OCC issues guidance on CRA designations

Agency Rule-Making & Guidance OCC CRA

On July 31, the OCC issued Bulletin 2019-40, which provides guidelines for requesting designation as a wholesale or limited purposes bank for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) purposes, or requesting confirmation of exemption as a special purposes bank under the CRA. The guidelines summarize the process for requesting or confirming designation, including (i) information that a bank should provide to substantiate its request; (ii) instructions on how to submit requests; and (iii) the review and approval process. Among other things, the OCC encourages banks seeking confirmation or designation to request an informal consultation with the bank’s supervisory office. As for such a request, the OCC notes that it is customary to include a description on how the bank satisfies the definition for a wholesale bank, limited purposes bank, or special purposes bank, including facts and data sufficient to describe the nature of the bank's current and prospective business, the credit products offered, and the market area served. Within 60 days of receiving a complete designation or confirmation request, the OCC will notify the bank of its decision to approve or deny the request. For designations as wholesale or limited purpose, the designation will remain in effect until the bank requests revocation or one year after the OCC notifies the bank it has revoked the designation. For special purpose confirmations, the exemption remains in effect until the OCC is informed the exemption no longer applies. Designation and confirmation requests may be made available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but a bank may request confidential treatment for information that would normally be exempt from FOIA disclosure requirements.