InfoBytes Blog
Filter
Subscribe to our InfoBytes Blog weekly newsletter and other publications for news affecting the financial services industry.
FDIC issues QBP for 1Q 2022
On July 21, the FDIC released FDIC Quarterly, 2022, Volume 16, Number 3, which analyzes loan performance at community banks in five manufacturing-concentrated states: Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. The featured article, Community Bank Performance in Manufacturing-Concentrated States, noted that community banks in these states support their local economies “through a higher share of commercial loans relative to community banks in other states,” including commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, and construction and development loans. The FDIC also noted that “the manufacturing industry is sensitive to business cycles and recessions, which has direct implications on community banks and has weighed on their profitability through both direct credit exposure to manufacturing firms and indirectly through the manufacturing industry’s impact on the local economy.” Though the agency acknowledged that the manufacturing sector recovered more quickly than expected from the Covid-19 pandemic, credit risks remain for banks in manufacturing-heavy states. The Quarterly further stated that “[t]he manufacturing industry remains susceptible to the risks of plant closure due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, or relocation of firms due to global market pressures as production and demand normalize.”
FDIC proposes new standards TDRs
On July 20, the FDIC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to incorporate updated accounting standards in the risk-based deposit insurance assessment system applicable to all large and highly complex insured depository institutions (IDIs). The NPR is in response to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s elimination of accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (TDR) for adopters of the current expected credit loss standard. The NPR noted that the “FDIC calculates deposit insurance assessment rates for large and highly complex IDIs based on supervisory ratings and financial measures, including the underperforming assets ratio and the higher-risk assets ratio, both of which are determined, in part, using restructured loans or [TDRs].” Both of these measures, the underperforming assets ratio and higher-risk assets ratio, are used to determine deposit insurance assessments for large and highly complex [IDIs]. According to the FDIC, the NPR “would amend the assessment regulations to include a new term, ‘modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty’” for the underperforming assets ratio and higher-risk assets ratio. The NPR does not apply to FDIC-insured and/or FDIC- supervised institutions with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets. Comments are due 30 days after publication the Federal Register.
Brainard discusses CRA reforms in Native American lands
On July 19, Federal Reserve Vice Chair Lael Brainard spoke before the National Native Coalition Virtual Series regarding the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). During her remarks, Brainard noted that in May, the Fed, FDIC, and OCC issued a joint notice of proposed rulemaking modernizing CRA regulations to update how CRA activities qualify for consideration, where CRA activities are considered, and how CRA activities are evaluated (covered by InfoBytes here). Brainard called this a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the CRA to bring greater credit, investment, and banking services to the communities that have faced the greatest challenges.” She further noted that “the CRA will provide powerful incentives for banks to make investments in communities that do not have access to branches, such as in Native lands.” Her speech then focused on several aspects of the proposal that are beneficial for Native communities. She stated that the NPRM “provides greater incentives for community investments in Native Land Areas by providing enhanced clarity and specificity about what activities qualify for CRA credit.” Noting that Native community development financial institutions and minority depository institutions “are critical players in supporting credit access and investment in Native communities,” Brainard explained that the proposal provides additional certainty that activities with Treasury-certified CDFIs will qualify for CRA consideration and provides greater clarity to banks on receiving credit for activities with MDIs. She also described “another important change” of the NPRM, which is that the proposal “would result in greater CRA activity outside of where banks have branches and physical locations in order to address unmet needs in communities that have more limited access to bank branches.” Brainard concluded her remarks by reminding the audience that comments on the NPRM are due August 5.
Fed issues NPRM for default rules on certain LIBOR contracts
On July 19, the Federal Reserve Board announced in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that it is soliciting comments on a proposal that provides default rules for certain contracts that use LIBOR, which would implement the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act. As previously covered by InfoBytes, LIBOR will be discontinued after June 30, 2023. The NPRM would establish benchmark replacements for the one-, three-, six-, and 12-month “tenors” of LIBOR where a given contract does not have terms that provide for the use of any substitute for the specified LIBOR rate. According to the NPRM, “[o]f particular concern are so-called ‘tough legacy contracts,’ which are contracts that reference USD LIBOR and will not mature by June 30, 2023, but which lack adequate fallback provisions providing for a clearly defined or practicable replacement benchmark following the cessation of USD LIBOR.” The proposal identifies separate Fed-selected replacement rates for derivatives transactions, contracts where a government-sponsored enterprise is a party, and all other affected contracts. As required by the law, each proposed replacement rate is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Comments on the proposal are due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Find continuing InfoBytes coverage on LIBOR here.
Fed updates Regulation O FAQs
On July 8, the Fed updated its frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding Regulation O, Loans to Executive Officers, Directors, and Principal Shareholders of Member Banks (12 CFR Part 215). The Fed clarified that a bank’s payment of premiums as part of a split dollar life insurance arrangement does not constitute as an extension of credit to an insider, provided that certain conditions are met. The agency noted that, “under a split dollar life insurance arrangement, a bank pays the premiums on a policy insuring the life of an employee of the bank. Split dollar life insurance arrangements can take many forms. For example, the insurance policy can be owned by the bank, the employee, or a third party (typically a trust).” The Fed further explained that “[r]egardless of form, the bank is entitled to receive from the proceeds of the insurance policy a pre-negotiated amount upon the death of the insured or when the insured surrenders the policy.”
Hsu highlights financial health for consumers
On July 14, acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu delivered remarks before the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Literacy Education Commission (FLEC) discussing financial health for consumers. Hsu began by emphasizing that those who are invested in crypto-assets “are disproportionately young, diverse, and underbanked.” He noted the need “to take a careful and cautious approach” to crypto-assets, and then described the agency’s November 2021 reminder to national banks that their crypto activities must “be done in a safe, sound, and fair manner and that they need to obtain supervisory non-objections from us before engaging in new activities.” Hsu also mentioned that the OCC staff joined the FLEC Digital Assets working group to develop consumer materials clearly explaining new products in the cryptocurrency arena. Additionally, Hsu discussed the OCC’s “Financial Health: Vital Signs” discussion series, which explores issues affecting consumer financial health and well-being (covered by InfoBytes here). He further explained that a “financial health lens focused on individuals and communities, rather than solely on products or services, should enable a more sophisticated and effective approach to balancing the financial empowerment and protection of consumers.” Hsu concluded by noting the second anniversary of “Project REACh,” an initiative to promote greater financial inclusion of underserved populations, as previously covered by InfoBytes.
FDIC announces Oklahoma, Montana disaster relief
On July 15, the FDIC issued guidance (see FIL-31-2022 and see FIL-32-2022) to provide regulatory relief to financial institutions and help facilitate recovery in areas of Oklahoma affected by a severe storm, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred between May 2 and 8 and in areas of Montana affected by a severe storm and flooding that occurred from June 10 and continuing. The FDIC writes that, in supervising impacted institutions, it will consider the unusual circumstances those institutions face. The guidance suggests that institutions work with borrowers impacted by the severe weather to extend repayment terms, restructure existing loans, or ease terms for new loans “in a manner consistent with sound banking practices.” The FDIC notes that institutions may receive favorable Community Reinvestment Act consideration for community development loans, investments, and services in support of disaster recovery. The agency will also consider relief from certain reporting and publishing requirements.
FDIC clarifies third party-related brokered deposit reporting requirements
On July 15, the FDIC released a new Question and Answer (Q&A) and updated public information on its Banker Resource Center Brokered Deposits Page, reminding “FDIC-insured depository institutions (IDIs) that deposits swept from broker dealers with a primary purpose exception to unaffiliated IDIs must be reported as brokered if any additional third parties are involved that qualify as deposit brokers, as defined by Section 337.6 –Brokered Deposits, of the FDIC’s Rules and Regulations.” According to a statement released by the FDIC, Call Report data analysis submitted after the Brokered Deposits Final Rule took effect “suggests that some IDIs receiving sweep deposits from unaffiliated broker-dealers appear to be reporting the sweep deposits as non-brokered, despite the involvement of a third party that engages in facilitating the placement of deposits, including through engaging in matchmaking activities.” The agency emphasized that while an IDI may not have a direct relationship with an additional third party providing services to a broker dealer with a primary purpose exception, “when reporting sweep deposits, it is the IDI’s responsibility to file accurate Call Report data,” which may include reviewing agreements between the broker dealer and any additional third parties for any services that constitute matchmaking activities. The FDIC clarified, however, that banks will not be required to refile previous Call Reports “if, after good faith efforts, certain deposits were not previously reported as brokered by the IDI due to a misunderstanding of how the facilitation aspect of the deposit broker definition applies when additional third parties are involved.”
Fed discusses cybersecurity risk management and emerging threats
On July 7, the Federal Reserve Board published its 2022 Cybersecurity and Financial System Resilience Report. Issued pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Fed’s report described measures it has taken to strengthen cybersecurity in the financial services sector. The report identified cybersecurity as a high priority for the Federal Reserve System and Board-supervised institutions and recognized the increasing and evolving nature of cybersecurity threats to the financial system. It delivered an overview of the Fed’s supervisory policies and procedures, which, among other things, require supervised institutions to implement internal controls and information systems appropriate to the size of the institution and to the nature, scope, and risk of its activities. The report explained that examiners’ cybersecurity evaluations consider “the business model and activities conducted by supervised institutions as part of a principles-based supervision program.” According to the Fed, an examination’s scope “is set as part of a multiyear supervisory plan that considers key cybersecurity risks, the industry landscape, and other factors such as emerging technologies.” The Fed explained that as part of these evaluations, “examiners consider business-line controls, risk-management practices, assurance functions, and governance activities performed by the firm’s senior management and board of directors.”
The report also outlined intergovernmental, international, and public and private sector coordination activities, and included a list of recent actions taken by the Fed and other agencies to promote cybersecurity. Additionally, the report discussed current or emerging threats to financial institutions’ ability to operate and protect customer data, including ransomware, sophisticated distributed denial of service threats, increasing geopolitical tensions, and attacks to supply chains or third parties. Other emerging technology-related cybersecurity threats are also discussed including “[p]otential cybersecurity vulnerabilities in fintech applications,” such as cryptocurrency exchanges, banking applications, and other platforms that provide “threat actors an opportunity to steal funds or data by compromising victims’ computer systems or technology infrastructure used to interact with the products or services.”
Brainard stresses need for crypto regulation
On July 8, Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard warned that “[r]ecent volatility has exposed serious vulnerabilities in the crypto financial system.” Speaking before a Bank of England conference, Brainard explained that while crypto-assets are presented as a “fundamental break from traditional finance,” they are still susceptible to leverage, settlement, opacity, and maturity and liquidity transformation risks. The recent bankruptcy of a prominent crypto hedge fund and failed projects in the cryptocurrency space demonstrate that the crypto ecosystem faces many of the same challenges that are well known from traditional finance, she said. Brainard acknowledged that a “digital native form of safe central bank money could enhance stability by providing the neutral trusted settlement layer in the future crypto financial system,” but she also stressed that it is important “that the foundations for sound regulation of the crypto financial system be established now before the crypto ecosystem becomes so large or interconnected that it might pose risks to the stability of the broader financial system.” Novel crypto products often come with new risk factors, she said, adding that it may also be difficult “to distinguish between hype and value.” A strong regulatory framework that imposes “guardrails for safety and soundness, market integrity, and investor and consumer protection will help ensure that new digital finance products, platforms and activities are based on genuine economic value and not on regulatory evasion,” Brainard stated. She also noted that strong regulatory guardrails would also help investors and developers build “a resilient digital native financial infrastructure” and help banks, payments providers, and fintech companies “improve the customer experience, make settlement faster, reduce costs, and allow for rapid product improvement and customization.”