2015-30097. Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans Exemption Threshold

AGENCY:

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau); and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (OCC).

ACTION:

Final rule; official interpretations; technical amendment.

SUMMARY:

The OCC, the Board and the Bureau are publishing final rules amending the official interpretations for their regulations that implement section 129H of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). Section 129H of TILA establishes special appraisal requirements for “higher-risk mortgages,” termed “higher-priced mortgage loans” or “HPMLs” in the agencies' regulations. The OCC, the Board, the Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) (collectively, the Agencies) issued joint final rules implementing these requirements, effective January 18, 2014. The Agencies' rules exempted, among other loan types, transactions of $25,000 or less, and required that this loan amount be adjusted annually based on any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). If there is no annual percentage increase in the CPI-W, the OCC, the Board and the Bureau will not adjust this exemption threshold from the prior year. Based on the annual percentage decrease in the CPI-W as of June 1, 2015, the exemption threshold will remain at $25,500 through December 31, 2016.

DATES:

This final rule is effective January 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

OCC: Beth Knickerbocker, Counsel, Legislative & Regulatory Activities Division, at [phone]; for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, TTY, [phone].

Board: Lorna M. Neill, Counsel, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, at [phone]; for users of Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) only, contact [phone].

Bureau: James Wylie, Counsel, Office of Regulations, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) amended the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) to add special appraisal requirements for “higher-risk mortgages.” ^[1] In January 2013, the Agencies issued a joint final rule implementing these requirements and adopted the term “higher-priced mortgage loan” (HPML) instead of “higher-risk mortgage” (the January 2013 Final Rule).^[2] In July 2013, the Agencies proposed additional exemptions from the January 2013 Final Rule (the 2013 Supplemental Proposed Rule).^[3] In December 2013, the Agencies issued a supplemental final rule with additional exemptions from the January 2013 Final Rule (the December 2013 Supplemental Final Rule).^[4] Among other exemptions, the Agencies adopted an exemption from the new HPML appraisal rules for transactions of $25,000 or less, to be adjusted annually for inflation.

The Bureau's, the OCC's, and the Board's versions of the January 2013 Final Rule and December 2013 Supplemental Final Rule and corresponding official interpretations are substantively identical. The FDIC, NCUA, and FHFA adopted the Bureau's version of the regulations under the January 2013 Final Rule and December 2013 Supplemental Final Rule.^[5]

Section 34.203(b)(2) of Subpart G of part 34 of the OCC's regulations, § 226.43(b)(2) of the Board's Regulation Z, and § 1026.35(c)(2)(ii) of the Bureau's Regulation Z, and their accompanying interpretations, provide that the exemption threshold for smaller loans will be adjusted effective January 1 of each year based on any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) that was in effect on the preceding June 1. Any increase in the threshold amount will be rounded to the nearest $100 increment. For example, if the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W would result in a $950 increase in the threshold amount, the threshold amount will be increased by $1,000. However, if the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W would result in a $949 increase in the threshold amount, the threshold amount will be increased by $900.^[6] If there is no annual percentage increase in the CPI-W, the Agencies will not adjust the threshold amounts from the prior year.^[7]

II. Adjustment and Commentary Revision

Effective January 1, 2016, the exemption threshold amount remains at $25,500. This threshold amount is based on the CPI-W in effect on June 1, 2015, which was reported on May 22, 2015. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes consumer-based indices monthly, but does not report a Consumer Price Index change on June 1; adjustments are reported in the middle of the month. The CPI-W is a subset of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and represents approximately 28 percent of the U.S. population. Because there was a 0.8 percent decrease in the CPI-W from April 2014 to April 2015, the OCC, the Board, and the Bureau are not adjusting the exemption threshold amount. The OCC, the Board, and the Bureau are revising the interpretations to their respective regulations to add new comments as follows:

• Comment 203(b)(2)-1.iii to 12 CFR part 34, Appendix C to Subpart G (OCC);
• Comment 43(b)(2)-1.iii to Supplement I of 12 CFR part 226 (Board); and
• Comment 35(c)(2)(ii)-1.iii in Supplement I of 12 CFR part 1026 (Bureau).

These new comments state that, from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, the threshold amount is $25,500. These revisions are effective January 1, 2016.

III. Administrative Law Matters

Administrative Procedure Act

Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), notice and opportunity for public comment are not required if an agency finds that notice and public comment are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.^[8] The amendment in this notice is technical and applies the method previously set forth in the 2013 Supplemental Proposed Rule.^[9] For these reasons, the OCC, the Board, and the Bureau have determined that publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking and providing opportunity for public comment are unnecessary. Therefore, the amendments are adopted in final form.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) does not apply to a rulemaking where a general notice of proposed rulemaking is not required.^[10] As noted previously, the Agencies have determined that it is unnecessary to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking for this joint final rule. Accordingly, the RFA's requirements relating to an initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis do not apply.

Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,^[11] the Agencies reviewed this final rule. No collections of information pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act are contained in the final rule.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The OCC analyzes proposed rules for the factors listed in Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, before promulgating a final rule for which a general notice of proposed rulemaking was published.^[12] As discussed above, the OCC has determined that the publication of a general notice of proposed rulemaking is unnecessary.

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 34

• Appraisal
• Appraiser
• Banks
• Banking
• Consumer protection
• Credit
• Mortgages
• National banks
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Savings associations
• Truth in lending

12 CFR Part 226

• Advertising
• Appraisal
• Appraiser
• Consumer protection
• Credit
• Federal Reserve System
• Mortgages
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Truth in lending

12 CFR Part 1026

• Advertising
• Appraisal
• Appraiser
• Banking
• Banks
• Consumer protection
• Credit
• Credit unions
• Mortgages
• National banks
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Savings associations
• Truth in lending

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Authority and Issuance

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the OCC amends 12 CFR part 34 as set forth below:

PART 34—REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS

1. The authority citation for part 34 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 25b, 29, 93a, 371, 1463, 1464, 1465,1701j-3, 1828(o), 3331 et seq., 5101 et seq., 5412(b)(2)(B) and 15 U.S.C. 1639h.

Subpart G—Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans

2. In Appendix C to Subpart G, under Section 34.203—Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans, paragraph 34.203(b)(2)-1.iii is added to read as follows:

Appendix C to Subpart G—OCC Interpretations

* * * * *

Section 34.203—Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans

* * * * *

34.203(b) Exemptions

* * * * *

Paragraph 34.203(b)(2)

1. Threshold Amount. * * *

iii. From January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, the threshold amount is $25,500.

* * * * *

BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Authority and Issuance

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board amends Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 226, as set forth below:

PART 226—TRUTH IN LENDING (REGULATION Z)

3. The authority citation for part 226 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 3806; 15 U.S.C. 1604, 1637(c)(5), 1639(l), and 1639h; Pub. L. 111-24, section 2, 123 Stat. 1734; Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376.

4. In Supplement I to part 226, under Section 226.43—Appraisals for Higher-Risk Mortgage Loans, under paragraph 43(b)(2), paragraph 43(b)(2)-1.iii is added to read as follows:

Supplement I to Part 226—Official Staff Interpretations

* * * * *

Subpart E—Special Rules for Certain Home Mortgage Transactions

* * * * *

Section 226.43—Appraisals for Higher-Risk Mortgage Loans

* * * * *

43(b) Exemptions

* * * * *

Paragraph 43(b)(2)

1. * * *

iii. From January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, the threshold amount is $25,500.

* * * * *

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

Authority and Issuance

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Bureau amends Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 1026, as set forth below:

PART 1026—TRUTH IN LENDING (REGULATION Z)

5. The authority citation for part 1026 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 2601, 2603-2605, 2607, 2609, 2617, 3353, 5511, 5512, 5532, 5581; 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.

6. In Supplement I to part 1026, under Section 1026.35—Requirements for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans, under paragraph 35(c)(2)(ii), paragraph 35(c)(2)(ii)-1.iii is added to read as follows:

Supplement I to Part 1026—Official Interpretations

* * * * *

Subpart E—Special Rules for Certain Home Mortgage Transactions

* * * * *

Section 1026.35—Requirements for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans

* * * * *

35(c) Appraisals

* * * * *

35(c)(2) Exemptions

* * * * *

Paragraph 35(c)(2)(ii)

1. * * *

iii. From January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, the threshold amount is $25,500.

* * * * *

Dated: November 19, 2015.

Amy Friend,

Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel.

By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, acting through the Secretary of the Board under delegated authority, November 18, 2015.

Robert deV. Frierson,

Secretary of the Board.

Dated: October 8, 2015.

Richard Cordray,

Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

Footnotes

1.  Public Law 111-203 section 1471, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010), codified at TILA section 129H, 15 U.S.C. 1639h.

2.  78 FR 10368 (Feb. 13, 2013).

3.  78 FR 48547 (Aug. 8, 2013).

4.  78 FR 78520 (Dec. 26, 2013).

5.  See NCUA: 12 CFR 722.3; FHFA: 12 CFR part 1222. Although the FDIC adopted the Bureau's version of the regulation, the FDIC did not issue its own regulation containing a cross-reference to the Bureau's version. See 78 FR 10368, 10370 (Feb. 13, 2013).

6.  See 12 CFR part 34, Appendix C to Subpart G, comment 203(b)(2)-1 (OCC); 12 CFR part 226, Supplement I, comment 43(b)(2)-1 (Board); and 12 CFR part 1026, Supplement I, comment 35(c)(2)(ii)-1 (Bureau).

7.  See 78 FR 48547, 48565 (Aug. 8, 2013) (“Thus, under the proposal, if the CPI-W decreases in an annual period, the percentage increase would be zero, and the dollar amount threshold for the exemption would not change.”).

8.  5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).

9.  See 78 FR 48547, 48565 (Aug. 8, 2013) (“Thus, under the proposal, if the CPI-W decreases in an annual period, the percentage increase would be zero, and the dollar amount threshold for the exemption would not change.”).

10.  5 U.S.C. 603 and 604.

11.  44 U.S.C. 3506; 5 CFR part 1320.

12.  2 U.S.C. 1532.