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OCC releases enforcement actions for May 2024
On May 23, the OCC released a list of recent enforcement actions against national banks, federal savings associations, and individuals affiliated with such entities (defined as institution-affiliated parties, or IAPs). The actions against two individual banks include two formal agreements in which the OCC alleged that the banks engaged in unsafe or unsound practices related to risk governance and internal controls for one bank; and capital planning, strategic and succession planning, and liquidity risk management for the other bank. The announcement also included five enforcement actions against IAPs to “deter, encourage correction of, or prevent violations, unsafe or unsound practices, or breaches of fiduciary duty.” Specifically, the announcement included four prohibition orders and one notice of charges against IAPs, mainly individuals, for criminal activity. More information on the OCC’s enforcement action types can be found here.
OCC’s Hsu speaks on recovery planning to avoid banking crises
On May 27, the Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Michael J. Hsu, delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of recovery planning in mitigating the risks associated with bank crises. Hsu argued that while preventing crises through risk management, capital and liquidity requirements, and strong supervision was the primary goal, having a robust recovery plan was critical for stabilizing banks and restoring confidence in stressful times. He noted his comments came in light of recent bank failures in the U.S. and abroad.
Acting Comptroller Hsu drew an analogy to the philosophical “trolley problem,” highlighting the difficult choices regulators face. Hsu emphasized how banks and their regulators need actionable recovery plans with options to sell certain portfolios or businesses, increase liquidity and capital, or reduce risk-weighted assets to avoid losses. The Acting Comptroller also detailed how effective recovery plans should incorporate timely triggers for action, thorough impact assessments, and clear communication with stakeholders. He concluded by calling for the application of recovery planning requirements to all large banks with at least $100 billion in assets (down from the current $250 billion in assets requirement) suggesting that applying recovery planning guidelines in this manner could have mitigated recent regional bank failures and limited losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund.
Congressional Democrats pen letter to financial regulators on “de-risking” and inclusion
On May 15, 11 Congressional Democrats sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Yellen, now-former FDIC Chairman Gruenberg, Acting Comptroller Hsu, Fed Chair Powell, FinCEN Director Gacki, NCUA Chair Harper, and CFPB Director Chopra asking for robust, modernized anti-money laundering (AML) and financial crimes compliance to support equitable banking access for Muslim Americans and immigrant communities. The congressmembers raised these concerns as banks increasingly engaged in the practice of “de-risking,” which involved indiscriminately terminating or restricting business relationships with broad categories of customers rather than managing risk consistent with risk-based supervisory or regulatory requirements. The letter highlighted that customers in the Muslim American, Middle Eastern, and South Asian American communities “may” be considered “high-risk” erroneously for sending payments or remittances abroad, or by donating to charities or religious institutions. The letter asserts that this practice can also harm economic stability and sustainability in countries that depend on remittances for development.
The Democrats proposed several changes to address these concerns. First, the letter asked financial regulators to issue a joint statement affirming financial inclusion as a priority. Second, it requested a formal advisory group on financial inclusion. Third, the letter requested FinCEN issue FAQs to help financial institutions “avoid shutting down or restricting accounts unnecessarily.” Fourth, the letter asked the Treasury to amend its annual examiner training to include a discussion on financial inclusion. Fifth, it asked for the promulgation of guidance for banks to provide pre-clearance mechanisms for consumers likely to raise AML flags. Finally, the letter requested that the CFPB establish notice and dispute resolution requirements for consumers who “experience account closures especially when a SAR is not filed.”
Agencies issue NPRM on incentive-based compensation
On May 6, the FDIC, OCC, NCUA and the FHFA issued a NPRM (proposed rule) on incentive-based compensation, pursuant to Dodd-Frank’s Section 956 (Section 956), which required federal regulators to prescribe regulations or guidelines regarding incentive-based compensation at covered financial institutions. Regulators first proposed a rule to implement Section 956 in 2011, and again in 2016. Now, regulators are reproposing the 2016 version without change, albeit with certain alternatives. The current proposal, however, will be published without involvement from the Fed or SEC.
Section 956 defined “covered financial institutions” as institutions with at least $1 billion in assets and include the following: depository institutions or depository institution holding companies, registered broker-dealers, credit unions, investment advisers, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac (or any other financial institution that federal regulators determined should be treated as a covered financial institution). Dodd-Frank required regulators to prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that encouraged “inappropriate risks.” The proposed rule included prohibitions intended to make these compensation arrangements more sensitive to risk, such as a ban on incentive-based compensation arrangements that do not include risk adjustment of awards, deferral of payments, or forfeiture and clawback provisions. In addition, the proposed rule set forth recordkeeping and disclosure requirements to help federal regulators monitor potential issues.
The agencies will review both new comments and those received in 2016 for the prior proposed rule. The agencies invited those who previously submitted comments and resubmit their comments to explain how their viewpoint may have changed from their prior comments. The agencies also requested comments on the compliance date and disclosures, like the recordkeeping and clawback requirements. Comments will be due no later than 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.
Fed, OCC, and FDIC release third-party risk management report for community banks
On May 3, the Fed, OCC, and FDIC (the regulators) released a report to help community banks assess their third-party relationship risk exposure. The report discusses key considerations in three areas: risk management, third-party relationship life cycle, and governance. In addition, the regulators’ report contained an appendix with additional resources, such as FFIEC interagency guidance and CISA cybersecurity protocols. With respect to risk management, the report suggested community banks apply more rigorous risk-management practices for third parties that support critical bank activities, such as those that could have a significant customer impact or have a significant impact on the bank’s financial condition. In describing the third-party relationship life cycle, the report identified five key stages of the life cycle – planning, due diligence, contract negotiation, ongoing monitoring, and termination. With respect to governance, the report described three key pillars: oversight and accountability, independent review, and documentation and reporting.
OCC and FDIC release CRA evaluations on 69 banks
On May 2, the OCC released its CRA performance evaluations for April and the FDIC released its evaluations for February. The OCC evaluated 13 national banks, federal savings associations, and insured federal branches of foreign banks. Of the 13 evaluations, most entities were rated “Satisfactory,” one entity was rated “Outstanding,” and one entity was rated as “Needs to Improve.” The FDIC released its May list of state nonmember banks of assigned CRA ratings in February. Out of 56 evaluations, two banks were rated “Outstanding,” 52 were rated as “Satisfactory,” one bank was rated as “Needs to Improve,” and one bank was rated as “Substantial Noncompliance.”
OCC releases enforcement actions for April 2024
On April 18, the OCC released a list of recent enforcement actions against national banks, federal savings associations, and individuals affiliated with such entities (defined as institution-affiliated parties, or IAPs). The actions against banks include two formal agreements and one cease and desist order against three individual banks. In each instance, the OCC alleged that the banks engaged in unsafe or unsound practices related to some combination of board oversight, liquidity management, capital requirements, or credit risk. With respect to IAPs, the announcement included four enforcement actions against IAPs to “deter, encourage correction, or prevent violations, unsafe or unsound practices, or breaches of fiduciary duty.” The OCC issued prohibition orders, which prohibit the IAP from any participation in the affairs of a bank or other institution, for all four IAPs and assessed civil money penalties ranging from $40,000 to $400,000 against three of them. The announcement also included two more prohibition orders against two additional IAPs for criminal activities. More information on the OCC’s enforcement action types can be found here.
OCC seeks input on LCR and NSFR reporting and recordkeeping requirements
On April 16, the OCC released a request for comment on proposed revisions to its “Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Associated with Liquidity Coverage Ratio: Liquidity Risk Measurement, Standards, and Monitoring” to account for three new recordkeeping requirements to be included in 12 CFR part 50, which applies to large national banks and Federal savings associations. The notice outlined steps that such institutions should take to ensure they properly document compliance with the “liquidity coverage ratio” (LCR), which is designed to “promote the short-term resilience” of a bank’s liquidity risk profile, and the “net stable funding ratio” (NSFR), which is designed to reduce disruptions to a bank’s funding sources. The revised reporting obligations require covered institutions to self-report when LCR falls below the minimum threshold or when there is an NSFR shortfall and, in some cases, to submit a liquidity or remediation plan, including estimated time frame for resuming compliance with LCR or NSFR requirements. The recordkeeping revisions require covered entities to, among other things, establish and maintain written policies and procedures for a number of processes, including monitoring changes in relevant laws related to master netting agreements, determine the composition of its eligible high-quality liquid assets (HQLA), and ensure consistent treatment for determining eligible HQLA. Comments must be received by June 17.
OCC’s Hsu discusses creating economic opportunity for “new Americans”
On April 10, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Michael J. Hsu, delivered prepared remarks, during a public meeting of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC). During his remarks, Hsu underscored the significance of financial literacy and inclusion for “new Americans,” drawing from his own experience as a child of immigrants. Acknowledging the substantial contributions of immigrant communities to the U.S. economy, including through entrepreneurship and innovation, Hsu urged financial institutions to support a system that is inclusive and equitable. Hsu called for banks to expand services offered in languages other than English and to explore innovative means of accepting diverse forms of identification within the regulatory framework to facilitate greater access to financial services for foreign-born individuals who are more likely to be unbanked. The speech also highlighted the need for mortgage financing options that cater to the unique requirements of immigrant populations, including extending access to credit for individuals without traditional credit scores. Hsu specifically emphasized special purpose credit programs and community partnerships as a means to extend credit to new Americans. Hsu concluded by pointing to the OCC's resources aimed at bolstering the efforts of banks and their community partners in enhancing financial capability among immigrant populations.
OCC extends comment period on proposed rules for the Bank Merger Act
On April 10, the OCC announced a notice published in the Federal Register extending the comment period for the OCC’s proposed rule on bank mergers. The NPRM titled, “Business Combinations under the Bank Merger Act,” was originally published on February 14. As previously covered by InfoBytes, the rule would amend procedures to include a policy statement that “summarizes the principles the OCC uses when it reviews proposed bank merger transactions under the Bank Merger Act.” Under the typical 60-day comment period, the comment period for the original NPRM would have closed on April 15. The OCC extended the comment period in response to a request to do so, to allow interested parties additional time to prepare and submit their comments. The notice will not not indicate who made the request. The new deadline for parties to submit comments is June 15.