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FFIEC releases updated instructions for call reports and FFIEC 101
On April 9, the FFIEC released two depository institution reports—Capital-related Revisions to the Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call Report) and the FFIEC 101 Report, and Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income for First Quarter 2020. The reports reiterate the agencies’ March 25 statement (covered by InfoBytes here) that March 31, 2020 Call Reports submitted after the filing deadline will not result in agency action, if “the report is submitted within 30 days of the official filing date.” Additionally, they explain that Call Report instructions were impacted by three interim final rules (IFRs) the agencies recently released due to issues caused by Covid-19. The regulatory capital IFRs cover: (i) the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (MMLF) IFR (covered here); (ii) the Standardized Approach for Calculating the Exposure Amount of Derivative Contracts (SA-CCR rule) IFR (covered here); and (iii) the transition of Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) IFR (covered here). A notice regarding eligible retained income, along with the three IFRs, not only affected the instructions for March 31, 2020 Call Reports, but also impacted calculation instructions for regulatory capital on Schedule RC-R, and FFIEC 101 for regulatory capital reporting for institutions that use the advanced capital adequacy framework. The FFIEC’s updated instructions for the first quarter call report may be found here, and the updated instructions for the first quarter FFIEC 101 may be found here.
CARES Act information was also added to the appendix of the Quarterly Call Report Supplemental Instructions to include section 2302, “Modifications for Net Operating Losses,” section 4013, “Temporary Relief from Troubled Debt Restructurings,” and section 4014, “Optional Temporary Relief from Current Expected Credit Losses.”
OCC to move ahead with CRA modernization proposal; Senate Democrats request new proposal
On April 9, OCC Comptroller Joseph M. Otting issued a statement thanking stakeholders for commenting on the joint notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) issued by the OCC and FDIC last December. (See Buckley Special Alert discussing the NPR.) Otting emphasized that the OCC anticipates releasing a final rule during the first half of the year, explaining that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted communities’ need for even greater access to lending, capital, and services. “It is our intention to craft a final rule that will encourage banks to lend and invest more in the communities they serve, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods,” Otting stated. “Further delay would only prevent these valuable resources from reaching those who need them most in this time of national emergency.”
However, 42 Senate Democrats, led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), sent a letter the same day asking the agencies to rescind the NPR, which, according to the lawmakers, currently “threatens to undermine more than 40 years of access to sustainable mortgage credit, small business loans, community development, and partnerships between financial institutions and the communities they serve.” According to the Senators, the NPR’s proposal to give banks a presumptive CRA grade based mainly on the ratio of the dollar value of all CRA activity to deposits is “inconsistent with the clear Congressional intent of the CRA,” in that it would force “dollar values onto activities that are not easily measured in monthly balance sheet totals,” and would also, among other things, encourage “banks to meet their CRA obligations with activities that produce the maximum dollar figure with the least effort.” Additionally, the Senators stressed that the NPR fails to address the lack of investment in rural areas, Indian Country, and currently underserved CRA markets, despite Otting noting in his statement that the OCC seeks “to increase support to small businesses, small and family-owned farms, Indian country, and distressed areas.” The Senators urged the agencies “to develop a new proposal that reflects evidence, community input, and Congressional intent.”
As previously covered by InfoBytes, on April 8, NYDFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell also sent a letter to the OCC expressing “strong opposition” to the NPR. A coalition of state attorneys general submitted a comment letter urging the agencies to withdraw the NPR as well.
CFPB updates Covid-19 student loan debt relief guidance for borrowers
On April 9, the CFPB released updated guidance for student loan borrowers during the Covid-19 pandemic. As previously covered by InfoBytes, the Bureau first released student loan borrower information on March 27, which covered debt relief provided by the CARES Act, including the automatic freeze on student loan payments until September 30 for those with federally held loans. Servicers will send required notices detailing the payment freeze to borrowers by the middle of April. The guidance notes that some federal student loans—including some Federal Family Education Loans—may be held by commercial lenders. These loans and other privately held loans do not qualify for automatic suspension of payments, and the Bureau encourages borrowers to contact their servicers for debt relief options such as deferment or forbearance if borrowers have difficulty making payments at this time. Borrowers with Perkins loans may also request loan forbearance from the borrowers’ institution for up to three months without submitting documentation.
CSBS requests clear guidance on PPP from SBA, Treasury
On April 9, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) guidance. The letter requested the SBA and Treasury to (i) “[i]nstitute clear, coordinated, and timely guidance and communication on PPP”; (ii) “[e]nsure community banks and their small business customers have equal access to PPP loans”; and (iii) “[e]stablish transparent, public disclosure on PPP loans” in order to make the PPP successful. Among other points, CSBS specifically asserted that different SBA offices are providing conflicting information regarding PPP loan funding, and lenders require guidance on required documentation, initial disbursements, and terms and structure of unforgiven amounts on the PPP loans. Additionally, community banks are experiencing difficulties with the SBA’s loan application submission portal, including access and requests for additional information. Finally, the letter urges public disclosure of PPP loan statistics.
Nevada temporarily exempts approved PPP lenders from licensing requirements
On April 9, the Nevada Financial Institutions Division (FID) issued a letter temporarily exempting from licensure under the Nevada Installment Loan and Finance Act currently approved Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lenders under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In order to take advantage of this relief, lenders that participate in the PPP must submit the exemption request form, which is found in the letter, for FID’s review and approval.
Please see Buckley’s dedicated SBA page, which includes additional SBA resources.
Fed, Treasury announce $2.3 trillion loan facilities
On April 9, the Federal Reserve Board (Fed) and the Department of Treasury (Treasury) announced actions to enhance liquidity in the financial system, including the expansion of recently initiated facilities and the launch of several new lending facilities. (See Fed press release here). As previously covered by InfoBytes, on March 23, Treasury announced the creation of three facilities to provide liquidity to the financial system: (i) the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF); (ii) the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility (PMCCF); and (iii) the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility (SMCCF). To increase the flow of credit to consumers and businesses, the TALF will expand purchases to include “highly rated newly issued collateralized loan obligations and legacy commercial mortgage-backed securities as eligible collateral.” Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin approved a $10 billion equity investment in TALF, and—pursuant to the CARES Act—a $75 billion equity investment in PMCCF and SMCCF, which together are expected to provide up to $850 billion in credit. (See the TALF term sheet here, the PMCCF term sheet here, and the SMCCF term sheet here.)
Three new facilities approved by Secretary Mnuchin to support the flow of credit include the Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility (PPPLF), the Main Street Business Lending Program, and a Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) to support the flow of credit in the economy. Pursuant to the CARES Act, the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides funding for small business loans so that they are able to pay their employees. The PPP will benefit from the PPPLF, which will provide liquidity to banks originating the PPP loans through term financing, and will then hold the PPP loans as collateral at face value. To advance the use of the PPPLF, the Fed, OCC, and FDIC issued an interim final rule, the “Regulatory Capital Rule: Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility and Paycheck Protection Program Loans,” which is effective immediately. The interim final rule ensures that lending banks are able to “neutralize the regulatory capital effects of participating in the facility.” In addition, the CARES Act provides that SBA PPP loans “will receive a zero percent risk weight under the agencies’ capital rule.” Comments on the rule must be received within 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. (See the PPPLF term sheet here.)
Treasury, through CARES Act funds, will provide $75 billion in equity to the Main Street facility, which will support the Main Street Lending Program with funding for up to $600 billion in loans to small and mid-sized businesses. The program extends four-year loans with deferred principal and interest payments for one year. Originating banks retain 5 percent of the Main Street loans, and sell 95 percent of the loans to the Main Street facility. Borrowers seeking Main Street loans “must commit to make reasonable efforts to maintain payroll and retain workers.” (See the Main Street New Loan Facility here, and the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility here.)
Finally, the Fed will establish an MLF to support liquidity to state and local governments. The MLF will provide up to $500 billion for which Treasury will provide credit protection of $35 billion to the Fed with CARES Act funding. (See the MLF term sheet here).
Secretary Mnuchin stated that “[t]he combination of these facilities will provide up to $2.3 trillion in new financing to support American workers by helping American businesses preserve jobs, sustain operations, and continue to serve their customers.” Likewise, the Fed asserted that it “will continue to seek input from lenders, borrowers, and other stakeholders to make sure the program supports the economy as effectively and efficiently as possible while also safeguarding taxpayer funds.”
Alabama Bureau of Loans issues guidance on annual report submission
The supervisor for the Alabama State Banking Department Bureau of Loans issued a statement to licensees extending the annual report, mortgage call report, and financial statement deadlines to July 15.
Oklahoma governor issues stay at home order
On April 8, the Oklahoma governor issued an executive order closing all businesses that are not within a critical infrastructure or considered “essential” as defined by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The Oklahoma Essential Industries List includes financial services institutions and their workers. The order is effective until May 8.
Iowa Division of Credit Unions publishes comprehensive resource for Covid-19 updates
The Iowa Division of Credit Unions published a comprehensive resource containing information on Covid-19 regulatory updates. The document covers a range of regulatory changes applicable to credit unions, including: (i) the SBA-Paycheck Protection Program; (ii) Annual Meeting requirements; (iii) foreclosure moratoriums; (iv) remote notarizations; (v) member assistance; (vi) fraud awareness; (vii) moneys and credits tax filing deadline extensions (viii) loan deferments; and (ix) limitations of services/branch closures.
NCUA issues summary of CARES Act provisions impacting credit unions
In April, the NCUA issued guidance to federally insured credit unions providing a summary of provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that impact credit unions. Such provisions touch upon the Central Liquidity Facility, insured deposits thresholds, temporary relief from troubled debt restructurings, the Paycheck Protection Program, optional temporary relief from current expected credit losses, credit protection during Covid-19, and foreclosures of certain mortgages.