 12 CFR part 24;”;

i. Removing the period and adding in its place “; and” in paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B);

j. Adding paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(C);

k. In paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(B), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “may”;

l. In paragraphs (e)(4)(i) and (e)(4)(ii), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “will”;

m. Removing paragraph (e)(7);

n. Redesignating paragraphs (e)(5) and (e)(6) as paragraphs (f) and (g), respectively ; and

o. Revising redesignated paragraph (f).

The addition and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.34

Operating subsidiaries of a national bank.

* * * * *

(d) Definition. For purposes of this section, authorized product means a product that would be defined as insurance under section 302(c) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6712) that, as of January 1, 1999, the OCC had determined in writing that national banks may provide as principal or national banks were in fact lawfully providing the product as principal, and as of that date no court of relevant jurisdiction had, by final judgment, overturned a determination by the OCC that national banks may provide the product as principal. An authorized product does not include title insurance, or an annuity contract the income of which is subject to treatment under section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 72).

(e) * * *

(2) * * *

(i) * * *

(A) The bank has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary, and no other person or entity has the ability to exercise effective control or influence over the management or operations of the subsidiary to an extent equal to or greater than that of the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof;

* * * * *

(ii) * * *

(C) A trust formed for purposes of securitizing assets held by the bank as part of its banking business.

* * * * *

(f) Procedures—(1) Application required. (i) Except for an operating subsidiary that qualifies for the notice procedures in paragraph (f)(2) of this section or is exempt from application or notice requirements under paragraph (f)(6) of this section, a national bank must first submit an application to, and receive prior approval from, the OCC to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary.

(ii) The application must explain, as appropriate, how the bank “controls” the enterprise, describing in full detail structural arrangements where control is based on factors other than bank ownership of more than 50 percent of the voting interest of the subsidiary and the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary's board and to select and terminate senior management. In the case of a limited partnership or limited liability company that does not qualify for the notice procedures set forth in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the bank must provide a statement explaining why it is not eligible. The application also must include a complete description of the bank's investment in the subsidiary, the proposed activities of the subsidiary, the organizational structure and management of the subsidiary, the relations between the bank and the subsidiary, and other information necessary to adequately describe the proposal. To the extent that the application relates to the initial affiliation of the bank with a company engaged in insurance activities, the bank must describe the type of insurance activity in which the company is engaged and has present plans to conduct. The bank must also list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable. The application must state whether the operating subsidiary will conduct any activity at a location other than the main office or a previously approved branch of the bank. The OCC may require a filer to submit a legal analysis if the proposal is novel, unusually complex, or raises substantial unresolved legal issues. In these cases, the OCC encourages filers to have a prefiling meeting with the OCC. Any bank receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance.

(2) Notice process only for certain qualifying filings. (i) Except for an operating subsidiary that is exempt from application or notice procedures under paragraph (f)(6) of this section, a national bank that is well capitalized and well managed may establish or acquire an operating subsidiary, or perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, by providing the appropriate OCC licensing office written notice prior to, or within 10 days after, acquiring or establishing the subsidiary, or commencing the new activity, if:

(A) The activity is listed in paragraph (f)(5) of this section or, except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, the activity is substantively the same as a previously approved activity and the activity will be conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the previously approved activity;

(B) The entity is a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or trust; and

(C) The bank or an operating subsidiary thereof:

(1) Has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary and no other person or entity has the ability to exercise effective control or influence over the management or operations of the subsidiary to an extent equal to or greater than that of the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof. The ability to control the management and operations means:

(i) In the case of a subsidiary that is a corporation, the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof holds voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary's board and to select and terminate senior management;

(ii) In the case of a subsidiary that is a limited partnership, the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by controlling the selection and termination of senior management;

(iii) In the case of a subsidiary that is a limited liability company, the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by controlling the selection and termination of senior management; or

(iv) In the case of a subsidiary that is a trust, the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof has the ability to replace the trustee at will;

(2) Holds more than 50 percent of the voting, or equivalent, interests in the subsidiary and:

(i) In the case of a subsidiary that is a limited partnership, the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof is the sole general partner of the limited partnership, provided that under the partnership agreement, limited partners have no authority to bind the partnership by virtue solely of their status as limited partners;

(ii) In the case of a subsidiary that is a limited liability company, the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof is the sole managing member of the limited liability company, provided that under the limited liability company agreement, other limited liability company members have no authority to bind the limited liability company by virtue solely of their status as members; or

(iii) In the case of a subsidiary that is a trust, the bank or an operating subsidiary thereof is the sole beneficial owner of the trust; and

(3) Is required to consolidate its financial statements with those of the subsidiary under GAAP.

(ii) A national bank must file an application under paragraph (f)(1) of this section if a State has or will charter or license the proposed operating subsidiary as a bank, trust company, or savings association.

(iii) The written notice must include a complete description of the bank's investment in the subsidiary and of the activity conducted and a representation and undertaking that the activity will be conducted in accordance with OCC policies contained in guidance issued by the OCC regarding the activity. To the extent that the notice relates to the initial affiliation of the bank with a company engaged in insurance activities, the bank must describe the type of insurance activity in which the company is engaged and has present plans to conduct. The bank also must list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable. Any bank receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance.

(3) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.

(4) OCC review and approval. The OCC reviews a national bank's application to determine whether the proposed activities are legally permissible under Federal banking laws and to ensure that the proposal is consistent with safe and sound banking practices and OCC policy and does not endanger the safety or soundness of the parent national bank. As part of this process, the OCC may request additional information and analysis from the filer.

(5) Activities eligible for notice. The following activities qualify for the notice procedures in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, provided the activity is conducted pursuant to the same terms and conditions as would be applicable if the activity were conducted directly by a national bank:

(i) Holding and managing assets acquired by the parent bank or its operating subsidiaries, including investment assets and property acquired by the bank through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted;

(ii) Providing services to or for the bank or its affiliates, including accounting, auditing, appraising, advertising and public relations, and financial advice and consulting;

(iii) Making loans or other extensions of credit, and selling money orders, savings bonds, and travelers checks;

(iv) Purchasing, selling, servicing, or warehousing loans or other extensions of credit, or interests therein;

(v) Providing courier services between financial institutions;

(vi) Providing management consulting, operational advice, and services for other financial institutions;

(vii) Providing check guaranty, verification and payment services;

(viii) Providing data processing, data warehousing and data transmission products, services, and related activities and facilities, including associated equipment and technology, for the bank or its affiliates;

(ix) Acting as investment adviser (including an adviser with investment discretion) or financial adviser or counselor to governmental entities or instrumentalities, businesses, or individuals, including advising registered investment companies and mortgage or real estate investment trusts, furnishing economic forecasts or other economic information, providing investment advice related to futures and options on futures, and providing consumer financial counseling;

(x) Providing tax planning and preparation services;

(xi) Providing financial and transactional advice and assistance, including advice and assistance for customers in structuring, arranging, and executing mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, swaps, foreign exchange, derivative transactions, coin and bullion, and capital restructurings;

(xii) Underwriting and reinsuring credit related insurance to the extent permitted under section 302 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6712);

(xiii) Leasing of personal property and acting as an agent or adviser in leases for others;

(xiv) Providing securities brokerage or acting as a futures commission merchant, and providing related credit and other related services;

(xv) Underwriting and dealing, including making a market, in bank permissible securities and purchasing and selling as principal, asset backed obligations;

(xvi) Acting as an insurance agent or broker, including title insurance to the extent permitted under section 303 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6713);

(xvii) Reinsuring mortgage insurance on loans originated, purchased, or serviced by the bank, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates, provided that if the subsidiary enters into a quota share agreement, the subsidiary assumes less than 50 percent of the aggregate insured risk covered by the quota share agreement. A “quota share agreement” is an agreement under which the reinsurer is liable to the primary insurance underwriter for an agreed upon percentage of every claim arising out of the covered book of business ceded by the primary insurance underwriter to the reinsurer;

(xviii) Acting as a finder pursuant to 12 CFR 7.1002 to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks; ^[2]

(xix) Offering correspondent services to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks;

(xx) Acting as agent or broker in the sale of fixed or variable annuities;

(xxi) Offering debt cancellation or debt suspension agreements;

(xxii) Providing real estate settlement, closing, escrow, and related services; and real estate appraisal services for the subsidiary, parent bank, or other financial institutions;

(xxiii) Acting as a transfer or fiscal agent;

(xxiv) Acting as a digital certification authority to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks, subject to the terms and conditions contained in that precedent;

(xxv) Providing or selling public transportation tickets, event and attraction tickets, gift certificates, prepaid phone cards, promotional and advertising material, postage stamps, and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) script, and similar media, to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks, subject to the terms and conditions contained in that precedent;

(xxvi) Providing data processing, and data transmission services, facilities (including equipment, technology, and personnel), databases, advice and access to such services, facilities, databases and advice, for the parent bank and for others, pursuant to 12 CFR 7.5006 to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks;

(xxvii) Providing bill presentment, billing, collection, and claims-processing services;

(xxviii) Providing safekeeping for personal information or valuable confidential trade or business information, such as encryption keys, to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for national banks;

(xxix) Providing payroll processing;

(xxx) Providing branch management services;

(xxxi) Providing merchant processing services except when the activity involves the use of third parties to solicit or underwrite merchants; and

(xxxii) Performing administrative tasks involved in benefits administration.

(6) No application or notice required. A national bank may acquire or establish an operating subsidiary, or perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, without filing an application or providing notice to the OCC, if the bank is well managed and well capitalized and the:

(i) Activities of the new subsidiary are limited to those activities previously reported by the bank in connection with the establishment or acquisition of a prior operating subsidiary;

(ii) Activities in which the new subsidiary will engage continue to be legally permissible for the subsidiary;

(iii) Activities of the new subsidiary will be conducted in accordance with any conditions imposed by the OCC in approving the conduct of these activities for any prior operating subsidiary of the bank; and

(iv) The standards set forth in paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(B) and (C) of this section are satisfied.

(7) Fiduciary powers. (i) If an operating subsidiary proposes to accept fiduciary appointments for which fiduciary powers are required, such as acting as trustee or executor, then the national bank must have fiduciary powers under 12 U.S.C. 92a and the subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary.

(ii) Unless the subsidiary is a registered investment adviser, if an operating subsidiary proposes to exercise investment discretion on behalf of customers or provide investment advice for a fee, the national bank must have prior OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to § 5.26 and 12 CFR part 9.

(8) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if the national bank has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary or commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary within 12 months after the date of the approval, unless the OCC shortens or extends the time period.

* * * * *

27. Amend § 5.35 by:

a. Revising the section heading;

b. In paragraph (a), adding the word “and” before “5412(b)(2)(B),”

c. In paragraphs (b) and (d)(6), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”;

d. In paragraphs (d)(2), (d)(3), (g)(2), and (g)(4), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State” wherever it appears;

e. In paragraph (d)(2) removing the phrase “section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act” and adding in its place the phrase “section 3(a)(3) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(a)(3)”;

f. In paragraph (d)(3):

i. After the words “an insured bank”, removing the phrase “(as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act)” and adding in its place the phrase “(as defined in section 3(h) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(h))”;

ii. After the words “a savings association”, removing the phrase “(as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act)” and adding in its place the phrase “(as defined in section 3(b)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(b)(1))”;

iii. Removing the phrase “Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation” and adding in its place the word “FDIC”;

g. In paragraph (d)(4), removing the phrase “section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act” and adding in its place the phrase “section 3(c)(2) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(c)(2)”;

h. Revising paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(A);

i. In paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(B), removing the phrase “§ 5.34(e)(5)(v) or § 5.38(e)(5)(v)” and adding in its place the phrase “§ 5.34(f)(5) or § 5.38(f)(5)”; and

j. Revising paragraph (i).

The revision and addition read as follows.

§ 5.35

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

* * * * *

(f) * * *

(2) * * *

(ii) * * *

(A) The national bank or Federal savings association is well capitalized and well managed; and

* * * * *

(i) Investment limitations. A national bank or Federal savings association must comply with the investment limitations specified in 12 U.S.C. 1862.

* * * * *

28. Amend § 5.36 by:

a. In paragraph (a), removing the phrase “and 93a.” and adding in its place the phrase “93a, and 3101 et seq.”;

b. In paragraph (b), removing the phrase “and 5.37” and adding in its place the phrase “5.37, and 5.39”;

c. Revising paragraph (c);

d. Revising paragraph (e) introductory text;

e. In paragraph (e)(1), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State” wherever it appears;

f. Revising paragraphs (e)(2) through (4)

g. Revising paragraph (f);

h. Redesignating paragraphs (g) through (i) as paragraph (h) through (j);

i. Adding new paragraph (g);

j. In redesignated paragraph (h)(1), removing “(g)(1)” wherever it appears and adding in its place (h)(1);

k. Revising redesignated paragraphs (i) and (j).

The addition and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.36

Other equity investments by a national bank.

* * * * *

(c) Definitions. For purposes of this section:

(1) Enterprise means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or similar business entity.

(2) Non-controlling investment means an equity investment made pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh) that is not governed by procedures prescribed by another OCC rule. A non-controlling investment does not include a national bank holding interests in a trust formed for the purposes of securitizing assets held by the bank as part of its banking business or for the purposes of holding multiple legal titles of motor vehicles or equipment in conjunction with lease financing transactions.

* * * * *

(e) Non-controlling investments; notice procedure. Except as provided in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section, a national bank may make a non-controlling investment, directly or through its operating subsidiary, in an enterprise that engages in an activity described in § 5.34(f)(5) or in an activity that is substantively the same as a previously approved activity by filing a written notice. The bank must file this written notice with the appropriate OCC licensing office no later than 10 days after making the investment. The written notice must:

* * * * *

(2) State:

(i) Which paragraphs of § 5.34(f)(5) describe the activity; or

(ii) If the activity is substantively the same as a previously approved activity:

(A) How the activity is substantively the same as a previously approved activity;

(B) The citation to the applicable precedent; and

(C) That the activity will be conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the previously approved activity;

(3) Certify that the bank is well capitalized and well managed at the time of the investment;

(4) Describe how the bank has the ability to prevent the enterprise from engaging in activities that are not set forth in § 5.34(f)(5) or not contained in published OCC precedent for previously approved activities, or how the bank otherwise has the ability to withdraw its investment;

* * * * *

(f) Non-controlling investment; application procedure—(1) In general. A national bank must file an application and obtain prior approval before making or acquiring, either directly or through an operating subsidiary, a non-controlling investment in an enterprise if the non-controlling investment does not qualify for the notice procedure set forth in paragraph (e) of this section because the bank is unable to make the representation required by paragraph (e)(2) or the certifications required by paragraphs (e)(3) or (e)(7) of this section. The application must include the information required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(6) of this section and, if possible, the information required by paragraphs (e)(2), (e)(3), and (e)(7) of this section. If the bank is unable to make the representation set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the bank's application must explain why the activity in which the enterprise engages is a permissible activity for a national bank and why the filer should be permitted to hold a non-controlling investment in an enterprise engaged in that activity. A bank may not make a non-controlling investment if it is unable to make the representations and certifications specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(6) of this section.

(2) Expedited review. An application submitted by a national bank is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 10th day after the application is received by the OCC if:

(i) The national bank makes the representation required by paragraph (e)(2) and the certification required by paragraph (e)(3) of this section;

(ii) The book value of the national bank's non-controlling investment for which the application is being submitted is no more than 1% of the bank's capital and surplus;

(iii) No more than 50% of the enterprise is owned or controlled by banks or savings associations subject to examination by an appropriate Federal banking agency or credit unions insured by the National Credit Union Association; and

(iv) The OCC has not notified the national bank that the application has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2).

(g) Non-controlling investment; no application or notice required. A national bank may make or acquire, either directly or through an operating subsidiary, a non-controlling investment in an enterprise without an application or notice to the OCC, if the:

(1) Activities of the enterprise are limited to those activities previously reported by the bank in connection with the making or acquiring of a non-controlling investment;

(2) Activities of the enterprise continue to be legally permissible for a national bank;

(3) The bank's non-controlling investment will be made in accordance with any conditions imposed by the OCC in approving any prior non-controlling investment in an enterprise conducting these same activities; and

(4) The bank is able to make the representations and certifications specified in paragraphs (e)(3) through (e)(7) of this section.

* * * * *

(i) Non-controlling investments by Federal branches. A Federal branch that is well capitalized and well managed may make a non-controlling investment in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section in the same manner and subject to the same conditions and requirements as a national bank, and subject to any additional requirements that may apply under 12 CFR 28.10(c).

(j) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.

§ 5.37

[Amended]

29. Amend § 5.37 by:

a. In paragraph (a), removing “317d” and adding in its place “371d”;

b. Removing paragraph (c)(3);

c. In paragraph (d)(1)(i) and (d)(3)(i), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” it appears;

d. In paragraph (d)(1)(i), removing the phrase “any corporation” and adding in its place the phrase “any corporation, partnership, or similar entity ( e.g., a limited liability company)”;

e. In paragraph (d)(3)(i), removing the phrase “as defined in 12 CFR part 6”;

f. In paragraph (d)(4), removing “ 12 CFR 5.59” and adding in its place “§ 5.59”; and

g. In paragraph (d)(5), adding ” 5.9,” after “5.8,” wherever it appears.

30. Amend § 5.38 by:

a. In paragraph (a), adding the word “and” before “5412(b)(2)(B)”;

b. In paragraph (b), adding “( 12 U.S.C. 1828(m))” after the word “Act”;

c. Removing and reserving paragraph (d);

d. Revising paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A);

e. In paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C), removing the phrase “generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)” and adding in its place the word “GAAP”;

f. In paragraph (e)(2)(iii) introductory text, removing the phrase “following subsidiaries” and adding in its place the phrase “following entities”;

g. Removing the word “and” at the end of paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(A);

h. In paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(B), removing the period and adding in its place “; and”;

i. Adding new paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(C);

j. In paragraph (e)(2)(iv)(B), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “may”;

k. In paragraph (e)(3), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State”;

l. In paragraph (e)(4)(i), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”;

m. Redesignating paragraphs (e)(5) through (7) as paragraphs (f) through (h);

n. Revising redesignated paragraph (f); and

o. In redesignated paragraph (h), removing the word “shall” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “may”.

The addition and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.38

Operating subsidiaries of a Federal savings association.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

(2) * * *

(i) * * *

(A) The savings association has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary, and no other person or entity has the ability to exercise effective control or influence over the management or operations of the subsidiary to an extent equal to or greater than that of the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof;

* * * * *

(iii) * * *

(C) A trust formed for purpose of securitizing assets held by the savings association as part of its business.

* * * * *

(f) Procedures—(1) Application required. (i) A Federal savings association must first submit an application to, and receive prior approval from, the OCC to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary.

(ii) The application must explain, as appropriate, how the savings association “controls” the enterprise, describing in full detail structural arrangements where control is based on factors other than savings association ownership of more than 50 percent of the voting interest of the subsidiary and the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by holding voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary's board and to select and terminate senior management. In the case of a limited partnership or limited liability company that does not qualify for the expedited review procedure set forth in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the savings association must provide a statement explaining why it is not eligible. The application also must include a complete description of the savings association's investment in the subsidiary, the proposed activities of the subsidiary, the organizational structure and management of the subsidiary, the relations between the savings association and the subsidiary, and other information necessary to adequately describe the proposal. To the extent that the application relates to the initial affiliation of the savings association with a company engaged in insurance activities, the savings association must describe the type of insurance activity in which the company is engaged and has present plans to conduct. The savings association must also list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable. The application must state whether the operating subsidiary will conduct any activity at a location other than the home office or a previously approved branch of the savings association. The OCC may require a filer to submit a legal analysis if the proposal is novel, unusually complex, or raises substantial unresolved legal issues. In these cases, the OCC encourages filers to have a prefiling meeting with the OCC. Any savings association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance.

(2) Expedited review. (i) An application to establish or acquire an operating subsidiary, or to perform a new activity in an existing operating subsidiary, that meets the requirements of this paragraph is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the filer prior to that date that the filing has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended under § 5.13(a)(2). Any savings association receiving approval under this paragraph is deemed to have agreed that the subsidiary will conduct the activity in a manner consistent with published OCC guidance.

(ii) An application is eligible for expedited review if all of the following requirements are met:

(A) The savings association is well capitalized and well managed;

(B) The activity is listed in paragraph (f)(5) this section or is substantively the same as a previously approved activity and the activity will be conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the previously approved activity;

(C) The entity is a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or trust; and

(D) The savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof:

(1) Has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary and no other person or entity has the ability to exercise effective control or influence over the management or operations of the subsidiary to an extent equal to or greater than that of the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof. The ability to control the management and operations means:

(i) In the case of a subsidiary that is a corporation, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof holds voting interests sufficient to select the number of directors needed to control the subsidiary's board and to select and terminate senior management;

(ii) In the case of a subsidiary that is a limited partnership, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by controlling the selection and termination of senior management;

(iii) In the case of a subsidiary that is a limited liability company, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof has the ability to control the management and operations of the subsidiary by controlling the selection and termination of senior management; or

(iv) In the case of a subsidiary that is a trust, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof has the ability to replace the trustee at will;

(2) Holds more than 50 percent of the voting, or equivalent, interests in the subsidiary, and:

(i) In the case of a subsidiary that is a limited partnership, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof is the sole general partner of the limited partnership, provided that under the partnership agreement, limited partners have no authority to bind the partnership by virtue solely of their status as limited partners;

(ii) In the case of a subsidiary that is a limited liability company, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof is the sole managing member of the limited liability company, provided that under the limited liability company agreement, other limited liability company members have no authority to bind the limited liability company by virtue solely of their status as members; or

(iii) In the case of a subsidiary that is a trust, the savings association or an operating subsidiary thereof is the sole beneficial owner of the trust; and

(3) Is required to consolidate its financial statements with those of the subsidiary under GAAP. A filer proposing to qualify for expedited review must include in the application all necessary information showing the application meets the requirements.

(3) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.

(4) OCC review and approval. The OCC reviews a Federal savings association's application to determine whether the proposed activities are legally permissible under Federal savings association law and to ensure that the proposal is consistent with safe and sound banking practices and OCC policy and does not endanger the safety or soundness of the parent Federal savings association. As part of this process, the OCC may request additional information and analysis from the filer.

(5) Activities eligible for expedited review. The following activities qualify for the expedited review procedures in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, provided the activity is conducted pursuant to the same terms and conditions as would be applicable if the activity were conducted directly by a Federal savings association:

(i) Holding and managing assets acquired by the parent savings association or its operating subsidiaries, including investment assets and property acquired by the savings association through foreclosure or otherwise in good faith to compromise a doubtful claim, or in the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted;

(ii) Providing services to or for the savings association or its affiliates, including accounting, auditing, appraising, advertising and public relations, and financial advice and consulting;

(iii) Making loans or other extensions of credit, and selling money orders and travelers checks;

(iv) Purchasing, selling, servicing, or warehousing loans or other extensions of credit, or interests therein;

(v) Providing management consulting, operational advice, and services for other financial institutions;

(vi) Providing check payment services;

(vii) Acting as investment adviser (including an adviser with investment discretion) or financial adviser or counselor to governmental entities or instrumentalities, businesses, or individuals, including advising registered investment companies and mortgage or real estate investment trusts;

(viii) Providing financial and transactional advice and assistance, including advice and assistance for customers in structuring, arranging, and executing mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, swaps, foreign exchange, derivative transactions, coin and bullion, and capital restructurings;

(ix) Underwriting and reinsuring credit life and disability insurance;

(x) Leasing of personal property;

(xi) Providing securities brokerage;

(xii) Underwriting and dealing, including making a market, in savings association permissible securities and purchasing and selling as principal, asset backed obligations;

(xiii) Acting as an insurance agent or broker for credit life, disability, and unemployment insurance; single property interest insurance; and title insurance;

(xiv) Offering correspondent services to the extent permitted by published OCC precedent for Federal savings associations;

(xv) Acting as agent or broker in the sale of fixed annuities;

(xvi) Offering debt cancellation or debt suspension agreements;

(xvii) Providing escrow services;

(xviii) Acting as a transfer agent; and

(xix) Providing or selling postage stamps.

(6) Redesignation. A Federal savings association that proposes to redesignate a service corporation as an operating subsidiary must submit a notification to the OCC at least 30 days prior to the redesignation date. The notification must include a description of how the redesignated service corporation meets all of the requirements of this section to be an operating subsidiary, a resolution of the savings association's board of directors approving the redesignation, and the proposed effective date of the redesignation. The savings association may effect the redesignation on the proposed date unless the OCC notifies the savings association otherwise prior to that date. The OCC may require an application if the redesignation presents policy, supervisory, or legal issues.

(7) Fiduciary powers. (i) If an operating subsidiary proposes to accept fiduciary appointments for which fiduciary powers are required, such as acting as trustee or executor, then the Federal savings association must have fiduciary powers under section 5(n) of the Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1464(n), and the subsidiary also must have its own fiduciary powers under the law applicable to the subsidiary.

(ii) Unless the subsidiary is a registered investment adviser, if an operating subsidiary proposes to exercise investment discretion on behalf of customers or provide investment advice for a fee, the Federal savings association must have prior OCC approval to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to § 5.26 (or a predecessor provision) and 12 CFR part 150.

(8) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if the Federal savings association has not established or acquired the operating subsidiary, or commenced the new activity in an existing operating subsidiary within 12 months after the date of the approval, unless the OCC shortens or extends the time period.

31. Amend § 5.39 by:

a. Revising paragraph (a);

b. In paragraph (b), removing the phrase “a notice” and adding in its place the phrase “an application”, and removing “§ 5.34(e)(5)” and adding in its place “§ 5.34(f)”;

c. In paragraph (b) and paragraph (e)(1) introductory text, removing “( 12 U.S.C. 24a)” and adding in its place “(12 U.S.C. 24a(a)(2)(A)(i))”;

d. In paragraphs (b), (h)(2), and (j)(1)(ii), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears;

e. In paragraph (d)(1), removing the phrase “shall have” and adding in its place the word “has”;

f. Removing paragraphs (d)(2), (d)(11) and (d)(12) and redesignating paragraphs (d)(3) through (d)(10) as paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(9);

g. In paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) and (j)(2), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State” wherever it appears;

h. In paragraph (f)(1), removing the phrase “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)), 113 Stat. 1407-1409, ( 15 U.S.C. 6712 or 15 U.S.C. 6713)” and adding in its place the phrase “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, (15 U.S.C. 6712 or 15 U.S.C. 6713))”;

i. In paragraph (f)(3), removing “( 12 U.S.C. 1843) of the Bank Holding Company Act” and adding in its place “of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1843(k)(4)(H) or (I))”, and removing the phrase “GLBA, 113 Stat. 1381” and adding in its place the phrase “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1843 note)”;

j. In paragraph (h)(2), removing the phrase “generally accepted accounting principles” and adding in its place the word “GAAP”;

k. In paragraph (h)(5) introductory text, removing the phrase “paragraph (a)(6)” and adding the phrase “paragraph (d)(5)”;

l. Revising paragraph (h)(5)(i);

m. Removing and reserving paragraph (h)(5)(ii);

n. In paragraphs (h)(5)(vi), removing the word “GLBA” and adding in its place the phrase “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act”;

o. Removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is” in paragraph (h)(6);

p. Revising paragraph (i);

q. In paragraph (j)(1)(i), removing the phrase “OCC shall” and adding in its place the phrase “OCC will” and removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is”; and

r. In paragraph (k), removing the word “GLBA” and adding in its place the phrase “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act”.

The revisions read as follows.

§ 5.39

Financial subsidiaries of a national bank.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 24a and 93a.

* * * * *

(h) * * *

(5) * * *

(i) A financial subsidiary is deemed to be an affiliate of the bank and is not deemed to be a subsidiary of the bank;

* * * * *

(i) Procedures to engage in activities through a financial subsidiary. A national bank that intends, directly or indirectly, to acquire control of, or hold an interest in, a financial subsidiary, or to commence a new activity in an existing financial subsidiary, must obtain OCC approval through the procedures set forth in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this section.

(1) Certification with subsequent application. (i) At any time, a national bank may file a “Financial Subsidiary Certification” with the appropriate OCC licensing office listing the bank's depository institution affiliates and certifying that the bank and each of those affiliates is well capitalized and well managed.

(ii) Thereafter, at such time as the bank seeks OCC approval to acquire control of, or hold an interest in, a new financial subsidiary, or commence a new activity authorized under section 5136A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 24a(a)(2)(A)(i)) in an existing subsidiary, the bank may file an application with the appropriate OCC licensing office at the time of acquiring control of, or holding an interest in, a financial subsidiary, or commencing such activity in an existing subsidiary. The application must be labeled “Financial Subsidiary Application” and must:

(A) State that the bank's Certification remains valid;

(B) Describe the activity or activities conducted by the financial subsidiary. To the extent the application relates to the initial affiliation of the bank with a company engaged in insurance activities, the bank should describe the type of insurance activity that the company is engaged in and has present plans to conduct. The bank must also list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable;

(C) Cite the specific authority permitting the activity to be conducted by the financial subsidiary. (Where the authority relied on is an agency order or interpretation under section 4(c)(8) or 4(c)(13), respectively, of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843(c)(8) or (c)(13)), a copy of the order or interpretation should be attached);

(D) Certify that the bank will be well capitalized after making adjustments required by paragraph (h)(1) of this section;

(E) Demonstrate the aggregate consolidated total assets of all financial subsidiaries of the national bank do not exceed the lesser of 45 percent of the bank's consolidated total assets or $50 billion (or the increased level established by the indexing mechanism); and

(F) If applicable, certify that the bank meets the eligible debt requirement in paragraph (g)(3) of this section.

(2) Combined certification and application. A national bank may file a combined certification and application with the appropriate OCC licensing office at least five business days prior to acquiring control of, or holding an interest in, a financial subsidiary, or commencing a new activity authorized pursuant to section 5136A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 24a(a)(2)(A)(i)) in an existing subsidiary. The written application must be labeled “Financial Subsidiary Certification and Application” and must:

(i) List the bank's depository institution affiliates and certify that the bank and each depository institution affiliate of the bank is well capitalized and well managed;

(ii) Describe the activity or activities to be conducted in the financial subsidiary. To the extent the application relates to the initial affiliation of the bank with a company engaged in insurance activities, the bank should describe the type of insurance activity that the company is engaged in and has present plans to conduct. The bank must also list for each State the lines of business for which the company holds, or will hold, an insurance license, indicating the State where the company holds a resident license or charter, as applicable;

(iii) Cite the specific authority permitting the activity to be conducted by the financial subsidiary. (Where the authority relied on is an agency order or interpretation under section 4(c)(8) or 4(c)(13), respectively, of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843(c)(8) or (c)(13)), a copy of the order or interpretation should be attached);

(iv) Certify that the bank will remain well capitalized after making the adjustments required by paragraph (h)(1) of this section;

(v) Demonstrate the aggregate consolidated total assets of all financial subsidiaries of the national bank do not exceed the lesser of 45% of the bank's consolidated total assets or $50 billion (or the increased level established by the indexing mechanism); and

(vi) If applicable, certify that the bank meets the eligible debt requirement in paragraph (g)(3) of this section.

(3) Approval. An application is deemed approved upon filing the information required by paragraphs (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this section within the time frames provided therein.

(4) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13 do not apply to activities authorized under this section.

(5) Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). A national bank may not apply under this paragraph (i) to commence a new activity authorized under section 5136A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 24a(a)(2)(A)(i)), or directly or indirectly acquire control of a company engaged in any such activity, if the bank or any of its insured depository institution affiliates received a CRA rating of less than “satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs” on its most recent CRA examination prior to when the bank would file an application under this section.

* * * * *

§ 5.40

[Amended]

32. Amend § 5.40 by:

a. In paragraph (a), adding a comma after “2901-2907”;

b. Removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears in paragraphs (b), (c)(1), (c)(2)(i), (c)(2)(ii), and (c)(3);

c. In paragraph (c)(2)(ii), adding the phrase “or member” after the word “shareholder”; and

d. In paragraph (c)(4), removing the phrase “national bank” and adding in its place the word “bank”, removing the phrase “Federal savings association” and adding in its place the phrase “savings association”, and removing the phrase “is not eligible for” and adding in its place the phrase “has been removed from”.

33. Section 5.42 is amended by:

a. In paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”;

b. Revising paragraph (d)(3);

c. In paragraph (d)(4), removing “5.13(a)” and adding in its place “5.13” wherever it appears and removing the word “application” and adding in its place the word “notice”.

The revision reads as follows.

§ 5.42

Corporate title of a national bank or Federal savings association.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(3) Amendment to charter. A Federal savings association must amend its charter in accordance with § 5.21 or § 5.22, as applicable, to change its title.

* * * * *

34. Section 5.43 is added to read as follows:

§ 5.43

National bank director residency and citizenship waivers.

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 72 and 93a.

(b) Scope. This section describes the procedures for the OCC to waive the residency and citizenship requirements for national bank directors set forth at 12 U.S.C. 72.

(c) Application Procedures—(1) Residency. A national bank may request a waiver of the residency requirement for any number of directors by filing a written application with the OCC. The OCC may grant a waiver on an individual basis or for any number of director positions. The waiver is valid until the OCC revokes it in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, or, if granted on an individual basis, until the individual no longer serves on the board.

(2) Citizenship. A national bank may request a waiver of the citizenship requirements for individuals who comprise up to a minority of the total number of directors by filing a written application with the OCC. The OCC may grant a waiver on an individual basis. A citizenship waiver is valid until the individual no longer serves on the board or the OCC revokes the waiver in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

(3) Biographical and Financial Reports. (i) Each subject of a citizenship waiver application must submit to the appropriate OCC licensing office the information prescribed in the Interagency Biographical and Financial Report, available at www.occ.gov.

(ii) The OCC may require additional information about any subject of a citizenship waiver application, including legible fingerprints, if appropriate. The OCC may waive any of the information requirements of paragraph (c)(3)(i) if the OCC determines that doing so is in the public interest.

(4) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section.

(d) Revocation of waiver— (1) Procedure. The OCC may revoke a residency or citizenship waiver. Before revocation, the OCC will provide written notice to the national bank and affected director(s) of its intention to revoke a residency or citizenship waiver and the basis for its intention. The bank and affected director(s) may respond in writing to the OCC within 10 calendar days, unless the OCC determines that a shorter period is appropriate in light of relevant circumstances. The OCC will consider the written responses of the bank and affected director(s), if any, prior to deciding whether or not to revoke a residency or citizenship waiver. The OCC will notify the national bank and the director of the OCC's decision to revoke a residency or citizenship waiver in writing.

(2) Effective date. The OCC's decision to revoke a residency or citizenship waiver is effective:

(i) If the director or national bank, or both, appeals pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, upon the director's receipt of the decision of the Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official, to uphold the initial decision to revoke the residency or citizenship waiver; or

(ii) If neither the director nor national bank appeals pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, upon the expiration of the period to appeal.

(e) Appeal. (1) A director or national bank, or both, may seek review by appealing the OCC's decision to revoke a residency or citizenship waiver to the Comptroller, or an authorized delegate, within 15 days of the receipt of the OCC's written decision to revoke. The director or national bank, or both, may appeal on the grounds that the reasons for revocation are contrary to fact or arbitrary and capricious. The appellant must submit all documents and written arguments that the appellant wishes to be considered in support of the appeal.

(2) The Comptroller, or an authorized delegate, may designate an appellate official who was not previously involved in the decision leading to the appeal at issue. The Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official considers all information submitted with the original application for the residency or citizenship waiver, the material before the OCC official who made the initial decision, and any information submitted by the appellant at the time of appeal.

(3) The Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official will independently determine whether the reasons given for the initial decision to revoke are contrary to fact or arbitrary and capricious. If they determine either to be the case, the Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official may reverse the initial decision to revoke the waiver.

(4) Upon completion of the review, the Comptroller, an authorized delegate, or the appellate official will notify the appellant in writing of the decision. If the initial decision is upheld, the decision to revoke the waiver is effective pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section.

(f) Prior waivers. Any waiver granted by the OCC before January 11, 2021 remains in effect unless revoked pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section or, for a waiver granted to an individual, until the individual no longer serves on the board.

§ 5.45

[Amended]

35. Amend § 5.45 by:

a. In paragraphs (b), (e)(1), and (g)(5), removing the phrase “Federal savings association” and adding in its place “Federal stock savings association”;

b. In paragraph (f)(3), removing the phrase “savings association's” and adding in its place “Federal stock savings association's”;

c. In paragraph (g)(1) introductory text, removing the phrase “the savings association” and adding in its place “the Federal stock savings association”;

d. In paragraphs (g)(2)(iii), (g)(4)(i) introductory text, (g)(4)(i)(C), (h), and (i), removing the phrase “savings association” and adding in its place “Federal stock savings association”;

e. In paragraph (g)(4)(i) introductory text and paragraphs (h) and (i), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”; and

f. In paragraph (h), removing the number “197” and adding in its place “16”.

36. Amend § 5.46 by:

a. In paragraph (b), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” in the first sentence and removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “may” in the second sentence;

b. Revising paragraph (g)(1)(ii);

c. In paragraphs (g)(2), (i)(1) introductory text, (i)(3)(i) introductory text, (i)(4), (j), and (k), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears;

d. In paragraph (g)(2), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”;

e. Revising paragraphs (h) and (i)(2);

f. In paragraph (i)(5), adding the phrase, “ unless the OCC specifies a longer period” after the word “approval”;

g. In paragraph (i)(6)(i), removing the phrase “U.S. generally accepted accounting principles” and adding in its place the word “GAAP”; and

h. In paragraph (i)(6)(ii), removing the word “U.S.”.

The revisions read as follows.

§ 5.46

Changes in permanent capital of a national bank.

* * * * *

(g) * * *

(1) * * *

(ii) Prior approval required. In addition to a notice of capital increase under paragraph (i)(3) of this section, a national bank must submit an application under paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this section and obtain prior OCC approval to increase its permanent capital if the bank is:

(A) Required to receive OCC approval pursuant to letter, order, directive, written agreement, or otherwise;

(B) Selling common or preferred stock for consideration other than cash; or

(C) Receiving a material noncash contribution to capital surplus.

* * * * *

(h) Decreases in permanent capital. A national bank must submit an application and obtain prior approval under paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this section for any reduction of its permanent capital. A national bank may request approval for a reduction in capital for multiple quarters. The request need only specify a total dollar amount for the requested period and need not specify amounts for each quarter.

(i) * * *

(2) Expedited review. An eligible bank's application is deemed approved by the OCC 15 days after the date the OCC receives the application described in paragraph (i)(1) of this section, unless the OCC notifies the bank prior to that date that the application has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2). An eligible bank seeking to decrease its capital may request OCC approval for up to four consecutive quarters. The request need only specify a total dollar amount for the four-quarter period and need not specify amounts for each quarter. An eligible bank may decrease its capital pursuant to such a plan only if the bank maintains its eligible bank status before and after each decrease in its capital.

* * * * *

37. Amend § 5.47 by:

a. In paragraph (b), removing the phrase “debt notes” and adding in its place the word “debt”;

b. Revising paragraph (c);

c. In paragraph (d)(1)(ii), removing the phrase “Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)” and adding in its place the word “FDIC”;

d. In paragraph (d)(1)(iv)(B), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State”;

e. In paragraph (d)(1)(vi), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” the first time it appears and removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “may” the second time it appears;

f. In paragraph (d)(vii), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “may”;

g. In paragraph (d)(2) introductory text, removing the word “note” and adding in its place the word “document”;

h. In paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(C), adding the phrase, “ if applicable to the subordinated debt issuance” after the word “default”;

i. Adding paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(D);

j. In paragraph (e), removing the phrase, “ including, for an advanced approaches national bank, the disclosure requirement in 12 CFR 3.20(d)(1)(xi)”; and

k. Revising paragraphs (f), (g) and (h).

The addition and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.47

Subordinated debt issued by a national bank.

* * * * *

(c) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section:

Capital plan means a plan describing the means and schedule by which a national bank will attain specified capital levels or ratios, including a capital restoration plan filed with the OCC under 12 U.S.C. 1831o and 12 CFR 6.5.

Original maturity means the stated maturity of the subordinated debt note. If the subordinated debt note does not have a stated maturity, then original maturity means the earliest possible date the subordinated debt note may be redeemed, repurchased, prepaid, terminated, or otherwise retired by the national bank pursuant to the terms of the subordinated debt note.

Payment on subordinated debt means principal and interest, and premium, if any.

Subordinated debt document means any document pertaining to an issuance of subordinated debt, and any renewal, extension, amendment, modification, or replacement thereof, including the subordinated debt note and any global note, pricing supplement, note agreement, trust indenture, paying agent agreement, or underwriting agreement.

Tier 2 capital has the same meaning as set forth in 12 CFR 3.20(d).

(d) * * *

(3) * * *

(ii) * * *

(D) A statement that the obligation may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. government in the event that the national bank enters into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation, or similar proceeding.

* * * * *

(f) Process and procedures—(1) Issuance of subordinated debt—(i) Approval—(A) Eligible bank. An eligible bank is required to receive prior approval from the OCC to issue any subordinated debt, in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section, if:

(1) The national bank will not continue to be an eligible bank after the transaction;

(2) The OCC has previously notified the national bank that prior approval is required; or

(3) Prior approval is required by law.

(B) National bank not an eligible bank. A national bank that is not an eligible bank must receive prior OCC approval to issue any subordinated debt, in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section.

(ii) Application to include subordinated debt in tier 2 capital. A national bank that intends to include subordinated debt in tier 2 capital must submit an application to the OCC for approval, in accordance with paragraph (h) of this section, before or within ten days after issuing the subordinated debt. Where a national bank's application to issue subordinated debt has been deemed to be approved, in accordance with paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section, and the national bank does not contemporaneously receive approval from the OCC to include the subordinated debt as tier 2 capital, the national bank must submit an application for approval to include subordinated debt in tier 2 capital, pursuant to paragraph (h) of this section, after issuance of the subordinated debt. A national bank may not include subordinated debt in tier 2 capital unless the national bank has filed the application with the OCC and received approval from the OCC that the subordinated debt issued by the national bank qualifies as tier 2 capital.

(2) Prepayment of subordinated debt—(i) Subordinated debt not included in tier 2 capital—(A) Eligible bank. An eligible bank is required to receive prior approval from the OCC to prepay any subordinated debt that is not included in tier 2 capital (including acceleration, repurchase, redemption prior to maturity, and exercising a call option), in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, only if:

(1) The national bank will not be an eligible bank after the transaction;

(2) The OCC has previously notified the national bank that prior approval is required;

(3) Prior approval is required by law; or

(4) The amount of the proposed prepayment is equal to or greater than one percent of the national bank's total capital, as defined in 12 CFR 3.2.

(B) National bank not an eligible bank. A national bank that is not an eligible bank must receive prior OCC approval to prepay any subordinated debt that is not included in tier 2 capital (including acceleration, repurchase, redemption prior to maturity, and exercising a call option), in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section.

(ii) Subordinated debt included in tier 2 capital. All national banks must receive prior OCC approval to prepay subordinated debt included in tier 2 capital, in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section.

(3) Material changes to existing subordinated debt documents. A national bank must receive prior approval from the OCC in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this section prior to making a material change to an existing subordinated debt document if the bank would have been required to receive OCC approval to issue the security under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section or to include it in tier 2 capital under paragraph (h) of this section.

(g) Prior approval procedure—(1) Application—(i) Issuance of subordinated debt. A national bank required to obtain OCC approval before issuing subordinated debt must submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The application must include:

(A) A description of the terms and amount of the proposed issuance;

(B) A statement of whether the national bank is subject to a capital plan or required to file a capital plan with the OCC and, if so, how the proposed change conforms to the capital plan;

(C) A copy of the proposed subordinated note and any other subordinated debt documents; and

(D) A statement that the subordinated debt issue complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

(ii) Prepayment of subordinated debt. A national bank required to obtain OCC approval before prepaying subordinated debt, pursuant to paragraph (f)(2) of this section, must submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The application must include:

(A) A description of the terms and amount of the proposed prepayment;

(B) A statement of whether the national bank is subject to a capital plan or required to file a capital plan with the OCC and, if so, how the proposed change conforms to the capital plan;

(C) A copy of the subordinated debt note the national bank is proposing to prepay and any other subordinated debt documents; and

(D) Either:

(1) A statement explaining why the national bank believes that following the proposed prepayment the national bank would continue to hold an amount of capital commensurate with its risk; or

(2) A description of the replacement capital instrument that meets the criteria for tier 1 or tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20, including the amount of such instrument, and the time frame for issuance.

(iii) Material changes to existing subordinated debt. A national bank required to obtain OCC approval before making a material change to an existing subordinated debt document, pursuant to paragraph (f)(3) of this section, must submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The application must include:

(A) A description of all proposed changes;

(B) A statement of whether the national bank is subject to a capital plan or required to file a capital plan with the OCC and, if so, how the proposed change conforms to the capital plan;

(C) A copy of the revised subordinated debt documents reflecting all proposed changes; and

(D) A statement that the proposed changes to the subordinated debt documents complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

(iv) Additional information. The OCC reserves the right to request additional relevant information, as appropriate.

(2) Approval—(i) General. The application is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 30th day after the filing is received by the OCC, unless the OCC notifies the national bank prior to that date that the filing presents a significant supervisory or compliance concern or raises a significant legal or policy issue.

(ii) Prepayment. Notwithstanding this paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section, if the application for prior approval is for prepayment, the national bank must receive affirmative approval from the OCC. If the OCC requires the national bank to replace the subordinated debt, the national bank must receive affirmative approval that the replacement capital instrument meets the criteria for tier 1 or tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20 and must issue the replacement instrument prior to prepaying the subordinated debt, or immediately thereafter.^[4]

(iii) Tier 2 capital. Following notification to the OCC pursuant to paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section that the national bank has issued the subordinated debt, the OCC will notify the national bank whether the subordinated debt qualifies as tier 2 capital.

(iv) Expiration of approval. Approval expires if a national bank does not complete the sale of the subordinated debt within one year of approval.

(h) Application procedure for inclusion in tier 2 capital. (1) A national bank must submit an application to the appropriate OCC licensing office in writing before or within ten days after issuing subordinated debt that it intends to include in tier 2 capital. A national bank may not include such subordinated debt in tier 2 capital unless the national bank has received approval from the OCC that the subordinated debt qualifies as tier 2 capital.

(2) The application must include:

(i) The terms of the issuance;

(ii) The amount or projected amount and date or projected date of receipt of funds;

(iii) The interest rate or expected calculation method for the interest rate;

(iv) Copies of the final subordinated debt documents; and

(v) A statement that the issuance complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

* * * * *

§ 5.48

[Amended]

38. Amend § 5.48 in paragraphs (b), (e)(1), (e)(2)(i), (e)(3)(i) introductory text, (e)(3)(ii), (e)(3)(iii), (e)(4), (e)(5), (e)(6), and (f)(2)(ii) by removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears.

39. Section 5.50 is amended by:

a. In paragraphs (b), (c)(3)(v)(B), (f)(2)(i), (f)(2)(vii), (f)(3)(ii)(B), (f)(3)(ii)(C), (g)(1) introductory text, (h), (i)(1)(i), (i)(1)(ii), (i)(4)(ii), and (i)(5), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears;

b. In paragraph (c)(2)(iii), removing the word “(HOLA)”;

c. In paragraph (d)(1)(ii), removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “is”;

d. In paragraph (d)(5), removing the phrase “his or her”; and adding in its place the word “their”;

e. Removing paragraph (d)(8);

f. Redesignating paragraphs (d)(6) through (7) as paragraphs (d)(7) through (8);

g. Adding new paragraph (d)(6);

h. In redesignated paragraph (d)(7), removing the word “HOLA” and adding in its place the phrase “Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1464”;

i. In paragraph (f)(2)(ii) introductory text, removing the phrase “shall be” and adding in its place the word “are”;

j. In paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(D), adding the phrase “ 15 U.S.C. 78m or 78n,” after “1934,”;

k. In paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(E), removing the phrase “defined in § 192.25 of this chapter shall” and adding in its place the phrase “defined in 12 CFR 192.25 is”;

l. In paragraph (f)(2)(iii)(A), removing “78l” and adding in its place “78 l”;

m. In paragraph (f)(2)(viii), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “will”;

n. In paragraph (f)(3)(i)(A), removing the phrase “on the OCC's internet web page,” and adding in its place the word “at”;

o. In paragraphs (f)(3)(ii)(A), (f)(3)(ii)(B), (f)(3)(iii) introductory text, and (g)(1) introductory text removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”;

p. In paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(C), removing the phrase “An applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “A filer”;

q. Removing paragraph (f)(3)(iv);

r. Removing the phrase “ of notice” in the heading of paragraph (f)(5);

s. Revising paragraph (f)(6);

t. Revising paragraph (g)(2)(i);

u. In paragraph (i)(1)(iii), removing the phrase “paragraph (h)(1)(i)” and adding in its place the phrase “paragraph (i)(1)(i)”; and

v. In paragraph (i)(3)(i), removing the phrase “paragraph (h)(1)” and adding in its place the phrase “paragraph (i)(1)”.

The addition and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.50

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

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(6) Depository institution means a depository institution as defined in section 3(c)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(c)(1).

* * * * *

(f) * * *

(6) Notification of disapproval. (i) Written notice by OCC. If the OCC disapproves a notice, it will notify the filer in writing within three days after the decision. The OCC's written disapproval will contain a statement of the basis for disapproval and indicate that the filer may request a hearing.

(ii) Hearing Request. The filer may request a hearing by the OCC within 10 days of receipt of disapproval, pursuant to the procedures in 12 CFR part 19, subpart H. Following final agency action under 12 CFR part 19, further review by the courts is available. (See 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(5)).

(iii) Failure to request a hearing. If a filer fails to request a hearing with a timely request, the notice of disapproval constitutes a final and unappealable order.

* * * * *

(g) * * *

(2) * * *

(i) Upon the request of any person, the OCC releases the information provided in the public portion of the notice and makes it available for public inspection and copying as soon as possible after a notice has been filed. In certain circumstances the OCC may determine that the release of the information would not be in the public interest. In addition, the OCC makes the date that the notice is filed, the disposition of the notice and the date thereof, and the consummation date of the transaction, if applicable, publicly available in the OCC's “Weekly Bulletin.”

* * * * *

40. Amend § 5.51 by:

a. Revising paragraph (a);

b. In paragraph (c)(4), adding the phrase “chief risk officer,” after the phrase “chief investment officer,”

c. In paragraph (c)(7)(ii), adding the phrase “that requires action to improve the financial condition of the national bank or Federal savings association” after the word “agreement”;

d. In paragraph (d) introductory text, and paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(6)(i)(C), (e)(6)(1)(D)( 2), (e)(6)(i)(E), and (f)(1), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears;

e. In paragraph (e)(6)(i)(E), removing the phrase “his or her” and adding in its place the word “their”;

f. In paragraph (e)(8), adding “5.9,” after “5.8,”; and

g. In paragraphs (e)(8), (f)(3), and (f)(4), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “will”.

The revision reads as follows.

§ 5.51

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

(a) Authority. 12 U.S.C. 1831i, 3102(b), and 5412(b)(2)(B).

* * * * *

§ 5.52

[Amended]

41. Amend § 5.52 by:

a. In paragraph (c)(1), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”; and

b. In paragraph (c)(2), removing “§ 5.40(b)” and adding in its place “§ 5.40(c)(1)”.

§ 5.53

[Amended]

42. Amend § 5.53 by:

a. In paragraph (c)(2)(ii), removing “ 12 CFR 5.48” wherever it appears and adding in its place “§ 5.48”; and

b. In paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A), removing the phrase “under paragraph (d)(1)” and adding in its place “filed under paragraph (d)(2)”.

43. Amend § 5.55 by:

a. In paragraph (b), removing the phrase “or notice”;

b. Removing paragraph (d)(2) and redesignating paragraph (d)(3) as paragraph (d)(2);

c. Adding a new paragraph (d)(3);

d. In paragraph (d)(4), removing the phrase “generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)” and adding in its place the word “GAAP”;

e. Revising paragraphs (e), (f), (g), and paragraph (h) introductory text;

f. Redesignating paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(3) as paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(iii);

g. Removing the last sentence of redesignated paragraph (h)(1)(iii); and

h. Adding new paragraph (h)(1) introductory text and paragraph (h)(2).

The additions and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.55

Capital distributions by Federal savings associations.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(3) Control has the same meaning as in section 10(a)(2) of the Home Owners' Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1467a(a)(2)).

* * * * *

(e) Filing requirements—(1) Application required. A Federal savings association must file an application with the OCC before making a capital distribution if:

(i) The Federal savings association would not be at least well capitalized or would not otherwise remain an eligible savings association following the distribution;

(ii) The total amount of all of the Federal savings association's capital distributions (including the proposed capital distribution) for the applicable calendar year exceeds its net income for that year to date plus retained net income for the preceding two years. If the capital distribution is from retained earnings, the aggregate limitation in this paragraph may be calculated in accordance with § 5.64(c)(2), substituting “capital distributions” for “dividends” in that section;

(iii) The Federal savings association's proposed capital distribution would reduce the amount of or retire any part of its common or preferred stock or retire any part of debt instruments such as notes or debentures included in capital under 12 CFR part 3 (other than regular payments required under a debt instrument approved under § 5.56);

(iv) The Federal savings association's proposed capital distribution is payable in property other than cash;

(v) The Federal savings association is directly or indirectly controlled by a mutual savings and loan holding company or by a company that is not a savings and loan holding company; or

(vi) The Federal savings association's proposed capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any applicable statute, regulation, or agreement between the Federal savings association and the OCC or the OTS, or violate a condition imposed on the Federal savings association in an application or notice approved by the OCC or the OTS.

(2) No application required. A Federal savings association may make a capital distribution without filing an application with the OCC if it does not meet the filing requirements in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

(3) Informational copy of Federal Reserve System notice required. If the Federal savings association is a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company that is filing a notice with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) for a dividend solely under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(f) and not also under 12 U.S.C. 1467a(o)(11), and no application under paragraph (e)(1) of this section is required, then the savings association must provide an informational copy to the OCC of the notice filed with the Board, at the same time the notice is filed with the Board.

(f) Application format—(1) Contents. The application must:

(i) Be in narrative form;

(ii) Include all relevant information concerning the proposed capital distribution, including the amount, timing, and type of distribution; and

(iii) Demonstrate compliance with paragraph (h) of this section.

(2) Schedules. The application may include a schedule proposing capital distributions over a specified period.

(3) Combined filings. A Federal savings association may combine the application required under paragraph (e)(1) of this section with any other notice or application, if the capital distribution is a part of, or is proposed in connection with, another transaction requiring a notice or application under this chapter. If submitting a combined filing, the Federal savings association must state that the related notice or application is intended to serve as an application under this section.

(g) Filing procedures—(1) Application. When a Federal savings association is required to file an application under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, it must file the application at least 30 days before the proposed declaration of dividend or approval of the proposed capital distribution by its board of directors. Except as provided in paragraph (g)(2) of this section, the OCC is deemed to have approved an application from an eligible savings association upon the expiration of 30 days after the filing date of the application unless, before the expiration of that time period, the OCC notifies the Federal savings association that:

(i) Additional information is required to supplement the application;

(ii) The application has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under 5.13(a)(2); or

(iii) The application is denied.

(2) Applications not subject to expedited review. An application is not subject to expedited review if:

(i) The Federal savings association is not an eligible savings association;

(ii) The total amount of all of the Federal savings association's capital distributions (including the proposed capital distribution) for the applicable calendar year exceeds its net income for that year to date plus retained net income for the preceding two years;

(iii) The Federal savings association would not be at least adequately capitalized, as set forth in 12 CFR 6.4, following the distribution; or

(iv) The Federal savings association's proposed capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any applicable statute, regulation, or agreement between the savings association and the OCC or the OTS, or violate a condition imposed on the savings association in an application or notice approved by the OCC or the OTS.

(3) OCC filing office— (i) Appropriate licensing office. Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this section, a Federal savings association that is required to file an application under paragraph (e)(1) of this section or an informational copy of a notice under paragraph (e)(3) of this section must submit the application or notice to the appropriate OCC licensing office.

(ii) Appropriate supervisory office. A Federal savings association that is required to file an application under paragraph (e)(1) of this section for capital distributions involving solely a cash dividend from retained earnings or involving a cash dividend from retained earnings and a concurrent cash distribution from permanent capital must submit the application to the appropriate OCC supervisory office.

(h) OCC review of capital distributions. After review of an application submitted pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) of this section:

(1) The OCC may deny the application in whole or in part, if it makes any of the following determinations:

* * * * *

(2) The OCC may approve the application in whole or in part. Notwithstanding paragraph (h)(1)(iii) of this section, the OCC may waive any waivable prohibition or condition to permit a distribution.

* * * * *

44. Amend § 5.56 by:

a. Revising paragraph (b);

b. In paragraph (d)(1)(i)(F), removing the word “and”;

c. In paragraph (d)(1)(i)(G), removing the period and adding in its place “; and”;

d. Adding new paragraph (d)(1)(i)(H);

e. In paragraph (d)(2)(i), removing “ 12 CFR 197.4” and adding in its place “12 CFR 16.7” and removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “may”;

f. In paragraph (d)(2)(ii), removing “ 15 U.S.C. 77d(6)” and adding in its place “15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(15);

g. In paragraph (e)(1) introductory text, removing the phrase “notices and”;

h. In paragraphs (e)(2) and (i), removing the phrase “or notice” wherever it appears; and

i. Revising paragraph (h).

The addition and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.56

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

* * * * *

(b) Application procedures—(1) Application to include covered securities in tier 2 capital—(i) Application required. A Federal savings association must file an application seeking the OCC's approval of the inclusion of covered securities in tier 2 capital. The savings association may file its application before or after it issues covered securities, but may not include covered securities in tier 2 capital until the OCC approves the application and the securities are issued.

(ii) Expedited review. The OCC is deemed to have approved an application from an eligible savings association to include covered securities in tier 2 capital upon the expiration of 30 days after the filing date of the application unless, before the expiration of that time period, the OCC notifies the Federal savings association that:

(A) Additional information is required to supplement the application;

(B) The application has been removed from expedited review or the expedited review process is extended under § 5.13(a)(2); or

(C) The OCC denies the application.

(iii) Securities offering rules. A Federal savings association also must comply with the securities offering rules at 12 CFR part 16 by filing an offering circular for a proposed issuance of covered securities, unless the offering qualifies for an exemption under that part.

(2) Application required to prepay covered securities included in tier 2 capital—(i) In general. A Federal savings association must file an application to, and receive prior approval from, the OCC before prepaying covered securities included in tier 2 capital. The application must include:

(A) A statement explaining why the Federal savings association believes that following the proposed prepayment the savings association would continue to hold an amount of capital commensurate with its risk; or

(B) A description of the replacement capital instrument that meets the criteria for tier 1 or tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20, including the amount of such instrument and the time frame for issuance.

(ii) Replacement covered security. If the OCC conditions approval of prepayment on a requirement that a Federal savings association must replace the covered security with a covered security of an equivalent amount that satisfies the requirements for tier 1 or tier 2 capital, the savings association must file an application to issue the replacement covered security and must receive prior OCC approval.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(1) * * *

(i) * * *

(H) State that the security may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. government in the event that the savings association enters into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation, or similar proceeding;

* * * * *

(h) Issuance of a replacement regulatory capital instrument in connection with prepaying a covered security. The OCC may require a Federal savings association seeking prior approval to prepay a covered security included in tier 2 capital to issue a replacement covered security of an equivalent amount that qualifies as tier 1 or tier 2 capital under 12 CFR 3.20. If the OCC imposes such a requirement, the savings association must complete the sale of such covered security prior to, or immediately after, the prepayment.^[5]

* * * * *

45. Amend § 5.58 by:

a. In paragraph (a), adding “and” before “5412(b)(2)(B)”;

b. Revising paragraph (d)(2) and removing paragraph (d)(3);

c. Revising paragraph (e) introductory text;

d. In paragraph (e)(1), removing the word “state” wherever it appears and adding in its place the word “State”;

e. Revising paragraphs (e)(2) through (4);

f. Revising paragraph (f)(1);

g. Redesignating paragraph (f)(2) as paragraph (f)(3) and revising newly redesignated paragraph (f)(3);

h. Adding a new paragraph (f)(2);

i. Redesignating paragraphs (g) through (i) as paragraphs (h) through (j), respectively and adding new paragraph (g);

j. In the heading of redesignated paragraph (h), removing the word “ entities” and adding in its place the word “enterprises”;

k. In redesignated paragraph (h) introductory text, removing the word “entity” and adding in its place the word “enterprise”;

l. In redesignated paragraph (h)(1), removing the phrase “paragraph (g)(1)(i)” wherever it appears and adding in its place the phrase “paragraph (h)(1)”;

m. In redesignated paragraph (i)(3), removing the word “non-controlling” and adding in its place the word “pass-through”; and

n. Revising redesignated paragraph (j).

The additions and revisions read as follows.

§ 5.58

Pass-through investments by a Federal savings association.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(2) Pass-through investment means an investment authorized under 12 CFR 160.32(a). A pass-through investment does not include a Federal savings association holding interests in a trust formed for the purposes of securitizing assets held by the savings association as part of its business or for the purposes of holding multiple legal titles of motor vehicles or equipment in conjunction with lease financing transactions.

(e) Pass-through investments; notice procedure. Except as provided in paragraphs (f) through (i) of this section, a Federal savings association may make a pass-through investment, directly or through its operating subsidiary, in an enterprise that engages in an activity described in § 5.38(f)(5) or in an activity that is substantively the same as a previously approved activity by filing a written notice. The Federal savings association must file this written notice with the appropriate OCC licensing office no later than 10 days after making the investment. The written notice must:

* * * * *

(2) State:

(i) Which paragraphs of § 5.38(f)(5) describe the activity; or

(ii) If the activity is substantively the same as a previously approved activity:

(A) How, the activity is substantively the same as a previously approved activity;

(B) The citation to the applicable precedent; and

(C) That the activity will be conducted in accordance with the same terms and conditions applicable to the previously approved activity;

(3) Certify that the Federal savings association is well capitalized and well managed at the time of the investment;

(4) Describe how the Federal savings association has the ability to prevent the enterprise from engaging in an activity that is not set forth in § 5.38(f)(5) or not contained in published OCC (including published former OTS) precedent for previously approved activities, or how the savings association otherwise has the ability to withdraw its investment;

* * * * *

(f) * * * (1) In general. A Federal savings association must file an application and obtain prior approval before making or acquiring, either directly or through an operating subsidiary, a pass-through investment in an enterprise if the pass-through investment does not qualify for the notice procedure set forth in paragraph (e) of this section because the savings association is unable to make the representation required by paragraph (e)(2) or the certification required by paragraphs (e)(3) or (e)(7) of this section. The application must include the information required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(6) of this section and, if possible, paragraphs (e)(2), (e)(3), and (e)(7) of this section. If the Federal savings association is unable to make the representation set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the savings association's application must explain why the activity in which the enterprise engages is a permissible activity for a Federal savings association and why the filer should be permitted to hold a pass-through investment in an enterprise engaged in that activity. A Federal savings association may not make a pass-through investment if it is unable to make the representations and certifications specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(6) of this section.

(2) Expedited review. An application submitted by a Federal savings association is deemed approved by the OCC as of the 10th day after the application is received by the OCC if:

(A) The Federal savings association makes the representation required by paragraph (e)(2) and the certification required by paragraph (e)(3) of this section;

(B) The book value of the Federal savings association's pass-through investment for which the application is being submitted is no more than 1% of the savings association's capital and surplus;

(C) No more than 50% of the enterprise is owned or controlled by banks or savings associations subject to examination by an appropriate Federal banking agency or credit unions insured by the National Credit Union Association; and

(D) The OCC has not notified the Federal savings association that the application has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review process is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2).

(3) Investments requiring a filing under 12 U.S.C. 1828(m). Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, if an enterprise in which a Federal savings association proposes to invest would be a subsidiary of the Federal savings association for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 1828(m) and the enterprise would not be an operating subsidiary or a service corporation, the Federal savings association must file an application with the OCC under paragraph (f)(3) of this section at least 30 days prior to making the investment and obtain prior approval from the OCC before making the investment. The application must include the information required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(6) of this section and, if possible, paragraphs (e)(2), (e)(3), and (e)(7) of this section. If the Federal savings association is unable to make the representation set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the savings association's application must explain why the activity in which the enterprise engages is a permissible activity for a Federal savings association and why the filer should be permitted to hold a pass-through investment in an enterprise engaged in that activity. A Federal savings association may not make a pass-through investment if it is unable to make the representations and certifications specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(4) through (e)(6) of this section.

(g) Pass-through investments; no application or notice required. A Federal savings association may make or acquire, either directly or through an operating subsidiary, a pass-through investment in an enterprise, without an application or notice to the OCC, if:

(i) The activities of the enterprise are limited to those to activities previously reported by the savings association in connection with the making or acquiring of a pass-through investment;

(ii) The activities in the enterprise continue to be legally permissible for a Federal savings association;

(iii) The savings association's pass-through investment will be made in accordance with any conditions imposed by the OCC or OTS in approving any prior pass-through investment conducting these activities;

(iv) The savings association is able to make the representations and certifications specified in paragraphs (e)(3) through (e)(7) of this section; and

(v) The enterprise will not be a subsidiary for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 1828(m).

* * * * *

(j) Exceptions to rules of general applicability. Sections 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 do not apply to this section. However, if the OCC concludes that an application presents significant or novel policy, supervisory, or legal issues, the OCC may determine that some or all provisions in §§ 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11 apply.

* * * * *

46. Amend § 5.59 by:

a. In paragraph (a), removing “1464” and adding in its place “1464(c)(4)(B)” and adding “and” before “5412(b)(2)(B);

b. In paragraph (b) introductory text, adding “( 12 U.S.C. 1828(m))” after the phrase “Insurance Act”;

c. In paragraph (d)(2), removing the phrase “generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)” and adding in its place the word “GAAP”;

d. In paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), (f)(6)(i), and (h)(1)(ii), removing the word “state” and adding the word “State” wherever it appears;

e. In paragraph (e)(1), removing the phrase “state-chartered” and adding in its place the phrase “State-chartered”;

f. In paragraph (e)(4), removing the word “HOLA” and adding in its place the phrase “Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)”;

g. In paragraph (e)(9), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears;

h. In paragraph (g)(1), removing the word “HOLA” and adding in its place the phrase “Home Owners' Loan Act ( 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)(4)(B))”;

i. In paragraph (g)(1), removing “§ 24.6 of this chapter” and adding in its place “ 12 CFR part 24”;

j. In paragraph (g)(2), removing the phrase “HOLA and parts 5 and 160 of this chapter” and adding in its place the phrase “Home Owners' Loan Act ( 12 U.S.C. 1464(c)), this part 5, and 12 CFR part 160”;

k. In paragraph (g)(3), removing the word “paragraph,” and adding in its place the phrase “paragraph (g),”;

l. In paragraph (h)(1)(i) introductory text, adding the phrase “( 12 U.S.C. 1828(m))” after the word “Act”;

m. In paragraph (h)(1)(ii), removing the phrase “an applicant” and adding in its place the phrase “a filer”, and removing the word “applicants” and adding in its place the word “filers”;

n. In paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (h)(3), removing the word “applicant” and adding in its place the word “filer”;

o. In paragraph (h)(2), removing the phrase “is not eligible for expedited review under 5.13(a)(2)” and adding in its place the phrase “has been removed from expedited review, or the expedited review period is extended, under § 5.13(a)(2)”

p. Revising paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(A); and

q. In paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(B), removing “§ 5.59(f).” and adding in its place the phrase “paragraph (f) of this section.”.

The revision reads as follows:

§ 5.59

Service corporations of Federal savings associations.

* * * * *

(h) * * *

(2) * * *

(ii) * * *

(A) The savings association is well capitalized and well managed; and

* * * * *

§ 5.62

[Amended]

47. Section 5.62 is amended by removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”.

§ 5.64

[Amended]

48. Section 5.64 is amended by:

a. In paragraph (c)(2)(i), removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “does”;

b. In paragraph (c)(2)(iii), removing the phrase “paragraph (c)(2)” and adding in its place the phrase “paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and (c)(2)(ii)” and removing the phrase “shall apply” and adding in its place the word “applies”;

c. In paragraph (c)(3), removing the phrase “paragraph (c)” and adding in its place the phrase “paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2)” and removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must”; and

d. Removing paragraph (d).

49. Revise § 5.66 to read as follows.

§ 5.66

Dividends payable in property other than cash.

In addition to cash dividends, directors of a national bank may declare dividends payable in property, with the approval of the OCC. A national bank must submit a request for prior approval of a noncash dividend to the appropriate OCC licensing office. The dividend is equivalent to a cash dividend in an amount equal to the actual current value of the property, regardless of whether the book value is higher or lower under GAAP. Before the dividend is declared, the bank should show the difference between actual value and book value on the books of the national bank as a gain or loss, as applicable, and the dividend should then be declared in the amount of the actual current value of the property being distributed.

50. Revise § 5.67 to read as follows.

§ 5.67

Fractional shares.

A national bank issuing additional stock may adopt arrangements to preclude the issuance of fractional shares. The bank may remit the cash equivalent of the fraction not being issued to those to whom fractional shares would otherwise be issued. The cash equivalent is based on the market value of the stock, if there is an established and active market in the national bank's stock. In the absence of such a market, the cash equivalent is based on a reliable and disinterested determination as to the fair market value of the stock if such stock is available. The bank may propose an alternate method in the application for the stock issuance filed with the OCC.

51. Amend § 5.70 by:

a. In paragraphs (c)(1)(iv) and (c)(1)(v), removing the word “state” and adding in its place the word “State” wherever it appears;

b. In paragraph (d)(1) and paragraph (d)(2) introductory text, removing the word “shall” and adding in its place the word “must” wherever it appears; and

c. Adding new paragraph (d)(3).

The addition reads as follows.

§ 5.70

Federal branches and agencies.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(3) Biographical and Financial Reports. The OCC may require any senior executive officer of a Federal branch or agency submitting a filing to submit an Interagency Biographical and Financial Report, available at www.occ.gov,, and legible fingerprints.

PART 7—ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS

52. The authority citation for part 7 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 25b, 29, 71, 71a, 92, 92a, 93, 93a, 95(b)(1), 371, 371d, 481, 484, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1818, 1828(m) and 5412(b)(2)(B).

§ 7.2008

[Amended]

53. Amend § 7.2008(c) by removing the phrase “ 12 CFR 5.3(c)” and adding in its place the phrase “12 CFR 5.3”.

Brian P. Brooks,

Acting Comptroller of the Currency.

Footnotes

1.  The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on April 2, 2020. 85 FR 18728.

2.  These periodic reviews are in addition to the OCC's decennial review of its regulations as required by the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act (EGRPRA). Public Law 104-208 (1996), codified at 12 U.S.C. 3311(b). Section 2222 of EGRPRA requires that, at least once every 10 years, the OCC along with the other Federal banking agencies and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) conduct a review of their regulations to identify outdated or otherwise unnecessary regulatory requirements imposed on insured depository institutions. Specifically, EGRPRA requires the agencies to categorize and publish their regulations for comment, eliminate unnecessary regulations to the extent that such action is appropriate, and submit a report to Congress summarizing their review. The agencies completed their second EGRPRA review on March 30, 2017 and published their report in the Federal Register. 82 FR 15900 (March 30, 2017).

3.  The OCC notes that this definition would not apply to an activity that a statute, regulation, or court decision has subsequently made impermissible.

4.  These references are available at https://www.occ.gov/​publications-and-resources/​publications/​banker-education/​files/​pub-comparison-powers-national-banks-fed-sav-assoc.pdf and https://www.occ.gov/​publications-and-resources/​publications/​banker-education/​files/​pub-activities-permissible-for-nat-banks-fed-saving.pdf.

5.  See https://occ.gov/​topics/​charters-and-licensing/​interpretations-and-actions/​index-interpretations-and-actions.html.

6.  There is one instance of the term “well managed” in current part 5 that does not follow this definition. Specifically, 12 CFR 5.59(e)(7)(i) requires that each Federal savings association “be well managed and operate safely and soundly.” This provision is not directly applicable to any filing procedures but is rather a general statement of appropriate management and safety and soundness standards. For example, pursuant to § 5.59(e)(7)(ii) the OCC may limit a Federal savings association's investment in a service corporation, or limit or refuse to permit any activity of a service corporation, for supervisory, legal, or safety or soundness reasons.

7.  See 12 CFR 211.2(z); 12 CFR 225.2(s). Additionally, the OCC notes that the definition of “well managed” in Regulation Y applies to both expedited processing, see, e.g., 12 CFR 225.14(c)(2), and for an entity qualifying to be a financial holding company, see, e.g., 12 CFR 225.82. These are analogous, for example, to the revised usage of “well managed” for processing procedures to establish an operating subsidiary in § 5.34 and for a national bank qualifying to invest in a financial subsidiary in § 5.39, respectively.

8.  According to the OMB,”[t]he general concept of a metropolitan statistical area is that of an area containing a large population nucleus and adjacent communities that have a high degree of integration with that nucleus.” 75 FR 37246 (June 28, 2010). These standards are then applied to census data to delineate the metropolitan statistical areas.

9.  12 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.

10.  5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.

11.  See, e.g., Perez v. Mortg. Bankers Ass'n, 575 U.S. 92, 96 (2015).

12.  See Thompson v. Clark, 741 F.2d 401, 408-09 (D.C. Cir. 1984); Auto. Parts & Accessories Ass'n v. Boyd, 407 F.2d 330, 338 (D.C. Cir.1968).

13.  Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., 435 U.S. 519, 553-54 (1978). See also, e.g., Interstate Natural Gas Ass'n of Am. v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm'n, 494 F.3d 1092, 1096 (D.C. Cir. 2007) (“`[C]omments must be significant enough to step over a threshold requirement of materiality before any lack of agency response or consideration becomes of concern' . . . and `[t]he APA requirement of agency responsiveness to comments is subject to the common-sense rule that a response be necessary.'”(quoting Portland Cement Ass'n v. Ruckelshaus, 486 F.2d 375, 294 (D.C. Cir. 1973) and Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc. v. U.S. Envtl. Prot. Agency, 859 F.2d 156, 188 (D.C. Cir. 1988) (per curiam)).

14.  See Home Box Office, Inc. v. Fed'l Commc'ns Comm'n, 567 F.2d 9, 35 n.58 (D.C. Cir. 1977) (“Moreover, comments which themselves are purely speculative and do not disclose the factual or policy basis on which they rest require no response. There must be some basis for thinking a position taken in opposition to the agency is true.”).

15.  See Hillsdale Envtl. Loss Prevention, Inc. v. U.S. Army Corps of Eng'rs, 702 F.3d 1156, 1181-82 (10th Cir. 2012) (Holding that “[e]ven if 90% of the comments . . . were negative, this merely demonstrates public opposition, not a substantial dispute” concerning the factors that the agency had to consider per the statute).

16.  Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2) (first alteration in original)).

17.  Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009).

18.  Papsan v. Allain, 478 U.S. 265, 286 (1986).

19.  See 5 U.S.C. 556(d) (permitting agency officials or administrative law judges overseeing formal rulemaking proceedings to exclude “irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence”).

20.  Cf. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556 (requiring that an antitrust complaint contain “enough fact to raise a reasonable expectation that discovery will reveal evidence of illegal agreement”).

21.  “Public Notice and Comments” booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual, Version 1.1, Nov. 2017, p. 8. The OCC note's that one commenter requested that this language regarding new information be included in the regulatory text. However, the OCC believes that it is not necessary to include this language in the rule, and that the inclusion of this language in the Supplementary Information of this final rule and in the Licensing Manual provides adequate explanation for how OCC construes as “previously reviewed.”

22.  The Interagency Biographical and Financial Report is available on the OCC's website at https://www.occ.gov/​static/​licensing/​form-ia-biographical-financial-report.pdf.

23.  See 85 CFR 34734 (June 5, 2020).

24.  See 85 FR 31943 (May 28, 2020). Because the final rule includes the changes made by the interim final rule, the OCC is not issuing a separate rulemaking to finalize the part 5 changes made by the interim final rule. Among other things, this interim final rule amended §§ 5.21 and 5.22 to permit an association's bylaws to provide for telephonic or electronic participation of members and shareholders, as applicable, at both annual and special meetings. These amendments also provide that members or shareholders participating telephonically or electronically at these meetings will be deemed present in person for purposes of the quorum requirement in §§ 5.21(j)(2)(v) or 5.22(k)(5), as applicable. In addition, this interim final rule requires Federal savings associations to have procedures in place for telephonic and electronic participation and provides associations with a choice of procedures to follow based on elected State corporate governance procedures, the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the Model Business Corporation Act. Further, this interim final rule clarifies that stock Federal savings associations may provide for telephonic or electronic participation at all board of directors meetings, as currently provided for mutual Federal savings associations. The OCC received one substantive comment letter on this interim final rule, which supported its amendments. In response to a request for comment in the preamble to this interim final rule, this commenter opposed any new risk management standards to mitigate any security risks arising from telephonic or electronic meetings, noting that new standards would be unnecessary given current safeguards and regulatory requirements. The OCC is not imposing any new risk management standards for telephonic or electronic meetings through this part 5 final rule.

25.  When provisions for Federal savings associations were added to § 5.42, the OCC did not include the prior rule's advance notice requirement. See 80 FR 28383 (May 15, 2015).

26.  See 85 FR 31943 (May 28, 2020).

27.  See 85 FR 42630 (July 14, 2020).

28.  See 80 FR 28345, at 28365 (May 18, 2015).

29.  The OCC notes that it has proposed to renumber 12 CFR 7.4003 to 12 CFR 7.1027 in a separate rulemaking. See 85 FR 40794 (July 7, 2020). The OCC will update this cross-reference in § 5.30 if it finalizes this renumbering.

30.  OCC Interpretive Letter No. 1165, Legal Requirements for the Establishment of Interactive Automated Teller Machines (August 2019), available at https://www.occ.gov/​topics/​charters-and-licensing/​interpretations-and-actions/​2019/​int1165.pdf.

31.  The OCC also stated that it was considering the same change for a drive-in or pedestrian office of a Federal savings association, in 12 CFR 5.31. To maintain consistency between national bank and Federal association rules, the OCC also declines to move forward with expanding the 500 foot distance rule to 1,500 feet in § 5.31.

32.  See Independent Bankers Ass'n of New York State, Inc. v. Marine Midland Bank, N.A., 757 F.2d 453, 458 (2d Cir. 1985) (collecting cases).

33.  See 12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(5).

34.  See the Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Community Reinvestment, Q&A § __.29(b)—2, 81 FR 48506 (July 25, 2016).

35.  See, e.g., OCC Conditional Approval No. 859 (July 2008).

36.  47 FR 17797 at 17799 (Apr. 26, 1982).

37.  See Del. Code Ann. tit. 8, § 251(f).

38.  See, e.g., OCC CRA Decision No. 94 (June 1999).

39.  Public Law 103-328, 108 Stat. 2338, 2351.

40.  12 U.S.C. 215a-1(a).

41.  An acquiring bank that has branches in the same State as the target bank but has a different home State than the target bank is also “located” in the same State as the target bank for purposes of sections 2 or 3. In this case, while the banks have different home states, the transaction can be conducted either under section 4 or under sections 2 or 3. See Ghiglieri v. NationsBank of Texas, N.A., 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6637 (N.D. Texas, May 6, 1998); OCC Corporate Decision No. 98-19 (April 2, 1998).

42.  See, e.g., Perez v. Mortgage Bankers Association, 575 U.S. 92 (2015); Federal Communications Commission v. Fox Television Stations, 556 U.S. 502 (2009) (an agency must provide a reasonable explanation for the change in position. The depth of explanation depends on the degree of the change. The agency also should take into account the reliance interests of parties who have relied on the agency's prior interpretation.) See also National Cable & Telecommunications Association v. Brand X internet Services., 545 U.S. 967, 981-82 (2005) (agency reconsiderations of prior interpretations entitled to judicial deference so long as the agency adequately explains the reasons for the change); Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association of the U.S., Inc. v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, 463 U.S. 29, 43 (1983) (“agency must examine the relevant data and articulate a satisfactory explanation for its action including a `rational connection between the facts found and the choice made' ”).

43.  See Ghiglieri v. NationsBank of Texas, N.A., 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6637 (N.D. Texas, May 6, 1998); OCC Corporate Decision No. 98-19 (April 2, 1998). The prior OCC decisions referred to by the commenter, Corporate Decision No. 2001-29 (September 28, 2001); Conditional Approval No. 687 (April 25, 2005); Conditional Approval No. 1105 (Aug. 11, 2014), were instances of such transactions and were conducted under the authority of section 3, not under section 4.

44.  296 U.S. 315, 337 (1935) (ruling that a statute allowing State-chartered institutions to convert to Federal charters without regard to State law violated the Tenth Amendment).

45.  80 FR 28346 (May 18, 2015).

46.  The 2015 Final Rule integrated many licensing rules that apply to national banks and Federal savings associations.

47.  The OCC stated, “in a merger or consolidation with a mutual Federal savings association, a mutual savings association must be the resulting institution.” 80 FR 28346 at 28374 (May 18, 2015).

48.  As discussed, the final rule changes “an activity approved” to “any activity approved.”

49.  This commenter also discussed having this alternative amendment apply to Federal savings associations. However, this alternative would not permissible for Federal savings associations because section 18(m) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(m)) requires a Federal savings associations to file a notice with the OCC when establishing, acquiring, or conducting a new activity in an operating subsidiary.

50.  See 73 FR 22216, 22238 (Apr. 24, 2008).

51.  See 12 CFR 5.34(c), (e)(5)(i)(B) (2002).

52.  Notwithstanding this amendment, if the enterprise in which the national bank invests also provides services to the national bank, it may be subject to the examination and regulation under the Bank Service Company Act. See 12 U.S.C. 1867(c).

53.  The OCC notes that it has proposed to redesignate 12 CFR 7.1000 as 12 CFR 7.1024 in a separate rulemaking. See 85 FR 40794 (July 7, 2020).

54.  See 80 FR 28346, at 28375 (May 18, 2015).

55.  12 U.S.C. 24a.

56.  12 U.S.C. 371c(a)(1)(A).

57.  65 FR 3159 (Jan. 20, 2000).

58.  Id.

59.  See 12 CFR 225.71(d) (Board); 12 CFR 303.101(c) (FDIC).

60.  This commenter also objected to the OCC issuing the rulemaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the OCC believes that it is important to move forward with updating its rules so that national banks and Federal savings associations can better address current economic issues. Furthermore the pandemic should not prevent the OCC from meeting its obligations to provide oversight and ensure the safety and soundness of OCC regulated banks and the Federal banking system.

61.  See E.O. 12866, section 6(a).

62.  The OCC, as well as the FDIC and Federal Reserve Board, have published other rules in the Federal Register for only 30 days. See e.g., 84 FR 9940 (Mar. 19, 2019), 84 FR 24296 (May 24, 2019), and 84 FR 59970 (Nov. 7, 2019).

63.  The OCC bases its estimate of the number of small entities on the SBA's size thresholds for commercial banks and savings institutions, and trust companies, which are $600 million and $41.5 million, respectively. Consistent with the General Principles of Affiliation 13 CFR 121.103(a), the OCC counts the assets of affiliated financial institutions when determining if it should classify an institution as a small entity. The OCC used December 31, 2019, to determine size because a “financial institution's assets are determined by averaging the assets reported on its four quarterly financial statements for the preceding year.” See footnote 8 of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Table of Standards.

64.  See, “A Guide for Government Agencies; How to Comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act,” (pp. 18-20), available at: https://www.sba.gov/​sites/​default/​files/​advocacy/​How-to-Comply-with-the-RFA-WEB.pdf.

65.  This per hour dollar amount is based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for wages (by industry and occupation).

66.  The OCC believes that substantially all of banks' direct costs will be associated with reviewing the final rule and, when necessary, modifying policies and procedures to correct any inconsistencies between banks' internal policies and the final modified rules. The overall impact estimate of the final rule is a conservative one because it is difficult to monetize the potential offsetting benefits associated with the final changes. Benefits from these changes will accrue over the long-term and are therefore more difficult to monetize for purposes of this estimate.

67.  The OCC's threshold for a substantial number of small entities is five percent of OCC-supervised small entities, or 37 as of December 31, 2019.

68.  The OCC is making one technical change that takes effect on December 11, 2020. This amendment removes the reference to 12 CFR part 195, the Federal savings association CRA rule, in § 5.20(e)(2)(ii) because the OCC recently amended 12 CFR part 25 to include Federal savings associations and removed 12 CFR part 195 as of this date.

69.  Codified at 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.

70.  5 U.S.C. 553(d).

71.  See 85 CFR 34734 (June 5, 2020).

72.  5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A).

73.  5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.

74.  5 U.S.C. 801(a)(3).

75.  5 U.S.C. 804(2).

1.  Other combinations, as defined in paragraph (d)(10) of this section, do not require an application under this section. However, some may require an application under § 5.53.

2.  See, e.g., the OCC's monthly publication “Interpretations and Actions.” Beginning with the May 1996 issue, electronic versions of “Interpretations and Actions” are available at www.occ.gov.

4.  A national bank may replace tier 2 capital instruments concurrent with the redemption of existing tier 2 capital instruments.

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