99-14256. Investment Securities; Rules, Policies, and Procedures for Corporate Activities; and Interpretive Rulings  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 1999)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 31749-31756]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-14256]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    
    Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
    
    12 CFR Parts 1, 5, and 7
    
    [Docket No. 99-08]
    RIN 1557-AB61
    
    
    Investment Securities; Rules, Policies, and Procedures for 
    Corporate Activities; and Interpretive Rulings
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is 
    proposing to update and clarify its rules regarding Investment 
    Securities, Corporate Activities, and Interpretive Rulings. Most of the 
    proposed changes amend the OCC's regulation codifying interpretive 
    rulings. These proposed amendments clarify certain existing 
    interpretive rulings and add new interpretive rulings based on recent 
    statutory changes, judicial rulings, OCC decisions, and other 
    developments. The remaining proposed changes would clarify in the OCC's 
    regulation on investment securities its long-standing treatment of 
    instruments secured by Type I securities, and make technical amendments 
    to the OCC's regulation on corporate activities to update the names of 
    offices within the OCC, to clarify certain definitions, and to amend 
    references to the CAMEL rating system to reflect the addition of the 
    sixth element for sensitivity to market risk. This proposal reflects 
    the OCC's continuing commitment to assess the effectiveness of our 
    rules and to make further changes where necessary.
    
    DATES: You should submit written comments by August 13, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: You should direct written comments to the Communications 
    Division, Attention: Docket No. 99-08, Third Floor, Office of the 
    Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219. In 
    addition, you may send comments by facsimile transmission to (202) 874-
    5274, or by electronic mail to regs.comments@occ.treas.gov.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You can request additional information 
    on this proposal by calling Jacqueline Lussier, Senior Attorney, or 
    Mark Tenhundfeld, Assistant Director, Legislative and Regulatory 
    Activities Division, (202) 874-5090. You can inspect and photocopy the 
    comments at the OCC's Public Disclosure Room, First Floor, 250 E 
    Street, SW, Washington, DC 20019, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on 
    business days. You can make an appointment to inspect the comments by 
    calling (202) 874-5043.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Section-by-Section Analysis of Proposed Changes
    
        As previously noted, most of the changes proposed amend part 7. The 
    OCC proposes to amend part 7 to clarify and supplement its provisions 
    where necessary. In addition, the OCC proposes to add new interpretive 
    rulings, based on recent statutory changes, judicial rulings, OCC 
    decisions, and other developments. These changes are described below, 
    followed by a discussion of the proposed changes to parts 1 and 5.
    
    Part 7--Interpretive Rulings
    
    Messenger Service (Sec. 7.1012)
    
        Under 12 U.S.C. 36(j), a ``branch'' of a bank is defined to include 
    any branch bank where deposits are received, or checks paid, or money 
    lent. Current Sec. 7.1012(c) sets forth circumstances under which a 
    national bank and its customers may use a messenger service for various 
    purposes without the messenger service being deemed a ``branch'' under 
    section 36. These criteria are derived from caselaw. However, the 
    criteria do not reflect two recent federal court decisions.1 
    This proposal amends Sec. 7.1012(c) to reflect these recent cases.
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        \1\ See Cades v. H & R Block, 43 F.3d 869 (4th Cir. 1994), cert. 
    denied, 515 U.S. 1103 (1995); Christiansen v. Beneficial Nat'l Bank, 
    972 F. Supp. 681 (S.D. Ga. 1997). These cases addressed the issue of 
    whether a third party should be considered to be a branch of a 
    national bank where a tax preparation company originated tax refund 
    anticipation loans between a national bank and taxpayers and 
    conveyed the loan proceeds to the customers.
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        Under the current rule, in order to avoid being treated as a bank 
    branch, a messenger service, including both a messenger service 
    affiliated with a bank and a service that is independent of a bank, 
    generally must both make its services available to the public, 
    including other depository institutions, and retain the ultimate 
    discretion to determine which customers and geographic areas it will 
    serve. 12 CFR 7.1012(c)(2)(ii)(A) and (B). The recent cases indicate 
    that this test should apply differently depending on whether the 
    service is affiliated with a bank. Pursuant to these cases, a 
    nonaffiliated service need show only that it has the discretion to 
    determine, in its own business judgment, which customers it will serve 
    and where. In contrast, an affiliated service, because it may be more 
    likely to favor its affiliates as a result of its common ownership or 
    control, must show that it actually serves the public generally, 
    including nonaffiliated depository institutions.
        The OCC concludes that this analysis is appropriate when 
    determining if a messenger service is a bank branch. Accordingly, the 
    proposal combines the criteria in Sec. 7.1012(c)(2)(ii)(A) and 
    (c)(2)(ii)(B) into one new paragraph and applies the resulting criteria 
    differently depending on whether or not the messenger service is 
    affiliated with the bank. This means that a nonaffiliated messenger 
    service need only demonstrate that it has the discretion to determine, 
    in its own business judgment, whom it will serve and where. In 
    contrast, since the operations of a messenger service that is 
    affiliated
    
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    with a bank could be influenced by that bank, an affiliated messenger 
    service must continue to demonstrate both that it actually provide 
    services to the general public, including nonaffiliated depository 
    institutions, and that it has the discretion to determine whom it will 
    serve and where.
        The proposal also makes a stylistic amendment to 
    Sec. 7.1012(c)(2)(i) to state the rule more economically.
    
    Independent Undertakings To Pay Against Documents (Sec. 7.1016)
    
        Section 7.1016 codifies interpretations concerning the issuance by 
    national banks of letters of credit and other independent undertakings. 
    The proposal makes five technical amendments to update this section.
        The first amendment changes footnote 1 by clarifying that the 
    United Nations Convention on Independent Guarantees and Standby Letters 
    of Credit was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1995 and signed 
    by the United States in 1997. The second amends footnote 1 by adding 
    the recently finalized International Standby Practices (ISP-98) to the 
    footnote as another important source of applicable laws or rules of 
    practice recognized by law related to independent undertakings. The 
    third amendment replaces the terms ``account party'' and ``customer'' 
    in the text (which refer to the party for whose account an independent 
    undertaking is issued) with the term ``applicant'' (which is the term 
    used in the laws and rules of practice cited in the footnote) in 
    Sec. 7.1016(a), (b)(1)(iii)(C), and (b)(1)(iv). The fourth clarifies, 
    in Sec. 7.1016(b)(2)(ii), that the precautions taken when an 
    independent undertaking is renewed apply only to automatic renewals. 
    Renewals that are within a bank's discretion necessarily allow the bank 
    to make a credit assessment before renewing. Finally, the fifth 
    amendment updates one of the telephone numbers in the footnote.
    
    National Bank as Guarantor or Surety on Indemnity Bond (Sec. 7.1017)
    
        In recent rulemakings 2 that amended part 7 and part 28 
    (the OCC's rule on international banking activities), the provision on 
    a national bank's guarantees of its foreign operations was relocated 
    from former Sec. 7.7012 to Sec. 28.4(c) in order to consolidate the 
    regulations governing international banking activities in one part of 
    the OCC's regulations. No substantive change was made to the section 
    relocated. However, because part 7 still has a section on national 
    banks acting as guarantors (current Sec. 7.1017) and because this 
    section no longer addresses guarantees abroad, several people have 
    asked whether a national bank still may guarantee the liabilities of 
    its foreign operations. The answer is yes, and, to alleviate this 
    apparent confusion, the proposal adds a cross-reference in Sec. 7.1017 
    to Sec. 28.4(c).
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        \2\ 61 FR 4862 (Feb. 9, 1996) (amending part 7); 61 FR 19524 
    (May 2, 1996) (amending 12 CFR part 28).
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    Ownership of Stock Necessary To Qualify as Director (Sec. 7.2005)
    
        A national bank director must own a qualifying equity interest 
    (qualifying shares) in a national bank or the company that controls 
    that national bank. 12 U.S.C. 72; 12 CFR 7.2005. Current Sec. 7.2005 
    codifies the OCC's guidance about the various ways in which a director 
    may comply with the requirement.
        The proposed revisions to Sec. 7.2005(b)(4) codify guidance 
    provided in OCC interpretive letters 3 approving buyback or 
    repurchase agreements between shareholders and prospective directors. 
    Generally, under a buyback agreement, the transferring shareholder 
    sells shares of the bank or its holding company to a director subject 
    to an agreement that the director will sell the shares back to the 
    transferring shareholder when the director's service ends. This enables 
    the director to own qualifying shares while permitting the transferring 
    shareholder to prevent the transfer of the shares to unknown parties.
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        \3\ See, e.g., Letter from Julie L. Williams, Chief Counsel 
    (Mar. 31, 1997) (unpublished); Letter from Jonathan Rushdoony, 
    Attorney (Mar. 27, 1986) (unpublished); Letter from Leslie G. 
    Linville, Senior Attorney (Jan. 9, 1986) (unpublished). You can 
    inspect and photocopy the unpublished OCC staff interpretive letters 
    cited in this preamble (in redacted form) at the OCC's Public 
    Disclosure Room, First Floor, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 
    20219. You can make an appointment to inspect the letters by calling 
    (202) 874-5043.
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        Consistent with these interpretive letters, proposed new paragraphs 
    (b)(4)(ii), (iii), and (iv) of Sec. 7.2005 state that a buyback 
    agreement may give a director the option of transferring shares back to 
    the transferring shareholder if the director no longer needs those 
    shares to satisfy the ownership requirement. The transferring 
    shareholder may retain a right of first refusal to reacquire the shares 
    if the director seeks to transfer ownership to a third person. Further, 
    a director may assign the right to receive dividends or distributions 
    on the shares back to the original shareholder and execute an 
    irrevocable proxy authorizing the original shareholder to vote the 
    shares. This change will make it easier for banks, including community 
    banks in particular, to attract qualified people to serve on bank 
    boards.
    
    Oath of Directors (Sec. 7.2008)
    
        Current Sec. 7.2008 provides guidance on the methods by which the 
    oath of directors may be administered. However, this section does not 
    provide instructions for the filing or retention of executed oaths, 
    prompting questions about what a national bank should do with the 
    executed oaths once they are obtained.
        To respond to these requests for guidance, the proposal amends 
    paragraph (c) of Sec. 7.2008 so that it informs national banks to file 
    the original executed oaths with the OCC and retain a copy in the 
    bank's records in accordance with the instructions set forth in the 
    Comptroller's Corporate Manual. This guidance is consistent with 12 
    U.S.C. 73, which states that each director's executed and subscribed 
    oath must be transmitted to the Comptroller of the Currency and filed 
    and preserved in the Comptroller's office for a period of 10 years.
        The proposal also amends the last sentence in Sec. 7.2008(b) to 
    reflect the name for the manual currently in use, namely, the 
    ``Comptroller's Corporate Manual.''
    
    Acquisition and Holding of Shares as Treasury Stock (Sec. 7.2020)
    
        Current Sec. 7.2020 provides that a national bank has authority 
    under 12 U.S.C. 24(Seventh) to acquire its outstanding shares and hold 
    them as treasury stock to fulfill a legitimate corporate purpose, as 
    long as the bank complies with the restrictions and procedures 
    specified in 12 U.S.C. 59. The only guidance contained in current 
    Sec. 7.2020 on what qualifies as a legitimate corporate purpose is the 
    statement that it is impermissible to acquire or hold treasury stock 
    for speculation.
        Several OCC interpretive letters 4 explain the term 
    further, providing that ``legitimate corporate purpose'' includes: (a) 
    holding shares in connection with an officer or employee stock option, 
    bonus or repurchase plan; (b) holding shares for sale to a potential 
    director to meet ``qualifying share'' requirements; (c) purchasing a 
    director's qualifying shares upon his or her resignation or death if 
    there is no ready
    
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    market for the shares; (d) reducing the number of shareholders in order 
    to qualify the bank for reorganization as a Subchapter S corporation; 
    and (e) reducing the number of shareholders to lower the bank's costs 
    associated with shareholder communications and meetings.
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        \4\ See, e.g., Interpretive Letter No. 825 (Mar. 16, 1998), 
    reprinted in [1997-98 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) 
    para. 81-274; Interpretive Letter No. 786 (June 9, 1997), reprinted 
    in [1997 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 81-213 
    (IL 786); Interpretive Letter No. 660 (Dec. 19, 1994), reprinted in 
    [1994-95 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 83,608 
    (IL 660).
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        The proposal revises Sec. 7.2020 to include these examples of 
    legitimate corporate purposes. The examples listed are not exclusive. 
    There may be additional circumstances under which a national bank's 
    acquisition and holding of its shares as treasury stock will serve a 
    legitimate corporate purpose. While the OCC expects that this guidance 
    on what is a legitimate corporate purpose will benefit all national 
    banks, certain of the examples listed as legitimate purposes (namely, 
    the purchasing of shares upon a director's resignation or death if 
    there is no ready market for the shares and qualifying the bank for 
    treatment under the tax laws as a Subchapter S corporation) are 
    expected to provide a particular benefit to community banks.
    
    Reverse Stock Splits (Proposed New Sec. 7.2023)
    
        In IL 786, the OCC considered the appropriateness of a reverse 
    stock split, a restructuring of ownership interests in which a national 
    bank reduces the number of its outstanding shares of stock by, for 
    instance, replacing outstanding shares with fewer shares of a new 
    issuance and paying cash to the minority shareholders for their 
    interests. That opinion determined that the national banking laws 
    permit a reverse stock split, as long as the bank provides adequate 
    protection for dissenting shareholders' rights and the transaction 
    serves a legitimate corporate purpose.
        Because the reverse stock split is a device that post-dates most 
    corporate governance provisions in the national banking laws, those 
    laws do not explicitly address the authority of a national bank to 
    effect a reverse stock split. Several provisions of the banking laws--
    including 12 U.S.C. 59, 83, 214a, 215, and 215a--authorize components 
    of a reverse stock split that, when read together, permit the 
    transaction. One provision (12 U.S.C. 59) permits a national bank to 
    reduce its capital upon the vote of shareholders holding two-thirds of 
    its capital stock and OCC approval. Other provisions (12 U.S.C. 214a, 
    215, and 215a) authorize a national bank to engage in corporate 
    combinations, including mergers and consolidations, although the bank 
    must provide rights to shareholders dissenting to these transactions. 
    Another provision (12 U.S.C. 83) allows national banks to hold treasury 
    stock for legitimate corporate purposes after obtaining OCC approval 
    pursuant to section 59.5 The OCC also recognizes that a bank 
    may acquire its outstanding shares and hold them as treasury stock in 
    connection with a reverse stock split.
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        \5\ See IL 660.
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        In light of this statutory authority, IL 786 concluded that a 
    reverse stock split is permissible if the action serves a legitimate 
    corporate purpose (in the case discussed in IL 786, a desire to reduce 
    the number of shareholders to qualify for Subchapter S status) and 
    dissenters' rights are adequately protected.6 The proposal 
    codifies this conclusion in new Sec. 7.2023. This conclusion is 
    expected to benefit all national banks by clarifying the extent of 
    their flexibility in restructuring their ownership interests, but it is 
    expected to provide particular benefit to community banks that desire, 
    for instance, to restructure in order to qualify as a Subchapter S 
    corporation.
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        \6\ This conclusion is consistent with the most recent 
    applicable court decision, NoDak Bancorp. v. Clarke, 998 F.2d 1416 
    (8th Cir. 1993), in which the court upheld the OCC's approval of a 
    cash-out merger in which the OCC found that there was a valid 
    corporate purpose for the transaction and that minority shareholders 
    were entitled to dissenters' rights. In an earlier decision, the 
    Eleventh Circuit found in Lewis v. Clark, 911 F.2d 1558 (11th Cir. 
    1990), reh'g denied, 972 F.2d 1351 (1991), that the OCC lacked the 
    authority to approve a bank merger that required minority 
    shareholders to accept cash for their shares while the majority 
    shareholders were eligible to receive stock in the resulting bank, 
    even where the minority shareholders had appraisal rights. The NoDak 
    court distinguished Lewis v. Clark, finding that a national bank 
    could cash out minority shareholders under the National Bank Act, as 
    long as there is a valid business purpose and the minority 
    shareholders are entitled to dissenters' rights.
        In Bloomington Nat'l Bank v. Telfer, 916 F.2d 1305 (7th Cir. 
    1990), the court reversed the OCC's approval of a reverse stock 
    split. The court held that the reverse stock split plan violated 12 
    U.S.C. 83 and 214a-215a, after concluding that the transaction had 
    no legitimate business purpose and failed to provide for dissenters' 
    right. The court expressly declined to answer whether section 83 
    prohibits all reverse stock split transactions, noting that its 
    opinion was limited to the facts of the case. Id. at 1308 n.4, 1309. 
    To clarify how the OCC applies the governing law in light of these 
    decisions, the proposal reflects the OCC's position that the better 
    reasoned view in the federal courts is that reverse stock splits 
    will be approved if there is a legitimate corporate purpose and if 
    shareholders are provided adequate dissenters' rights.
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    Visitorial Powers (Sec. 7.4000)
    
        The proposal revises Sec. 7.4000, ``Books and records of national 
    banks,'' to clarify the extent of the OCC's visitorial powers under 12 
    U.S.C. 484 and other federal statutes. Section 484 provides, in 
    relevant part, that no national bank is subject to any visitorial 
    powers except as authorized by federal law. 12 U.S.C. 
    484(a).7 Congress vested the OCC with exclusive visitorial 
    powers to ensure the cohesive, uniform supervision of national banks.
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        \7\ The term ``visitorial,'' as used in section 484, derives 
    from English common law, which used the term ``visitation'' to refer 
    to the act of a superintending officer who visits a corporation to 
    examine its manner of conducting business and enforce observance of 
    the laws and regulations. Guthrie v. Harkness, 199 U.S. 148, 158 
    (1905) (quoting First National Bank of Youngstown v. Hughes, 6 F. 
    737 (6th Cir. 1881)). The Guthrie court noted that visitors ``have 
    power to keep [corporations] within the legitimate sphere of their 
    operations, and to correct all abuses of authority, and to nullify 
    all irregular proceedings.'' Id. For purposes of section 484, the 
    term has been construed broadly, as discussed in the text following 
    this footnote.
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        Courts have defined ``visitation'' expansively to include the 
    inspection, regulation, or control of the operations of a bank to 
    enforce the bank's observance of the law. See First National Bank of 
    Youngstown v. Hughes, 6 F. 737, 740 (6th Cir. 1881), appeal dismissed, 
    106 U.S. 523 (1883). See also Peoples Bank v. Williams, 449 F. Supp. 
    254 (W.D. Va. 1978) (visitorial powers involve the exercise of the 
    right of inspection, superintendence, direction, or regulation over a 
    bank's affairs).8
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        \8\ Recently, a federal district court upheld the OCC's right to 
    exercise exclusive regulatory authority to enforce applicable state 
    law against national banks when it enjoined a state banking 
    authority's administrative enforcement proceeding against two 
    national banks. Ruling on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, First 
    Union Nat'l Bank v. Burke, No. 3:98cv2171 (D. Ct. Apr. 7, 1999) 
    (appeal pending).
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        Proposed Sec. 7.4000 codifies the definition of visitorial powers 
    and illustrates what visitorial powers include by providing a non-
    exclusive list of these powers. They include: (a) examination of a 
    bank; (b) inspection of a bank's books and records; (c) regulation and 
    supervision of activities authorized or permitted under federal banking 
    law; and (d) enforcing compliance with any applicable federal or state 
    laws concerning those activities. The proposal also retitles 
    Sec. 7.4000 as ``Visitorial powers'' to reflect the rule's intended 
    focus.
        The proposal also reorganizes Sec. 7.4000 by grouping together, in 
    proposed paragraph (b), the exceptions noted in several different 
    places in the current rule that are explicitly provided by federal law 
    to the OCC's exclusive visitorial powers. These exceptions do not 
    preclude the OCC from exercising its concurrent authority to inspect a 
    national bank's books and records in the instances listed. This 
    reorganization of the exceptions in the current rule is done solely for 
    ease of reference. None of the exceptions listed is new, and the list 
    is not exclusive.9
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        \9\ The exceptions listed in the rule are those where federal 
    statutory law explicitly provides for another agency to inspect a 
    national bank's books and records. In addition, the OCC does not 
    object to state insurance regulators inspecting the records of 
    national banks related to their insurance activities that are 
    regulated under applicable state law.
    
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    Establishment and Operation of Remote Service Units (Proposed New 
    Sec. 7.4003)
    
        The authority of national banks to establish ``branches'' in a 
    state is linked to the extent that state law authorizes state banks to 
    establish branches. See 12 U.S.C. 36(c)-(g). Branches are the only 
    national bank facilities that are subject to state geographic 
    restrictions or related approval requirements under 12 U.S.C. 36. The 
    national bank branching statute, at 12 U.S.C. 36(j), defines a 
    ``branch'' to include any branch bank, branch office, branch agency, 
    additional office, or any branch place of business located in any state 
    at which deposits are received, checks paid, or money lent. Section 
    36(j) explicitly excludes, however, an automated teller machine (ATM) 
    or remote service unit (RSU) \10\ from the definition of ``branch.'' 
    \11\ In light of the exclusion of ATMs and RSUs from 12 U.S.C. 36(j), 
    the OCC has concluded in recent interpretive letters \12\ that ATMs and 
    RSUs established and operated by national banks are not subject to any 
    state-imposed geographic or operational restrictions or licensing laws.
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        \10\ An RSU is an automated facility, operated by a customer of 
    a bank, that engages in one or more of the core banking functions of 
    receiving deposits, paying withdrawals, or lending money. An RSU 
    includes ATMs, automated loan machines, and automated devices for 
    receiving deposits, and may be equipped with a telephone or 
    televideo device that allows contact with bank personnel.
        \11\ This exclusion was added to section 36(j) by the Economic 
    Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 (EGRPRA), Pub. 
    L. 104-208, sec. 2205, enacted Sept. 30, 1996 (110 Stat. 3009).
        \12\ See, e.g., Interpretive Letter No. 789 (June 27, 1997), 
    reprinted in [1997 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 
    81-216 (IL 789); Interpretive Letter No. 772 (Mar. 6, 1997), 
    reprinted in [1996-97 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) 
    para. 81-136 (IL 772).
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        Proposed new Sec. 7.4003 codifies the principle, reflected in those 
    interpretive letters and other OCC interpretations \13\ that automated 
    loan machines (ALMs) and automated devices for receiving deposits are 
    appropriately considered to be RSUs and, accordingly, are not subject 
    to any state-imposed geographic or operational restrictions or 
    licensing laws. As previously noted, RSUs are automated facilities, 
    operated by customers of a bank, that receive deposits, pay 
    withdrawals, or lend money. Similarly, ALMs and automated deposit-
    receiving devices are automated facilities, operated by bank customers, 
    that permit a customer, in the case of an ALM, to apply for a loan and 
    receive the loan proceeds or have them deposited into the customer's 
    existing account or, in the case of the deposit-receiving device, make 
    deposits. ALMs and automated deposit-receiving devices qualify under 
    this standard as RSUs and, therefore, are regulated in the same way as 
    other RSUs.
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        \13\ Interpretive Letter No. 838 (April 15, 1998), reprinted in 
    [Current Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 81-293; 
    Interpretive Letter No. 821 (Feb. 17, 1998), reprinted in [Current 
    Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 81-271; IL 789; IL 
    772. Despite the plain language of section 36(j), one federal 
    district court case, Bank One, Utah v. Guttau, Civil No. 4-98-CV-
    10247 (D. Iowa July 24, 1998), has held that Iowa ATM law is not 
    preempted by the National Bank Act. This holding is on appeal to the 
    Eighth Circuit.
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    Deposit Production Offices (Proposed New Sec. 7.4004)
    
        A national bank facility that does not receive deposits, pay 
    checks, or lend money is not a branch for purposes of 12 U.S.C. 36(j). 
    The OCC has determined that a national bank deposit production office 
    (DPO), which merely assists bank customers in making deposits, is not a 
    branch because it does not engage in any of the core banking functions 
    that would cause it to be a branch under 12 U.S.C. 36.\14\
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        \14\ Interpretive Letter No. 691 (Sept. 25, 1995), reprinted in 
    [1995-96 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 81-006 
    (deposit production offices are not branches as long as deposits are 
    not accepted at the DPO but rather are mailed by the customer to the 
    bank after filling out preliminary forms at the DPO); Interpretive 
    Letter No. 638 (Jan. 6, 1994), reprinted in [1993-94 Transfer 
    Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 83,525 (a non-branch 
    facility may perform deposit origination functions such as providing 
    information on deposit products or handling application forms, as 
    long as the activity stops short of actually receiving deposits).
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        Proposed new Sec. 7.4004 codifies this interpretation. Paragraph 
    (a) states that a DPO must not receive deposits in order for it to be 
    excluded from 12 U.S.C. 36(j)'s definition of ``branch,'' and that all 
    deposit and withdrawal transactions by customers using a DPO must be 
    performed by the customer, either in person at the main office or a 
    branch office of the bank, or by mail, electronic transfer, or a 
    similar method of transfer. Paragraph (b) states that a national bank 
    may use the services of, and compensate, persons not employed by the 
    bank for its deposit production activities. This flexibility to operate 
    a DPO with people other than bank employees is consistent with the 
    approach taken with respect to national bank loan production offices 
    (LPOs). See 12 CFR 7.1004.
    
    Combination of LPO, DPO, and RSU (Proposed New Sec. 7.4005)
    
        When a facility combines the non-branch functions of an LPO, DPO, 
    and RSU, the OCC has concluded that the facility is not a branch by 
    virtue of that combination.\15\ Since an LPO, DPO, or RSU is not, 
    individually, a branch under 12 U.S.C. 36(j), it follows that any 
    combination of these facilities at one location also would not be a 
    branch. The proposal adds this interpretation in new Sec. 7.4005.
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        \15\ Interpretive Letter No. 843 (Sept. 29, 1998), reprinted in 
    [Current Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 81-298 
    (IL 843). The proposal also reflects the position the OCC has taken 
    as amicus curiae in litigation pending in the Federal District Court 
    of Colorado in a case with substantially similar facts as those in 
    IL 843. See OCC's Brief Amicus Curiae filed in First Nat'l Bank of 
    McCook v. Fulkerson, Civil Action No. 98- D-1024 (filed Jan. 4, 
    1999).
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    Part 1--Investment Securities
    
        The OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR 1.3(e)(1) to clarify a provision 
    that has led to some confusion. Current Sec. 1.3(e)(1) sets forth the 
    regulatory treatment of Type IV securities that are fully secured by 
    Type I securities. The OCC proposes to eliminate the statement in 
    Sec. 1.3(e)(1) that a national bank may deal in Type IV securities that 
    are fully secured by Type I securities. This language has led to 
    confusion about the treatment of Type V securities and about the 
    relationship of the current provision with Sec. 1.3(g) regarding 
    securitization. Consistent with previous judicial rulings and OCC 
    decisions,\16\ the OCC will continue to apply its long-standing 
    regulatory treatment of asset-backed instruments that are fully secured 
    by Type I securities and treat those instruments as Type I securities.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \16\ See Security Pacific v. Clarke, 885 F.2d 1034 (2d Cir. 
    1989), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1070 (1990) (national bank authority 
    to securitize assets); Interpretive Letter No. 514 (May 5, 1990), 
    reprinted in [1990-91 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) 
    para. 83,218 (bonds collateralized by Gov't Nat'l Mortgage Ass'n 
    (GNMA), Fed. Nat'l Mortgage Ass'n (FNMA) and Fed. Home Loan Mortgage 
    Ass'n (FHLMC) pass-through certificates); Interpretive Letter No. 
    362 (May 22, 1986), reprinted in [1985-87 Transfer Binder] Fed. 
    Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 85,532 (issuing, underwriting and 
    dealing in evidences of indebtedness collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or 
    FHLMC certificates); Interpretive Letter No. 378 (April 24, 1987), 
    reprinted in [1988-89 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) 
    para. 85,602 (issuance and sale of collateralized mortgage 
    obligations--bonds representing interests in pools of mortgages or 
    mortgage-related obligations); Interpretive Letter No. 257 (April 
    12, 1983), reprinted in [1983-84 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. 
    Rep. (CCH) para. 85,421 (underwriting and dealing in mortgage-backed 
    pass-through certificates evidencing undivided interests in Fed. 
    Housing Admin. insured mortgage pools purchased by the bank from 
    GNMA); Investment Securities Letter No. 29 (Aug. 3, 1988), reprinted 
    in [1988-89 Transfer Binder] Fed. Banking L. Rep. (CCH) para. 85,899 
    (investment limits for asset-backed securities consisting of General 
    Motors Acceptance Corp. receivables).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Part 5--Rules, Policies, and Procedures for Corporate Activities
    
        In 1996, the interagency Uniform Financial Institutions Rating 
    System--
    
    [[Page 31753]]
    
    then commonly referred to as the CAMEL rating system \17\--was updated 
    to add a sixth component, addressing sensitivity to market risk. \18\ 
    To reflect the addition of that sixth component, the acronym CAMEL was 
    changed to CAMELS. In a recent rulemaking \19\ that amended 12 CFR part 
    3 (the OCC's rule on minimum capital ratios), the OCC made the 
    conforming amendment by changing ``CAMEL'' to ``CAMELS'' in 
    Sec. 3.6(c). However, the other OCC regulation in which the term CAMEL 
    is used, part 5, was not updated concurrently.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \17\ The rating system was referred to as the CAMEL rating 
    system because it assessed five components of a bank's performance: 
    capital adequacy, asset quality, management administration, 
    earnings, and liquidity.
        \18\ 61 FR 67021 (Dec. 19, 1996).
        \19\ 64 FR 10194 (Mar. 2, 1999).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        This proposal changes the references to CAMEL in several sections 
    of part 5 to CAMELS, reflecting, as discussed in the preceding 
    paragraph, the recent addition of ``sensitivity to market risk'' to the 
    Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System. The proposal also 
    contains technical amendments to several sections in part 5 to conform 
    them to provisions in the Comptroller's Corporate Manual that have been 
    revised since part 5 last was amended. Finally, the proposal makes a 
    technical amendment to Sec. 5.35(g)(3) to correct an error in a 
    reference to another paragraph of Sec. 5.35.
    
    Request for Comments
    
        The OCC invites comment on any of the proposed changes.
        The OCC also seeks comments on the impact of each proposal on 
    community banks. The OCC recognizes that community banks operate with 
    more limited resources than larger institutions and may present a 
    different risk profile. Thus, the OCC specifically requests comments on 
    the impact of each proposal on community banks' current resources and 
    available personnel with the requisite expertise, and whether the goals 
    of the proposed regulation could be achieved, for community banks, 
    through an alternative approach.
        Executive Order 12866 and the President's memorandum of June 1, 
    1998, require each agency to write all rules in plain language. We 
    invite your comments on how to make this proposed rule easier to 
    understand. For example:
         Have we organized the material to suit your needs?
         Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated?
         Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that 
    isn't clear?
         Would a different format (grouping and order of sections, 
    use of headings, paragraphing) make the rule easier to understand?
         Would more (but shorter) sections be better?
         What else could we do to make the rule easier to 
    understand?
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
    U.S.C. 605(b), the OCC hereby certifies that this proposal will not 
    have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities. As is discussed more fully in the preamble to this proposal, 
    the proposal clarifies and updates 12 CFR parts 1, 5, and 7. The 
    proposal imposes no new requirements on national banks. Accordingly, a 
    regulatory flexibility analysis for the proposal is not required.
    
    Executive Order 12866
    
        The OCC has determined that this proposal is not a significant 
    regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
    
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    
        Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 
    1532 (Unfunded Mandates Act), requires that the agency prepare a 
    budgetary impact statement before promulgating any rule likely to 
    result in 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. If a budgetary 
    impact statement is required, section 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Act 
    also requires the agency to identify and consider a reasonable number 
    of regulatory alternatives before promulgating the rule.
        The OCC has determined that this proposal will not result in 
    expenditures by state, local, and tribal governments, or by the private 
    sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. Accordingly, the OCC 
    has not prepared a budgetary impact statement or specifically addressed 
    any regulatory alternatives. The proposal is clarifying in nature and 
    imposes no new requirements on national banks.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    12 CFR Part 1
    
        Banks, banking, National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Securities.
    
    12 CFR Part 5
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, National banks, Reporting 
    and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.
    
    12 CFR Part 7
    
        Credit, Insurance, Investments, National banks, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements, Securities, Surety bonds.
    
    Authority and Issuance
    
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, chapter I of title 12 of 
    the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows:
    
    PART 1--INVESTMENT SECURITIES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 24 (Seventh), and 93a.
    
        2. In Sec. 1.3, paragraph (e)(1) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1.3  Limitations on dealing in, underwriting, and purchase and 
    sale of securities.
    
    * * * * *
        (e) Type IV securities--(1) General. A national bank may purchase 
    and sell Type IV securities for its own account. Except as described in 
    paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the amount of the Type IV securities 
    that a bank may purchase and sell is not limited to a specified 
    percentage of the bank's capital and surplus.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 5--RULES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES FOR CORPORATE ACTIVITIES
    
        3. The authority citation for part 5 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 93a.
    
        4. In Sec. 5.3, paragraph (c) is revised and paragraph (g)(2) is 
    amended by revising the term ``(CAMEL)'' to read ``(CAMELS)'', to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 5.3  Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) Appropriate district office means:
        (1) Bank Organization and Structure for all national bank 
    subsidiaries of certain holding companies assigned to the Washington, 
    D.C., licensing unit;
        (2) The appropriate OCC district office for all national bank 
    subsidiaries of certain holding companies assigned to a district office 
    licensing unit;
        (3) The OCC's district office where the national bank's supervisory 
    office is located for all other banks; or
    
    [[Page 31754]]
    
        (4) The OCC's International Banking and Finance Department for 
    federal branches and agencies of foreign banks.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 5.11  [Amended]
    
        5. In Sec. 5.11, paragraph (i)(1) is amended by revising the phrase 
    ``a representative of the OCC'' to read ``presiding officer''.
        6. In Sec. 5.33, paragraph (d)(2)(i) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 5.33  Business combinations.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) * * *
        (2) * * *
        (i) A business combination between eligible banks, or between an 
    eligible bank 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
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 5.35  [Amended]
    
        7. In Sec. 5.35, paragraph (g)(3) is amended by revising the term 
    ``paragraph (h)'' to read ``paragraph (i)''.
    
    
    Sec. 5.37  [Amended]
    
        8. In Sec. 5.37, paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (d)(3) are amended by 
    revising the term ``district'' to read ``supervisory'', and paragraph 
    (d)(3) is amended further by revising the term ``(CAMEL)'' to read 
    ``(CAMELS)''.
    
    
    Sec. 5.51  [Amended]
    
        9. In Sec. 5.51, paragraph (c)(6)(i) is amended by revising the 
    term ``(CAMEL)'' to read ``(CAMELS)''.
    
    
    Sec. 5.64  [Amended]
    
        10. In Sec. 5.64, paragraph (b) is amended by revising the term 
    ``district'' to read ``supervisory''.
    
    PART 7--INTERPRETIVE RULINGS
    
        11. The authority citation for part 7 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq. and 93a.
    
        12. In Sec. 7.1012, paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and (c)(2)(ii) are revised 
    and paragraphs (c)(2)(iii), (c)(2)(iv), (c)(2)(v), and (c)(2)(vi) are 
    added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.1012  Messenger service.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (2) * * *
        (i) A party other than the national bank owns or rents the 
    messenger service and its facilities and employs the persons who 
    provide the service;
        (ii)(A) The messenger service retains the discretion to determine 
    in its own business judgment which customers and geographic areas it 
    will serve; or
        (B) If the messenger service and the bank are under common 
    ownership or control, the messenger service actually provides its 
    services to the general public, including other depository 
    institutions, and retains the discretion to determine in its own 
    business judgment which customers and geographic areas it will serve;
        (iii) The messenger service maintains ultimate responsibility for 
    scheduling, movement, and routing;
        (iv) The messenger service does not operate under the name of the 
    bank, and the bank and the messenger service do not advertise, or 
    otherwise represent, that the bank itself is providing the service, 
    although the bank may advertise that its customers may use one or more 
    third party messenger services to transact business with the bank;
        (v) The messenger service assumes responsibility for the items 
    during transit and for maintaining adequate insurance covering thefts, 
    employee fidelity, and other in-transit losses; and
        (vi) The messenger service acts as the agent for the customer when 
    the items are in transit. The bank deems items intended for deposit to 
    be deposited when credited to the customer's account at the bank's main 
    office, one of its branches, or another permissible facility, such as a 
    back office facility that is not a branch. The bank deems items 
    representing withdrawals to be paid when the items are given to the 
    messenger service.
    * * * * *
        13. In Sec. 7.1016, paragraphs (a) including the footnote, 
    (b)(1)(iii)(C), (b)(1)(iv), and (b)(2)(ii) are revised to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.1016  Independent undertakings to pay against documents.
    
        (a) General authority. A national bank may issue and commit to 
    issue letters of credit and other independent undertakings within the 
    scope of the applicable laws or rules of practice recognized by 
    law.1 Under such letters of credit and other independent 
    undertakings, the bank's obligation to honor depends upon the 
    presentation of specified documents and not upon nondocumentary 
    conditions or resolution of questions of fact or law at issue between 
    the applicant and the beneficiary. A national bank may also confirm or 
    otherwise undertake to honor or purchase specified documents upon their 
    presentation under another person's independent undertaking within the 
    scope of such laws or rules.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \1\ Samples of such laws or rules of practice include, but are 
    not limited to: the applicable version of Article 5 of the Uniform 
    Commercial Code (UCC) (1962, as amended 1990) or revised Article 5 
    of the UCC (as amended 1995) (available from West Publishing Co., 1/
    800/328-4880); the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary 
    Credits (International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Publication No. 
    500) (available from ICC Publishing, Inc., 212/206-1150); the 
    International Standby Practices (ISP-98) (available from the 
    Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, 301/869-9840); 
    the United Nations Convention on Independent Guarantees and Standby 
    Letters of Credit (adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1995 and 
    signed by the U.S. in 1997) (available from the U.N. Commission on 
    International Trade Law, 212/963-5353); and the Uniform Rules for 
    Bank-to-Bank Reimbursements Under Documentary Credits (ICC 
    Publication No. 525) (available from ICC Publishing, Inc., 212/206-
    1150); as any of the foregoing may be amended from time to time.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (b) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (iii) * * *
        (C) Entitle the bank to cash collateral from the applicant on 
    demand (with a right to accelerate the applicant's obligations, as 
    appropriate); and
        (iv) The bank either should be fully collateralized or have a post-
    honor right of reimbursement from the applicant or from another issuer 
    of an independent undertaking. Alternatively, if the bank's undertaking 
    is to purchase documents of title, securities, or other valuable 
    documents, the bank should obtain a first priority right to realize on 
    the documents if the bank is not otherwise to be reimbursed.
        (2) * * *
        (ii) In the event that the undertaking provides for automatic 
    renewal, the terms for renewal should be consistent with the bank's 
    ability to make any necessary credit assessments prior to renewal;
    * * * * *
        14. In Sec. 7.1017, the introductory text is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.1017  National bank as guarantor or surety on indemnity bond.
    
        A national bank may lend its credit, bind itself as a surety to 
    indemnify another, or otherwise become a guarantor (including, pursuant 
    to 12 CFR 28.4, guaranteeing the deposits and other liabilities of its 
    Edge corporations and Agreement corporations and of its corporate 
    instrumentalities in foreign countries), if:
    * * * * *
        15. In Sec. 7.2005, paragraph (b)(4) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.2005  Ownership of stock necessary to qualify as director.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (4) Other arrangements--(i) Shares held through retirement plans 
    and similar arrangements. A director may
    
    [[Page 31755]]
    
    hold his or her qualifying interest through a profit-sharing plan, 
    individual retirement account, retirement plan, or similar arrangement, 
    if the director retains beneficial ownership and legal control over the 
    shares.
        (ii) Shares held subject to buyback agreements. A director may 
    acquire and hold his or her qualifying interest pursuant to a stock 
    repurchase or buyback agreement with a transferring shareholder under 
    which the director purchases the qualifying shares subject to an 
    agreement that the transferring shareholder will repurchase the shares 
    when, for any reason, the director ceases to serve in that capacity. 
    The agreement may give the transferring shareholder a right of first 
    refusal to repurchase the qualifying shares if the director seeks to 
    transfer ownership of the shares to a third person.
        (iii) Assignment of right to dividends or distributions. A director 
    may assign the right to receive all dividends or distributions on his 
    or her qualifying shares to another, including a transferring 
    shareholder, if the director retains beneficial ownership and legal 
    control over the shares.
        (iv) Execution of proxy. A director may execute a revocable or 
    irrevocable proxy authorizing another, including a transferring 
    shareholder, to vote his or her qualifying shares, provided the 
    director retains beneficial ownership and legal control over the 
    shares.
    * * * * *
        16. In Sec. 7.2008, the last sentence of paragraph (b) is revised 
    and a new paragraph (c) is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.2008  Oath of directors.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) Execution of the oath. * * * Appropriate sample oaths are 
    located in the ``Comptroller's Corporate Manual.''
        (c) Filing and recordkeeping. A national bank must file the 
    original executed oaths of directors with the OCC and retain a copy in 
    the bank's records in accordance with the Comptroller's Corporate 
    Manual filing and recordkeeping instructions for executed oaths of 
    directors.
        17. Section 7.2020 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.2020  Acquisition and holding of shares as treasury stock.
    
        (a) Acquisition of outstanding shares. Under 12 U.S.C. 59, a 
    national bank may acquire its outstanding shares and hold them as 
    treasury stock, if the acquisition and retention of the shares is, and 
    continues to be, for a legitimate corporate purpose.
        (b) Legitimate corporate purpose. Examples of legitimate corporate 
    purposes include the acquisition and holding of treasury stock to:
        (1) Have shares available for use in connection with employee stock 
    option, bonus, purchase, or similar plans;
        (2) Sell to a director for the purpose of acquiring qualifying 
    shares;
        (3) Purchase a director's qualifying shares upon the cessation of 
    the director's service in that capacity if there is no ready market for 
    the shares;
        (4) Reduce the number of shareholders in order to qualify as a 
    Subchapter S corporation; or
        (5) Reduce costs associated with shareholder communications and 
    meetings.
        (c) Other purposes. Purposes other than those enumerated in 
    paragraph (b) of this section may satisfy the legitimate corporate 
    purpose test.
        (d) Prohibition. It is not a legitimate corporate purpose to 
    acquire or hold treasury stock on speculation about changes in its 
    value.
        18. A new Sec. 7.2023 is added to subpart B to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.2023  Reverse stock splits.
    
        (a) Authority to engage in reverse stock splits. A national bank 
    may engage in a reverse stock split if the transaction serves a 
    legitimate corporate purpose and provides adequate dissenting 
    shareholders' rights.
        (b) Legitimate corporate purpose. Examples of legitimate corporate 
    purposes include a reverse stock split to:
        (1) Reduce the number of shareholders in order to qualify as a 
    Subchapter S corporation; or
        (2) Reduce costs associated with shareholder communications and 
    meetings.
        19. In Sec. 7.4000, the section heading and paragraphs (a) and (b) 
    are revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.4000  Visitorial powers.
    
        (a) General rule. (1) Only the OCC or an authorized representative 
    of the OCC may exercise visitorial powers with respect to national 
    banks, except as otherwise expressly provided by federal law. State 
    officials may not exercise visitorial powers with respect to national 
    banks, such as conducting examinations, inspecting or requiring the 
    production of books or records of national banks, or prosecuting 
    enforcement actions, except in limited circumstances authorized by 
    federal law. Production of records may, however, be required under 
    normal judicial procedures.
        (2) For purposes of this section, visitorial powers include:
        (i) Examination of a bank;
        (ii) Inspection of a bank's books and records;
        (iii) Regulation and supervision of activities authorized or 
    permitted pursuant to federal banking law; or
        (iv) Enforcing compliance with any applicable federal or state laws 
    concerning those activities.
        (b) Exceptions to the general rule. Federal law expressly provides 
    special authority for state or other federal officials to:
        (1) Inspect the list of shareholders, provided the official is 
    authorized to assess taxes under state authority (12 U.S.C. 62; this 
    section also authorizes inspection of the shareholder list by 
    shareholders and creditors of a national bank);
        (2) Review, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice to a 
    bank, the bank's records solely to ensure compliance with applicable 
    state unclaimed property or escheat laws upon reasonable cause to 
    believe that the bank has failed to comply with those laws (12 U.S.C. 
    484(b));
        (3) Verify payroll records for unemployment compensation purposes 
    (26 U.S.C. 3305(c));
        (4) Ascertain the correctness of federal tax returns (26 U.S.C. 
    7602); or
        (5) Enforce the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 211).
    * * * * *
        20. A new Sec. 7.4003 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.4003  Establishment and operation of a remote service unit by a 
    national bank.
    
        A remote service unit (RSU) is an automated facility, operated by a 
    customer of a bank, that conducts banking functions, such as receiving 
    deposits, paying withdrawals, or lending money. A national bank may 
    establish and operate an RSU pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 24 (Seventh). An RSU 
    includes an automated teller machine, automated loan machine, and 
    automated device for receiving deposits. An RSU may be equipped with a 
    telephone or televideo device that allows contact with bank personnel. 
    An RSU is not considered a ``branch'' within the meaning of 12 U.S.C. 
    36(j), and is not subject to state geographic or operational 
    restrictions or licensing laws.
        21. A new Sec. 7.4004 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.4004  Establishment and operation of a deposit production office 
    by a national bank.
    
        (a) General rule. A national bank or its operating subsidiary may 
    engage in deposit production activities at a site
    
    [[Page 31756]]
    
    other than the main office or a branch of the bank. A deposit 
    production office (DPO) may solicit deposits, provide information about 
    deposit products, and assist persons in completing application forms 
    and related documents to open a deposit account. A DPO is not a branch 
    within the meaning of 12 U.S.C. 36(j) and 12 CFR 5.30(d)(1) so long as 
    it does not receive deposits, pay withdrawals, or make loans. All 
    deposit and withdrawal transactions of a bank customer using a DPO must 
    be performed by the customer, either in person at the main office or a 
    branch office of the bank, or by mail, electronic transfer, or a 
    similar method of transfer.
        (b) Services of other persons. A national bank may use the services 
    of, and compensate, persons not employed by the bank in its deposit 
    production activities.
        22. A new Sec. 7.4005 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 7.4005  Combination of loan production office, deposit production 
    office, and remote service unit.
    
        A location at which a national bank operates a loan production 
    office (LPO), a deposit production office (DPO), and a remote service 
    unit (RSU) is not a ``branch'' within the meaning of 12 U.S.C. 36(j) by 
    virtue of that combination. Since an LPO, DPO, or RSU is not, 
    individually, a branch under 12 U.S.C. 36(j), any combination of these 
    facilities at one location does not create a branch.
    
        Dated: May 11, 1999.
    John D. Hawke, Jr.,
    Comptroller of the Currency.
    [FR Doc. 99-14256 Filed 6-11-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4810-33-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/14/1999
Department:
Comptroller of the Currency
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
99-14256
Dates:
You should submit written comments by August 13, 1999.
Pages:
31749-31756 (8 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 99-08
RINs:
1557-AB61: Interpretive Rulings
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1557-AB61/interpretive-rulings
PDF File:
99-14256.pdf
CFR: (24)
12 CFR 7.4003)
12 CFR 7.1016(a)
12 CFR 3.6(c)
12 CFR 7.1012(c)(2)(i)
12 CFR 1.3(e)(1)
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