[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59219-59223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22586]



[[Page 59219]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

12 CFR Part 1238

RIN 2590-AA47


Stress Testing of Regulated Entities

AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance Agency.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule implements section 165(i)(2) of the Dodd-Frank 
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) and 
requires the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and each of the 
twelve Federal Home Loan Banks (Banks) (any of the Banks singularly, 
Bank; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac collectively, the Enterprises; the 
Enterprises and the Banks collectively, regulated entities; any of the 
regulated entities singularly, regulated entity) that has total 
consolidated assets of more than $10 billion to conduct annual stress 
tests to determine whether the companies have the capital necessary to 
absorb losses as a result of adverse economic conditions. The rule 
reflects the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA's) supervisory 
judgment after considering public comments and is grounded in its 
regulatory and supervisory authority and obligation to ensure the 
safety and soundness of the regulated entities under the Federal 
Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as 
amended (Safety and Soundness Act) and the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, 
as amended (Bank Act). In accordance with section 165(i)(2)(C) of the 
Dodd-Frank Act, FHFA has coordinated with the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System (FRB), and the Federal Insurance Office.

DATES: Effective Date: October 28, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naa Awaa Tagoe, Senior Associate 
Director, Office of Financial Analysis, Modeling and Simulations, (202) 
649-3140, [email protected]; Fred Graham, Deputy Director, 
Division of Federal Home Loan Bank Regulation, (202) 649-3500, 
[email protected]; or Mark D. Laponsky, Deputy General Counsel, 
Office of General Counsel, (202) 649-3054 (these are not toll-free 
numbers), [email protected]. The telephone number for the 
Telecommunications Device for the Hearing Impaired is (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The purpose of this final rule is to ensure stronger regulation of 
the regulated entities by providing FHFA with additional, forward-
looking information that will help it assess the capital adequacy of 
the regulated entities under various scenarios. Section 165(i)(2) of 
the Dodd-Frank Act requires certain financial companies with total 
consolidated assets of more than $10 billion, and which are regulated 
by a primary federal financial regulatory agency, to conduct annual 
stress tests to determine whether the companies have the capital 
necessary to absorb losses as a result of adverse economic conditions. 
The FHFA is the primary federal financial regulator of the regulated 
entities. While each of the regulated entities currently has total 
consolidated assets of more than $10 billion, the final rule expressly 
retains the Director's discretion to require any regulated entity that 
falls below the $10 billion threshold to conduct the stress test.
    The rule sets forth the basic requirements for implementing stress 
tests and reporting the results. FHFA anticipates supplementing this 
rule annually with reporting schedules, guidance, and orders (that may 
include adjustments to the instructions and advice, changes to the 
required content and format, and to transmit the annual scenarios to 
the regulated entities).
    An initial Order, issued under 12 U.S.C. 4514(a), which allows for 
enforceable Orders to submit reports, and Summary Instructions and 
Guidance, which identifies specific elements of the stress test, are 
being published contemporaneously with this rule.

II. Discussion of Public Comments

    On October 5, 2012, FHFA published in the Federal Register a 
proposed rule to implement the Dodd-Frank stress testing requirements 
for the regulated entities. The comment period closed on December 4, 
2012, after one 30 day extension.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 77 FR 60948 (Oct. 5, 2012) and 77 FR 66566 (Nov. 6, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FHFA received three comments: One from Freddie Mac; one joint 
comment from the Banks; and one comment from a private citizen who 
works in the financial services industry. All comments are available on 
FHFA's Web site, http://www.fhfa.gov. The proposed rule sought comments 
on the content of the proposal and on certain specific reporting 
elements FHFA was considering for inclusion in a subsequent Order. 
Comments recognized the proposal's alignment with the Dodd-Frank stress 
rules published by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), 
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the FRB, but 
urged even closer alignment in the content of the rule and in practices 
developed for implementing it.

A. Implementation and Time Frames

    Significant comments addressed implementation time frames, arguing 
that the proposed reporting dates did not provide sufficient time for 
regulated entities to develop systems that would yield meaningful 
results. Minimum implementation periods of 180 to 270 days from the 
date the final rule is published were suggested. FHFA recognizes that 
the OCC and the FDIC allow deferred, delayed, or phased implementation 
of stress testing programs based on an institution's size and prior 
experience in conducting stress tests. In light of the fact that the 
other regulators have delayed implementation, FHFA has decided to delay 
implementation of the rule and require stress tests based on portfolios 
as of September 30, 2013 (instead of 2012) and each September 30 
thereafter. This final rule reflects this decision.
    The Enterprises will be required to report on specific FHFA-
required stress tests, as they have in the past, as well as the Dodd-
Frank stress tests under this rule based on portfolios as of September 
30, 2013; thereafter, the Enterprises will only be required to report 
the results of stress testing under this rule. The Banks will be 
required to conduct stress tests and report results beginning with the 
September 30, 2013 as of date for portfolios. Consequently, stress 
testing under this rule will not take place until after September 30, 
2013, and reporting under this rule will not be required until 2014. 
Commenters also requested greater certainty with respect to when FHFA 
will issue the scenarios and the ``as of'' date for counterparty 
trading exposures, and suggested alternative ``as of'' dates for 
counterparty trading exposures. FHFA will issue the scenarios within 15 
calendar days after scenarios are issued by the FRB. In the final rule, 
FHFA is aligning the ``as of'' date for counterparty trading exposures 
with the dates for the portfolio (September 30).

B. Scenarios

    The Banks asked whether FHFA would provide the same scenarios to 
each Bank, suggesting that the only variations should be the use of 
region-specific House Price Indexes. FHFA agrees that a uniform set of 
scenarios is necessary to provide a basis for

[[Page 59220]]

comparison across companies. FHFA expects to prescribe a uniform set of 
scenarios for all the regulated entities that is generally consistent 
and comparable with the scenarios provided by the FRB, FDIC, and OCC. 
The uniformity will facilitate comparison of stress test results across 
the regulated entities and with other financial institutions.

C. Methodologies

    The Banks requested that Sec.  1238.4 of the rule expressly state 
that the stress testing and related reports will be required to address 
only items that would be material to a Bank's capital and earnings. 
Similarly, they asked that they may use their own business assumptions 
for certain inputs such as replenishment of runoff assets and 
liabilities to calculate future income projections for the scenarios 
provided by FHFA. FHFA will clarify questions about materiality and 
about which institution-specific business assumptions may be used for 
implementing the scenarios in the Order.
    Section 1238.4(a) of the proposed rule would require each regulated 
entity to calculate the impact of each scenario on three categories of 
data for each quarter of the planning horizon. The Banks and Freddie 
Mac presented significant objections to requiring calculations of the 
effect on market value of equity (MVE) during each quarter of the 
planning horizon for each scenario. The Banks and Freddie Mac objected 
to including MVE as a required qualitative disclosure, asserting that 
the disclosure is unhelpful and that requiring the disclosure over the 
planning horizon is both complex and requires the establishment of 
significant additional controls to ensure accurate projections. They 
also pointed out that it is a measurement not required by the stress 
test rules of the other regulators. FHFA understands these objections 
and has eliminated MVE calculation and reporting from the final rule.
    The Banks and Freddie Mac commented on the structure of required 
controls proposed by Sec.  1238.4(d). They pointed out that the 
required controls could be clearer and better aligned with the 
regulations of the other regulators. After review, FHFA adjusted the 
final rule to distinguish better between the obligations of the board 
of directors and management, aligning this rule more closely with the 
other regulators' stress test rules. Senior management is responsible 
for establishing and testing controls. The board of directors or a 
designated committee thereof is responsible for reviewing and approving 
policies and procedures established to comply with the rule. Senior 
management and each member of the board of directors are to receive a 
summary of the stress test results.

D. Reporting and Confidentiality

    The proposed rule would have required the regulated entities to 
report results to FHFA and the FRB by January 5 of each year and 
publish summaries of stress test results for all three scenarios within 
90 days thereafter. The Banks and Freddie Mac requested that FHFA 
conform with other regulatory agencies by changing the rule to require 
the regulated entities to publish only the results of the severely 
adverse scenario. The citizen noted that publishing results 90 days 
after reporting to the FRB and FHFA is too long a delay. The Banks 
noted the possibility that stress test results could constitute 
material information requiring disclosure under securities laws sooner 
than 90 days after publication.
    FHFA understands that publication by a regulated entity of the 
results of the baseline and adverse scenarios could be misinterpreted 
as earnings projections. Consequently, FHFA's final rule requires the 
regulated entities to publish the results of only the severely adverse 
scenario.
    FHFA is also mindful of the fact that scenarios will be provided to 
the regulated entities up to 15 days after the FRB provides scenarios 
to its financial institutions, and that unlike the Enterprises, the 
Banks have not previously had to comply with a stress testing 
requirement. The final rule requires the Enterprises to report results 
to FHFA and the FRB by February 5 (30 days after required reporting 
dates for financial institutions with $50 billion or more of assets) 
and to publish results between April 15 and April 30. It requires the 
Banks to report results to FHFA and the FRB by April 30 (30 days after 
required reporting dates for financial institutions with less than $50 
billion of assets) and to publish results between July 15 and July 30. 
The 15 day window within which publication is required is measured to 
ensure publication not later than 90 days after filing, but not sooner 
than prudent thus allowing for a period of agency review before 
release.
    The Banks requested that FHFA delay required publication of initial 
results until 2014, based on data as of September 2013. In view of the 
changes made to delay implementation until the September 2013 as of 
date, no further adjustments are needed.
    The Banks requested that the rule state explicitly that test 
results reported to the FRB and FHFA will be treated as confidential 
supervisory information exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of 
Information Act and 12 CFR 1202.4 of this chapter. FHFA agrees that the 
results generally are supervisory and examination-related material, the 
disclosure of which is not required under the Freedom of Information 
Act or 12 CFR 1202.4. However, FHFA declines the request that it 
restrict its own discretion under the law to determine the 
appropriateness of disclosure. FHFA intends to retain its discretion to 
disclose as appropriate. Nonetheless, Sec.  1238.5(c) of the final rule 
reflects changes needed to clarify that reported results are non-public 
information and may not be released unless disclosure is authorized by 
this part, legal obligation (such as other law, court order, or 
subpoena), or by the Director of FHFA.

E. Other Matters

    The Banks and Freddie Mac requested clarification of several terms 
that were not used in the proposed rule text, but were anticipated for 
use in a supplemental Order. In the proposal FHFA identified elements 
it anticipated requiring for annual reporting. Both the Banks' and 
Freddie Mac's comments seek clarification of the phrase ``comparable 
level of detail to SEC filings'' with respect to income statement and 
balance sheet reporting. The Banks request clarification of the terms 
``credit-related expenses'' and ``foreclosed property expenses.'' The 
regulated entities will have the opportunity to review the reporting 
schedule for stress test results and resolve any issues requiring 
further clarification before the schedules are finalized.
    For the baseline scenario, FHFA requested comment on requiring 
disclosure of ``[t]he sensitivity of the book value of capital and 
market value of equity to parallel interest rate shocks (e.g., plus and 
minus 50 basis points and 100 basis points) at the `as of' date of the 
stress test.'' Freddie Mac commented that the disclosure is 
unnecessary, as it provides comparable sensitivity disclosures in its 
quarterly disclosure reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(SEC). Freddie Mac noted that the other regulators do not require this 
disclosure. Fannie Mae, although not commenting on the proposed rule, 
also includes comparable quantitative and qualitative market risk 
disclosures in the quarterly disclosures it files with the SEC. FHFA 
removed the proposed requirement to calculate and report sensitivities 
of the book value of

[[Page 59221]]

capital and MVE to parallel rate shocks from the final rule.
    The Banks argued that FHFA should publish and allow advance comment 
on several aspects of the stress testing exercise including schedules, 
guidance, and scenarios. FHFA's response is that the regulated entities 
will be given appropriate opportunities to consult with FHFA on the 
content and annual implementation of the tests.

III. Summary of Final Rule

Authority and Purpose--Sec.  1238.1
    Section 1238.1 is unchanged from the proposed rule, describing the 
authority and purpose of this rulemaking. As the primary federal 
financial regulator of the regulated entities, FHFA issues this rule to 
implement the Dodd-Frank Act's annual stress test requirement for 
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and each of the Federal Home Loan Banks. FHFA 
coordinated with the FRB and the Federal Insurance Office to develop 
the rule and ensure consistent and comparable regulations for annual 
stress testing.
Definitions--Sec.  1238.2
    Section 1238.2 of the rule defines a number of terms used in 
section 165(i)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act and in this part, including a 
definition of the statutory term ``stress test,'' as required by 
section 165(i)(2)(C)(i). Changes were made in this section to delete 
certain terms that have been generally defined in 12 CFR 1201.1 of this 
chapter.
Annual Stress Test--Sec.  1238.3
    The rule requires a regulated entity to use its data as of 
September 30 of that calendar year. The final rule reflects FHFA's 
decision after considering comments to provide a single and consistent 
``as of'' date for the portfolio data used for stress testing. The 
final rule commits FHFA to providing to all regulated entities a 
description of the baseline, adverse, and severely adverse scenarios 
that each regulated entity shall use to conduct its annual stress tests 
under this part within 15 calendar days after the FRB issues scenarios 
to its regulated financial institutions.
Methodologies and Practices--Sec.  1238.4
    Section 1238.4 provides that, in conducting a stress test, each 
regulated entity is required to calculate how certain financial values 
and ratios are affected during each of the nine quarters of the stress 
test planning horizon, for each scenario. The final rule removes the 
requirement of measuring effects on MVE.
    Section 1238.4(c) is unchanged in the final rule and provides that, 
if FHFA determines that the stress test methodologies and practices of 
a regulated entity are deficient, it can require the regulated entity 
to use additional or alternative analytical techniques and exercises to 
fulfill the stress test requirement. The final rule provides that FHFA 
will issue guidance annually to describe the scenarios and 
methodologies to be used in conducting the stress tests. Section 
1238.4(d)(1) of the final rule clarifies that the senior management of 
each regulated entity is responsible for establishing and maintaining a 
system of controls, oversight, testing, and documentation to ensure 
that the stress testing process is effective to meet the requirements 
of part 1238. Section 1238.4(d)(2) reflects FHFA's decision that each 
regulated entity's board of directors is required to review and approve 
the policies and procedures established by senior management at least 
annually. It also requires that each member of the board of directors 
and senior management receives a copy of the stress test results.
Required Report to FHFA and the FRB of Stress Test Results and Related 
Information--Sec.  1238.5
    Section 1238.5 changes the date by which stress test results are 
required to be reported to the FRB and FHFA. Instead of January 5 of 
each year, reports are required on or before February 5 for the 
Enterprises, and on or before April 30 for the Banks. The reports are 
required to be filed in the manner and form established by FHFA. 
Section 1238.5 of the proposed rule also specifies the confidentiality 
requirements that govern the release of information contained in the 
annual report and other information required to be submitted that is 
related to the annual report. In response to comments, FHFA has changed 
the confidentiality provision of this final rule to reflect more 
clearly that results filed with FHFA become the non-public property of 
the agency, are considered supervisory and examination material, and 
may only be disclosed in accordance with the final rule, legal 
obligation (such as other law, court order, or subpoena), or as 
otherwise authorized by the Director.
Post-Assessment Actions by Regulated Entities--Sec.  1238.6
    No changes were made to section 1238.6 as proposed. The final rule 
requires that each regulated entity take the results of the annual 
stress test into account in making any changes, as appropriate, to its 
capital structure (including the level and composition of capital); its 
exposures, concentrations, and risk positions; any plans for recovery 
and resolution; and to improve overall risk management. Consultation 
with FHFA supervisory staff is expected in making such improvements. If 
a regulated entity is under FHFA conservatorship, any post-assessment 
actions would require FHFA's prior approval.
Publication of Results by Regulated Entities--Sec.  1238.7
    The final rule specifies a two week window within which the 
mandatory publication must occur, rather than requiring publication 
within 90 days after filing. The rule also clarifies that publication 
of the results of only the severely adverse scenario is required, 
rather than the results of each scenario. The section also identifies 
the minimum elements of the regulated entity's public disclosure.
Additional Implementing Action--Sec.  1238.8
    Section 1238.8 of the final rule is unchanged from the proposal and 
provides that the Director may require a regulated entity with total 
consolidated assets below $10 billion to conduct stress testing under 
this part; and, from time to time, issue such guidance and orders as 
may be necessary to facilitate implementation of this part.

IV. Coordination With the FRB and the Federal Insurance Office

    In accordance with section 165(i)(2)(C), FHFA has coordinated the 
final rule with both the FRB and the Federal Insurance Office. The FRB 
published two final rules, one covering ``bank holding companies with 
total consolidated assets greater than $10 billion but less than $50 
billion and state member banks and savings and loan holding companies 
with total consolidated assets greater than $10 billion'' \2\; and a 
second covering ``large bank holding companies and nonbank financial 
companies,'' \3\ also known as ``covered companies,'' on October 12, 
2012 \4\; the FDIC issued its final rule on October 15, 2012 \5\; the 
OCC issued its final rule on October 9, 2012.\6\ Although FHFA's final 
rule is not identical to those of the FRB, the FDIC, and the OCC, it is 
consistent and comparable with them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 77 FR 62396 (Oct. 12, 2012).
    \3\ Id.
    \4\ 77 FR 62378 (Oct. 12, 2012).
    \5\ 77 FR 62417 (Oct. 15, 2012).
    \6\ 77 FR 61238 (Oct. 9, 2012).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 59222]]

V. Differences Between Banks and Enterprises

    Section 1313 of the Safety and Soundness Act requires the Director 
to consider the differences between the Banks and the Enterprises 
whenever promulgating regulations that affect the Banks. In developing 
this rule, FHFA considered the differences between the Banks and the 
Enterprises, but also adhered to the statutory mandate that the 
regulation be ``consistent and comparable'' with the regulations of the 
other agencies. In the final rule, FHFA requires different timeframes 
for reporting stress test results for the Enterprises versus the Banks. 
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have experience completing stress tests 
using scenarios defined by the regulator, whereas the Banks have not 
conducted similar exercises. Therefore, for the Enterprises, FHFA set 
the dates for reporting stress test results to the regulator and to the 
public in proximity to similar dates in the other agencies' rules for 
institutions with over $50 billion in assets. Reporting dates for all 
the Banks, regardless of size, are set in proximity to similar dates 
for institutions with less than $50 billion in assets. As a result, the 
Banks have almost three additional months to report results to FHFA and 
to the public.

VI. Regulatory Impact

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The final rule does not contain any collections of information 
pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.). Therefore, FHFA has not submitted any information to the Office 
of Management and Budget for review.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The proposed rule applies only to the regulated entities, which do 
not come within the meaning of small entities as defined in the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (see 5 U.S.C. 601(6)). Therefore, in 
accordance with section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 605(b)), FHFA certifies that this final rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1238

    Administrative practice and procedure, Capital, Federal Home Loan 
Banks, Government-sponsored enterprises, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Stress test.


0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Federal Housing Finance 
Agency adds part 1238 to subchapter B, to Title 12, Chapter XII of the 
Code of Federal Regulations to read as follows:

PART 1238--STRESS TESTING OF REGULATED ENTITIES

Sec.
1238.1 Authority and purpose.
1238.2 Definitions.
1238.3 Annual stress test.
1238.4 Methodologies and practices.
1238.5 Required report to FHFA and the FRB of stress test results 
and related information.
1238.6 Post-assessment actions by regulated entities.
1238.7 Publication of results by regulated entities.
1238.8 Additional implementing action.

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1426; 4513; 4526; 4612; 5365(i).


Sec.  1238.1  Authority and purpose.

    (a) Authority. This part is issued by the Federal Housing Finance 
Agency (FHFA) under section 165(i) of Title I of the Dodd-Frank Wall 
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) (Pub. L. 
111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 1423-32 (2010), 12 U.S.C. 5365(i)), the 
Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, 
as amended (12 U.S.C. 4513, 4526, 4612), and the Federal Home Loan Bank 
Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1426).
    (b) Purpose. (1) This part implements section 165(i)(2) of the 
Dodd-Frank Act, which requires all large financial companies that have 
total consolidated assets of more than $10 billion, and are regulated 
by a primary federal financial regulatory agency, to conduct annual 
stress tests. To ensure the safety and soundness of the regulated 
entities, the Director reserves and retains the discretion to apply 
this part to any regulated entity with less than $10 billion total 
consolidated assets in a particular year.
    (2) This part establishes requirements that apply to each regulated 
entity's performance of annual stress tests. The purpose of the annual 
stress test is to provide the regulated entities, FHFA, and the FRB 
with additional, forward-looking information that will help them to 
assess capital adequacy at the regulated entities under various 
scenarios; to review the regulated entities' stress test results; and 
to increase public disclosure of the regulated entities' capital 
condition by requiring broad dissemination of the stress test scenarios 
and results.


Sec.  1238.2  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part, the following definitions apply:
    Federal Home Loan Banks mean the Federal Home Loan Banks 
established under section 12 of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (12 
U.S.C. 1432). Each Bank is a regulated entity.
    Federal Housing Finance Agency or FHFA means the agency established 
by 12 U.S.C. 4511.
    Planning horizon means the period of time over which the stress 
projections must extend. The planning horizon cannot be less than nine 
quarters.
    Regulated entities means, collectively, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, 
and the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks.
    Scenarios are sets of economic and financial conditions used in the 
regulated entities' stress tests, including baseline, adverse, and 
severely adverse.
    Stress test is a process to assess the potential impact on a 
regulated entity of economic and financial conditions (``scenarios'') 
on the consolidated earnings, losses, and capital of the regulated 
entity over a set planning horizon, taking into account the current 
condition of the regulated entity and the regulated entity's risks, 
exposures, strategies, and activities.


Sec.  1238.3  Annual stress test.

    (a) In general. Each regulated entity:
    (1) Shall complete an annual stress test of itself based on its 
data as of September 30 of that calendar year;
    (2) The stress test shall be conducted in accordance with this 
section and the methodologies and practices described in Sec.  1238.4 
and in any supplemental guidance or Order.
    (b) Scenarios provided by FHFA. In conducting its annual stress 
tests under this section, each regulated entity must use scenarios 
provided by FHFA, which shall be generally consistent and comparable to 
those established by the FRB, that reflect a minimum of three sets of 
economic and financial conditions, including a baseline, adverse, and 
severely adverse scenario. Not later than 15 days after the FRB 
publishes its scenarios, FHFA will issue to all regulated entities a 
description of the baseline, adverse, and severely adverse scenarios 
that each regulated entity shall use to conduct its annual stress tests 
under this part.


Sec.  1238.4  Methodologies and practices.

    (a) Potential impact. Except as noted in this subpart, in 
conducting a stress test under Sec.  1238.3, each regulated entity 
shall calculate how each of the following is affected during each 
quarter of the stress test planning horizon, for each scenario:
    (1) Potential losses, pre-provision net revenues, allowance for 
loan losses, and future pro forma capital positions over the planning 
horizon; and
    (2) Capital levels and capital ratios, including regulatory capital 
and net

[[Page 59223]]

worth, each Bank's leverage and permanent capital ratios, and any other 
capital ratios, specified by FHFA.
    (b) Planning horizon. Each regulated entity must use a planning 
horizon of at least nine quarters over which the impact of specified 
scenarios would be assessed.
    (c) Additional analytical techniques. If FHFA determines that the 
stress test methodologies and practices of a regulated entity are 
deficient, FHFA may determine that additional or alternative analytical 
techniques and exercises are appropriate for a regulated entity to use 
in identifying, measuring, and monitoring risks to the financial 
soundness of the regulated entity, and require a regulated entity to 
implement such techniques and exercises in order to fulfill the 
requirements of this part. In addition, FHFA will issue guidance 
annually to describe the baseline, adverse, and severely adverse 
scenarios, and methodologies to be used in conducting the annual stress 
test.
    (d) Controls and oversight of stress testing processes.--(1) The 
appropriate senior management of each regulated entity must ensure that 
the regulated entity establishes and maintains a system of controls, 
oversight, and documentation, including policies and procedures, 
designed to ensure that the stress testing processes used by the 
regulated entity are effective in meeting the requirements of this 
part. These policies and procedures must, at a minimum, describe the 
regulated entity's testing practices and methodologies, validation and 
use of stress test results, and processes for updating the regulated 
entity's stress testing practices consistent with relevant supervisory 
guidance;
    (2) The board of directors, or a designated committee thereof, 
shall review and approve the policies and procedures established to 
comply with this part as frequently as economic conditions or the 
condition of the regulated entity warrants, but at least annually; and
    (3) Senior management of the regulated entity and each member of 
the board of directors shall receive a summary of the stress test 
results.


Sec.  1238.5  Required report to FHFA and the FRB of stress test 
results and related information.

    (a) Report required for stress tests. On or before February 5 of 
each year, the Enterprises must report the results of the stress tests 
required under Sec.  1238.3 to FHFA, and to the FRB, in accordance with 
paragraph (b) of this section; and on or before April 30 of each year, 
the Banks must report the results of the stress tests required under 
Sec.  1238.3 to FHFA, and to the FRB, in accordance with paragraph (b) 
of this section;
    (b) Content of report for annual stress test. Each regulated entity 
must file a report in the manner and form established by FHFA.
    (c) Confidential treatment of information submitted. Reports 
submitted to FHFA under this part are FHFA property and records (as 
defined in 12 CFR part 1202 of this chapter). The reports are and 
include non-public information contained in or related to examination, 
operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the 
use of, FHFA in connection with the performance of the agency's 
responsibilities regulating or supervising its regulated entities. 
Disclosure of any reports submitted to FHFA or the information 
contained in any such report is prohibited unless authorized by this 
part, legal obligation, or otherwise by the Director of FHFA.


Sec.  1238.6  Post-assessment actions by regulated entities.

    Each regulated entity shall take the results of the stress test 
conducted under Sec.  1238.3 into account in making changes, as 
appropriate, to the regulated entity's capital structure (including the 
level and composition of capital); its exposures, concentrations, and 
risk positions; any plans for recovery and resolution; and to improve 
overall risk management. If a regulated entity is under FHFA 
conservatorship, any post-assessment actions shall require prior FHFA 
approval.


Sec.  1238.7  Publication of results by regulated entities.

    (a) Public disclosure of results required for stress tests of 
regulated entities. The Enterprises must disclose publicly a summary of 
the stress test results for the severely adverse scenario not earlier 
than April 15 and not later than April 30 of each year. Each Bank must 
disclose publicly a summary of the stress test results for the severely 
adverse scenario not earlier than July 15 and not later than July 30 of 
each year. The summary may be published on the regulated entity's Web 
site or in any other form that is reasonably accessible to the public;
    (b) Information to be disclosed in the summary. The information 
disclosed by each regulated entity shall, at a minimum, include--
    (1) A description of the types of risks being included in the 
stress test;
    (2) A high-level description of the scenario provided by FHFA, 
including key variables (such as GDP, unemployment rate, housing 
prices, foreclosure rate, etc.);
    (3) A general description of the methodologies employed to estimate 
losses, pre-provision net revenue, allowance for loan losses, and 
changes in capital positions over the planning horizon;
    (4) A general description of the use of the required stress test as 
one element in a regulated entity's overall capital planning and 
capital adequacy assessment. If a regulated entity is under FHFA 
conservatorship, this description shall be coordinated with FHFA;
    (5) Aggregate losses, pre-provision net revenue, allowance for loan 
losses, net income, net worth, and each Bank's leverage and permanent 
capital ratios, pro forma capital levels and capital ratios (including 
regulatory and any other capital ratios specified by FHFA) over the 
planning horizon, under the scenario; and
    (6) Such other data fields, in such form (e.g., aggregated), as the 
Director may require.


Sec.  1238.8  Additional implementing action.

    The Director may, in circumstances considered appropriate, require 
any regulated entity not subject to this part to conduct stress testing 
hereunder; and from time to time, issue such guidance and orders as may 
be necessary to facilitate implementation of this part.

    Dated September 9, 2013.
Edward J. DeMarco,
Acting Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency.
[FR Doc. 2013-22586 Filed 9-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8070-01-P