Top Stories

The Federal Reserve Board's December 2013 revisions to its March 25, 2011 [76 FR 16862] proposed rule that would amend Regulation CC has finally been published in today's Federal Register [79 FR 6673]. The current proposed revisions would affect only subsections C (Collection of Checks) and D (Substitute Checks) of the regulation, to encourage depositary banks to receive and paying banks to send returned checks electronically. The proposal includes two alternative approaches to that goal. The Board is also requesting comment on applying Regulation CC's existing check warranties to checks that are collected electronically and on new warranties and indemnities related to checks collected electronically and to electronically-created items. The Board has asked for comments on the current revised proposal by May 2, 2014. The current proposal does not affect the part of the 2011 proposal addressing funds availability and disclosures (subpart A), which now requires the concurrence of the CFPB before a final rule can be issued. The involvement of the CFPB is not required for amendments to subparts C and D of the regulation.

The Fed has released the January 2014 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS) on Bank Lending Practices.

An article on the CFPB Blog discusses some of the responses received from private student loan borrowers regarding their experiences and problems.

Janet L. Yellen has taken the oath of office as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

• Treasury Report to Congress on FBAR Reporting

  As required by Section 361(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Treasury Department filed a report with Congress about FBAR reporting. The FBAR is a report filed with the Secretary stating that the person filing has a financial interest in, or signature authority over, financial accounts in a foreign country with an aggregate value exceeding $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. Treasury News 4/29/02

• FTC Members Express Views about Online Personal Privacy Act

  Members of the Federal Trade Commission have submitted letters to regarding their views on the Online Personal Privacy Act, at the request of Senator John McCain. FTC 4/29/02

• OCC Issues Alert on Identity Theft and Embezzlement in connection with Outside Parties

  The OCC has been advised of fraud schemes involving organized gangs and newly hired bank tellers. OCC:Alert 2002-4 4/26/02

• FDIC Issues Alert on Bank Investment Securities and Custodial Accounts Held at Securities Broker-Dealers

  The FDIC is alerting you to concerns it has identified regarding bank custodial relationships with failed broker-dealers. These concerns have arisen following the failure of a large regional securities broker-dealer and its liquidation by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). FDIC:FIL-38-2002 4/26/02

• OTS Releases February Enforcement Statistics

  The OTS reported that it issued four enforcement orders to two individuals and two institutions during the month of February, 2002. OTS also terminated four orders previously issued to three institutions. OTS 02-23 4/26/02

• FDIC Report Discusses Challenges Bank Mortgage Lenders May Face If Interest Rates Rise

  The profitability of the nation's residential mortgage lending specialists has become more exposed to the effects of a rising interest rate scenario that would compress net interest margins and suppress noninterest revenues associated with mortgage production and sales, according to a report released by the FDIC. FDIC:PR-47-2002 4/26/02

• OTS Proposes Rule on a Preemption of the Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act

  OTS proposes to revise its rule identifying the OTS regulations that apply to creditors under the Parity Act. OTS would no longer identify its regulations on prepayment and late charges for state housing creditors. 67FR20468 (text) 4/26/02

• OCC Proposes to Amend Assessments for Independent Trust Banks

  The proposal would update the regulation to reference the appropriate portion of new forms issued by the FFIEC which replace the FFIEC form currently referenced in the regulation. OCC 2002-15, 67FR20466 (text), 67FR20466 (pdf) 4/26/02

• FDIC Issues Warning on Entities That May Be Conducting Banking Operations Without Authorization

  The OCC has advised the FDIC that the following entity may be conducting banking business in the United States without authorization: Chase Trust Bank, 2706 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC FDIC:FIL-37-2002 4/25/02

• FDIC Seeks Ideas on Reducing Burden on Banks and the Public, While Improving the FDIC's Efficiency

  One of the top priorities as Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is to ensure that the FDIC is as efficient as it can be in its roles as supervisor and insurer of financial institutions. He is particularly interested in ways the FDIC can reduce burden on financial institutions and the public. FDIC:FIL-36-2002 4/25/02

• W3C Approves P3P

  The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has formally issued the Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P) 1.0 as a W3C Recommendation, representing cross-industry agreement on an XML-based language for expressing Web site privacy policies. P3P is designed to help individuals make informed choices by providing a standard, simple, automated way for users to gain more control over the use of personal information on Web sites they visit. Financial institutions will need to consider the P3P implications for their own Web sites. Press Release 4/24/02

• Agencies Outline Risks of Parallel-Owned Banking Organizations

  This guidance describes various risks that may be increased because of the structure of parallel-owned banking organizations, including engaging in transactions that prefer the foreign bank member of the group over the U.S. depository institution. The agencies will address these risks by coordinating their supervision of the U.S. operations of parallel-owned banking organizations. Enhanced communication and cooperation with foreign bank supervisors is also important to this process. FRB Press Release, OCC:NR 2002-37, FDIC-PR-46-2002, Joint Release 4/24/02

• Comptroller Hawke Urges Senate to End Inequitable Treatment of National Banks

  Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. told a Senate panel that Congress should address the unfair disparity in the fees paid by national and state chartered banks as part of any legislation on deposit insurance reform. OCC:NR 2002-38 4/24/02

• Treasury Department's USA PATRIOT Act Developments

  There are several new developments in the Treasury Department's implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act.

  • No new AML program regs for banks, thrifts and credit unions!
  • New regulations expand the requirement for an anti-money laundering program to new industries: mutual funds; operators of credit card systems; money services businesses, such as money transfer companies and check cashers; securities brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and futures commission merchants and accompanying introducing brokers registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
  • New regulations are now available for those industries, all of whom have ninety days to develop AML programs (except broker dealers and futures commissions merchants).
  • The Treasury Department will study additional sectors over the next six months, such as loan or finance companies, pawnbrokers, insurance companies, travel agencies, dealers in precious metals, stones or jewels, telegraph companies, persons engaged in real estate closings and settlements, and others, in order to develop regulations applicable to them.
  • Additional working groups devoted to each of these industry sectors have been formed and will be responsible for drafting regulations.

  Click here to learn more about these developments and access the new regulations. 4/24/02

• FTC Extends COPPA Rule

  The FTC issued a final amendment to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule to extend, until April 21, 2005, the time period during which website operators may use an e-mail message from the parent, coupled with additional steps, to obtain verifiable parental consent for the collection of personal information from children for internal use by the website operator. FTC Notice 4/23/02

• FTC Gets Tough on COPPA

  The Federal Trade Commission has announced a number of new initiatives under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, including a new enforcement action involving a $35,000 penalty, release of an FTC COPPA compliance survey, and warning letters to more than 50 children's sites. FTC Press Release 4/23/02

• IRS Issues Rule on Required Distributions From Retirement Plans

  IRS has issued both final and temporary regulations relating to required minimum distributions from IRAs, qualified plans, individual retirement plans, 457, and section 403(b) annuity contracts, custodial accounts, and retirement income accounts. The new distribution rules become effective January 1, 2003. 67FR18987 (text) 67FR18987 (pdf) 4/23/02

• OTS Proposes Revisions to Parity Act Regulations

  The OTS announced that it is proposing to remove prepayment and late fee rules from the list of OTS regulations that preempt state law under the Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act. OTS 02-21 4/23/02

• OCC Announces New Electronic Interpretations and Actions

  Interpretive Letters and No-Objection Letters reflect the views of the Comptroller's legal staff. Corporate Decisions, CRA Decisions and Conditional Approvals are from the office of Bank Organization and Structure. Electronic Interpretations and Actions 4/22/02

• Minority Depository Institutions Program

  Minority Depository Institutions often play a unique role in promoting the economic viability of under-served communities. The FDIC has historically taken steps to preserve and encourage minority ownership of insured financial institutions. On April 9, 2002, the FDIC Board adopted a new Policy Statement Regarding Minority Depository Institutions. Minority Depository Institutions Program, FDIC: FIL-34-2002 4/22/02

• Terrorist Threat Against Banks

  Warning directly affects banks in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia.

  • FBI Statement
  • FBI: New threat on banks 'unsubstantiated'
  • Terrorists may target U.S. banks
  • Northeast Banks on Terror Alert
  • Feds Received Threats Against Banks
  • Threat Warning
  • FBI Issues Alert of Threats on U.S. Banks
  • U.S. warns of threats to N.E. banks

• NCUA Issues Final Rule Repealing CAP Proposal

  Statement of NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar: "From my first NCUA Board meeting in October 1997 when we put the initial ‘Community Service Amendments’ out for public comment through the first ‘Community Action Plan’ or ‘CAP’ comment period in 2000 and now through this - the second - official comment period on CAP which ended in February 2002, the commenters have spoken clearly. Statement of NCUA Board Member JoAnn Johnson, Statement of Board Member Deborah Matz 4/19/02

• FDIC Reminds Bankers of the Responsibilities and Activities of FDIC’s Community Affairs Program

  The FDIC established a Community Affairs Program (1990) that advances compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act and the fair lending laws by FDIC-supervised institutions. The FDIC's Division of Compliance and Consumer Affairs administers the program and provides Community Affairs staff to assist lenders and the public. 4/19/02

• FDIC And Operation Hope Sign Mou Agreement Promoting Financial Education In Underserved Communities

  The FDIC and Operation Hope, Inc. announced a pilot program to help strengthen communities across America through financial education. Under an agreement, Operation Hope has adopted the FDIC's "Money Smart" financial literacy program to train high school students and adults in basic money management skills. FDIC:PR-45-2002 4/19/02

• New Data Collection Offers Insight Into Noninterest Income Activity at U.S. Banks

  The FDIC reported new detail on commercial banks' noninterest income, added to their quarterly financial reports in 2001, sheds light on the fastest-growing component of banks' revenues. FDIC:PR-44-2002 4/19/02

• FDIC Chairman Asks for Input on Reducing Regulatory Burden

  The FDIC has established a special group to consider ideas on how to reduce burden on banks and the public and to make the FDIC more efficient. Suggested topics can be transmitted via the FDIC website. FDIC Press Release 4/18/02

• FDIC Chairman Powell's Statement on Passage of Deposit Insurance Reform Legislation by House Financial Services Committee

  The House Committee passed a good bill and we will continue working to pass deposit insurance reform this year." Don Powell, FDIC Chairman. FDIC:PR-43-2002 4/18/02

• $100 Billion Claim Against the Federal Reserve Rejected

  The United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit on April 16, 2002 issued an opinion regarding one of the most ludicrous claims ever to be filed against the Federal Reserve System. The plaintiffs, in the case of Marques v. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, claimed to be agents of the owners of $25 billion in bearer bonds issued in 1934 in exchange for 1665 metric tons of gold. The suit sought an order requiring payment of the bonds at face value plus 4% interest for a total claim of $100 billion. Plaintiffs also contended there is an international conspiracy to deny the validity of the bonds. The Court noted there is no record of any such bond issue and the total debt of the U.S. in 1934 was only $28 billion. In addition, the entire stock of U. S. gold in 1934 had a value of $9 billion. The case was dismissed in the lower court upon the government's motion for summary judgment but the judgment was reversed by the Court of Appeals on purely procedural grounds. The plaintiffs were admonished that if a new similar suit were filed, they would be subject to appropriate civil or criminal sanctions. The Treasury has issued a warning regarding similar claims regarding the class of frauds called "Morgenthaus" named after Henry Morgenthaus, Jr. the Secretary of Treasury in 1934. 4/17/02

• FDIC Issues Final Rule Relating to Forms, Instructions, and Reports

  The FDIC is revising its regulation on forms, instructions, and reports to make the information contained in it current. The revised regulation includes current FDIC addresses and websites, and updated descriptions of FDIC forms. 67FR18793 (text) 4/17/02

• OCC Announces 12 New Enforcement Actions and 2 Terminations

  The OCC announced 12 new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks and 2 terminations of existing enforcement actions. OCC:NR 2002-36 4/17/02

• OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 27 National Banks

  The OCC released a list of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations that became public during the period of March 15 through April 14, 2002. OCC:NR 2002-35 4/17/02

• BSA Violations Prove Expensive for PA Bank

  FinCEN has levied civil money penalties of $700,000 against a federally chartered savings bank in Pennsylvania for what it terms a "willful" failure to file Currency Transaction Reports. 4/16/02

• FinCEN Issues New Advisory Newsletters

  The advisories pertain to the following: Burma (Myanmar), Ukraine, Arab Republic of Egypt, Grenada, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The latest FinCEN advisories suggest that financial institutions should give enhanced scrutiny to all financial transactions originating in or routed to or through the affected countries. 4/16/02

• OTS Updates Thrift Holding Companies Handbook

  OTS updated the handbook to reflect its risk-focused approach to holding company examinations. It designates two risk classification categories: low risk or noncomplex, and high risk or complex. OTS 02-020 4/16/02

• FDIC and Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Announce Program to Promote Financial Education and Homeownership

  The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation will use the FDIC's "Money Smart" financial literacy program to train adult educators and teach money management skills to thousands of people, primarily low-income consumers, minorities or women who are potential homebuyers or existing homeowners having problems making ends meet. FDIC:PR-42-2002 4/16/02

• OFAC Updates Information on its Travel, Carrier, and Remittance Forwarding Service Provider Program

  The Circular summarizes the current regulatory program that permits certain transactions involving property in which Cuba has an interest with respect to the provision of travel services, carrier services and the forwarding of remittances under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. 4/15/02

• Resumption of Critical Operations

  The OCC has published Discussion Notes and a Meeting Summary from a multi-agency meeting held in February to analyze events in the wake of the September 11 attacks in order to strengthen the resilience of the financial system and share insights about developing more robust business continuity plans. 4/12/02

• New Rule Affects Lockbox Arrangements for Federal Agencies

  If you operate a lockbox for a federal agency, you'll want to read about the revisions to the rule of the Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service that will permit the conversion of checks to ACH debit entires at federal agency points-of-purchase and at lockbox locations to which payments to agencies are mailed or delivered. 67FR17895 (text) 67FR17895 (pdf) 4/12/02

• New FMS Interim Rule to Reflect NACHA Changes

  The Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service has issued an interim rule to reflect certain changes NACHA has made to the ACH Rules since the publication of NACHA's 2001 rule book. The interim rule addresses four topics: l) affidavit and electronic communication issues; 2) reinitiation of entries; 3) electronic authorization; and 4) electronic terminals. 67FR17895 (text) 67FR17895 (pdf) 4/12/02

• NCUA Chairman Releases Study On Deposit Insurance Reform Legislation

  NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar told a group of California and Nevada credit union leaders that a recently completed NCUA study of the potential impact of pending deposit insurance reform legislation shows the likelihood of a premium assessment as minimal, but a strong possibility exists that increasing coverage above $100,000 would reduce the NCUSIF equity ratio enough to require at least two years for the fund ratio to be re-built through earnings sufficiently to again begin paying credit unions a dividend. NCUA Press Release 4/12/02

• OTS Announces 21 March CRA Ratings

  The OTS announced savings associations' Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation ratings that became available in March 2002. OTS 02-18 4/12/02

• Gilleran Announces OTS Restructuring Plans

  OTS Director James E. Gilleran announced today that he has begun implementing a restructuring plan designed to achieve greater operating efficiencies and consistency of regulation for the thrift industry. OTS 02-19 4/12/02

• OCC Chief Counsel Julie L. Williams Underscores Major Increase In the Beneficial Relationships Between Banks and CDCs

  Bank involvement with Community Development Corporations has increased significantly in recent years, Julie L. Williams, First Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel, said in a speech. 4/11/02

• FDIC Issues Alert on Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has learned that counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on three separate financial institutions are in circulation. FDIC:FIL-33-2002 4/11/02

• FDIC FIL about OFAC Change

  The FDIC has published FIL-32 to notify banks of a recent OFAC change where OFAC amended its listing of Specially Designated Nationals. [The OFAC change itself was previously covered on BOL.] FDIC:FIL-32-2002 4/11/02

• FDIC's Credit Card Center Available Online

  The FDIC's Credit Card Center handles consumer complaints and inquiries for all FDIC-regulated Credit Card Specialty Banks. The staff provides an avenue for efficient and effective resolution of consumer complaints or inquiries. 4/11/02

• FRB Issues Final Rule Amending Reg Z Commentary

  The revisions clarify how creditors that place Truth in Lending Act disclosures on the same document with the credit contract may satisfy the requirement for providing the disclosures, in a form the consumer may keep, before consummation. In addition, the revisions provide guidance on disclosing costs for certain credit insurance policies and on the definition of ``business day'' for purposes of the right to rescind certain home-secured loans. 67FR16980 (txt) 67FR16980 (pdf) 4/9/02

• Regulators Issue Final Rule on Risk Based Capital Standards

  This rule amends their risk-based capital standards to permit a zero percent risk weight for certain claims on qualifying securities firms that are collateralized by cash on deposit in the lending institution or by securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or other OECD central governments. 67FR16971 (txt) , 67FR16971 (pdf), FRB Press Release , FDIC-PR-41-2002, FDIC:FIL-31-2002, OCC: NR 2002-33, OTS 02-17, OCC 2002-13 4/9/02

• Gilleran Announces New Proposal for Enhancing the Mutual Thrift Charter

  As part of an on-going, comprehensive review of the treatment of mutual thrifts, the OTS is proposing rule changes governing mutual thrifts, mutual holding companies and mutual-to-stock conversions. OTS 02-16 4/9/02

• Comptroller Outlines the Benefits of Financial Literacy Programs

  Financial education programs can be critical to combating predatory lending, to reaching the unbanked and to meeting the needs of the underbanked, Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke said. OCC:NR 2002-32, Speech 4/9/02

• Warning: Bogus Letters with Sham IRS Forms

  Ever heard of an IRS form W-9095? There's no such thing, but con artists are sending them to bank customers -- along with cover letters purporting to be from the bank asking the customer to complete the form (which requests a great deal of sensitive and confidential information) and fax it to a number designated on the letter. If completed and faxed back, the data would make it easy for the thief to commit ID theft. OCC has issued a special warning that includes a copy of the fake form and the bogus letter. Alert those who man the phones at your institution to be especially vigilant about verifying customer identity in the wake of this scam. OCC:Alert 2002-3, Customer Letter, Application Form 4/8/02

• FDIC Issues April List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance

  The FDIC issued its monthly list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions in January 2002. FDIC:PR-40-2002 4/8/02

• FR Financial Services Publishes International ACH Service Manual

  The Federal Reserve Financial Services has published a new manual that is intended to assist financial institutions in establishing a Canadian ACH program using the Federal Reserve’s International ACH Service. The manual will provide you with an overview of the service, implementation steps and technical requirements. 4/8/02

• OTS Announces Nine February CRA Ratings

  The OTS announced savings associations' Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation ratings that became available in February 2002. OTS 02-15 4/8/02

• FFIEC Publishes Annual Report

  The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council has issued its Annual Report for 2001. 4/5/02

• FRB Issues Revisions to Reg Z Commentary

  The commentary revisions clarify how creditors that place Truth in Lending Act disclosures on the same document with the credit contract may satisfy the requirement for providing the disclosures, in a form the consumer may keep, before consummation. In addition, the revisions provide guidance on disclosing costs for certain credit insurance policies and on the definition of "business day" for purposes of the right to rescind certain home-secured loans. FRB Press Release
  4/4/02

• Treasury Extends Public Comment Period on Information-Sharing Study

  The Treasury Department announced the extension of the public comment period from April 1, 2002 to May 1, 2002, for the Study of Information Sharing Practices Among Financial Institutions and Their Affiliates. This study was required by Section 508 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. Treasury News 4/4/02

• FDIC Announces Agency Meeting

  The FDIC's Board of Directors will meet in open session at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2002. Meeting Notice 4/4/02

• FFIEC Updates Reporting Forms

  The FFIEC has updated two Reporting Forms for March 2002 -- FFIEC 031(Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income for A Bank With Domestic and Foreign Offices) and FFIEC 041 (Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income for A Bank With Domestic Offices. FFIEC 031, FFIEC 041 4/3/02

• Regulators Distribute Call Report for First Quarter 2002

  Banks should complete your first quarter Call Report, review it for accuracy, and submit the report electronically as soon as possible. Except for certain banks with foreign offices, your completed report must be received by April 30, 2002. FDIC:FIL-29-2002 4/2/02

• FRB Issues Notice on Derivative Contracts Hedging Trust Preferred Stock

  The Federal Reserve has issued SR 02-10 to express supervisory concerns about certain arrangements under which bank holding companies seeking to hedge the interest rate risk on their issues of trust preferred stock have been offered derivative contracts with terms that have the effect of contravening the strict conditions for the inclusion of the trust preferred stock in tier 1 capital. FRB:SR 02-10 4/1/02

• OCC Informs National Banks of Information Sharing Proposal and Interim Rule

  In OCC Bulletin 2002-12, the OCC transmits to national bank's the treasury department's recent proposed rule and interim rule on information sharing under Section 314(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act. The proposed rule, which was previously written about in Top Stories, has a comment deadline of April 3, 2002. OCC 2002-12 4/1/02

• FDIC Makes Public February Enforcement Actions; Two Administrative Hearings Scheduled

  The FDIC released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in February. Two administrative hearings are scheduled for April. FDIC:PR-39-2002 4/1/02

Federal Reserve Financial Services has issued a reminder of a new requirement for users to agree to terms of use before they can access the E-Payments Routing Directory.

A list of 54 orders for administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in December 2013 has been released by the FDIC.

The Federal Reserve has released the list of bank holding companies that have elected as of January 31, 2014, to become or be treated as financial holding companies.

The January 2014 G.5 Foreign Exchange Rates Report has been released by the Federal Reserve Board.

The Federal Reserve Board has released the January 31, 2014, G.20 Owned and Managed Receivables Outstanding and Auto Loans: Terms of Credit Report, which includes data through November 2013.

The FDIC has announced the closing of Syringa Bank, Boise, Idaho. All of the bank's deposits were assumed by Sunwest Bank, Irving, California. The closing was the first of an FDIC-insured institution in Idaho since April 24, 2009.

Five orders have been issued by the NCUA prohibiting designated individuals from participating in the affairs of any federally insured financial institution.

The NCUA has released an updated Your Insured Funds booklet, which provides consumers and credit unions with the latest share insurance coverage information in a new, easy-to-read format.

FIL-6-2014 has been issued by the FDIC regarding a final rule requiring municipal advisors to register with the SEC. The FIL applies to any FDIC-supervised financial institution that meets the Dodd-Frank definition of "municipal advisor."

Federal Reserve Financial Services has issued a reminder of a new requirement for users to agree to terms of use before they can access the E-Payments Routing Directory.

A list of 54 orders for administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in December 2013 has been released by the FDIC.

The Federal Reserve has released the list of bank holding companies that have elected as of January 31, 2014, to become or be treated as financial holding companies.

The January 2014 G.5 Foreign Exchange Rates Report has been released by the Federal Reserve Board.

The Federal Reserve Board has released the January 31, 2014, G.20 Owned and Managed Receivables Outstanding and Auto Loans: Terms of Credit Report, which includes data through November 2013.

The FDIC has announced the closing of Syringa Bank, Boise, Idaho. All of the bank's deposits were assumed by Sunwest Bank, Irving, California. The closing was the first of an FDIC-insured institution in Idaho since April 24, 2009.

Five orders have been issued by the NCUA prohibiting designated individuals from participating in the affairs of any federally insured financial institution.

The NCUA has released an updated Your Insured Funds booklet, which provides consumers and credit unions with the latest share insurance coverage information in a new, easy-to-read format.

FIL-6-2014 has been issued by the FDIC regarding a final rule requiring municipal advisors to register with the SEC. The FIL applies to any FDIC-supervised financial institution that meets the Dodd-Frank definition of "municipal advisor."

• Fraudulent Bonus Checks For Non-Existent Jobs

  In FIL-30-2002 the FDIC tells of individuals and banks being victimized by a convoluted scheme involving online job applications and checks for "signing bonuses". 3/29/02

• FTC to Announce Formation of NetForce

  On April 2 the FTC will have a press conference to announce the formation of an International NetForce to target deceptive spam and Internet fraud. Details about the press conference. 3/29/02

• FTC Extends Comment Deadline on Changes to Telemarketing Sales Rule

  The Federal Trade Commission announced it has extended the public comment period for proposed changes to its Telemarketing Sales Rule until April 15, 2002 3/29/02

• Michigan Bank Fails; FDIC Approves Payout

  The Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) approved the payout of the insured deposits of New Century Bank, Shelby Township, MI. The bank was closed today by the Michigan Commissioner of the Office of Financial and Insurance Services, and the FDIC was named receiver. PR-38-2002   Bank Closing Info 3/29/02

• FDIC Report Evaluates Mortgage Lending Changes

  A report released in the FDIC's Regional Outlook evaluates changes in mortgage lending during the economic expansion of the 1990s, and the possibility that weaker home price growth could bring difficulties to home borrowers and their lenders. The report concludes that the risk of significant downward correction in house prices is not geographically widespread, but that some previously booming locations are exhibiting heightened home price risk. PR-37-2002   FDIC's FYI 3/29/02

• The Importance of Managing Outsourcers

  A jury awarded a bank consultant a judgment of $276 million against a bank March 27, 2002 in a case where the consultant reportedly developed online loan application software for the bank and the bank subsequently formed its own subsidiary that allegedly used many of the consultant's methods. By utilizing its own company, the bank allegedly cut the consultant out of the processing fee he would have earned on each online loan application. Look at the news report on the case and consider your own outsourcing arrangements and precautions you should be taking now to avoid future disputes. 3/28/02

• SEC Obtains Emergency Court Orders to Shut Down a Prime Bank Scheme

  The Securities and Exchange Commission obtained emergency court orders to shut down a nationwide, $98 million prime bank scheme and recover victims%™ money. The complaint alleges a team of "facilitators" falsely claimed to investors that their money would be used in Europe to trade financial instruments with top 25% or top 50% banks in a program sponsored by the Federal Reserve and global organizations. However, neither the financial instruments touted by RDI nor the markets on which they purportedly trade exist. SEC Press Release 3/28/02

• FATF Issues Guidance Notes for Recommendations

  The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Money Laundering has issued guidance notes for its special recommendations on Terrorist Financing and the Self-Assessment Questionnaire. FATF Guidance Notes 3/27/02

• GLBA Pretexting Case Settled

  Information brokers who allegedly using deception to obtain consumers' confidential financial information have agreed to give up their ill-gotten gains as part of a settlement of Federal Trade Commission charges that their practices violated federal law. The settlements also bars the operators from obtaining or hiring others to obtain consumers' financial information through illegal means or by hiring or contracting with others who use illegal methods to obtain consumers' financial information. The scheme involved the use of Web sites. FTC Release 3/27/02

• Counterfeit Personal Money Orders in Circulation

  FDIC has issued FIL-28-2002 to alert banks that counterfeit personal money orders payable through Bank One, NA, Columbus, Ohio, and Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co., Lexington, Kentucky, are in circulation. The account numbers used on the counterfeit items are not the account numbers used by either bank for money orders. Attached for your information are copies of some of the counterfeit instruments. They were received as payment on credit card accounts in an attempt to fraudulently increase credit lines. This information was brought to the attention of FDIC by The New Millennium Bank, New Brunswick, New Jersey. 3/27/02

• FDIC Publicizes Recent OFAC Changes

  In FIL-26-2002 and FIL-27-2002, the FDIC informs state-chartered nonmember banks of the March 11 and March 15 changes made to the OFAC list (which were previously reported on Top Stories). 3/27/02

• Comptroller Hawke Spotlights Benefit of Regulator Independence

  Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. said today that the banking industry's good health -- and its ability to support the economy as it emerges from economic difficulties -- owes in part to the independence of the bank regulatory agencies. NR 2002-31   Text of Speech(doc file) 3/26/02

• 2002 Annual Performance Plan

  The FDIC's Annual Performance Plan implements the FDIC's strategic goals and objectives by establishing annual performance goals. 3/25/02

• OCC Chief Counsel Julie L. Williams Urges Banks to be Vigilant In Avoiding Unfair and Deceptive Marketing Practices

  New guidance issued by the OCC will help banks maintain high-quality customer service, said Julie L. Williams, the OCC's First Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel. The advisory letter on unfair or deceptive acts or practices "is part of our effort to identify potentially problematic practices and provide guidance to national banks on how to avoid them," Ms. Williams said in a speech before a compliance conference sponsored by the Maryland and Delaware banking associations. OCC:NR 2002- 30, Speech 3/25/02

• Reminder of Reg H Prior Approval Requirement for Biz Plan Changes

  The Federal Reserve has issued SR 02-9 to remind state-chartered member banks of the Regulation H requirement that they obtain prior approval of the FRB before making any significant change in business plans. SR 02-9 3/22/02

• OTS Summarizes PATRIOT Act

  A summary of the USA PATRIOT Act has been prepared by the staff of the Office of Thrift Supervision. The 11 page PDF document summaries the provisions which are applicable to thrift operations. OTS PATRIOT Act Summary 3/21/02

• The Yield Spread Premium Soap Opera Continues

  The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on March 21, 2002, reversed the class certification in the case of Glover v. Standard Federal Bank and Heartland Mortgage. Previously, the district court had created a nationwide class all individuals who obtained a mortgage financed by Standard Federal and brokered by any mortgage broker. The 8th circuit accepts the loan-specific liability test promulgated by HUD, which recognizes that yield spread premiums may legitimately be used as way to finance closing costs. The court therefore holds that a loan-specific analysis is required in order to determine whether the payment of a yield spread premium is based upon services rendered or an illegal referral. Class certification is therefore impracticable. Individual plaintiffs can still sue on an individual basis, but the certification of all the borrowers as a class in this case was improper. Glover v. Standard Federal Bank 3/22/02

• FDIC Reports Weakened U.S. Office Markets Could Decline Further

  The demand for U.S. commercial office space deteriorated significantly in 2001 and conditions could weaken further in some key metro areas in 2002, according to a report released by the FDIC. FDIC:PR-35-2002 3/22/02

• FRB Releases Consumer Guide to Electronic Check Conversions

  The Federal Reserve Board has published a guide to help consumers better understand their rights and responsibilities with regard to electronic check conversion transactions. "When is Your Check Not a Check? Electronic Check Conversion," discusses what electronic check conversion is, how consumers can tell if their check will be electronically converted, some of the differences between a regular check transaction and electronic check conversion, consumers' rights in an electronic check conversion transaction, and what consumers can do if they have problems with such transactions. FRB Press Release Electronic Check Conversion Guide     PDF Version of Guide 3/22/02

• FRB Governor Susan S. Bies Speaks on Community Bank Challenges

  In a speech to the Ohio Bankers Day Conference, Ohio Department of Commerce, FRB Governor Susan S. Bies addressed financial performance of U.S. banks, in particular, of community banks; the improvements that banks large and small are making in measuring and managing risk; and finally, the responsibilities of directors and senior managers in corporate governance. Speech 3/22/02

• FRB Supervisory Letter on Section 327 Implementation

  The FRB has issued SR 02-8 relating to implementation of Section 327 of the USA PATRIOT Act in the applications process. Section 327 of the USA Patriot Act amends the Bank Holding Company Act to require the Federal Reserve to consider the effectiveness of an applicant company in combating money laundering activities, when it acts on an application filed under section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act or when it acts on an application under the Bank Merger Act. SR 02-8 3/22/02

• Major Predatory Lending Settlement

  The FTC has announced the terms of their largest settlement in a subprime lending case. We've pulled together highlights from the FTC's press conference. Access our article Predatory Lending Practices Result in Large Settlement

  , as well as the FTC press release. 3/22/02

• FTC Testimony on Identity Theft

  The FTC told the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, and Government Information that while there is good reason for consumers to be concerned about falling victim to identity theft, there are "real and positive steps" that can be taken to reduce the incidence of this crime and alleviate the harm to consumers. FTC Press Release 3/21/02

• OTS Will Examine for USA PATRIOT Act Compliance

  OTS and the thrift industry have been working together and along with law enforcement agencies to cut the purse strings of terrorists,% said Director James E. Gilleran. The USA Patriot Act enhanced our ability to cut off the financing of terrorism by strengthening the tools we have to prevent, detect and prosecute international money laundering.% OTS 02-13 3/21/02

• Verifying Customer Identification

  Proposed regulations are expected from Treasury on minimum standards for verifying customer identification under Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act. Until then, when verifying identity, keep in mind the ease with which a social security number may have been compromised and look for any evidence that may indicate a SSN is being fraudulently used. The Social Security Act requires state motor vehicle agencies (MVAs) to collect SSNs on drivers license applicants (although it does not require the number to be displayed on the license). A new GAO report mentions deficiencies in MVA protection of social security data. (See p. 14-18 of the GAO Report). Look also at whether similar deficiencies in protecting customer information might exist at your own institution. 3/21/02

• Latest FDIC Survey Finds Continued Slowing In Real Estate Markets

  The latest results of the FDIC's Survey of Real Estate Trends indicated continued deterioration in the nation's property markets during the second half of 2001. Reports of somewhat worsening conditions were significantly higher compared to six months ago for all property markets but were most prevalent for the commercial markets. FDIC:PR-30-2002 3/21/02

• Interagency Statement Regarding Arthur Andersen

  The federal financial institutions supervisory agencies announced that the financial institutions they supervise should follow the guidance issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to auditing and accounting work performed by Arthur Andersen LLP. FRB Press Release, OCC:NR 2002-29, FDIC-PR-33-2002 , OTS 02-14 3/20/02

• OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 29 National Banks

  The OCC released a list of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations that became public during the period of February 15 through March 14, 2002. The list contains only national banks and insured federal branches of foreign banks that have received ratings. OCC:NR 2002-28 3/20/02

• OCC Announces 11 New Enforcement Actions and 1 Terminations

  The OCC announced 11 new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks and 1 termination of an existing enforcement action. OCC:NR 2002- 27 3/20/02

• Fed Leaves Interest Rate Unchanged

  The FOMC decided to keep its target for the federal funds rate unchanged at 1-3/4 percent. FRB Press Release 3/20/02

• OCC Files Notice of Charges Against People's National Bank of Paris, Texas

  The OCC filed a notice of charges against People's National Bank, Paris, Texas, alleging that the bank engaged in unsafe and unsound practices in connection with its high-risk, subprime payday lending operation. OCC:NR 2002- 26 3/19/02

• NCUA Issues Final Rule Concerning Financial and Statistical Reports

  NCUA is revising its rule concerning financial and statistical reports to require all federally-insured credit unions to file
  quarterly Financial and Statistical Reports with NCUA. Currently, only federally-insured credit unions with assets over $50 million must file these reports quarterly. All other federally-insured credit unions are required to file these reports semi-annually. 67FR12459 (text) 3/19/02

• FFIEC Updates Draft Reporting Forms

  The FFIEC has updated two Draft Reporting Forms for March 2002 -- FFIEC 031(Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income for A Bank With Domestic and Foreign Offices) and FFIEC 041 (Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income for A Bank With Domestic Offices Only). 3/19/02

• OFAC Updates SDN list and OFAC's Terrorism brochure

  OFAC's SDN list and OFAC's Terrorism brochure have been updated to include the information released on Friday, March 15th. OFAC Update 3/19/02

• OCC Concludes that GLBA and Barnett Decision Show Parts of Massachusetts Law do not Apply to National Banks

  The Massachusetts Bankers Association had asked the OCC for an opinion on whether three provisions of a Massachusetts law relating to the sale of insurance by banks apply to national banks. NR 2002-25 3/19/02

• Comptroller Urges Industry to Adapt Technology To Give Low-Income Americans Greater Access to Banking Services

  Low-income Americans constitute a large and potentially important market for financial services providers, and technology gives banks a means to serve that market in a cost-effective way, Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke Jr. said. OCC:NR 2002-24, Speech 3/19/02

• FDIC FIL about OFAC Changes

  The FDIC has published FIL-25 to notify banks of a recent OFAC change where OFAC amended its listing of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons by removing the a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker. [The OFAC change itself was previously covered on BOL.] FDIC:FIL-25-2002 3/19/02

• FFIEC Reports that the December 31, 2001 Uniform Bank Performance Report are Online

  The online version of the UBPR includes 5 years of continuous financial history that is restated quarterly to reflect call report amendments and new analytical tools. FFIEC Press Release 3/18/02

• OCC Issues Alert on Suspicious Transactions

  The OCC has been advised by TCF National Bank, Minneapolis, MN, that certain "confirmation of funds" letters, issued from the bank's Arlington Heights Road branch office, were issued without the authority of the bank. OCC:Alert 2002-13/18/02

• OCC Issues Unauthorized Banking Alert

  The OCC has not granted a national bank charter to this entity and the District of Columbia has not granted permission for it to operate a banking business. This entity is not associated with Chase Manhattan Bank of New York or any of Chase Manhattan Bank of New York's subsidiaries or affiliates. OCC:Alert 2002-2 3/18/02

• Treasury Conducts Study of Information Sharing Practices Among Financial Institutions and Their Affiliates

  The Secretary of the Treasury, in conjunction with the federal functional regulatory agencies and the Federal Trade Commission is conducting a study of information sharing by financial institutions. The study is required by section 508 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. OCC 2002-113/18/02

• FRB Issues Supervisory Letter on Section 314 of the USA PATRIOT Act

  The SR letter describes a new, immediately effective regulation concerning the sharing of information about terrorist financing and money laundering among financial institutions that was issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, through its Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The FinCEN rule was issued pursuant to section 314(b) of the USA Patriot Act on March 4, 2001. All banking organizations supervised by the Federal Reserve should take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the appropriate staff learns about its provisions. (The proposal and interim rule were earlier reported on Top Stories when announced and when published.) FRB:SR 02-6 3/18/02

• Treasury Issues Final Rule to Amend the Treasury Tax and Loan Program

  The rule provides the Secretary greater flexibility to adjust the rate of interest charged on funds loaned through the existing TT&L investment option. 67FR11573 (text) 67FR11573 (pdf) 3/15/02

• FDIC Issues FIL on Section 314 of the USA PATRIOT Act

  The FDIC has issued FIL-24-2002 to alert banks to the Treasury Department's proposed rule and interim rule on Information Sharing promulgated under Section 314(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act. (The proposal and interim rule were earlier reported on Top Stories when announced and when published.) FDIC:FIL-24-2002 3/15/02

• FDIC Publishes Consumer News

  This issue features a story on Weathering a financial storm: how to protect yourself and your family. FDIC Consumer News 3/15/02

• Comptroller Hawke Says Industry Still Faces Challenges, But Emerged from Difficulties of 2001 in Good Condition

  Julie L. Williams, Chief Counsel and First Senior Deputy Comptroller for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, told a House Financial Services subcommittee that the OCC strongly supports provisions in pending legislation that would eliminate unnecessary regulatory burden on banks. OCC:NR 2002-23, Oral Statement, Testimony 3/15/02

• FDIC Report Shows Insurance Funds Erode In 2001

  Growth of insured deposits and recent increases in the reserves for future losses contributed to a decline in the reserve ratios of the deposit insurance funds in 2001, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reported in the Quarterly Banking Profile. FDIC:PR-32-2002 , FYI 3/14/02

• OTS Director Gilleran Outlines Policy Prescriptions at ACB Conference

  OTS Director James Gilleran highlighted several important policy initiatives facing the thrift industry in remarks before America's Community Bankers in Washington. OTS 02-12 3/14/02

• NCUA Chairman to Testify Before U.S. House of Representatives

  NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar will testify before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee regarding the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2002, a bill to be introduced. He is scheduled to testify with other federal financial regulators on Thursday, March 14, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. NCUA Press Release 3/13/02

• Federal Banking Regulatory Agencies Jointly Issue Statement on Sound Country Risk Management Practices

  The FDIC, FRB, and OCC have recently agreed on a joint statement addressing "Sound Risk Management Practices" for country risk. The statement describes the elements of an effective country risk management process. FDIC:FIL-23-2002, OCC 2002-10, FDIC:FIL-23-2002, FRB Press Release 3/12/02

• Regulators Issue Common Form for Charter and Federal Deposit Insurance Applications

  Effective immediately, the "Interagency Charter and Federal Deposit Insurance Application" form will be used to apply for a national bank or federal savings association charter and for federal deposit insurance. OCC:NR 2002-22, OTS 02-11, FDIC-PR-31-2002 3/12/02

• Interagency Loan Data Request to Improve the Bank Examination Process

  The federal bank supervisory agencies and the CSBS announced an interagency effort to improve the efficiency of the examination process by standardizing the request for electronic loan information. This information is used primarily to conduct community and mid-size bank safety and soundness examinations and is currently provided in a variety of formats that can be time consuming and costly for regulators, banks and service providers to administer. OCC:NR 2002-21, FDIC-PR-29-2002, FRB Press Release 3/12/02

• Bank Auditing in the Wake of Enron

  FDIC Chairman Don Powell believes financial institution regulators should consider strengthening the ground rules governing bank auditing and accounting. In his most recent speech, he mentions possible reforms and details the authority regulators already have to address auditing conflicts of interest, to mandate the retention of auditing documents, and to enhance sanctions imposed on auditors. FDIC Speech, FDIC:PR-30-2002 , FYI 3/12/02

• FDIC FIL about OFAC Changes

  The FDIC has published FIL-22 to notify banks of a recent OFAC change where OFAC amended its listing of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. [The OFAC change itself was previously covered on BOL.] FDIC:FIL-22-2002 3/8/02

• The FDIC Reports The Effects Of The U.S. Economic Slowdown

  Houston's banks could face a challenging 2002, according to a report released by the FDIC. The latest edition of FYI is the first of a series of profiles that will highlight regional issues facing U.S. banks. FDIC:PR-28-2002
  3/8/02

• Comptroller Hawke Says Industry Still Faces Challenges, But Emerged from Difficulties of 2001 in Good Condition

  Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. told bankers that the industry emerged from the difficult months of 2001 in far better shape than anyone could have anticipated, but reminded them that many challenges lie ahead. OCC:NR 2002-20, Comptroller's Speech 3/8/02

• OCC Reports Derivatives Volume Falls Below $50 Trillion

  U.S. commercial banks saw earnings from cash instruments and derivatives activities drop $805 million, to $2.65 billion, in the fourth quarter of 2001. OCC:NR 2002-19 Bank Derivatives Report 3/8/02

• OTS Posts 4th Quarter Thrift Industry Data

  The report covers earnings and a range of financial and other data collected from the thrift industry for the period October 1 through December 31, 2001. OTS 02-10 3/7/02

• OCC and ABA Cosponsor Community and Economic Development Conference

  The OCC and ABA will co-sponsor the 2002 National Community and Economic Development Conference titled "Grow Markets....Grow Profits" in Baltimore, Maryland on March 17-19. OCC:NR 2002-18 3/7/02

• FFIEC Releases UBPR Schedule

  The FFIEC has announced that UBPR's will be available online 35 days after an institution's call report is filed. For the call reports which were due 1/31/02, UBPRs are available online beginning March 6. Online UBPR Schedule 2002 Hints For Using The Online UBPR 3/6/02

• NCUA to Participate in HUD Project Focusing on the Colonias Gateway Initiative

  The NCUA will join the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a workshop focusing on housing and economic development issues in the Colonias region of the southwestern United States. NCUA Press Release 3/6/02

• FDIC Issues Alert on Counterfeit Official Bank Checks

  The FDIC has learned that counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Greenfield Banking Company, Greenfield, Indiana, are in circulation. FDIC:FIL-21-2002 3/6/02

• FDIC FIL about OFAC Changes

  The FDIC has published FIL-20 to notify banks of a recent OFAC change where OFAC amended its listing of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. [The OFAC change itself was previously covered on BOL.] FDIC:FIL-20-2002 3/6/02

• FDIC Issues March List of Banks Examined For CRA Compliance

  The FDIC issued its monthly list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions in December 2001. FDIC:PR-27-2002 3/6/02

• OTS Releases January Enforcement Statistics

  The OTS reported that it issued three enforcement orders to two individuals and one institution during the month of January, 2002. OTS also terminated four orders previously issued to three institutions. OTS 02-09 3/5/02

• OTS Announces 93 CRA Exams Scheduled for 2nd Quarter 2002

  The OTS announced that 93 savings associations are scheduled for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examinations during the second quarter of 2002. OTS 02-08 3/5/02

• OCC Reduces Regulatory Burden for Well-Managed Federal Branches

  The OCC announced that it is implementing more flexible capital equivalency requirements for federal branches of foreign banks to reduce costs for institutions that present low levels of risk. OCC:NR 2002-16 3/5/02

• FRB Issues Supervisory Letter on Capital Rules for Nonfinancial Equity Investments

  As previouly reported in the Federal Register, this rule establishes special minimum regulatory capital requirements for equity investments in nonfinancial companies. This advisory summarizes the key provisions of the new capital rule and attaches the text of the interagency preamble and the rules promulgated by the FRB for state member banks and bank holding companies. FRB Press Release, Jan. 2002 Joint Press Release 3/5/02

• Comptroller Hawke Says Good Progress is Being Made on Capital Accord

  Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. said that the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision is making good progress toward developing a new capital accord to replace the international agreement that was put in place in 1988, although a number of thorny issues remain to be worked out. OCC: NR 2002-17, Speech 3/5/02

• FinCEN Issues Interim and Proposed Rule on Information Sharing in the Federal Register

  As earlier reported, the proposed rule would authorize the utilization of the FinCEN's existing communication resources to establish a link between federal law enforcement and financial institutions for the purpose of sharing information concerning accounts and transactions that may involve terrorist activity or money laundering. The interim rule will allow certain financial institutions to be able to share information among themselves for the purpose of identifying and reporting suspected terrorism and money laundering once the financial institutions have notified FinCEN that they intend to share such information and that they will take adequate steps to maintain confidentiality. Interim Rule, Proposed Rule 3/4/02

• Call and Thrift Financial Reports

  December 31, 2001, Call Reports and Thrift Financial Reports are now available. 3/4/02

• FDIC Issues Second Quarter CRA Examination Schedule

  The FDIC has issued the public list of institutions that it has scheduled for a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examination during the second quarter of 2002. FDIC:PR-25-2002 3/4/02

• OCC Closes Net First National Bank and Appoints FDIC Receiver

  Net First National Bank, Boca Raton, Florida, was closed by the OCC and the FDIC was appointed receiver. OCC:NR 2002-15 FDIC Approves the Assumption of the Insured Deposits of Net First National Bank, Boca Raton, Florida FDIC:PR-26-2002
  3/4/02

• TO ACCESS PRIOR TOP STORIES

  To access previous Top Stories (such as the ones from February, for example), use the Top Stories Archive drop-down menu above, or the drop-down menu at the bottom of this page to select the month you wish to review.

• FinCEN Requests Comment on the Exempt Person Form

  FinCEN invites all interested parties to comment on its continuing collection of information through its %˜%˜Designation of Exempt Person%™%™ form that is used by banks and other depository institutions to designate their eligible customers as exempt from the requirement to report transactions in currency over $10,000. 3/1/02

• FDIC Makes Public January Enforcement Actions; No Administrative Hearings Scheduled

  The FDIC released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in January. No administrative hearings are scheduled for March. FDIC:PR-24-2002 3/1/02

• FDIC Announces Loan Problems Grow Even as Commercial Bank Earnings Break Records

  Commercial banks earned a record $74.6 billion in 2001, up $3.5 billion from the record $71.1 billion in industry earnings in 1999, the FDIC reported. FDIC:PR-23-2002 , The FDIC Preliminary Bank Earnings Report Fourth Quarter, 2001
  3/1/02

• OCC Issues Second Quarter 2002 CRA Examination Schedule

  The OCC released its schedule of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examinations to be conducted in the second quarter of 2002. OCC:NR 2002-14 3/1/02

• Treasury Announces Regs on Information Sharing

  The Treasury Department has announced its issuance of a proposed rule and a new interim regulation under the USA PATRIOT Act. The proposed rule would authorize the utilization of the FinCEN's existing communication resources to establish a link between federal law enforcement and financial institutions for the purpose of sharing information concerning accounts and transactions that may involve terrorist activity or money laundering. The interim rule, which will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register, will allow certain financial institutions to be able to share information among themselves for the purpose of identifying and reporting suspected terrorism and money laundering once the financial institutions have notified FinCEN that they intend to share such information and that they will take adequate steps to maintain confidentiality. Treasury Announcement 2/28/02

• Treasury Announces Regs on Information Sharing

  The Treasury Department has announced its issuance of a proposed rule and a new interim regulation under the USA PATRIOT Act. The proposed rule would authorize the utilization of the FinCEN's existing communication resources to establish a link between federal law enforcement and financial institutions for the purpose of sharing information concerning accounts and transactions that may involve terrorist activity or money laundering. The interim rule, which will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register

  , will allow certain financial institutions to be able to share information among themselves for the purpose of identifying and reporting suspected terrorism and money laundering once the financial institutions have notified FinCEN that they intend to share such information and that they will take adequate steps to maintain confidentiality. Treasury Announcement 2/28/02

• Updated Notice: FRB Schedules Next CAC Meeting

  The Federal Reserve Board announced that the Consumer Advisory Council will hold its next meeting on Thursday, March 14. The meeting will take place in Dining Room E, Terrace level, in the Board's Martin Building. The session will begin at 9:00 a.m. and is open to the public. This notice includes new security clearance procedures and supersedes the release issued February 20, 2002. FRB Press Release 2/28/02

• OTS Director Gilleran Reports Thrifts Reach Record $10.2 Billion in Earnings in 2001

  “Last year was one of the best in the thrift industry's history,” said OTS Director James E. Gilleran. He noted that net income reached an annual record of $10.2 billion in 2001, up 27 percent from $8 billion the prior year. OTS 02-07 2/28/02

• FDIC Alert List Altered

  FDIC has notified banks that it has deleted LiborBank from its list of entities that may be conducting banking operations without authorization. FDIC:FIL-16-2002 2/28/02

• FDIC Issues Alert on Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

  The FDIC has learned that counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Community Bank of the Cumberlands, Jamestown, Tennessee, are in circulation. FDIC:FIL-15-2002 2/28/02

• FDIC Issues Alert on Stolen Treasurer's Checks

  The FDIC has been informed by the Chittenden Bank, Brattleboro, Vermont, that 1,000 of the bank's treasurer's checks were stolen during a January 31, 2002, robbery of the Berkshire Armored Carrier Facility in Rutland, Vermont. The missing checks are numbered 6153451 through and including 6154450. FDIC:FIL-18-2002 2/28/02

• FDIC FILs about OFAC Changes

  The FDIC has published FIL-14-2002 and FIL-17-2002 to notify banks of a recent OFAC change where OFAC added additional SDGTs to its Terrorist list. [The OFAC change itself was previously covered on BOL.] 2/28/02

• FDIC Reports Commercial Loan Losses Continue To Grow

  Bank losses on commercial and industrial loans grew again in the fourth quarter of 2001, while key measures of capital and loan loss reserve adequacy also rose, according to a report issued by the FDIC. FDIC:PR-22-2002 2/28/02

• OTS Announces 13 January CRA Ratings

  The OTS announced savings associations' Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation ratings that became available in January 2002. OTS 02-06 2/27/02

• FDIC Announces Sale of Residual Interests and Servicing Rights of Superior Federal Bank, FSB

  The FDIC has announced the sale of the servicing rights for and residual interests in $3.7 billion of securitized subprime mortgage loans from the former Superior Federal Bank, FSB, Hinsdale, Illinois. FDIC:PR-21-2002 2/27/02

• FFIEC Posts UBPR Schedule for 2002

  UPPR's will be available online 35 days after the call report is filed. FFIEC Memo 2/26/02

• Preliminary Bank Earnings Report

  On February 28 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) FDIC Chairman Donald Powell will conduct a press briefing on the 4th Quarter 2001 Preliminary Bank Earnings Report. 2/26/02

• FDIC Notice of Agency Meeting

  The FDIC Board of Directors will meet in open session on March 1, 2002. Agenda 2/26/02

• ABA Issues Money Laundering Resource Guide

  The American Bankers Association is making available a new resource guide it has developed in response to the USA PATRIOT Act requirements to identify and verify account holders. The 17 page publication, which is available online, contains numerous suggestions that institutions will find helpful in developing their own customer verification procedures. 2/26/02

• FDIC 2000 Annual Report

  The FDIC submits its Annual Report to the President of the U.S. Senate and the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. 2/25/02

• OCC Revises the Procedures for National Bank to Appeal Agency Decisions and Actions

  National banks and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks are encouraged to contact the ombudsman to discuss any agency policy, decision, or action that might develop into an appealable matter. OCC 2002-9 2/25/02

• Jacquelyn Fletcher Appointed Chief Information Officer at the OCC

  The OCC announced the appointment of Jacquelyn Fletcher as the agency's new Chief Information Officer. In her new position, she will supervise the agency's information technology programs, including telecommunications, systems development and technology security policy. OCC:NR 2002-13 2/25/02

• New Savings Bond University

  The U.S. Treasury's Bureau of the Public Debt has launched a new Web-based application designed to help the financial institutions that serve as U.S. Savings Bonds issuing and paying agents train their personnel who handle savings bond transactions. This free, interactive training is called Savings Bonds University. 2/25/02

• FDIC Reports Business Credit Flowing Despite Recession

  Business credit is more plentiful in this recession than in any other recessionary episode since the early 1970s, according to an FDIC report released. The report cites a generally lower cost of capital, structural changes in banking and the financial markets, and a different regulatory landscape contributing to the current trend. FDIC:PR-20-2002, Business Credit Flowing Despite Recession 2/22/02

• FDIC Publishes Bank Trends

  This issue of Bank Trends focuses on Business Credit in 2001: More Available than in Past Recessions. 2/22/02

• FRB Issues List of Foreign Margin Stocks

  The List of Foreign Margin Stocks (Foreign List) is composed of certain foreign equity securities that qualify as margin securities under Regulation T. 67FR8182 2/22/02

• Revisions to the Call Report

  The FFIEC has approved a number of revisions to the Reports of Condition and Income (Call Report) for 2002. The FFIEC is providing this advance notification to assist you in planning for these changes. FDIC:FIL-13-2002 2/22/02

• FRB Says State Member Banks May Engage in Equity Hedging

  Any state member bank that seeks to acquire equity securities to hedge the bank's equity derivative transactions must receive the prior approval of the FRB's Director of Banking Supervision and Regulation. In addition, a state member bank may engage in equity hedging activities only to the extent permitted by state law, and the bank must comply with any applicable state notice or approval requirements. FRB Press Release, Board Statement 2/22/02

• FFIEC Issues Alert on SNMP Vulnerabilities

  The FFIEC has identified sites that are useful in reviewing recently published information on potentially serious vulnerabilities in the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), a software protocol widely used in internal networks and the Internet. Financial institutions should be aware that these vulnerabilities may be exploited to gain unauthorized access to information systems or to cause denial of service attacks resulting in network disruptions. FFIEC recommends that information security personnel review these or other credible sites and take appropriate steps to implement the mitigation procedures to protect the integrity of information systems and safeguard customer information. FFIEC 2/21/02

• FRB Schedules Next CAC Meeting

  The Federal Reserve Board announced that the Consumer Advisory Council will hold its next meeting on Thursday, March 14. FRB Press Release 2/21/02

• FDIC's Money Smart Program Celebrates First Anniversary by Announcing Roll-Out of Spanish Version

  In the twelve months since, a comprehensive curriculum was developed by the FDIC and implemented in a series of nationwide roll-outs. This year, Money Smart will become even more accessible through a Spanish version and an interactive CD-ROM. FDIC:PR-19-2002 2/21/02

• OCC Publishes Interpretive Letters

  OCC has now posted on its Web site the Interpretive Letters, CRA decisions, and conditional approvals it issued in February. The ILs are available in both Word and PDF format. 2/20/02

• OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 24 National Banks

  The OCC released a list of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations. OCC:NR 2002-12 2/20/02

• Treasury Requests Comments on Information Sharing Practices Among Financial Institutions

  The Secretary of the Treasury, in conjunction with the federal functional regulatory agencies and the FTC, is conducting a study of information sharing practices among financial institutions and their affiliates, as required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. Survey responses and comments are due April 1. 67FR7213 2/20/02

• FDIC Establishes an Advisory Committee on Banking Policy

  The Committee will provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of issues relating to the FDIC's mission and activities, including, but not limited to: the delivery of services by the FDIC, its corporate infrastructure, and policy initiatives in the areas of deposit insurance, supervision of financial institutions, resolutions and management of failing and failed institutions, and other issues impacting the financial services industry. 67FR7373 2/19/02

• Credit union deposits post strong growth in 2001

  Federally insured credit unions are healthy and doing well based on statistics reported by the nation's 9,984 federally insured credit unions at year-end 2001. NUCA Press Release 2/19/02

• FRB Finalizes Numerous Changes to Reg C & the Commentary

  Highlights of the amendments to Regulation C include required reporting of some loan pricing, reporting that loans are covered by HOEPA, special requirements for mobile home applications, revisions of important definitions, including "preapproval", "refinancing, and "home improvement". Proposal Final Rule 2/15/02

• Additional Guidance on Signatures Under Regulation B

  The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has provided its own detailed guidance on the signature requirements of Regulation B. While it deals with the same subject as the recent FDIC guidance, it presents it in a different way and includes a useful flow chart. We've reworked the Philly Fed's flow chart to make it easier to read and more printer-friendly. You'll find our version under "Reg B - Required Signatures" in the Compliance Tools part of the Banker Tools page. 2/15/02

• FTC Takes New COPPA Enforcement Actions

  For the fitth time, the Federal Trade Commission has exercised its enforcement authority under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act to obtain a settlement with a company that violated COPPA by collecting personal information children on the company's Web site without obtaining parental consent. FTC Press Release 2/15/02

• OCC Announces 20 New Enforcement Actions and 5 Terminations

  The OCC announced 20 new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks and 5 terminations of existing enforcement actions. OCC:NR 2002- 11 2/15/02

• Chairman Powell's Statement on Introduction of Deposit Insurance Reform Legislation

  Chairman Johnson has shown great leadership in developing legislation that will create a stronger, more effective deposit insurance system. FDIC:PR-18-2002 2/15/02

• Twenty-Five Largest Banking Companies

  The FDIC released a quarterly study of the 25 largest banking companies based on publicly-available data. FDIC:PR-17-2002 2/14/02

• Comptroller Calls Preemption a Major Advantage of National Bank Charter

  Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. said that the creation in 1863 of a uniform charter which allows national banks to operate with immunity from many state and local laws has benefited both banks and the nation's consumers. OCC:NR 2001-10 2/13/02

• FDIC FIL about OFAC Changes

  The FDIC has published FIL-10-2002 to notify banks of a recent OFAC change where OFAC added the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation to two Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs)designated three entities as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. [The OFAC change itself was previously covered on BOL.] FDIC:FIL-10-2002 2/13/02

• FDIC Issues Alert on Counterfeit Official Bank Checks

  The FDIC has learned that counterfeit official bank checks drawn on four separate financial institutions are in circulation. FDIC:FIL-12-2002 2/13/02

• FDIC Issues Warning on Entities That May Be Conducting Banking Operations Without Authorization

  The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) of Canada has published "Monthly Warning Advisory" (Issue No. 22), which contains the names of entities recently brought to OSFI's attention through an inquiry or complaint. FDIC:FIL-11-2002 2/13/02

• OFAC List Updated

  OFAC has removed a number of names from the SDN list, including some banks. Get the details on the BOL OFAC page. 2/13/02

• Remarks by John D. Hawke, Jr. Comptroller of the Currency Before the Women in Housing and Finance Washington, D.C

  2/13/02

• FRB Issues Revisions to Procedures for Processing Applications and Prior Notifications under Regulation K

  The purpose of the FRB letter is to provide a general description of the procedural changes contained in the revised Regulation K. In addition, the letter establishes procedures for processing the new 12-day and 30-day prior notifications and revises existing processing procedures to be more consistent with procedures for other types of applications, including those filed under Regulation Y. New Procedures for Processing Prior Notifications and Applications under Regulation K, General Consent Limits Under Subpart A of Regulation K, FRB:SR 02-3 2/11/02

• FRB Issues Guidance on Monitoring Compliance with Reg K

  The FRB has revised its reporting requirements with respect to foreign investments made by U.S. banking organizations pursuant to Subpart A of Regulation K. FRB:SR 02-2 2/11/02

• Keep up with USA PATRIOT Act Developments

  We've created a special section on the BOL Launch Pad to help keep track of the links relating to regulations and other issuances under the USA PATRIOT Act, as well as a copy of the Act itself. 2/11/02

• FRB Published Revisions to Regulation C

  The FRB published revisions to its Regulation C, which implements the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The Board approved the revisions at its meeting on January 23, 2002. FRB Press Release, Proposed rule, Final rule 2/8/02

• OCC Closes NextBank and Appoints FDIC Receiver

  NextBank NA, Phoenix, Arizona, was closed by the OCC and the FDIC was appointed receiver. OCC:NR 2002-09 2/8/02

• FDIC Approves the Payout of Insured Deposits of NextBank, National Association, Phoenix, Arizona

  The Board of Directors of the FDIC approved the payout of the insured deposits of NextBank, National Association, Phoenix, Arizona. The bank was closed by the OCC, and the FDIC was named receiver. FDIC:PR-16-2002 2/8/02

• FDIC Report Shows Subprime Mortgage Loan Performance Affected by Recession

  The incidence of significant repayment difficulties among subprime mortgage borrowers is increasing, according to the FDIC. FDIC:PR-14-2002 2/8/02

• Diamonds, anyone?

  Unless you are interested in the importation of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone and Liberia, there's no need for you to be concerned about the latest interim regulations posted by OFAC. They simply deal with the Rough Diamonds (Sierra Leone & Liberia) Sanctions 2/8/02

• Statement of FDIC Chairman Don Powell

  "I praise the leadership of Chairmen Oxley and Bachus, and Representatives LaFalce, Gillmor, and Ney, and look forward to swift enactment of deposit insurance reform this year. We appreciate Congress' leadership in recognizing the problems and their aggressive schedule to move forward with legislation." FDIC:PR-15-2002 2/8/02

• Agencies Publish "Privacy Choices for Your Personal Financial Information"

  In conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week, several federal agencies released a guide to help consumers make informed choices about whether to allow their personal financial information to be shared. Privacy Choices for Your Personal Financial Information guides consumers through the choices they face as a result of the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. FRB Press Release, OCC:NR 2002-08, OTS 02-05, FDIC-PR-13-2002, FTC Press Release , SEC:2002-21 2/7/02

• Federal Trade Commission Announces ID Theft Affidavit

  The FTC unveiled a new tool to assist victims of identity theft restore their good names. The ID Theft Affidavit provides a model form that can be used to report information to many companies, simplifying the process of alerting companies where a new account was opened in the victim's name. FTC Press Release 2/7/02

• OCC Calls Attention to Treasury Proposal

  The OCC has issued Bulletin OCC 2002-6 to call attention to the upcoming comment deadline on the Treasury Department's proposed rule relating to compliance with two anti-money laundering provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. 2/6/02

• FDIC Issues February List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance

  The FDIC issued its monthly list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions in November 2001. FDIC: PR-12-2002 2/6/02

• FDIC Issues Guidance on Avoiding Violations of the Spousal Signature Provisions of Regulation B

  The FDIC is issuing guidance to assist banks in complying with the spousal signature provisions of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Regulation B, 12 C.F.R. Part 202. Among other things, Regulation B prohibits lending policies and practices that discriminate on the basis of marital status. FDIC:FIL-9-2002 2/5/02

• OCC Issues Final Rule on Capital Treatment of Nonfinancial Equity Investments

  This final rule requires a series of marginal capital charges on equity investments that increase with the level of those investments relative to the bank's Tier 1 capital. OCC: 2002-5 2/5/02

• FDIC Approves Assumption of the Insured Deposits of the Oakwood Deposit Bank Company, Oakwood, Ohio

  The FDIC has approved the assumption of the insured deposits of The Oakwood Deposit Bank Company, Oakwood, Ohio, by The State Bank and Trust Company, Defiance, Ohio. FDIC:PR-11-2002 2/5/02

• FDIC Isssues Guidance on Managing Risks Associated With Wireless Networks and Wireless Customer Access

  Financial institutions are actively evaluating and implementing wireless technology as a means to reach customers and reduce the costs of implementing new networks. In light of this fast-developing trend, the FDIC is providing financial institutions with information about the risks associated with wireless technology and suggestions on managing those risks. FDIC:FIL-8-2002 2/4/02

• FDIC Announces Receivership of the Oakwood Deposit Bank Company, Oakwood, Ohio

  The Oakwood Deposit Bank Company, Oakwood, Ohio, was closed by the Ohio Superintendent of Financial Institutions, and the FDIC was named receiver. FDIC:PR-10-2002 2/4/02

• SAR Bulletin Describes Terrorist Activities

  The January SAR Bulletin from FinCEN provides synopses of financial transactions that may be associated with criminal fundraising activities. January SAR Bulletin 2/1/02

• FDIC Reports on Rising Trend of Corporate Bankruptcies

  The outlook for bank credit quality in 2002 rests on whether the current problems of large corporate borrowers filter down to smaller businesses and consumers, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reports. FDIC:PR-7-2002 2/1/02

• FDIC Helps Launch Fourth Annual National Consumer Protection Week

  The FDIC has joined federal, state and local organizations and national advocacy groups to launch the fourth annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), to be held from February 3-9. FDIC:PR-8-2002 2/1/02

• FDIC Makes Public December Enforcement Actions; No Administrative Hearings Scheduled

  The FDIC released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in December. No administrative hearings are scheduled for February. FDIC:PR-9-2002 2/1/02

• FDIC Issues Electronic Bulletin on Emerging Issues in Banking and the Economy

  The FDIC has introduced FYI, an electronic bulletin summarizing FDIC analysis of emerging issues in banking and the economy. FYI brings to your desktop current information about the trends that are driving change in the banking industry, plus links to other FDIC publications and data tools. FDIC:FIL-7-2002 2/1/02

• FRB Explains Antiterrorism Initiatives

  In testimony before a committee of Congress, Richard Spillenkothen, Director of the Federal Reserve's Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation, provided information about the Federal Reserve's work on implementing the USA Patriot Act. Spillenkothen noted that the Treasury Department recently proposed rules on the prohibition of correspondent accounts with shell banks; the recordkeeping requirements on foreign bank ownership and designation of agents for service of legal process for correspondent accounts; and the broker-dealer suspicious activity reporting requirements all reflect consultation with the Federal Reserve. In addition, Treasury is expected to issue additional proposed rules soon to set forth minimum standards for financial institutions to verify the identification of their customers and to require financial institutions to conduct due diligence to identify suspicious activities involving correspondent and private banking accounts. 1/31/02

• Fed Leaves Interest Rate Unchanged

  The FOMC decided to keep its target for the federal funds rate unchanged at 1-3/4 percent. FRB Press Release 1/31/02

• OTS Releases December Enforcement Statistics

  The OTS reported that it issued ten enforcement orders to five individuals and five institutions during the month of December, 2001. OTS also terminated three orders previously issued to two individuals and one institution. OTS 02-04 1/31/02

• OCC Issues Interim Rule Amending its Regulation Regarding the Capital Equivalency Deposits

  This interim rule revises certain requirements regarding CED deposit arrangements to increase flexibility for and reduce burden on certain Federal branches and agencies, based on a supervisory assessment of the risks presented by the particular institution. The OCC is issuing this rule on an interim basis effective January 30, 2002. 67FR4325 (text) 67FR4325 (pdf) 1/30/02

• FDIC Publishes an International Visitors Training Program

  In response to the many training requests from our foreign visitors and in order to make more efficient and uniform use of resources, the FDIC has developed a three-day International Visitors Training Program designed specifically for officials of foreign banking, deposit insurance and resolution authorities serving in mid-level management or above. 1/30/02

• Chairman Powell's Statement on FDIC Board Approval of Special Examination Activities

  The agreement establishes a better process for determining when the FDIC will use its authority to examine any insured institution.FDIC:PR-6-2002 1/30/02

• OCC Publishes the December 2001 Bank Accounting Advisory Series

  The Bank Accounting Advisory Series expresses the OCC's current views on accounting topics of interest to national banks. 1/28/02

• Regulators Issue Final Rule to Amend their Capital Requirements

  The new capital requirements, which will apply symmetrically to equity investments of banks and bank holding companies, impose a series of marginal capital charges on covered equity investments that increase with the level of a banking organization's overall exposure to equity investments relative to the organization's Tier 1 capital. 67FR3783 (text) 67FR3783 (pdf) FDIC:FIL-6-2002 1/25/02

• Department of the Treasury's Notice of Funds Availability Invites Applications for the First Accounts Program

  The FDIC Published FIL-5-2002 to announce that the NOFA invites insured depository institutions, and other eligible entities, to apply for grants to provide low-cost electronic, checking or other types of accounts to low- and moderate-income individuals who currently do not have an account with an insured depository institution or an insured credit union. FDIC:FIL-5-2002 1/25/02

• NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar's Statement Regarding the President's Recess Appointment of JoAnn Johnson and Deborah Matz

  President George W. Bush announced that he has appointed JoAnn Johnson and Deborah Matz as Members of the National Credit Union Administration Board as recess appointments. NCUA Press Release 1/25/02

• Statement By NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar

  NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar released a statement regarding the National Community Reinvestment Coalition's legal actions concerning the Community Action Plan (CAP). NCUA Press Release 1/25/02

• FRB Approves Regulatory Changes to HMDA

  The changes to Regulation C will facilitate fair lending analysis and enhance understanding of the home mortgage market generally and the subprime market in particular. FRB Press Release Proposed amendments to Regulation C based on a review of the regulationSupplemental recommendations regarding Regulation C. 1/24/02

• Identity Theft Is the Top Consumer Fraud Complaint

  The Federal Trade Commission has announced the Top 10 Consumer Fraud Complaints for 2001 and identity theft heads the list, with 42% of the 204,000 complaints entered into the FTC's Consumer Sentinel database last year. Number 5 on the list, with 5%, is "Advance Fee Loans and Credit Protection" fraud. Number 8 is "Foreign Money Offers". FTC has also released a list of tips to help consumers who want to protect themselves from fraud and deception. You may want to consider posting them in your institution or including them in a mailing to customers. 1/24/02

• Proposed National "Do Not Call" Registry

  The Federal Trade Commission is soliciting comments on a proposal to amend the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) by, among other things, creating a national "do not call" registry. 1/23/02

• Considering The Unintended Audience

  The National Infrastructure Protection Committee (NIPC) has issued Advisory 02-001 to urge those putting content on the Internet to carefully consider the ramifications of information being accessed by an unintended audience and to encourage Internet content providers to review the data they make available online.1/23/02

• Obtaining EINs from IRS

  Taxpayers can now call a single toll-free telephone number (866)816-2065 to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). IRS customer service representatives in three IRS Service Centers will respond to taxpayer calls Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. local time. Taxpayers also can fax requests for an EIN 24 hours a day/7 days a week by dialing the fax number at the location accepting applications from your state. The instructions on the revised Form SS-4 indicate which location will accept your faxed request. For detailed information on Employer Identification Numbers, the IRS has a special page on its Web site. 1/22/02

• FRB Issues Revisions to Bank Holding Company Supervision Procedures

  To further enhance its risk-focused supervision program, on January 1, 2002, the FRB implemented revised procedures for the supervision of bank holding companies1 with total consolidated assets of $5 billion or less. FRB:SR 02-01 1/22/02

• OCC and People's Bank of China Assess Money Penalties Against Bank of China

  The OCC and the People's Bank of China announced they have entered into separate actions against Bank of China and its U.S.-based federal branches for misconduct engaged in by prior management. OCC:NR 2002-07 Statement of Comptroller Hawke Statement of People's Bank Statement of Chairman Liu Consent Order1/22/02

• FDIC Approves the Assumption of the Insured Deposits of Bank of Sierra Blanca, Sierra Blanca, Texas

  The Board of Directors of the FDIC approved the assumption of the insured deposits of the Bank of Sierra Blanca, Sierra Blanca, Texas, by The Security State Bank of Pecos, Pecos, Texas. FDIC:PR-5-2002 1/22/02

• Change of Address for HMDA and CRA Data

  The OCC is informing all national banks, federal branches and agencies, and District of Columbia banks of the change of mailing address for CRA and HMDA data submissions, which are due March 1, 2002. OCC 2002-4 1/18/02

• OCC Releases Third Quarter Edition of Quarterly Journal

  The December 2001 issue of the Quarterly Journal, Vol. 20, No. 4 (for third quarter 2001), is now available on-line . This issue features the latest "Condition and Performance of Commercial Banks" and congressional testimony of the agency's executives, including the white paper attachment to Comptroller Hawke's testimony on "Reforming the Funding of Bank Supervision." 1/18/02

• Consumer Confidential: The Privacy Story

  The Federal Trade Commission has announced that February 3 - 9, 2002 has been designated National Consumer Protection Week ("NCPW") to highlight consumer protection and education efforts around the country. The subject of this year's NCPW is privacy. On the special site they've created for the NCPW, there are noncopyrighted materials freely available for you to use as part of your own NCPW campaign. No reprint permission is required. 1/18/02

• Fact Sheet on International ACH

  This month, Federal Reserve Financial Services has made available a Fact Sheet on its FedACH International ACH service. 1/18/02

• Borrower's Loan Number on Recorded Documents

  In case you missed it, there is an interagency opinion letter on the permissibility, under the GLB privacy regs, of putting a borrower's loan number on recorded mortgage documents. 1/18/02

• OCC Publishes Interpretive Letters

  OCC has now posted on its Web site the Interpretive Letters, CRA decisions, and conditional approvals it issued in December. The ILs are available in both Word and PDF format. 1/18/02

• OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 28 National Banks

  The OCC released a list of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations that became public during the period of December 15 through January 14, 2002. OCC:NR 2002-5 1/16/02

• OCC Announces 14 New Enforcement Actions

  The OCC announced 14 new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks. OCC:News Release 2002-6 1/16/02

• OCC Publishes Inter-Agency Examiner Guidance On Settlement Service Mark-Ups Under RESPA

  The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held that Section 8(b) of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) was not violated when a title company marked-up a fee of a third-party settlement servicer without performing any additional services. OCC 2002-3, Inter-Agency Guidance 1/16/02

• OCC Issues Guidance on ACH Transactions Involving the Internet

  This bulletin highlights the risks associated with automated clearing house (ACH) transactions that involve the use of the Internet and provides guidance for managing those risks. OCC 2002-2 1/15/02

• FDIC to Market Hamilton Bank, N.A., Assets

  The FDIC announced that it will market a $1 billion loan portfolio from the failed Hamilton Bank, N.A., Miami, Florida, within the next 60 days. FDIC:PR-4-2002 1/15/02

• Governor Laurence H. Meyer resigns from FRB

  Laurence H. Meyer submitted his resignation as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, effective the last day of his term, January 31, 2002. FRB Press Release 1/15/02

• Hamilton Bank, N.A. Closed by the OCC and FDIC Appointed Receiver

  The OCC acted after finding that the bank, which had assets of $1.3 billion at the time of its closing, was undercapitalized and suffered from deteriorating asset quality, poor earnings, a high level of nonperforming loans and sharply declining capital levels. OCC:NR 2002- 04, FDIC:PR-3-2002 1/14/02

• FRB Makes Revisions to Bank Holding Company Supervision Procedures

  The FRB implemented revised procedures for the supervision of bank holding companies1 with total consolidated assets of $5 billion or less. FRB:SR 02-01 1/11/02

• OCC Proposes Interagency Bank Merger Act Application

  The OCC is soliciting comments on proposed revisions to the information collection titled: "‘Interagency Bank Merger Act". 1/11/02

• NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar Announces Resumption Of Share Insurance Fund Updates At NCUA Board Meetings

  A once standard practice at NCUA Board meetings dropped in 1997 is making a comeback. NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar announced today that a quarterly update on the status of the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) will become a part of the official NCUA Board meeting agenda in 2002. NCUA Press Release 1/11/02

• OTS Withdraws Proposed Holding Company Rule

  The OTS announced that it is withdrawing a proposed rule it published in the November 8 Federal Register covering the authority of some thrift holding companies to engage in the same list of financial activities as the Federal Reserve Board permits financial holding companies under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. OTS 02-03
  1/10/02

• FDIC Publishes "Your Insured Deposit" Booklet Available in Chinese and Korean

  The FDIC is pleased to announce that in addition to English and Spanish versions, its "Your Insured Deposit" booklet is now available in Chinese (traditional and simplified) and Korean. FDIC:FIL-4-2002 1/10/02

• Agencies Adopt Final Rules Concerning the Regulatory Capital Treatment of Nonfinancial Equity Investments

  The FRB, FDIC and OCC, announced the adoption of final rules governing the regulatory capital treatment of equity investments in nonfinancial companies held by banks, bank holding companies and financial holding companies. OCC:NR 2002-03 FDIC-PR-2-2002, FRB Press Release 1/09/02

• OTS Announces 12 December CRA Ratings

  The OTS announced savings associations' Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation ratings that became available in December 2001. OTS 02-02 1/09/02

• FRB Publishes Income and Expense Data and Transfers to the Treasury

  Preliminary figures indicate that the Federal Reserve Banks distributed approximately $27.14 billion of their $31.87 billion total income to the U.S. Treasury during 2001. FRB Press Release 1/09/02

• OCC Issues Examiner Handbook on Custody Services

  The custody business is a bank asset management activity that involves the settlement, safekeeping and reporting of customer marketable securities and cash. The level of assets under custody has increased significantly, as has competition among financial institutions for this business. OCC:NR 2002- 02 "Custody Services" booklet 1/09/02

• FDIC Seeks Comment on Proposed Policy Statement on Minority-Owned Depository Institutions

  As previously reported in the Federal Register, the FDIC is requesting public comment on the proposed Policy Statement Regarding Minority-Owned Depository Institutions. FDIC:FIL-3-2002 1/09/02

• FDIC Issues January List Of Banks Examined For CRA Compliance

  The FDIC issued its monthly list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions in October 2001. FDIC:PR-1-2002 1/08/02

• FRB Announces New Consumer Advisory Council Members

  The Council advises the FRB on the exercise of its responsibilities under the Consumer Credit Protection Act and on other matters in the area of consumer financial services. FRB Press Release 1/07/02

• OTS Releases November Enforcement Statistics

  The OTS reported that it took six enforcement actions against two individuals and four institutions during the month of November 2001. OTS 02-01 1/07/02

• OCC Orders Eagle to Cease Payday Lending Program

  The OCC announced that Eagle National Bank has signed a Consent Order directing it to cease all payday lending activities. Eagle has been engaged in payday lending through arrangements with Dollar Financial Group. The OCC acted after finding that Eagle was in material noncompliance with an earlier Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the OCC and was engaged in numerous unsafe and unsound activities. OCC: NR 2002-01 1/04/02

• FDIC Issues FILs Relating to OFAC

  The FDIC has issued FIL-01-2002 and FIL-02-2002 to alert bankers to OFAC updates that were previously reported on by BOL. Details of all recent OFAC changes are available on the BOL OFAC page.1/03/02

• FinCEN Proposes SAR Reporting Rule for Brokers and Dealers

  FinCEN is proposing to amend the Bank Secrecy Act regulations to require brokers or dealers in securities to report suspicious transactions to the Department of the Treasury. (text) 1/03/02

• FedACH Fees Lowered

  The Federal Reserve has announced lower FedACH fees for items
  originated, items received, and for all addenda records, effective February 1, 2002. 1/03/02

• OFAC List Updated Again

  OFAC has updated its list to add six new SDGTs to the list of terrorists whose assets must be blocked. Get the details on the BOL OFAC page.
  12/31/01

• FDIC Issues Warning on Entities That May Be Conducting Banking Operations Without Authorization

  The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) of Canada has published "Monthly Warning Advisory" (Issue No. 21), which contains the names of entities recently brought to OSFI's attention through an inquiry or complaint. FDIC:FIL-111-2001 12/31/01

• FDIC Issues Interim Guidance Concerning Correspondent Accounts Established or Maintained for Certain Foreign Banking Institutions

  These amendments are intended to make it easier to prevent, detect and prosecute international money laundering and the financing of terrorism. FDIC:FIL-110-2001 12/31/01

• FDIC Considers New Factor in Bank Merger Act Transactions

  Beginning January 1, 2002, the FDIC, in evaluating and acting on applications filed under section 18 (c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (commonly known as the Bank Merger Act), will expressly consider the anti-money laundering record of each involved insured depository institution in determining the appropriateness of granting consent to the proposed transaction. FDIC:FIL-109-2001 12/31/01

• OTS Announces 14 November CRA Ratings

  The OTS announced savings associations' Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation ratings that became available in November 2001. OTS 01-88 12/31/01

• FRB Issues Correction to the Regulatory Capital Standards Rule

  This corrects the Federal Reserve's regulatory text of a final rule published in the Federal Register of November 29, 2001, regarding the capital treatment of recourse, direct credit substitutes, and residual interests in asset securitizations. 66FR67074 (text) 66FR67074 (pdf) 12/31/01

• FDIC Makes Public November Enforcement Actions; No Administrative Hearings Scheduled

  The FDIC released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in November. No administrative hearings are scheduled for January 2002. FDIC:PR-95-2001 12/28/01

• OFAC List Updated

  SDGTs have now also been designated FTOs. BOL OFAC Page 12/27/01

• Delays in Mail Delivery to FDIC Addressees in Washington, DC

  Since October 22, 2001, mail service provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to FDIC addressees in Washington, DC, has been disrupted, causing delays in mail delivery to the FDIC. FDIC:FIL-107-2001 12/24/01

• FDIC Issues Alert on Fictitious "Certified" Checks are in Circulation

  The checks bear the name Sanborne Trust Company Bank, 2501 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL. A telephone number, 205-250-7151, is printed on the checks as well as "Member FDIC." The Sanborne Trust Company Bank does not exist. FDIC:FIL-108-2001 12/24/01

• OFAC List Updated

  OFAC has added five new SDGTs to its listing of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. BOL OFAC Page 12/21/01

• FDIC Hold Line in 2002 Budget

  The Board of Directors of the FDIC approved a 2002 budget of $1.1 billion, which is virtually the same level it approved for 2001. FDIC:PR-94-2001 12/21/01

• OTS Announces Revised Lending Rule To Enhance Thrift Flexibility

  OTS Director James E. Gilleran announced that OTS changed its lending and investment regulations to allow federal savings associations greater flexibility to provide low-cost credit to their customers and to invest in their communities while still operating safely and soundly. OTS 01-87 12/21/01

• OCC Publishes the Treasury Guidance on the USA PATRIOT Act

  The notice provides interim guidance to financial institutions on how to comply with the requirements of sections 313 and 319(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. These anti-money laundering provisions concern the relationship between U.S. financial institutions and foreign banking institutions. OCC:AL 2001-12 12/21/01

• FRB Issues Asset-Size Exemption Threshold for HMDA

  The Federal Reserve Board announced that the asset-size exemption threshold for depository institutions under Regulation C (Home Mortgage Disclosure) has been increased from $31 million to $32 million. FRB Press Release 12/20/01

• IRS Announces Retirement Plan limits that are effective on 1/1/02

  The IRS announced the dollar limitations applicable to pension plans that become effective January 1, 2002 under the
  Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), and cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for pension plans and other items for Tax Year 2002. IRS:Release No: IR-2001-115 12/20/01

• FDIC Issues Proposed Rule Regarding the Payment of Post-Insolvency Interest

  The purpose of the rule is to establish a single uniform interest rate, calculation method, and payment priority for
  post-insolvency interest. 66FR65144 (text) 66FR65144 (pdf) 12/18/01

• Uniform Bank Performance Reports Available to Public

  The September 30, 2001 Uniform Bank Performance Report (UBPR) now being distributed to all insured commercial banks and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Insured Savings Banks (FDIC-ISB) is now available for sale to the public. FFIEC Press Release 12/18/01

• FDIC Issues Warning on Entities That May Be Conducting Banking Operations Without Authorization

  The Central Bank of Belize has issued a warning concerning an entity that is not licensed to provide banking and/or financial business in or from within Belize. Any proposed transactions involving Caribbean Building Society should be viewed with extreme caution. FDIC:FIL-105-2001 12/18/01

• TWO OFAC CHANGES ON DECEMBER 14

  On December 14, 2001, OFAC updated its sanctions list twice, adding new entities whose assets and records are to be blocked each time. The second change was made late in the business day. Full details are available on the BOL OFAC page. 12/17/01

• Regulators Distribute Call Report for Fourth Quarter 2001

  Banks should complete your fourth quarter Call Report, review it for accuracy, and submit the report electronically as soon as possible. Except for certain banks with foreign offices, your completed report must be received by January 30, 2002. FDIC:FIL-104-2001 12/17/01

• OCC Issues Semiannual Assessment

  As earlier reported in the Federal Register, the OCC has established a minimum base amount for the semiannual assessment that is due to be paid by January 31, 2001. OCC 2001-52 Final Rule Correction 12/17/01

• OCC Announces 6 New Enforcement Actions and 2 Terminations

  The OCC announced 6 new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks and 2 terminations of existing enforcement actions. OCC:NR 2001- 103 12/17/01

• OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 19 National Banks

  The OCC released a list of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations that became public during the period of November 15 through December 14, 2001. OCC:NR 2001-104 12/17/01

• FRB Announces New Members of its Thrift Institutions Advisory Council

  The Council is an advisory group made up of twelve representatives from thrift institutions. The Council meets three times each year with the Board of Governors to discuss developments relating to thrift institutions, the housing industry, mortgage
  finance, and certain regulatory issues. FRB Press Release 12/17/01

• OCC Offers New Guidance on Merchant Processing

  The OCC issued new guidance to help examiners and banks understand and manage the risks associated with the merchant processing business. OCC:NR 2001-102 12/14/01

• New Interagency Privacy Guidance

  The federal regulatory agencies just issued new staff guidance which is a series of Frequently Asked Questions covering various aspects of the privacy rules, from when financial institutions must delivery notices to how to comply with the exception for disclosures under a joint marketing arrangement with an unrelated financial institution. FRB Press Release,
  OCC:NR 2001-101, OCC 2001-51 FDIC-PR-93-2001, FDIC:FIL-106-2001
  NCUA Press Release, FTC Press Release, OTS 01-86 12/13/01

• FRB Issues Proposed Rule to Reg Z Commentary

  As earlier reported, the proposed update would clarify how creditors that place Truth in Lending Act disclosures on the same document with the credit contract may satisfy the requirement for providing the disclosures in a form the consumer may keep before consummation. 66FR64381 12/13/01

• FRB Issues a Final Rule that Amends its Regulations Aimed at Curbing Predatory Lending

  The amendments to Regulation Z broaden the scope of loans subject to the protections of the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) of 1994 by adjusting the price triggers that determine coverage under the act. FRB Press Release 66FR65604 (text) 66FR65604 (pdf) 12/13/01

• Regulators Propose Common Form for Charter and Federal Deposit Insurance Applications

  To promote consistency and reduce regulatory burden, the OCC, OTS and FDIC have proposed a uniform charter and federal deposit insurance application form. OCC:NR 2001-100, FDIC PR-92-2001 12/13/01

• Governor Edward W. Kelley, Jr., resigns from FRB<

  Kelley, who has been a member of the Board since May 26, 1987, submitted his letter of resignation to President Bush. In view of his impending departure and in keeping with Board practice, he did not attend the December 11 meeting of the FOMC. FRB Press Release 12/13/01

• FRB Issues Proposed Revisions Regarding Consumer Credit Disclosures

  The proposed revisions clarify how creditors that place Truth in Lending Act disclosures on the
  same document with the credit contract may satisfy the requirement for providing the disclosures in
  a form the consumer may keep before consummation. FRB Press Release 12/12/01

• OCC Issues CRA Interagency Examination Procedures

  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act imposes disclosure and reporting requirements on national banks and other insured depository institutions with respect to certain agreements related to the Community Reinvestment Act. The OCC's implementing regulation is 12 CFR 35, Disclosure and Reporting of CRA-Related Agreements (CRA Sunshine Regulation). OCC 2001-50 12/12/01

• Michael J. Zamorski Named FDIC Director of Division of Supervision

  FDIC Chairman Donald E. Powell announced that veteran FDIC official Michael J. Zamorski has been named Director of the Division of Supervision. In this position, he is responsible for overseeing the FDIC's bank supervisory activities and eight Regional Offices.
  FDIC:PR-91-2001 12/12/01

• FDIC FIL about OFAC Changes

  The FDIC has published FIL-103-2001 to notify banks of the most recent OFAC change where OFAC designated three entities as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. [The OFAC change itself was previously covered on BOL.]
  FDIC:FIL-103-2001 12/12/01

• FDIC Publishes Call and Thrift Financial Reports

  The September 30, 2001 Call Reports and Thrift Financial Reports are now available. 12/12/01

• FRB announced that it has revised its Policy Statement on Payments System Risk

  This policy allows certain depository institutions to pledge collateral to the Federal Reserve in order to access additional daylight overdraft capacity above their net debit caps. The revised policy also modifies the net debit cap calculation for U.S.
  branches and agencies of foreign banks. These changes should alleviate liquidity pressures identified during a broad review of the PSR policy. FRB Press Release
  12/12/01

• FRB eliminate five reprints from the Federal Reserve Bulletin

  The FRB announced that five documents that have regularly been reprinted in the Federal Reserve Bulletin will not appear in the Bulletin after the December 2001 issue. FRB Press Release 12/12/01

• Fed Lowers Discount Rate

  The Federal Open Market Committee decided to lower its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 1-3/4 percent. In a related action, the Board of Governors approved a 25 basis point reduction in the discount rate to 1-1/4 percent. FRB Press Release 12/12/01

• Latest FDIC Consumer News Focuses on FDIC Insurance

  If your bank were to fail, would all your deposits be covered by the FDIC? Here's what you need to know and do to "insure" your money is safe. FDIC Consumer News 12/11/01

• FDIC, OTS Announce Agreement with Holding Companies of Superior Bank

  Under the terms of the agreement, the Superior holding companies and their owners (the Pritzker and Dworman interests) admit no liability and agree to pay the FDIC $460 million and other consideration. FDIC:PR- 90-2001, OTS 01-84 12/11/01

• U.S. Banks Generally Well Positioned Entering Recession, According to FDIC Report

  Despite the continuing contraction in the U.S. economy, FDIC-insured institutions remain in generally strong financial shape and will continue to provide credit to finance economic recovery. According to a report released by the FDIC, banks are likely to face
  significantly more difficult economic conditions in the months ahead. FDIC:PR- 89-2001 12/11/01

• FDIC Reports Third Quarter 2001 Financial Results For Bank and Thrift Insurance Funds

  The FDIC announced that the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) reported comprehensive income (net income plus current period unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale securities) of $859 million for the first nine months of 2001, compared to $1.1 billion for
  the same period last year. FDIC:PR-88-2001 12/11/01

• FDIC Publishes the latest Regional Outlook

  12/11/01

• Susan Schmidt Bies and Mark W. Olson sworn in as members of the Board of Governors

  Susan Schmidt Bies and Mark W. Olson on Friday took the oath of office as members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The oath was administered by Chairman Alan Greenspan in the Chairman's office. FRB Press Release 12/10/01

• James E. Gilleran Sworn in as OTS Director

  James E. Gilleran was sworn in as the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), the federal agency that oversees
  the regulation and examination of savings associations. OTS 01-83 12/10/01

• OCC Reports Derivatives Volume Increases to $51.3 Trillion

  Derivatives held by U.S. commercial banks increased by $3.5 trillion in the third quarter of 2001, to $51.3 trillion, the Office of
  the Comptroller of the Currency reported in its quarterly Bank Derivatives Report. OCC:NR 2001-99 12/10/01

• Anthrax tests at the FRB

  A preliminary test of mail delivered to a secure, closed mail-handling facility outside the main
  FRB building tested positive for anthrax exposure late Thursday (12/6) afternoon. FRB Press Release 12/10/01

• OTS Extends Comment Deadline on Authority for Certain Savings and Loan Holding Companies To
  Engage in Financial Activities

  The OTS is extending the comment period for the proposed rule published on November 8, 2001. The proposed rule would clarify what financial activities are authorized for certain savings and loan holding companies after the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. This extension will allow interested persons until January 10, 2002 to provide comments on the proposed rule. 66FR63517 12/7/01

• FDIC Makes Public October Enforcement Actions; No Administrative Hearings Scheduled

  The FDIC released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in October. No administrative hearings are scheduled for December. FDIC:PR-87-2001 12/7/01

• FDIC Issues December List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance

  The FDIC issued its monthly list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions in September 2001. FDIC:PR-86-2001 12/7/01

• Thrift Industry 3rd Quarter Earnings Set Record

  Thrift industry earnings rose by $100 million in the third quarter to a record $2.6 billion, the Office of Thrift Supervision reported. Earnings for the year through the quarter total $7.3 billion and are on pace to break the record earnings of $8.2 billion set in 1999. "This has been the fourth consecutive quarter of earnings growth," said Scott Albinson, OTS's managing director for supervision. "Low interest rates and the strong housing market have been the driving force of the thrift industry over the last year." OTS 01-82 12/7/01

• OCC Settles Case Against First National Bank of Marin

  The OCC has settled a case against First National Bank of Marin, Las Vegas, in which the bank agreed to cease practices that the OCC alleged are unlawful or unsafe and unsound, and to pay restitution to customers harmed by those practices. Consent Order, Fact Sheet 12/5/01

• New Harris Poll on Privacy

  There will undoubtedly be a lot of media attention to the new Harris survey on privacy notices. The Harris news release is titled "Privacy Notices Miss the Mark with Consumers" and one of its key findings is that most people find privacy notices too long and complicated. Arm yourself with the facts: l) this survey dealt with privacy notices in general, not financial institution privacy notices specifically; and 2) 70% of respondents agreed that companies "should use the same summary or checklist for their privacy policies". Financial institutions already utilize standardized content. 12/5/01

• FDIC Issues Guidance on Terrorist Info Requests

  The FDIC has issued a Special Alert to provide guidance for institutions on dealing with the list of FBI's suspected terrorists, as well as with the OFAC list. The guidance helps banks understand the different compliance responsibilities attendant to the two sets of lists. FIL-102-2001 12/5/01

• Vulnerabilities in I.E. Prompt NIPC Assessment

  The National Infrastructure Protection Center has issued Assessment 01-028 to address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Internet Explorer that are primary means through which several generations of recent mass-mailer computer worms (i.e., LoveLetter, Nimda, Klez, Badtrans.B) propagate. Under certain conditions, any e-mail or Web page with scripting that includes the command "GetObject()" as well as an ActiveX html file can view any file on the user's hard drive. The Assessment contains recommendations on guarding against the vulnerabilities. ASSESSMENT 01-028 12/4/01

• Regulatory Privacy Workshop Being Held Today

  The Interagency Public Workshop: "Get Noticed: Effective Financial Privacy Notices" is being held today in Washington, D.C. Due to the large volume of registrations, the Workshop had to be moved to a bigger location, and we're told they have a capacity crowd. The agenda includes regulators, representatives of academia and financial institutions, privacy specialists, communications experts, and consumer advocates. Information from the workshop will be available at a later point in time through the FTC Web site in audio, video, transcripts, and a CD-ROM. 12/4/01

• MORE COMPLIANCE HUMOR

  The latest addition to the BankersOnline.com e-card exchange is a new virtual greeting starring David Dickinson. Drawn straight from a Bankers' Thread post about flood insurance, it features humor only a compliance person could love -- or understand! Check it out now in the Office Humor category of the e-card exchange. And don't miss the "Rambo examiner" card while you're there. 12/4/01

• America’s Credit Unions Are Adopting Underserved Communities With A Record-Setting 12.5 Million Potential New Members In 2001

  Chairman Dollar Credits NCUA’s Streamlined Process and Regulatory Flexibility Approach With 2001 Numbers Surpassing Year 2000 Numbers By Over 10 Million NCUA Press Release 12/4/01

• OCC Publishes Its Fees for year 2002

  The purpose of this issuance is to inform all national banks, federal branches and agencies, and District of Columbia banks of fees charged by the OCC for year 2002. Changes are effective January 1, 2002.
  

  • OCC Assessments 2002
  • OCC Fees 2002
  • OCC Publications
  • Assessment Calculator
  • Assessment Return
  • Independent Trust Bank Fees
  • Independent Credit Card Bank Fees
  • OCC 2001-48 12/3/01

• FDIC Publishes Stats at a Glance

  FDIC-Stats at a Glance provides the latest quarterly and historical data on FDIC-insured institutions, the
  BIF and SAIF insurance funds, and the number of FDIC employees. FDIC Historical Trends, Industry Historical Trends 12/3/01

• OCC Issues First Quarter 2002 CRA Examination Schedule

  The OCC released its schedule of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examinations to be conducted in the first quarter of 2002. OCC:NR 2001-98 12/3/01

• FDIC Reminds Institutions about HMDA and CRA Data Collection Deadlines

  The FDIC would like to remind institutions that Calendar Year 2001 (CY2001) Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) data must be submitted by March 1, 2002. FIL-101-2001 12/3/01

• FDIC Issues Alert on Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

  The FDIC has learned that additional counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on the Exchange Bank, Santa Rosa, California, are in circulation. The latest items bear the routing number of the Valley Bank of Kalispell, Kalispell, Montana. FDIC:FIL-100-2001 12/3/01

• FDIC Issues First Quarter CRA Examination Schedule

  The FDIC has issued the public list of institutions that it has scheduled for a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examination during the first quarter of 2002. FDIC:PR-84-2001 12/3/01

• Comptroller Underscores National Bank Efforts to Meet the Financial Services Needs of Native Americans

  Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. highlighted the accomplishments of national banks in overcoming many of the barriers that have historically limited Native Americans' access to credit and financial services in Indian country. OCC:NR 2001-97 12/3/01

• NCUA Issues Order of Prohibition

  The NCUA has issued an Order of Prohibition against John Humpage, a former collection manager at Santa Fe Credit Union, Topeka, Kansas. NCUA Press Release 12/3/01

The FFIEC has announced the availability of the 2014 CRA/HMDA Reporter newsletter, which contains information on collecting accurate CRA and HMDA data and guidance on completing data submissions.

HUD and Treasury have released the December 2013 Housing Scorecard, the Obama Administration's comprehensive report of the U.S. housing market. The agencies noted that since the beginning of 2012, the number of homeowners underwater has declined by 5.7 million and homeowners' equity has risen by 55 percent to $9.7 trillion, both "encouraging signs that the housing market recovery is providing millions of American homeowners with more economic security."

Treasury has designated three individuals and three entities under its Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) program, and added their names to the SDN List. Information on the designations has been posted in a BOL OFAC Update.

Today is the effective date for several of the major CFPB mortgage-related amendments to Regulations X and Z. We burned the midnight oil (well, not quite, but it was late) last night to ensure that our Read a Reg pages were current this morning, with all the January 10 changes melded into the rules. At the top of each affected page is a link back to the earlier version of the page with the old verbiage, with then-pending amendments noted. We'll be doing the same job to blend in the interagency HPML and Bureau ECOA Appraisal Rules for January 18. That will leave our Read a Reg pages annotated with further HPML Appraisal Rule amendments effective July 18, 2015, and Regulation X and Z amendments effective August 1, 2015, implementing the Bureau's Integrated RESPA/TILA Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure Rule.

The Federal Reserve Board has issued a request for comment on proposed revisions to the Regulation HH risk-management standards for certain financial market utilities that have been designated as systemically important by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC). Comments are also requested on related revisions to part I of the Federal Reserve Policy on Payment System Risk (PSR policy). Comments on both proposals must be submitted by March 31, 2014.

A press release issued by Federal Reserve Board has announced that preliminary unaudited results indicate that the Reserve Banks provided for payments of approximately $77.7 billion of their estimated 2013 net income to the U.S. Treasury.

The NMLS and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) have announced that effective January 1, 2014, agencies in Nevada, New Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico will no longer require mortgage loan originators (MLOs) to take a second specific test component when seeking licensure with their agencies. Thirty-nine state and territorial agencies have now adopted the new national SAFE Act MLO test.

The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have announced the availability of the public portions of resolution plans for 116 institutions that generally had less than $100 billion in qualifying nonbank assets, which submitted plans for the first time in December 2013, the latest group to file resolution plans with the agencies.

The Bureau's Blog features an article with tips for consumers on taking control of their mortgage payments.

The FFIEC has announced the availability of the 2014 CRA/HMDA Reporter newsletter, which contains information on collecting accurate CRA and HMDA data and guidance on completing data submissions.

HUD and Treasury have released the December 2013 Housing Scorecard, the Obama Administration's comprehensive report of the U.S. housing market. The agencies noted that since the beginning of 2012, the number of homeowners underwater has declined by 5.7 million and homeowners' equity has risen by 55 percent to $9.7 trillion, both "encouraging signs that the housing market recovery is providing millions of American homeowners with more economic security."

Treasury has designated three individuals and three entities under its Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) program, and added their names to the SDN List. Information on the designations has been posted in a BOL OFAC Update.

Today is the effective date for several of the major CFPB mortgage-related amendments to Regulations X and Z. We burned the midnight oil (well, not quite, but it was late) last night to ensure that our Read a Reg pages were current this morning, with all the January 10 changes melded into the rules. At the top of each affected page is a link back to the earlier version of the page with the old verbiage, with then-pending amendments noted. We'll be doing the same job to blend in the interagency HPML and Bureau ECOA Appraisal Rules for January 18. That will leave our Read a Reg pages annotated with further HPML Appraisal Rule amendments effective July 18, 2015, and Regulation X and Z amendments effective August 1, 2015, implementing the Bureau's Integrated RESPA/TILA Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure Rule.

The Federal Reserve Board has issued a request for comment on proposed revisions to the Regulation HH risk-management standards for certain financial market utilities that have been designated as systemically important by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC). Comments are also requested on related revisions to part I of the Federal Reserve Policy on Payment System Risk (PSR policy). Comments on both proposals must be submitted by March 31, 2014.

A press release issued by Federal Reserve Board has announced that preliminary unaudited results indicate that the Reserve Banks provided for payments of approximately $77.7 billion of their estimated 2013 net income to the U.S. Treasury.

The NMLS and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) have announced that effective January 1, 2014, agencies in Nevada, New Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico will no longer require mortgage loan originators (MLOs) to take a second specific test component when seeking licensure with their agencies. Thirty-nine state and territorial agencies have now adopted the new national SAFE Act MLO test.

http://www.bankersonline.com/topstory/november01.html

• OTS Announces CRA Examination Schedule for First Quarter 2002

  The OTS published a list of 86 savings associations that are scheduled for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examinations during the first quarter of 2002. OTS 01-81 11/30/01

• FDIC Reports Commercial Banks Earn $17.4 Billion in the Third Quarter, 2001

  Insured commercial banks earned $17.4 billion in the third quarter of 2001, a drop of almost 10 percent
  from third quarter profits the year before, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced. FDIC:PR-83-2001 11/30/01

• Regulators issue final rule to change their regulatory capital standards

  The agencies are changing their regulatory capital standards to address the treatment of recourse obligations, residual interests and direct credit substitutes that expose banks, bank holding companies, and thrifts (collectively, banking organizations) primarily to credit risk. The final rule treats recourse obligations and direct credit substitutes more consistently than the agencies' current risk-based capital standards and adds new standards for the treatment of residual interests, including a concentration limit for credit-enhancing interest-only strips. 66FR59613 (text)
  66FR59613 (pdf) FDIC-PR-82-2001, FDIC:FIL-99-2001, FRB Press Release, OCC:NR 2001-96, OCC 2001-49 11/29/01

• FRB is Proposing to Amend its Risk-based Capital Guidelines

  The FRB is proposing to amend its risk-based capital guidelines to clarify that deferred tax assets in excess of the allowable amount (disallowed deferred tax assets) are included in the items that are deducted from tier 1 capital for the purpose of determining the maximum allowable amount of tier 2 capital that a banking organization may include in qualifying total capital and the maximum allowable amount of term subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock that may be treated as supplementary capital. 66FR59176 text 66FR59176 pdf 11/28/01

• Treasury Issues Anti-Money Laundering Notice

  The notice provides interim guidance to financial institutions on how to comply with the requirements of sections 313 and 319(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. These anti-money laundering provisions concern the relationship between U.S. financial institutions and foreign banking institutions. FRB:SR 01-29 Treasury Notice 11/27/01

• OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 21 National Banks

  The OCC released a list of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations that became public during the period of October 15 through November 14, 2001. OCC:NR 2001-95 11/28/01

• OCC Announces 10 New Enforcement Actions

  The OCC announced 10 new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks. OCC:NR 2001-94 11/28/01

• Large credit unions post strong 3rd quarter results

  Federally insured credit unions with assets over $50 million grew a significant 12.81 percent in the first nine months of 2001 while the number of institutions declined slightly, down from 1,558 to 1,547. These institutions represent 15 percent of federally insured credit unions and nearly 83 percent of federally insured credit union assets. NCUA Press Release 11/28/01

• FDIC Distributes Annual Report Form on Indebtedness of Executive Officers and Principal Shareholders to Correspondent Banks

  The FFIEC 004 report is designed to assist an institution's executive officers and principal shareholders in complying with the federal banking agencies' regulations implementing the Act. FDIC:FIL-98-01 11/27/01

• FDIC to Broadcast Preliminary Bank Earnings Live on the Web

  The FDIC will announce preliminary third-quarter 2001 earnings for the commercial banking industry on Thursday,
  November 29, at 10:00 a.m. FDIC Live Broadcast 11/27/01

• NCUA Issues Final Rule on Regulatory Flexibility Program

  The NCUA Board is issuing a final rule that will permit credit unions with advanced levels of net worth and consistently strong supervisory examination ratings to be exempt, in whole or in part, from certain NCUA regulations. The NCUA Board is also issuing a final amendment to the appraisal regulation to increase the dollar threshold from $100,000 to $250,000 for when an appraisal is required. 66FR58656 (text) 66FR58656 (pdf) 11/26/01

• FRB Publishes Correction to Reg K

  The FRB is adopting correcting amendments to the final rule published in the Federal Register of October 26, 2001, regarding international banking operations and the corresponding delegations of authority. 66FR58655 (text) 66FR58655 (pdf) 11/26/01

• OTS Announces 20 October CRA Ratings

  The OTS announced savings associations' Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation ratings that became available in October 2001. OTS 01-79 11/26/01

• OTS Releases October Enforcement Statistics

  The OTS reported that it issued one enforcement order to an institution during the month of October. OTS 01-80 11/26/01

• FRB Releases Minutes from Discount Rate Meeting

  The FRB released the minutes of its discount rate meetings from September 24 to October 2, 2001. 11/19/01

• OCC Issues Semiannual Assessment

  The amendment revises the formula to establish a minimum base amount for the semiannual assessment for the first assessment bracket ($0-$2 million) of the assessment schedule. This change will enable the OCC to modestly adjust its assessments to better align with its costs of supervision. 66FR57645 (text) 66FR57645 (pdf) Correction 66FR58786 (text) 66FR58786 (pdf)11/16/01

• FRB publishes annual adjustment of trigger fee for additional mortgage loan disclosures

  Under the revision to the FRB’s staff commentary to Regulation Z, the dollar amount of the fee-based trigger has been adjusted from $465 for 2001 to $480 for 2002 based on the annual percentage change reflected in the Consumer Price Index that was in effect on June 1, 2001. FRB Press Release
  11/15/01

• Fed Announces Results of Study of the Payments System

  American consumers and businesses make 80 billion retail payments annually, nearly 50 billion by check and 30 billion by electronic instruments, such as credit cards, debit cards and the Automated Clearing House (ACH), according to the first comprehensive studies of the retail payments system by the Federal Reserve System in more than 20 years. FRB Press Release 11/15/01

• Agencies Issue Order Against the State Bank of India

  Federal and state banking regulators announced the issuance of a joint Order to Cease and Desist and Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty and Monetary Payment against the State Bank of India, Mumbai, India, and the bank's three branches in New York, New York, its branch in Chicago, Illinois, and its agency in Los Angeles, California. FDIC-PR-81-2001 11/15/01

• NCUA Issues Order of Prohibition

  The NCUA announced that it has issued an Order of Prohibition against Roslyn Keen, former manager of Millard Fillmore
  Hospital Federal Credit Union in Buffalo, New York. NCUA Press Release 11/15/01

• NCUA Chairman Addresses 4th Faith-Based Conference

  NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar told 150 representatives of faith-based credit unions that they have “a bright future and fill an important niche in the credit union community” and encouraged them to consider adopting their surrounding communities as a way to help offer a low-cost alternative to predatory lenders. NCUA Press Release 11/15/01

• NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar releases a statement regarding the U.S. Court of Appeals decision

  "The Court of Appeals’ decision issued represents a tremendous victory for NCUA and credit unions, but it is most of all a decisive win for the concept of consumer choice. We believe strongly that our field of membership rules adhered to both the letter and the spirit of the Credit Union Membership Access Act, and we are so pleased that the court overwhelmingly agreed. It is my hope that this unanimous ruling will be the beginning of the end to the nearly two decades of legal conflict pursued by the banking industry on both NCUA and America's credit unions. NCUA Press Release 11/15/01

• Court Dismisses ABA Challenge to NCUA's Field of Membership Rule

  The United States Court of Appeals dismissed the American Bankers Association suit against NCUA's field of membership regulation issued pursuant to the Credit Union Membership Access Act (CUMAA) November 9, 2001. The court found the ABA's arguments without merit and affirmed the district court's dismissal of the case, except for one claim dismissed as moot and another dismissed as unripe. NCUA Press Release 11/15/01

• FRB Releases Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices

  The October 2001 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices focused on changes in the supply of, and demand for, bank loans to businesses and households over the past three months. The survey included supplementary questions on banks' internal credit risk ratings for business loan customers, loans for the purpose of share buybacks, and liquidity in the secondary market for business loans. 11/14/01

• FDIC FIL about OFAC Changes

  The FDIC has published FIL-972001 to notify state-chartered nonmember banks about the 11/7 OAC list changes. [The OFAC change itself was previously covered on BOL.] FDIC:FIL-97-2001 11/14/01

• FRB Issues Advisory on the use of forward equity transactions by banking organizations

  The FRB has determined that shares covered by forward equity arrangements should not be included in the Tier 1 capital of a bank holding company or a state member bank. The amount to be excluded would be equal to the common stock, surplus, and retained earnings associated with the shares. FRB:SR 01-27 11/12/01

• Chairman Greenspan Designate Representatives to Air Transportation Stabilization Board

  FRB Chairman Alan Greenspan today designated Governor Edward M. Gramlich to serve in his place as the chairman of the Air Transportation Stabilization Board. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill designated Under Secretary for Domestic Finance Peter Fisher to serve in his place as a Board member and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta designated DOT General Counsel Kirk Van Tine to serve in his place as a Board member. FRB Press Release 11/12/01

• Challenges Faced by Women in Building and Maintaining Assets

  Remarks by Julie L. Williams, First Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
  Before the McAuley Institute’s 7th National Women and Housing Conference OCC:NR 2001- 93 11/12/01

• NCUA Issues Order of Prohibition

  The NCUA announced that it has issued an Order of Prohibition against Elizabeth A. Maxwell, former manager of Greater Southwest Federal Credit Union in Sugar Land, Texas. NCUA Press Release 11/9/01

• Thrift Holding Companies May Engage in Activities Approved for Financial Holding Companies, Says OTS

  The OTS published a proposed rule revising its regulations to make clear that all thrift holding companies are authorized under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 to engage in the same list of financial activities as financial holding companies are permitted by the Federal Reserve Board. Gramm-Leach-Bliley gave financial holding companies new powers to engage in activities that are financial in nature, incidental to a financial activity or complementary to a financial activity. 66FR56488 (text) 66FR56488 (pdf) OTS 01-77 11/8/01

• FDIC Report Says Risks in Banks' Loan Portfolios and Loan Administration have Increased Slightly

  FDIC examiners have reported increases in risks in banks' loan portfolios and in the way loans are administered, according to the agency's latest Report on Underwriting Practices, which covers the six months ending September 30, 2001. FDIC:PR-80-2001 11/8/01

• NCUA Chairman Visits New York Credit Unions Recovering from September 11 Attacks

  NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar received a briefing from leaders of New York credit unions impacted by the tragedy on September 11, as well as NCUA regional staff and representatives of New York state regulatory authorities. NCUA Press Release 11/8/01

• Terrorist Additions to the OFAC SDN List

  OFAC has added additional entities and individuals to the list of SDGTs. The names have been inserted into all versions of the SDN list and the brochure on Terrorism. OCC:Alert 2001-14 11/7/01

• FRB Lowers Fed Funds Rate to 2 Percent

  The FOMC decided to lower its target for the federal funds rate by 50 basis points to 2 percent. In a related action, the Board of Governors approved a 50 basis point reduction in the discount rate to 1-1/2 percent. FRB Press Release 11/7/01

• FDIC Publishes Historical Statistics on Banking

  The Historical Statistics on Banking provides annual statistical information on the banking industry beginning in 1934. These data can be used to identify and analyze long-term trends and to develop benchmarks to evaluate the current condition of the banking and thrift industries. 11/7/01

• FDIC Issues November of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance

  The FDIC issued its monthly list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions in August 2001. FDIC:PR-79-2001 11/6/01

• NCUA Holds Historic Public Budget Briefing Announces 33.5 Staff Reductions In 2002 And Projection Of Planned Budget Decrease in Agency's 2003 Budget

  NCUA held its first open budget briefing with the agency's three-member Board participating with the public in the historic event. The Budget Briefing and Public Forum was announced in September by NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar as a way to “shed additional light” on the NCUA budget process and allow the credit union industry and interested parties the opportunity to provide views and opinions for the agency's consideration. NCUA Press Release 11/6/01

• Seidman Recounts OTS Accomplishments In Farewell Address to Thrifts

  In her farewell address to the thrift industry, Office of Thrift Supervision Director Ellen Seidman reviewed her four-year
  tenure, a time of enhanced profitability and stability for both OTS and the thrift industry. She focused on her actions to rebuild OTS, enhance communication between the agency and thrifts, and improve the thrift charter. OTS 01-76 11/6/01

• Crossing the Bridge to Self-Employment

  A guide to state and federal programs for people who seek to start their own businesses. 11/6/01

• OTS Outlines Refinements to Mutual Examination Process

  The OTS issued updated guidance on the examination of mutual institutions. OTS 01-75 11/5/01

• OCC Guidance Cautions National Banks on Third Party Relationships

  The OCC issued guidance on managing the risks that arise when national banks have business relationships with third
  parties. OCC:NR 2001- 92 11/5/01

• The National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) issued Advisory 01-026 to advise computer users of the increased potential for distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. A previous advisory on DDoS attacks had been issued in September, but the NIPC notes that cyber protests and hacktivist activity have increased since the previous advisory (01-021) was issued and the potential for targeting U.S. organizations is higher than in September. 11/5/01

• Washington Postal Federal Credit Union responds to an onsite crisis

  After two postal workers died from anthrax inhalation at the Brentwood Road Mail Processing Center in northeast Washington, D.C., the facility was shut down Sunday, October 21, 2001. No one can enter the quarantined building for what may be up to 12 weeks. NCUA Press Release 11/2/01

• OTS Issues Proposed Rule to Clarify its Lending and Investment Regulations

  The OTS proposes to revise and clarify its lending and investment regulations to give savings associations greater flexibility in a changing marketplace. The proposed regulatory amendments are intended to help thrifts take better advantage of the flexibility available under the Home Owners' Loan Act (``HOLA''), to provide low-cost credit to their customers, and to invest in their communities while still operating safely and soundly. 66FR55131 (text),
  66FR55131 (pdf) Correction 66FR59050 11/1/01

• OCC Issues Correction to Final Rule the would Amend that Percentage of Capital and Surplus a Bank may Loan

  The OCC recently published a final rule amending part 32, the regulation governing the percentage of capital and surplus that a national bank may loan to any one borrower. Inadvertently, six cross-references in the existing regulation were not amended to reflect changes made by the final rule. 66FR55071 (text),
  66FR55071 (pdf), Original Published Final Rule 11/1/01

• FRB Approves Fee Schedules for Payment Services

  The price level for Federal Reserve priced services in 2002 is projected to increase 2.1 percent from the 2001 level. Because of fee reductions in recent years, the overall price level has risen only 3.5 percent since 1996. FRB Press Release 11/1/01

• FDIC Approves Sale Of Superior Federal Bank, FSB, Hinsdale, Illinois

  The Board of Directors of the FDIC approved the sale of the branches and deposits of Superior Federal Bank, FSB. The winning bidder is Charter One Bank, FSB, Cleveland, Ohio. FDIC:PR-78-2001 11/1/01

• Dollar Calls Overhead Transfer Funding Process Both Congressionally Authorized And Historically Successful

  NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar has called the agency’s funding process in which a portion of the agency’s budget is allocated to the share insurance fund as an “overhead transfer” to cover insurance-related costs “legally strong and proven successful over 30 years of credit union growth and increased financial stability. NCUA Press Release 11/1/01

• NCUA Issues Order of Prohibition

  The NCUA announced that it has issued an Order of Prohibition against Jill Marie Swatloski, former branch manager of Valley
  Communities Credit Union in Mosinee, Wisconsin. NCUA Press Release 11/1/01

• FDIC Makes Public September Enforcement Actions; One Administrative Hearing Scheduled

  The FDIC released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in September. One administrative hearing is scheduled for November. FDIC:PR-77-2001 11/1/01

• OTS Proposes Revising Lending Rule To Enhance Thrift Flexibility, Clarifies Existing Lending Rule, Starts Pilot Program To Ease Disparities

  The OTS proposed changing its lending and investment regulations to allow thrifts greater flexibility to provide low-cost credit to their customers and to invest in their communities while still operating safely and soundly. OTS also reminded thrifts of the lending and investment flexibility they already have under existing rules and announced a pilot program to alleviate competitive lending disparities for thrifts. OTS 01-74 11/1/01

The Federal Reserve Board has published the November 2013 update to the Consumer Compliance Handbook. [Full Manual (711-page PDF); Links to sections] A summary of changes was also released.

The Federal Reserve has announced two orders of assessment of civil money penalty (CMP) for violations of the Flood Act against Tioga State Bank, Spencer, NY ($4,180) and TransPecos Bank, Pecos, TX ($2,710). The links for details regarding the CMPs have been posted on the BOL Flood Penalties Watch page.

Federal Reserve Bank Services has posted the January 2014 issue of FedFocus, which features the results of the 2013 Federal Reserve Payments Study. Other articles discuss the FedTransaction Analyzer tool, the continuation of the America the Beautiful quarters program, business continuity, and new check adjustment webinars.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has published in today's Federal Register a notice of availability of three revised consumer publications, including a consumer information brochure and two booklets required under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Regulation X, the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), and Regulation Z. The CFPB is making technical and conforming changes to each of the three publications in conjunction with the January 2014 effective dates for many provisions of the Bureau's rulemakings that regulate practices in mortgage origination and servicing. Those who provide these publications may use earlier versions until existing supplies are exhausted. However, when reprinting these publications, the most recent version should be used.

• What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC Brochure)
• Consumer Handbook on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (CHARM Booklet)
• Shopping for Your Home Loan, Settlement Cost Booklet

The Federal Reserve Board has published the November 2013 update to the Consumer Compliance Handbook. [Full Manual (711-page PDF); Links to sections] A summary of changes was also released.

The Federal Reserve has announced two orders of assessment of civil money penalty (CMP) for violations of the Flood Act against Tioga State Bank, Spencer, NY ($4,180) and TransPecos Bank, Pecos, TX ($2,710). The links for details regarding the CMPs have been posted on the BOL Flood Penalties Watch page.