SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (collectively, the agencies) adopted the Simplifications to the Capital Rule Pursuant to the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 (Capital Simplifications Final Rule) to simplify certain aspects of the capital rule.^[1] The Capital Simplifications Final Rule is responsive to the agencies' March 2017 report to Congress pursuant to the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 (EGRPRA), in which the agencies committed to meaningfully reduce regulatory burden, especially on community banking organizations. The key elements of the Capital Simplifications Final Rule apply solely to banking organizations that are not subject to the advanced approaches capital rule (non-advanced approaches banking organizations). Under the Capital Simplifications Final Rule, non-advanced approaches banking organizations will be subject to simpler regulatory capital requirements for mortgage servicing assets, certain deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences, and investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions than those currently applied. The Capital Simplifications Final Rule also simplifies, for non-advanced approaches banking organizations, the calculation for the amount of capital issued by a consolidated subsidiary of a banking organization and held by third parties (sometimes referred to as a minority interest) that is includable in regulatory capital.

The simpler capital requirements described above are implemented through the Capital Simplifications Final Rule via amendments to 12 CFR 3.21, 3.22, 3.300, 217.21, 217.22, 217.300(b) and (d), 324.21, 324.22, and 324.300 that were originally effective April 1, 2020. The agencies initially set an effective date of April 1, 2020, for those amendments to the capital rule, in part, to give institutions sufficient time to update their recordkeeping and reporting systems. Subsequent to the publication of the Capital Simplifications Final Rule, the agencies received letters from the banking industry groups seeking the ability to adopt the Capital Simplifications Final Rule earlier than April 1, 2020. After considering these requests, the agencies have determined that allowing non-advanced approaches banking organizations to implement the Capital Simplifications Final Rule in the first quarter of 2020 would be appropriate. Allowing non-advanced approaches banking organizations to implement the Capital Simplifications Final Rule in the first quarter of 2020 would permit banking organizations that have updated their reporting systems to implement the simplifications and obtain regulatory burden relief one quarter earlier than initially provided in the Capital Simplifications Final Rule.

The agencies are adopting this direct final rule to permit non-advanced approaches banking organizations to implement the sections of the Capital Simplifications Final Rule that were originally effective on April 1, 2020, beginning on January 1, 2020. Specifically, the sections in the Capital Simplifications Final Rule that were effective April 1, 2020, under that rule are now effective January 1, 2020. Non-advanced approaches banking organizations can elect whether to implement the changes in the quarter beginning January 1, 2020, or to implement them in the quarter beginning April 1, 2020. The affected sections are those related to mortgage servicing assets, certain deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences, investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions, and the calculation of minority interest and will become mandatory as of April 1, 2020. If a non-advanced approaches banking organization elects to adopt these revisions for the quarter beginning January 1, 2020, it must adopt all of these revisions for that quarter and thereafter. Consistent with the Capital Simplifications Final Rule, the transition provisions adopted by the agencies in November 2017 will cease to apply to non-advanced approaches banking organizations in the quarter in which the firm elects to adopt the these portions of the Capital Simplifications Final Rule.^[2] As a result, non-advanced approaches banking organizations may choose to begin implementing the capital treatment under the Capital Simplifications Final Rule for the reporting period ending on March 31, 2020. All non-advanced approaches banking organizations must implement the capital treatment under the Capital Simplifications Final Rule for the reporting period ending on June 30, 2020.

( printed page 61806)

Administrative Law Matters

A. Administrative Procedure Act

The agencies are issuing this direct final rule without prior notice and the opportunity for public comment and without the 30-day delayed effective date ordinarily prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).^[3] Pursuant to section 553(b)(B) of the APA, general notice and the opportunity for public comment are not required with respect to a rulemaking when an “agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” ^[4]

As discussed above, this direct final rule addresses requests from banking industry groups to be allowed to comply starting on January 1, 2020, with certain requirements of the Capital Simplifications Final Rule that otherwise were subject to an effective date of April 1, 2020. This direct final rule will allow banking organizations to begin implementing the revised requirements either on January 1, 2020 or April 1, 2020. Non-advanced approaches banking organizations that choose not to implement the revised requirements on January 1, 2020, still will be required to do so beginning April 1, 2020. The agencies initially set an effective date of April 1, 2020, for those amendments to the capital rule, in part, to give institutions sufficient time to update their systems and reporting systems. After the rule was finalized, the agencies received requests to allow banking organizations the option to adopt the rule on January 1, 2020, rather than April 1, 2020, on grounds that early adoption would simplify the reporting requirements for banking organizations whose systems will be in place by January 1, 2020, thereby reducing regulatory burden.

The agencies believe that there is good cause to issue this direct final rule without notice and public procedure because that process would be unnecessary as the agencies recently issued a final rule after providing notice and receiving comment from the public. Specifically, the original administrative record that supports the Capital Simplifications Final Rule is still pertinent and, as a result, a new round of notice and comment on the Capital Simplifications Final Rule is unnecessary. The agencies could have issued the Capital Simplifications Final Rule with the provisions now being issued in the current direct final rule. The agencies believe that the implementation provisions of the current direct final rule are appropriate now given the feedback from the public since issuance of the Capital Simplifications Final Rule. In particular, the public feedback has indicated that many banking organizations would be prepared to implement the Capital Simplifications Final Rule for the quarter beginning January 1, 2020. Further, this final rule (1) relieves burden; (2) does not change any substantive requirements of the Capital Simplifications Final Rule or impose any new mandates on any banking organization; and (3) allows, but does not require, banking organizations to implement the revised requirements in the Capital Simplifications Final Rule earlier than initially provided.

In addition, the agencies believe that there is good cause consistent with the public interest to issue this direct final rule without notice and public procedure. This direct final rule benefits banking organizations subject to the Capital Simplifications Final Rule by allowing them to begin complying with the new requirements in the Capital Simplifications Final Rule one quarter before they become mandatory, thereby simplifying the reporting requirements for those banking organizations whose systems will be in place by January 1, 2020. Notably, this direct final rule does not impose any new requirements or mandatory burdens on any banking organization. Finally, the agencies believe that there is good cause to issue this direct final rule without notice and public procedure since it would be impracticable to request comment given the request for relief is to begin on January 1, 2020.

The APA also requires a 30-day delayed effective date, except for (1) substantive rules which grant or recognize an exemption or relieve a restriction; (2) interpretative rules and statements of policy; or (3) as otherwise provided by the agency for good cause.^[5] The agencies find good cause to publish the direct final rule with an immediate effective date because the rule grants relief to banking organizations and because there is good cause for the same reasons set forth above under the discussion of section 553(b)(B) of the APA. Delaying the implementation date would deprive banking organizations that are considering adopting the requirements of the Capital Simplification Final Rule earlier of the ability to make modifications to their reporting prior on their preferred effective date.

B. Solicitation of Comments on Use of Plain Language

Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ^[6] requires Federal banking agencies to use plain language in all proposed and final rules published after January 1, 2000. The agencies have sought to present this direct final rule in a simple and straightforward manner.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis

In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521, the agencies may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a currently-valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OCC, Board, and FDIC have reviewed this direct final rule and determined that it does not introduce a new collection of information pursuant to the PRA.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) does not apply to a rulemaking when a general notice of proposed rulemaking is not required.^[7] As noted previously, the agencies are issuing this direct final rule without notice and public procedure. Accordingly, the RFA's requirements relating to an initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis do not apply. Nonetheless, the agencies believe that, with respect to the entities subject to the direct final rule and within each agency's respective jurisdiction, the direct final rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.^[8]

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

The OCC analyzed the final rule under the factors set forth in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1532). Under this analysis, the OCC considered whether the rule includes a Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year (adjusted for inflation). The OCC has determined that this rule will not result ( printed page 61807) in expenditures by State, local, and Tribal governments, or the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. Accordingly, the OCC has not prepared a written statement to accompany this rule.

F. Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994

Pursuant to section 302(a) of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act (RCDRIA),^[9] in determining the effective date and administrative compliance requirements for new regulations that impose additional reporting, disclosure, or other requirements on IDIs, each Federal banking agency must consider, consistent with principles of safety and soundness and the public interest, any administrative burdens that such regulations would place on depository institutions, including small depository institutions, and customers of depository institutions, as well as the benefits of such regulations. In addition, section 302(b) of RCDRIA requires new regulations and amendments to regulations that impose additional reporting, disclosures, or other new requirements on IDIs generally to take effect on the first day of a calendar quarter that begins on or after the date on which the regulations are published in final form.^[10]

Because the direct final rule would not impose additional reporting, disclosure, or other requirements on IDIs, section 302 of the RCDRIA does not apply. In any event, the direct final rule will take effect on January 1, 2020.

G. The Congressional Review Act

For purposes of Congressional Review Act, the OMB makes a determination as to whether a final rule constitutes a “major” rule.^[11] If a rule is deemed a “major rule” by the OMB, the Congressional Review Act generally provides that the rule may not take effect until at least 60 days following its publication.^[12]

The Congressional Review Act defines a “major rule” as any rule that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the OMB finds has resulted in or is likely to result in—(A) an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; (B) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies or geographic regions, or (C) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.^[13] As required by the Congressional Review Act, the agencies will submit the direct final rule and other appropriate reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office for review.

The OMB has determined that the direct final ruleis not a “major rule” within the meaning of the Congressional Review Act.^[14] As required by the Congressional Review Act, the agencies will submit the direct final rule and other appropriate reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office for review.

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

For the reasons set out in the joint preamble, 12 CFR part 3 is amended as follows.

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

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 93a, 161, 1462, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1818, 1828(n), 1828 note, 1831n note, 1835, 3907, 3909, and 5412(b)(2)(B).

2. Section 3.300 is amended by adding paragraph (f) to read as follows:

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

For the reasons set out in the joint preamble, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System amends 12 CFR part 217 as follows:

3. The authority citation for part 217 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 248(a), 321-338a, 481-486, 1462a, 1467a, 1818, 1828, 1831n, 1831o, 1831p-l, 1831w, 1835, 1844(b), 1851, 3904, 3906-3909, 4808, 5365, 5368, 5371.

4. Section 217.300 is amended by adding paragraph (g) to read as follows:

12 CFR Part 324

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

For the reasons set out in the joint preamble, 12 CFR part 324 is amended as follows.

5. The authority citation for part 324 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1815(a), 1815(b), 1816, 1818(a), 1818(b), 1818(c), 1818(t), 1819(Tenth), 1828(c), 1828(d), 1828(i), 1828(n), 1828(o), 1831o, 1835, 3907, 3909, 4808; 5371; 5412; Pub. L. 102-233, 105 Stat. 1761, 1789, 1790 (12 U.S.C. 1831n note); Pub. L. 102-242, 105 Stat. 2236, 2355, as amended by Pub. L. 103-325, 108 Stat. 2160, 2233 (12 U.S.C. 1828 note); Pub. L. 102-242, 105 Stat. 2236, 2386, as amended by Pub. L. 102-550, 106 Stat. 3672, 4089 (12 U.S.C. 1828 note); Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 1887 (15 U.S.C. 78o-7 note).

6. Effective January 1, 2020, § 324.300 is amended by adding paragraph (f) to read as follows: