95-6705. Guidelines for the Supervisory Review Committee  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 53 (Monday, March 20, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 14795-14799]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-6705]
    
    
    
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    NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION
    
    
    Guidelines for the Supervisory Review Committee
    
    AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
    
    ACTION: Final Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 95-1--
    Supervisory Review Committee (IRPS 95-1).
    
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    SUMMARY: The Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement of 
    Act (Act) of 1994 was signed into law on September 23, 1994. Section 
    309 of the Act requires that NCUA establish an independent appellate 
    process to review material supervisory determinations. This process 
    must be established within 180 days of the Act's passage or by March 
    22, 1995. The Act also requires that the public be entitled to comment 
    on the proposed process. The NCUA Board issued proposed IRPS 94-2 on 
    November 10, 1994. The proposed IRPS would have established a 
    Supervisory Review Committee (Committee) consisting of five senior 
    staff members to hear appeals of material supervisory determinations. 
    Material supervisory determinations were defined in the proposal to 
    include composite CAMEL ratings of 4 and 5, significant loan 
    classifications and adequacy of loan loss reserves. The Board has 
    expanded the determinations subject to review in the final IRPS to 
    include composite CAMEL ratings of 3, 4 and 5 and all component ratings 
    of those composite ratings. The final IRPS reduces Committee membership 
    from five to three and shortens the time-frames for Committee action. 
    Additional procedural and technical changes are made in the final IRPS 
    as described in the Supplementary Information.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: March 22, 1995.
    
    ADDRESSES: National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, 
    Alexandria, VA 22314-3428.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hattie M. Ulan, Special Counsel to the 
    General Counsel, at the above address or telephone 703-518-6540.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        The Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 
    1994, Public Law 103-325 (the Act) was signed into law on September 23, 
    1994. Section 309 of the Act requires, among other things, that NCUA 
    and the federal banking agencies each establish an independent 
    appellate process to review material supervisory determinations. The 
    Act requires that the agencies provide the public with notice and 
    opportunity to comment on the proposed guidelines for the appellate 
    process within 90 days of the Act's passage. The NCUA Board issued 
    proposed guidelines establishing a Supervisory Review Committee 
    (Committee) (Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 94-2) on 
    November 10, 1994 (59 FR 59437, 11/17/94.) The guidelines were issued 
    with a 30-day comment period ending on December 19, 1994. The NCUA 
    Board then extended the comment period until January 18, 1995. (See 59 
    FR 61003, 11/29/94.) The Act requires that each agency's appellate 
    process be established not later than 180 days after the Act's passage 
    (by March 22, 1995).
        Forty-nine commenters responded to the proposed guidelines. The 
    public commenters consisted of 26 federally chartered credit unions, 7 
    state chartered, federally-insured credit unions and 1 unidentified 
    credit union, 8 state credit union leagues, 1 state credit union 
    regulator, 3 national trade associations, 2 individual auditors and one 
    credit union manager. The commenters generally approved of the proposed 
    Supervisory Review Committee, however, there were several areas where 
    many of the commenters suggested changes. The Board has considered the 
    public comments and suggestions of NCUA staff as well as the proposed 
    guidelines of the federal banking agencies (Federal Deposit Insurance 
    Corporation, Office of Thrift Supervision, Office of Comptroller of the 
    Currency, and Federal Reserve Board) in devising its final guidelines. 
    An explanation of the comments received and the resolution of the 
    issues in the final IRPS follows.
    
    Format--IRPS or Regulation
    
        The Board specifically requested comment on whether an IRPS was the 
    appropriate method to establish the appeals process or whether the 
    process should be established through a regulation. Sixteen commenters 
    addressed this issue and the response was split 50/50. Several of the 
    commenters supporting use of a regulation believe it would have greater 
    force of law. The Board believes that the IRPS format is more 
    appropriate since it provides the Board with some flexibility. The 
    Board does not believe enforceability of the IRPS will be a problem 
    since notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure 
    Act have been followed in its promulgation. [[Page 14796]] 
    
    Committee Composition
    
        According to the proposed IRPS, the Committee was to be composed of 
    five senior staff members: the Executive Director, the Director of the 
    Office of Examination and Insurance, the General Counsel, one Regional 
    Director, and one additional senior staff or Board staff member. The 
    Executive Director was to serve as Committee chairperson. The proposed 
    composition generated response from 32 commenters. Twenty-two of these 
    commenters suggested adding (or completely substituting) non- NCUA 
    staff to the Committee to ensure that the Committee would exercise 
    independent judgment. The Board does not have the authority to place 
    non-NCUA staff on the Committee. The Act requires that NCUA establish 
    an ``independent intra-agency appellate process.'' (Emphasis added.) 
    Non-NCUA staff presence on the Committee would not fulfill the 
    statutory requirement of ``intra-agency.'' Several commenters 
    (including ten who agreed that no non-NCUA staff should be on the 
    Committee) suggested eliminating the Regional Director and alternate 
    Regional Director from the Committee. Commenters believed that the 
    Regional Director members would find it difficult not to support one 
    another, even though they would not hear appeals occurring in their own 
    Regions. The Board does not wish to place the Regional Directors in 
    this position and has eliminated the Regional Director and alternate 
    Regional Director from the Committee. In addition, the Board believes 
    that neither the Executive Director nor the Executive Assistants to the 
    Board Members should serve on the Committee. The persons serving in 
    these positions report to and represent the interests of Board members. 
    In order to ensure a separate and meaningful final right of appeal to 
    the Board, as discussed below, these individuals should not serve on 
    the Committee.
        A few commenters noted that a Committee composed of fewer 
    individuals may be better able to handle the appellate process. These 
    commenters noted that it may be difficult to accommodate all members' 
    schedules given their senior status and multiple job demands. The Board 
    agrees and has reduced the Committee from five to three. The Committee 
    will be composed of three senior staff members, none of whom are 
    currently serving as a Regional Director or Associate Regional 
    Director, the Executive Director or Executive Assistant to a Board 
    Member. One Committee member will be designated as chairperson. All 
    three members will serve for one year terms and can be reappointed for 
    additional terms. The NCUA Chairman will appoint the Committee members 
    and designate one member as Committee chairperson.
        The proposed IRPS required that three of the five Committee members 
    be present at each Committee meeting and that a majority vote be 
    required for action on an appeal. The number of Committee members has 
    been reduced from five to three and a quorum of two must be present for 
    each meeting. A majority vote of the entire Committee (at least two) is 
    required for action on an appeal.
         The proposed IRPS stated that regular Committee meetings would be 
    held quarterly with flexibility given to the Committee chairperson to 
    cancel meetings and call additional meetings, as needed. Many 
    commenters believed that more regular meetings should be scheduled. The 
    final IRPS retains the requirement for regular quarterly meetings, 
    again with flexibility given to the Committee chairperson to change 
    this schedule. It is the Board's intention that adequate meetings be 
    scheduled and held to complete action on all appeals within the time 
    frames set forth below. Time frames for Committee action have been 
    shortened as requested by many commenters. See discussion below.
    
    Appealable Issues
    
        The Act requires that material supervisory determinations, 
    including determinations relating to examination ratings, adequacy of 
    loan loss reserve provisions and loan classifications on loans that are 
    significant to the credit union, be subject to the appellate process. 
    The Board noted in the proposed IRPS that it understood the reference 
    to ``examination'' rating to mean a credit union's CAMEL rating. The 
    Board proposed that only a credit union's composite CAMEL rating of 4 
    or 5 be appealable; component ratings were not appealable to the 
    Committee. In addition, the Board noted adequacy of loan loss reserve 
    provisions and loan classifications on loans that are significant to 
    the credit union as appealable issues. The Board requested comment on 
    how it should define ``significant'' for purposes of identifying 
    classified loans subject to the appeals process.
        A total of 30 commenters addressed the appealability of certain 
    CAMEL ratings. Most commenters thought the ratings subject to the 
    appeals process should be expanded. Thirteen commenters believed all 
    CAMEL ratings (or CAMELs 2-5) should be appealable. They stated that 
    credit unions with CAMEL ratings other than 4 and 5 have significant 
    objections to ratings and that their appealability would give credit 
    unions the ability to discuss ratings with their examiners. Ten 
    commenters thought that CAMEL 3s should be appealable. They noted that 
    a rating of 3 affects field of membership expansions and some CAMEL 3 
    credit unions get increased examinations and supervisory contacts and 
    are placed under letters of understanding and agreement. One commenter 
    stated that a CAMEL rating of 3 is perceived as unsatisfactory in the 
    credit union community. Fifteen commenters requested that at least some 
    component ratings should be appealable. It was stated that composite 
    ratings are made up of components, and if a component rating could not 
    be appealed, a composite rating could never be changed. The Board has 
    decided to expand the appealability of CAMEL ratings. Credit unions may 
    appeal composite ratings of 3, 4, and 5 as well of as all component 
    ratings of those composite ratings.
        Eleven commenters addressed the issue of how to define 
    ``significant'' for purposes of appealing the classification of a 
    significant loan. Seven of these commenters believe that each credit 
    union should determine which loans are significant. Two commenters 
    suggested significant be defined as a percentage of reserves, one 
    suggested a percentage of reserve plus dollar amount of the loan and 
    one suggested that significant loans be linked to reserve adequacy. The 
    Board has determined that each credit union may determine whether a 
    classified loan is ``significant'' for purposes of its appealability to 
    the Committee.
        Several commenters believed additional disputes should also be 
    subject to the Supervisory Review Committee. Included are disputes 
    relating to fixed assets, credit union service organizations, field of 
    membership, mergers and letters of understanding and agreement. It was 
    also suggested that the Act requires that material supervisory 
    decisions ``relating to examinations'' are appealable and the Board's 
    interpretation of the Act as set forth in the proposed IRPS was too 
    narrow. The Board has determined not to further expand the types of 
    disputes covered by the review process initially. The Board may expand 
    the disputes covered after some experience is gained with the process. 
    In addition, disputes over field of membership, mergers, and other 
    material issues are already appealable to the NCUA Board by credit 
    unions not satisfied with the decisions of the Regional Director. 
    [[Page 14797]] 
    
    Resolution by Region and Timing Issues
    
        The proposed IRPS stated that a dispute is ripe for review by the 
    Committee only when the credit union establishes that it has been 
    unsuccessful in attempting to resolve the matter with the Regional 
    Office. No time frames were set for resolving issues at the regional 
    level. Fourteen commenters believed that some time limit should be 
    imposed on the Region to make a decision. Suggestions ranged from 30 - 
    120 days, with most commenters favoring 30 days. The Board agrees and 
    believes that the Regions should respond to these disputes within 30 
    days. The proposed IRPS stated that appeals should be submitted within 
    30 days of the Regional Office's decision. Seven commenters suggested 
    that 30 days would not always provide adequate time for a credit union 
    to prepare an appeal. Some of these commenters suggested the 30 days be 
    expanded to 45 - 60 days. The Board believes that 30 days is adequate 
    time for a credit union to make a decision on whether to submit an 
    appeal and in an effort to complete the appeal process expeditiously, 
    will not increase the 30 days. In the event the Region does not 
    respond, the dispute becomes appealable to the Committee after the 
    first 30 days and within another 30 days (30 days for Region to 
    respond, 30 days for credit union to submit appeal to Committee). The 
    Board also believes that credit unions should be timely in their 
    attempt to resolve the dispute with the Region. Therefore the final 
    IRPS states that the credit union must contact the Regional Office 
    within 30 days of the examiner's final determination. Sixteen 
    commenters addressed the proposed time frames for the Committee to act 
    on an appeal. Most agreed that the time frames set forth would not 
    result in an expeditious appeal as required by the Act. It was proposed 
    that an appeal be submitted by a credit union within 30 days of 
    regional action and that the Committee would make a decision on the 
    appeal within 90 days. If additional information was needed, the 
    Committee would request it within 30 days of receipt of the appeal and 
    the information would be submitted by the credit union and/or Regional 
    Office within 15 days. Seven commenters specifically suggested shorter 
    time frames for the Committee to decide an appeal, several others just 
    noted that the time frame was too long. One commenter suggested 
    reducing the 90 days to 30 days, three others suggested reducing it to 
    60 days. Three additional commenters stated the whole process should be 
    limited to 90 days. The Board agrees that the time for Committee 
    deliberation should be reduced. The final IRPS reduces the time the 
    Committee has to request additional information from 30 to 15 days and 
    the time for Committee action on the appeal from 90 to 30 days.
    
    Appeals by Federally-Insured, State Chartered Credit Unions
    
        The Act requires that the appellate process be available at insured 
    institutions that NCUA supervises. It was noted in the preamble of the 
    proposed IRPS that in cases of material supervisory determinations made 
    by NCUA, the Committee would consider appeals from all federally 
    insured institutions and that NCUA would consult with the state 
    supervisory authority in appropriate cases. Six commenters addressed 
    the issue of appeals made by federally-insured, state chartered credit 
    unions (FISCUs). One commenter agreed with the proposal, one stated 
    that NCUA does not supervise FISCUs and believed the review process 
    should not be available to them and several commenters asked how the 
    FISCU review process would be implemented.
        NCUA has clear responsibilities with respect to the safety and 
    soundness of all federally insured credit unions. NCUA works closely 
    with the various state supervisory authorities in both joint and 
    independent examination of FISCUs. There are two basic types of FISCU 
    examinations in which NCUA examiners are involved: a joint examination 
    with the state examiner; and an NCUA insurance review. Normally in a 
    joint examination, the state examiner is the examiner-in-charge and 
    there will be concurrence between the state and NCUA examiner on all 
    substantive exceptions noted in the examination report. Results of 
    joint examinations will normally be within the purview of the state 
    since the state examiner is the examiner-in-charge. Disputes arising 
    from these examinations would not normally be subject to NCUA's review 
    process. An insurance review, on the other hand, is done by NCUA 
    examiners; it does not involve state examiners. Disputes concerning 
    material supervisory determinations arising from insurance reviews 
    would normally be subject to the review process. The final IRPS states 
    that FISCU appeals of material supervisory determinations made by NCUA 
    examiners should first be pursued with the appropriate NCUA Regional 
    Office and then, if not safisfactorily resolved, submitted to the 
    Committee. The Committee chairperson will reverify that an NCUA 
    examiner rather than a state examiner made the disputed determination, 
    and the appeal will then be subject to review by the Committee. 
    Regional staff and the Committee will consult with the state 
    supervisor's office in appropriate cases.
    Corporate Credit Union Appeals
    
        The proposed IRPS did not specifically address appeals of corporate 
    credit unions. The corporate credit union program is managed by the 
    Office of Corporate Credit Unions located in NCUA's central office. 
    NCUA examiners (rather than state credit union examiners) normally 
    serve as the examiner-in-charge for examinations of corporate FISCUs. 
    All federally insured corporate credit unions (both FCUs and FISCUs) 
    should contact the Office of Corporate Credit Unions rather than the 
    regional office concerning material supervisory determinations made by 
    NCUA examiners. The same time frames and procedures apply. Staff from 
    the Office of Corporate Credit Unions and the Committee will consult 
    with the state supervisor's office in appropriate cases.
    
    Written Appeal and Authorization by Board of Directors
    
        Most commenters did not address whether the appeal should be 
    submitted in writing. Of the few that did address the issue, only one 
    commenter was opposed. The final IRPS reflects the requirement that the 
    appeal be submitted in writing. A related issue that the Board did not 
    specifically request comment on is whether the board of directors of 
    the appealing credit union be required to authorize the appeal. The 
    NCUA believes this to be a fair requirement. The board of directors 
    should be made aware of and authorize any appeal made to the Committee. 
    This requirement will eliminate the decision to appeal being made by 
    one credit union official.
    
    Personal Appearance
    
        The preamble to the proposed IRPS noted that personal appearances 
    would not be a regular part of the appellate process; that personal 
    appearances may be requested, but the final decision would be made by 
    the Committee. Twenty-nine commenters addressed personal appearance of 
    the appealing party and all agreed that the credit union should be 
    given the opportunity to make a personal appearance before the 
    Committee. The NCUA Board has reconsidered this issue and determined 
    that the decision on whether to make a personal appearance should be up 
    to the appealing credit union. Appealing credit unions will be 
    responsible for all [[Page 14798]] of their costs associated with a 
    personal appearance. In an attempt to save resources of both appealing 
    credit unions and the NCUA, the Committee chairperson reserves the 
    right to first attempt to work out the dispute via teleconference.
    
    Stay of Decision Pending Review
    
        Three commenters requested that any material supervisory 
    determination appealed be stayed pending the outcome of the appellate 
    process. This issue was not specifically addressed in the proposed 
    IRPS. The NCUA Board does not believe it appropriate to stay 
    examination findings pending appeal. Safety and soundness concerns 
    require that examination findings remain in place and that any action 
    that the NCUA deems appropriate based on these findings be taken.
    
    Role of NCUA Board
    
        The proposed IRPS required that all Committee decisions be 
    submitted to the NCUA Board. The Board would then have 7 days to review 
    the decision. If a majority of the Board members agreed, the decision 
    would become final. If a majority did not agree, the decision would be 
    considered by the Board on final appeal. Six commenters addressed this 
    issue. One agreed with the proposal and four stated that the decision 
    should not go to the Board, but that the appealing credit union should 
    have a right to appeal the Committee decision to the Board. One 
    commenter suggested that only Committee decisions opposed to the 
    appealing credit union should go to the Board. The Board has 
    reconsidered this issue and determined that all appealing credit unions 
    as well as the NCUA offices involved should have a right to appeal to 
    the Board. The Committee decision is appealable to the NCUA Board 
    within 30 days of receipt by the parties.
    
    Other Appeals
    
        One commenter requested that the Board include in the IRPS other 
    types of appealable issues that are available to credit unions and 
    credit union members. A section has been added to the final IRPS 
    setting forth provisions of the NCUA Rules and Regulations which 
    address various formal and informal appeals processes. Also noted in 
    this section are other types of disputes (chartering, insurance 
    applications, field of membership expansions, merger, etc.) which are 
    appealable to the NCUA Board.
    
    Retaliation
    
        The Act requires that NCUA ensure that safeguards exist for 
    protecting the appellant from retaliation by agency examiners. The 
    proposed IRPS stated that credit unions could seek redress from alleged 
    retaliation through NCUA's Office of Inspector General. Seven 
    commenters addressed this issue, with five suggesting rotation of 
    examiners if retaliation is found to exist. The final IRPS sets forth 
    the types of actions that may be taken against an NCUA employee, 
    including rotation of examiners, when retaliation is found to exist.
    
    Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies
    
        Two commenters asked whether a credit union would have to use the 
    appellate process before proceeding to court on a dispute subject to 
    the Committee's jurisdiction. Since the appellate procedure is part of 
    NCUA's administrative process, it appears that if a credit union did 
    not pursue the process and filed directly in court, it would not have 
    exhausted its administrative remedies. Unless otherwise noted, this 
    would be true for any of NCUA's appeal procedures. The Board has 
    determined not to address this issue in the IRPS, as it is a principle 
    of general administrative law.
    
    Regulatory Procedures
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        The NCUA Board certifies that the final rule will not have a 
    significant economic impact on small credit unions (those under $1 
    million in assets). The appeal procedures set forth apply equally to 
    all credit unions. The procedures are not mandatory. Only those credit 
    unions wishing to appeal are subject to its provisions. It is not 
    anticipated that small credit unions will use the appeal procedures any 
    more or less than large credit unions. Accordingly, the NCUA Board has 
    determined that a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required.
    
    Executive Order 12612
    
        Executive Order 12612 requires NCUA to consider the effect of its 
    actions on state interests. The IRPS applies to all federally insured 
    credit unions (both federally chartered credit unions and federally-
    insured, state chartered credit unions (FISCUs)), as required by the 
    Act. It may have a direct effect on the states, on the relationship 
    between the national government and the states, or on the distribution 
    of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. 
    However, the Act requires that the process apply to FISCUs.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        Although it was noted in the proposal that the IRPS would impose 
    paperwork requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, upon 
    further consideration, including consultation with the Office of 
    Management and Budget, the Board has concluded that the IRPS is exempt 
    from the Paperwork Reduction Act pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 
    3518(c)(1)(B)(ii). According to this section, the Paperwork Reduction 
    Act does not apply to an administrative action or investigation 
    involving an agency against specific individuals or entities.
    
        By the National Credit Union Administration Board on March 13, 
    1995.
    Becky Baker,
    Secretary of the Board.
    
        Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, IRPS 95-1 
    is established as follows:
    
    [Note: The following ruling will not appear in the Code of Federal 
    Regulations.]
    
        1. Authority: Section 309 of the Riegle Community Development 
    and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, Public Law 103-325.
    
        2. IRPS 95-1 is established as follows:
    
    Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 95-1--Supervisory Review 
    Committee
    
        Section 309 of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory 
    Improvement Act of 1994 requires that NCUA establish an independent 
    intra-agency appellate process to review material supervisory 
    determinations. The NCUA Board hereby establishes a Supervisory Review 
    Committee (Committee) to implement Section 309.
        It is NCUA policy to maintain good communication with all credit 
    unions it supervises. Credit unions, examiners and regional and central 
    office staff are encouraged to resolve disagreements informally and 
    expeditiously. The NCUA Board expects that most disputes will be 
    handled in that manner. The Supervisory Review Committee and other 
    appeals processes are available for certain disputes that cannot be 
    resolved informally.
    
    A--Committee Structure, Scope and Procedures
    
        The Supervisory Review Committee shall consist of three regular 
    members of the NCUA's senior staff as appointed by the NCUA Chairman. 
    None of the members shall be currently serving as a Regional Director, 
    Associate Regional Director, Executive Director or Executive Assistant 
    to a Board Member. One member shall be designated by the 
    [[Page 14799]] NCUA Chairman as chairperson. All three Committee 
    members shall serve for one year terms and may be reappointed for 
    additional terms. Each member of the Committee shall have one vote and 
    a quorum (two members) shall be present at each Committee meeting. 
    Meetings may be held in person or via teleconference. A majority vote 
    of the full Committee (two votes) is required for action on an appeal. 
    Regular Committee meetings shall generally be held quarterly. 
    Additional meetings will be scheduled or regular meetings canceled, as 
    appropriate, by the chairperson on an as needed basis.
        Appeals of material supervisory determinations made by NCUA may be 
    made by all federally insured credit unions (federal credit unions 
    (FCUs) and federally-insured, state chartered credit unions (FISCUs)).
        Material supervisory determinations are limited to: (1) Composite 
    CAMEL ratings of 3, 4, and 5 and all component ratings of those 
    composite ratings; (2) adequacy of loan loss reserve provisions; and 
    (3) loan classifications on loans that are significant as determined by 
    the appealing credit union.
        An FCU, other than a corporate FCU, must contact the regional 
    office regarding the examiner's decision within 30 days of the 
    examiner's final determination. The decision must be appealed to 
    (postmarked or received by) the Committee either 30 days after a 
    regional determination or 60 days after the regional office has been 
    contacted if it has not made a determination.
        A FISCU, other than a corporate FISCU, must contact the Regional 
    Office within 30 days of the NCUA examiner's final decision. The Region 
    will verify that the determination being appealed was made by an NCUA 
    examiner. If the decision was made by the state, the appeal will be 
    turned over to the state for appropriate action. If the decision was 
    made by the NCUA examiner, the dispute will be handed by the Region and 
    become appealable to the Committee either 30 days after a regional 
    determination or 60 days after the regional office has been contacted 
    if it has not made a determination. The Committee chairperson will 
    reverify that the determination was made by NCUA. Regional staff and 
    the Committee will notify and consult with the state supervisory 
    authority in appropriate cases.
        All federally insured corporate credit unions (FCUs and FISCUs) 
    must contact the Office of Corporate Credit Unions concerning its 
    examiner's final determination and then the Committee within the same 
    time frames. Staff from the Office of Corporate Credit Unions and the 
    Committee will consult with the state supervisory authority in 
    appropriate cases involving corporate FISCUs.
        The board of directors of the appealing credit union must authorize 
    that the appeal be filed. Appeals shall be submitted in writing and 
    shall be mailed or delivered to Chairman, Supervisory Review Committee, 
    NCUA, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3428.
        Appeals may be made by letter, and shall include the name of the 
    appellant credit union, the material supervisory determination being 
    appealed and the reasons for the appeal. Appellants are encouraged to 
    submit all information and supporting documentation relevant to the 
    matter in dispute.
        Appellants are entitled to a personal appearance before the 
    Committee. The Committee chairperson reserves the right, however, to 
    attempt to work out the dispute through teleconference.
        The material supervisory determination remains in affect pending 
    appeal. The appeal does not prevent the NCUA from taking any action, 
    either formal or informal, that it deems appropriate during the 
    pendency of the appeal.
        The Committee may request additional information from the appellant 
    and/or the Regional Office within 15 days of its receipt of the appeal. 
    The information must be submitted to the Committee within 15 days of 
    receipt of the Committee request. The Committee shall make a 
    determination on the appeal within 30 days from the date of the receipt 
    of an appeal by the Committee or of its receipt of any requested 
    additional information. These time requirements are subject to 
    adjustment by the Committee, whether on its own or upon request of the 
    appellant or the Region involved.
        The Committee decision is appealable to the NCUA Board within 30 
    days of receipt by the parties.
    
    B--Other Appeals
    
        Procedures for various formal and informal adjudicative and non-
    adjudicative actions and proceedings not covered by the Supervisory 
    Review Committee are found in Parts 709 (creditor claim appeals), 745 
    (share insurance appeals), 792 (Freedom of Information Act appeals) and 
    747 (appeals of various administrative and enforcement actions) of the 
    NCUA Rules and Regulations (12 CFR 709, 745, 792, and 747). These parts 
    should be reviewed to determine the procedures which apply for a 
    particular appeal. In addition, the NCUA Board serves as the final 
    administrative decision maker for major disputes that are not otherwise 
    covered by this IRPS or Parts 709, 745, 792 or 747. These include 
    disputes over chartering, insurance applications, field of membership 
    expansion, merger, certain corporate credit union matters, charter 
    changes and letters of understanding and agreement. These issues should 
    first be pursued through the appropriate Regional Office or the Office 
    of Corporate Credit Unions. Appeals concerning these matters should be 
    addressed to the NCUA Board and submitted through the appropriate 
    Regional Office or the Office of Corporate Credit Unions.
    
    C--Retaliation
    
        Alleged acts of retaliation should be reported to NCUA's Inspector 
    General, who is authorized by Congress, under the Inspector General 
    Act, to receive and investigate complaints and other information 
    regarding abuse in agency programs and operations.
        Any retaliation by NCUA staff against a credit union making any 
    type of appeal will subject the employee to appropriate disciplinary or 
    remedial action by the appropriate supervisor. Such disciplinary or 
    remedial action may include oral or written warning or admonishment, 
    reprimand, suspension or separation from employment, change in assigned 
    duties, or disqualification from a particular assignment, including 
    prohibition from participating in any examination of the credit union 
    that was the subject of the retaliation.
    
    [FR Doc. 95-6705 Filed 3-17-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 7535-01-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/22/1995
Published:
03/20/1995
Department:
National Credit Union Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Final Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 95-1-- Supervisory Review Committee (IRPS 95-1).
Document Number:
95-6705
Dates:
March 22, 1995.
Pages:
14795-14799 (5 pages)
PDF File:
95-6705.pdf