[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17901-17910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08558]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 17901]]



NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 702

RIN 3133-AE80


Capital Planning and Supervisory Stress Testing

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The NCUA Board (Board) is issuing this final rule to amend its 
regulations regarding capital planning and stress testing for federally 
insured credit unions with $10 billion or more in assets (covered 
credit unions). The final rule reduces regulatory burden by removing 
some of the capital planning and stress testing requirements currently 
applicable to certain covered credit unions. The final rule also makes 
the NCUA's requirements more efficient by, among other things, 
authorizing covered credit unions to conduct their own stress tests in 
accordance with the NCUA's requirements and permitting covered credit 
unions to incorporate the stress test results into their capital plans.

DATES: This final rule is effective June 1, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Dale Klein, 
Senior Financial Analyst--CPST, Office of National Examinations and 
Supervision, at the above address or telephone (703) 518-6629; or legal 
information: John H. Brolin, Senior Staff Attorney; or Rachel Ackmann, 
Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel, at the above address or 
telephone (703) 518-6540.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    At its October 19, 2017 meeting, the Board proposed amending its 
regulations regarding capital planning and stress testing for covered 
credit unions.\1\ As noted, the proposal was designed to reduce 
regulatory burden and to make the NCUA's capital planning and stress 
testing requirements more efficient. The NCUA is now issuing the 
proposed rule as final with certain revisions and clarifications based 
on comments received on the proposed rule.
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    \1\ 82 FR 50094 (Oct. 30, 2017).
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    The NCUA is issuing this final rule pursuant to its authority under 
the Federal Credit Union Act (FCUA).\2\ Section 120(a) of the FCUA 
authorizes the Board to ``prescribe rules and regulations for the 
administration of'' the FCUA.\3\ Section 204 of the FCUA authorizes the 
Board, through its examiners, ``to examine any [federally] insured 
credit union . . . to determine the condition of any such credit union 
for insurance purposes.'' \4\ Section 206(e) of the FCUA authorizes the 
Board to take certain actions against a federally insured credit union, 
if, in the opinion of the Board, the credit union ``is engaging or has 
engaged, or the Board has reasonable cause to believe that the credit 
union or any institution affiliated party is about to engage, in any 
unsafe or unsound practice in conducting the business of such credit 
union.'' \5\
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    \2\ 12 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.
    \3\ 12 U.S.C. 1766(a).
    \4\ 12 U.S.C. 1784(a).
    \5\ 12 U.S.C. 1786(e).
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II. Summary of Comments

    The NCUA received a total of 17 comment letters from federally 
insured credit unions, credit union leagues, and credit union trade 
organizations. All of the commenters generally supported giving covered 
credit unions regulatory relief from the current capital planning and 
stress testing requirements. All also recommended, however, that the 
NCUA provide even more regulatory relief. The comments are discussed in 
more detail below.

A. Capital Planning and Stress Testing Tiers

    Under the proposal, covered credit unions would be subject to 
tiered regulatory requirements that would further ensure their capital 
plans and stress testing requirements are tailored to reflect their 
size, complexity, and financial condition. The proposal would divide 
covered credit unions into three tiers, with each tier subject to 
different regulatory requirements. The proposal defined: (1) A tier I 
credit union as a covered credit union that has completed fewer than 
three capital planning cycles and has less than $20 billion in total 
assets; (2) a tier II credit union as a covered credit union that has 
completed three or more capital planning cycles and has less than $20 
billion in total assets, or is otherwise designated as a tier II credit 
union by the NCUA; and (3) a tier III credit union as a covered credit 
union that has $20 billion or more in total assets, or is otherwise 
designated as a tier III credit union by the NCUA. Nearly all of the 
commenters recommended changing the threshold levels for tier I, II, 
and III covered credit unions by increasing the size threshold levels 
for each tier. Several commenters suggested incorporating prudential 
factors into the threshold levels.
    A majority of commenters encouraged the NCUA to increase the asset 
thresholds to be more consistent with the thresholds for banks. To 
achieve parity with banks, commenters generally recommended two 
different approaches to establishing size thresholds. A number of 
commenters recommended that the NCUA take the size thresholds 
established for banks and reduce that threshold to reflect the 
proportionately smaller size of the National Credit Union Share 
Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). The commenters explained that the NCUSIF is 
approximately one-seventh the size of the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), 
therefore, the appropriate threshold for credit unions would be about 
$36.5 billion (one-seventh of the proposed $250 billion threshold for 
banks).\6\ Such comments are based on the premise that the DIF and 
NCUSIF are equivalent, but the DIF and NCUSIF are not structured 
similarly. For example, the NCUSIF has an equity deposit base which can 
lead to an undesirable pro-cyclical impact for all credit unions if a 
large loss were to occur. In addition, the NCUSIF has an

[[Page 17902]]

operating equity ratio of 1.39 percent, whereas the DIF has a target 
reserve ratio of 2.0 percent. Therefore, the NCUA does not consider the 
size of the DIF as an appropriate benchmark for determining the asset 
thresholds for covered credit unions to conduct stress tests and 
capital planning exercises. The second approach suggested by commenters 
to ensure parity between banks and covered credit unions was to emulate 
the asset thresholds adopted by the banking agencies. The size 
threshold, however, for most banks is currently set at $10 billion. 
Additionally, as discussed above, the NCUA does not consider the risks 
that banks pose to the DIF as analogous to the risks that covered 
credit unions pose to the NCUSIF, and therefore, does not believe that 
at this time the size thresholds for banks are appropriate for covered 
credit unions.
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    \6\ The $250 billion cited by commenters is only a proposal and 
is not currently the size threshold for annual stress tests in the 
banking industry. Currently, the Dodd-Frank Wall-Street Reform and 
Consumer Protection Act requires that banks with total consolidated 
assets of more than $10 billion conduct annual stress tests. 12 
U.S.C. 5365(i)(2). The Federal Reserve's annual Comprehensive 
Capital Analysis and Review applies to top-tier bank holding 
companies with average total consolidated assets of $50 billion or 
more and certain intermediate holding companies of foreign banking 
organizations.
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    While commenters consistently recommended increasing the size 
threshold levels, there were mixed opinions on the appropriate size 
thresholds that the NCUA should establish for each tier. Commenters 
that suggested using $36.5 billion or $50 billion as the appropriate 
size threshold may have differed on whether that threshold was 
appropriate for a tier I, II, or III covered credit union. For example, 
in the case of tier I covered credit unions, recommended size 
thresholds varied from $10 billion to $50 billion.
    As compared to the proposed rule, the Board in the final rule has 
partially revised the thresholds for tier I and II covered credit 
unions. In the final rule, a tier I credit union is a covered credit 
union that has less than $15 billion in total assets and a tier II 
credit union is a covered credit union that has $15 billion or more in 
total assets, but less than $20 billion in total assets (or is 
otherwise designated as a tier II credit union by the NCUA). Therefore, 
in the final rule, a covered credit union that remains under $15 
billion will not conduct annual stress tests, even if it has been 
subject to capital planning requirements for over three years. For such 
covered credit unions, the final rule provides additional regulatory 
relief from supervisory stress testing. However, a tier I credit union 
that crosses the $15 billion threshold in less than three years after 
becoming a covered credit union, will have to conduct stress tests 
earlier under the final rule than as proposed. The NCUA has determined 
to remove the three year phase-in period in favor of a strict asset-
size threshold because the NCUA believes that size is one of the 
primary indicators of systemic risk to the NCUSIF. Specifically, the 
NCUA believes that a $15 billion threshold balances the goal of 
providing regulatory relief with the additional risk that larger, more 
systemically significant credit unions pose to the NCUSIF. Therefore, 
the NCUA believes that at $15 billion in total assets a covered credit 
union represents sufficient risk to the NCUSIF that supervisory stress 
tests are warranted. The designation for a tier III credit union 
remains the same as proposed and includes a covered credit union that 
has $20 billion or more in total assets (or is otherwise designated as 
a tier III credit union by the NCUA).
    Several commenters recommended that the NCUA define the tier I, II, 
and III thresholds to include factors other than a credit union's size 
and number of completed capital planning cycles. A common theme among 
such commenters was that the NCUA should explicitly consider a covered 
credit union's financial health and risk profile in defining the 
thresholds. These commenters urged the NCUA to provide additional 
regulatory relief and flexibility to covered credit unions that pose 
less risk to the NCUSIF. Factors mentioned by commenters that the NCUA 
could consider in granting additional regulatory relief include prompt 
corrective action capital levels, CAMEL ratings (specifically 
composite, capital, and management ratings), levels of interest rate 
risk, earnings, rates of growth, and concentration risk.
    Capital plan review and supervisory stress testing, however, are 
forward-looking assessments of a covered credit union's financial 
condition. In contrast, capital ratings, earnings, rates of growth, and 
concentration risk are important supervisory tools that are based on a 
covered credit union's current financial condition. Additionally, 
capital planning and supervisory stress testing contribute to a covered 
credit union's CAMEL ratings and overall risk assessments. Therefore, 
the NCUA believes that including CAMEL ratings as criteria for 
supervisory thresholds would create inappropriate circularity and has 
not incorporated prudential conditions into the thresholds for capital 
planning and stress testing requirements.
    Several commenters recommended that the NCUA incorporate an 
additional grace period between the time when a covered credit union 
becomes a tier I credit union and when it becomes a tier II credit 
union. Commenters stated that such additional time would allow tier I 
covered credit unions to focus on building strong capital planning and 
capital adequacy assessment processes before having to incorporate 
supervisory stress testing programs. The NCUA agrees with commenters 
that it is important for tier I covered credit unions to focus on 
building strong capital planning and capital adequacy assessment 
processes before incorporating supervisory stress testing programs. 
Therefore, as discussed above, in the final rule, a tier I credit union 
will not be automatically subject to stress testing requirements after 
a three-year phase in period. Instead, a tier I credit union will only 
be subject to stress testing requirements after its total assets exceed 
$15 billion. The NCUA believes that the $15 billion threshold provides 
credit unions additional control over their timeline for beginning 
supervisory stress testing. In recent years, covered credit unions have 
grown an average of 10 percent per year. At this rate of growth, a 
covered credit union would have about four years to focus on their 
capital planning processes before becoming a tier II credit union and 
incorporating supervisory stress testing programs. The NCUA believes 
that modifying the thresholds by removing the three year phase-in 
period in favor of a strict asset-size threshold provides additional 
regulatory relief and that credit unions that grow in a safe and sound 
manner will have sufficient time to build upon their capital planning 
procedures before implementing stress testing requirements. The NCUA 
notes that a credit union with an exceptional rate of growth such that 
it must begin supervisory stress testing requirements less than three 
years after becoming a tier I credit union may raise supervisory 
concerns.
    A few commenters recommended removing the proposed language 
allowing the NCUA the discretion to designate a credit union as a tier 
II or tier III credit union. Alternatively, the commenters suggested 
setting clear criteria, along with examples, to delineate the 
situations when this could happen. The NCUA recognizes that size alone 
does not provide a complete view of risk at a credit union. Each credit 
union is unique and matters of complexity and financial condition are 
nuanced. To maintain flexibility, to avoid creating a ``one size fits 
all'' rule, and to incorporate the unique attributes of individual 
credit unions, the Board is retaining in the final rule the ability to 
elevate a credit union's tier designations. Thus, in the final rule, 
asset size establishes the baseline for determining the credit union's 
tier designation, but a credit union's financial condition, complexity, 
and other environmental matters may be considered by the Board to 
elevate its

[[Page 17903]]

tier designation. In addition, the NCUA does not believe that codifying 
a strict set of conditions to delineate when this discretion is to be 
exercised is prudent given the highly fact specific nature of the 
determination.

B. Capital Planning Requirements

    Under the proposed rule, a covered credit union would continue to 
annually develop and submit to the NCUA a capital plan. For tier I and 
II covered credit unions, however, review of their capital plans would 
be incorporated into their supervisory oversight. For tier III covered 
credit unions, review of their capital plans would continue to be 
subject to the current requirement that the NCUA formally approve or 
reject them. A few commenters specifically expressed support for the 
proposed changes to the capital planning requirements. Several other 
commenters, however, recommended specific changes to further reduce the 
burden of capital planning requirements.
    Specifically, several commenters stated that the NCUA should reduce 
the frequency of capital planning requirements. For example, a 
commenter recommended that the NCUA eliminate the requirement that 
covered credit unions provide annual capital plans. Instead, the 
commenter recommended that the NCUA use the supervisory process to 
evaluate capital. Other commenters suggested that for certain covered 
credit unions, capital plans should only be required every two to three 
years. The NCUA believes that capital adequacy considerations and 
capital actions should be regular and ongoing activities at covered 
credit unions and viewed alongside the credit union's strategic and 
financial plans. Annual revisions and more frequent reviews of capital 
plans are appropriate so that the credit union has a current view of 
threats to capital and can take timely mitigating action. The NCUA does 
not consider annual capital plan preparation, even with incorporated 
supervisory stress tests, to be an excessive burden, and therefore, the 
final rule continues to require annual development of capital plans for 
all covered credit unions.
    Additionally, a few commenters recommended tailoring capital 
planning requirements to complement the stress testing changes by 
providing tiered expectations for capital planning requirements. The 
NCUA notes that it will review tier I and tier II credit union capital 
plans through the supervisory process and those plans are not subject 
to formal approval by the NCUA. Commenters also had different opinions 
on whether the NCUA should formally approve or reject any covered 
credit union's capital plan. For example, a commenter recommended that 
the NCUA review all capital plans through the supervisory process, 
while another commenter supported the proposal to retain the 
requirement that the NCUA approve or reject a tier III credit union's 
capital plan. The final rule's tiered approach enables the NCUA to 
tailor capital plan expectations to the individual credit union, 
reserving the highest expectations and most critical assessment for the 
tier III credit unions. For tier III credit unions, which pose the most 
systemic risk to the NCUSIF, it is prudent to establish formal triggers 
requiring action to mitigate NCUSIF risk exposure. Therefore, in the 
final rule, capital plans for tier III credit unions will continue to 
be subject to formal approval requirements.

C. Stress Testing Requirements

    Under the proposal, the NCUA would no longer conduct the annual 
supervisory stress tests on applicable covered credit unions. Rather, 
the covered credit unions themselves would conduct the stress tests 
according to the NCUA's instructions, which ensures that the stress 
tests performed by credit unions are conducted in a consistent and 
comparable manner. Covered credit unions also would be subject to 
tiered stress testing requirements. Tier I credit unions would no 
longer be subject to stress testing requirements, and tier II and III 
credit unions would conduct annual stress tests. Additionally, unlike 
their larger counterparts in tier III, tier II credit unions would not 
be subject to a 5 percent minimum stress test capital threshold. 
Commenters had mixed opinions on whether the proposed changes to stress 
testing requirements provided meaningful regulatory relief. Commenters 
also had varied opinions on whether the NCUA or covered credit unions 
should conduct the required stress tests. Several commenters 
specifically stated their support for allowing covered credit unions to 
conduct their own stress tests. Other commenters, however, stated that 
such a change would increase operational burden and expense for credit 
unions. Another commenter recommended retaining the current opt-in 
approach to conducting stress tests. The NCUA believes that credit 
unions are better informed of risk when they perform their own capital 
adequacy assessments. Having covered credit unions conduct their own 
supervisory stress tests further informs their capital analysis. Also, 
it eliminates any negative consequences that could result from the NCUA 
conducting the tests, namely that a covered credit union might abdicate 
its responsibility to perform rigorous capital analyses to the NCUA. 
Furthermore, the NCUA views the production and reporting of supervisory 
stress test results as incidental given the expectation that credit 
unions have sound capital adequacy assessment processes. Therefore, the 
NCUA is not changing the proposed requirement to have tier II and III 
covered credit unions conduct their own supervisory stress tests.
    Many commenters encouraged the NCUA to consider providing more 
substantial regulatory relief, including reducing or eliminating stress 
testing requirements. Several commenters recommended eliminating the 
stress testing requirements altogether. Others suggested reducing the 
frequency of testing or waiving certain requirements based on the 
credit union's risk profile. The primary objective of stress testing is 
for the NCUA and the covered credit union to have an understanding of 
the credit union's ability to absorb the impact of significant economic 
stresses and to determine with a high degree of confidence when a 
covered credit union does not have sufficient capital to protect the 
NCUSIF from losses. Annual supervisory stress testing is an important 
prudential tool that provides the NCUA an aggregate view of the covered 
credit union's financial condition and capital resiliency. Therefore, 
in the final rule, tier II and III credit unions will continue to be 
required to conduct annual stress tests.
    Commenters also had specific recommendations for the stress testing 
process. For example, a few commenters objected to the proposed 
timeline for conducting stress tests and completing capital plans. The 
commenters believed that the May 31st submission date provides 
insufficient time to complete the stress tests and incorporate results 
into the capital planning process. Instead, commenters suggested 
submission dates of July 31st or August 31st. As recently as 2015, the 
NCUA considered the timing of capital planning and stress test 
elements. In July 2015, the NCUA adopted a revised capital planning and 
stress testing schedule, which included consideration of the potential 
for credit union run stress testing.\7\ In that final rule, the NCUA 
amended the capital planning and stress testing rule to establish a due 
date of May 31st for covered credit unions to submit their capital 
plans. This change provided covered credit unions with five months from 
the as-of

[[Page 17904]]

date (and three months from the scenario release date) to prepare their 
capital plans, as commenters requested. The NCUA continues to believe 
that the release date of supervisory stress test scenarios and the due 
date for credit union capital plans provide ample time for a credit 
union to produce and report credible stress test results. Therefore, 
the final rule retains the May 31st submission date for annual stress 
tests. A number of commenters also encouraged the NCUA to provide 
stress testing instructions earlier in the capital planning process. 
The NCUA agrees with the commenters. The NCUA intends to post 
instructions on its website that will generally remain the same each 
year. If any modifications are necessary to the instructions due to a 
particular year's scenarios, such modifications will be released at the 
same time as the scenarios.
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    \7\ 80 FR 48010 (Aug. 11, 2015).
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    A minority of commenters discussed the scenarios required for 
stress testing. For example, a commenter recommended that tier II 
covered credit unions be exempt from the baseline and adverse stress 
test scenarios. The NCUA believes that each scenario is necessary for 
the NCUA and a credit union to have a complete understanding of the 
credit union's risks and that each scenario serves a distinct purpose 
in the stress test exercise. Specifically, the baseline scenario, 
conducted under the NCUA's instructions, serves as a benchmark to 
evaluate results under the stress scenarios. The stress scenarios are 
used to stress different aspects of a credit union's positions under 
unfavorable conditions and may be designed to focus on different risk 
characteristics of a credit union's portfolio. The spectrum of 
scenarios is necessary to have a complete understanding of a credit 
union's capital position in different economic conditions. Therefore, 
the NCUA believes that all stress tests should include all scenarios. 
Furthermore, consistent testing parameters ensure that credit union 
results are comparable to each other. Another commenter recommended 
that the NCUA continue utilizing the Federal Reserve Board's stress 
test assumption scenarios rather than designing its own unique tests. 
The commenter believed that standardization across the financial 
services industry is preferable. The NCUA agrees with this commenter. 
Consistent with past practice, the NCUA intends to publish scenarios 
that are consistent with the scenarios published by the banking 
agencies. However, the NCUA reserves the right to modify scenarios or 
produce unique scenarios to ensure risk at covered credit unions is 
sufficiently captured in the exercise.

D. Data Submission

    Covered credit unions are currently required to submit data to the 
NCUA as part of the stress testing process, and the proposal did not 
include any changes to these requirements. Several commenters, 
nevertheless, encouraged the NCUA to eliminate or substantially reduce 
the data submissions. Commenters, however, generally did not offer 
specific data items that they considered unnecessary or burdensome. 
Data collection is part of the NCUA's strategic initiative to enhance 
supervision and is used to inform qualitative and quantitative 
assessments and ratings of covered credit unions. The data currently 
collected for the NCUA to conduct supervisory stress tests will 
continue to be used by the agency to assess a covered credit union's 
capital adequacy through review of its capital plan and supervisory 
stress tests results. Also, the collected data can drive supervisory 
efficiencies that reduce regulatory burden for covered credit unions. 
For example, the data may lead to more targeted supervisory work 
resulting in less time on-site at covered credit unions. Therefore, the 
final rule retains the current data collection requirements.

E. Other Comments

    A few commenters recommended amending the definition of ``covered 
credit union'' so that a credit union with total assets over $10 
billion does not becomes a ``covered credit union'' until its most 
recent four-quarter average of consolidated total assets exceeds $10 
billion. Based on our experience implementing the capital planning and 
stress testing rules, the NCUA has not found that many credit unions 
decrease under $10 billion after becoming covered credit unions. 
Therefore, the NCUA does not believe the added complexity required by 
determining a four-quarter average is warranted and is not making any 
such changes to the final rule.
    A few commenters also stated that given the enterprise-wide nature 
of the capital planning and supervisory stress testing regime, the NCUA 
should consider whether certain generally applicable requirements that 
must be met for a credit union to be eligible for insurance coverage 
are unnecessarily redundant when applied to covered credit unions. The 
commenters specifically noted liquidity and risk-based capital 
standards. Capital planning and stress testing are distinctive 
supervisory tools that the NCUA uses in the supervision of risk at 
covered credit unions. They complement, but do not replace, other 
regulatory and supervisory tools used by the agency.

III. Final Rule

    After carefully considering the public comments, the NCUA has made 
several changes to the final rule. The final rule reflects the NCUA's 
experiences in implementing the current rule's requirements, while also 
considering the systemic risk that covered credit unions pose to the 
NCUSIF. As explained in more detail below, the final rule is intended 
to reduce regulatory burden by removing some of the more onerous 
capital planning and stress testing requirements currently applicable 
to covered credit unions. The changes to the NCUA's capital planning 
and stress testing requirements will more closely align the agency's 
regulatory requirements with its current supervisory expectations for 
covered credit unions.
    In the final rule, covered credit unions are subject to new tiered 
regulatory requirements that further ensure their capital plans and 
stress testing requirements are tailored to reflect their size, 
complexity, and financial condition. For example, under the final rule, 
tier I and II covered credit unions will continue to develop annual 
capital plans, but the capital plans will no longer be formally 
submitted to the NCUA by May 31st each year. In contrast, tier III 
covered credit unions will continue to submit capital plans to the NCUA 
by May 31st that must be formally accepted or rejected by the NCUA. 
Additionally, stress testing requirements under the final rule are also 
tiered. Under the final rule, tier I credit unions are not subject to 
any stress testing requirements. In contrast, tier II and III covered 
credit unions are required to conduct stress testing, although tier II 
covered credit unions are not subject to a 5 percent minimum stress 
test capital threshold. Further, under the final rule, the NCUA will no 
longer be required to conduct the annual supervisory stress tests on 
applicable covered credit unions. Rather, the covered credit unions 
will conduct the stress tests.
    While the NCUA recognizes that all covered credit unions are of 
systemic importance to the NCUSIF, the NCUA believes it is appropriate 
to differentiate the capital planning and stress testing requirements 
applicable to such institutions based on their individual 
characteristics. Specifically, size is deemed to be the most 
significant

[[Page 17905]]

determinant regarding each covered credit union's systemic risk to the 
NCUSIF. The Board's ability to recategorize a covered credit union into 
a higher tier, however, recognizes that the complexity and financial 
condition of the credit union are other important considerations for 
determining whether a credit union should be subject to additional 
capital planning and stress testing requirements. The final rule seeks 
to balance the higher risk that covered credit unions may pose to the 
NCUSIF, with the time and resources these institutions need to prepare 
themselves to meet capital planning and supervisory stress testing 
expectations. The NCUA also has sought to tailor the capital planning 
and stress testing requirements in such a manner as to reduce the 
regulatory burden imposed on those smaller covered credit unions that 
pose less risk to the NCUSIF. The final rule is discussed in greater 
detail below.

Tiers of Covered Credit Unions

    The final rule retains the proposed use of tiers to differentiate 
the capital planning and stress testing requirements applicable to 
covered credit unions. The final rule identifies three tiers of covered 
credit unions and imposes varying levels of regulatory requirements 
based on those tiers. In brief, the tier comprised of the smallest 
covered credit unions is subject to the least regulatory requirements, 
with a concomitant increase in requirements for each tier as the size 
and complexity of those covered credit unions increases. In response to 
commenters, the final rule has partially revised the thresholds for 
tier I, II, and III covered credit unions as compared to the proposed 
rule. Under the final rule, the three tiers are as follows:
     A tier I credit union is a covered credit union that has 
less than $15 billion in total assets;
     A tier II credit union is a covered credit union that has 
$15 billion or more in total assets, but less than $20 billion in total 
assets, or is otherwise designated as a tier II credit union by the 
NCUA; and
     A tier III credit union is a covered credit union that has 
$20 billion or more in total assets, or is otherwise designated as a 
tier III credit union by the NCUA.

Amendments to the Capital Planning Requirements

    In the final rule, the level of the capital planning requirements 
for tier I and II credit unions generally decreases from the current 
regulatory requirements, but generally remains the same for tier III 
credit unions. This approach reduces regulatory burdens on tier I and 
II credit unions while allowing them to focus on establishing sound 
capital planning and capital adequacy assessment processes. Tier III 
credit unions, on the other hand, which pose the greatest systemic risk 
to the NCUSIF and which are most capable of complying with the current 
requirements, remain subject to most of the current requirements.
    In the final rule, tier I and II covered credit unions are required 
to develop and maintain an annual capital plan, but they are no longer 
required to formally submit their capital plans to the NCUA for 
approval by May 31st of each year. The removal of the requirement for 
tier I and II credit unions to formally submit capital plans to the 
NCUA is a change from the proposed rule. The NCUA believes this 
provides smaller covered credit unions with additional flexibility to 
incorporate their annual capital plan into their planning processes, 
such as development of their strategic plans.
    Additionally, under the final rule, tier I and II credit unions are 
no longer required to have their capital plans formally approved by the 
NCUA. Instead, capital plan reviews for tier I and II credit unions 
will be conducted as part of the NCUA's supervisory process. This 
approach provides the NCUA greater latitude when reviewing capital plan 
submissions and provides the NCUA with additional flexibility to use 
the supervisory process to address plan deficiencies, especially for 
credit unions newly covered by the capital planning requirements. The 
NCUA believes that any increased risk to the NCUSIF that may occur as a 
result of providing regulatory relief can be addressed through the 
supervisory process.
    For tier III credit unions, the final rule retains the current 
requirement that all such credit unions submit capital plans to the 
NCUA no later than May 31st of each year. In addition, for tier III 
credit unions, the NCUA will formally approve or reject its capital 
plan. Because the failure of a tier III credit union poses the most 
significant risk to the NCUSIF, the NCUA believes it is prudent to 
retain the current, more formal requirements for those credit unions. 
The NCUA's formal rejection of a capital plan is subject to the 
Supervisory Review Committee process.

                                       Table 1--Capital Plan Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Financials ``as   Submission and due
     Tier           Description         Required           of'' date             date             NCUA review
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I.............  A credit union      Yes.............  Based on financial  Capital plan is     Review of the
                 with $10 billion                      data within two     not submitted to    capital plan is
                 or more in total                      quarters of plan    the NCUA, but is    part of the
                 assets, but less                      completion.         required to be      NCUA's
                 than $15 billion                                          done annually.      supervisory
                 in total assets.                                                              oversight.
II............  A credit union      Yes.............  Based on financial  Capital plan is     Review of the
                 with $15 billion                      data within two     not submitted to    capital plan is
                 or more in total                      quarters of plan    the NCUA, but is    part of the
                 assets, but less                      completion.         required to be      NCUA's
                 than $20 billion                                          done annually.      supervisory
                 in total assets.                                                              oversight.
III...........  A credit union      Yes.............  December 31st of    Capital plans are   The NCUA accepts
                 with $20 billion                      the previous        submitted to the    or rejects credit
                 or more in total                      calendar year.      NCUA by May 31st    union capital
                 assets.                                                   each year.          plans--qualitativ
                                                                                               e and
                                                                                               quantitative
                                                                                               assessment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NCUA's Supervisory Stress Testing Requirements

    Credit Union-Conducted Stress Tests. Under the current rule, the 
NCUA is required to conduct supervisory stress tests for all covered 
credit unions. When the NCUA approved the current regulation in 2014, 
it believed that the NCUA should initially conduct all stress tests to 
ensure that the NCUA had an independent assessment of risk for covered 
credit unions. The preamble to the 2014 final rule acknowledged, 
however, that it might be appropriate in the future for certain covered 
credit unions to conduct their own supervisory stress tests, and the 
NCUA adopted a provision in the 2014 final

[[Page 17906]]

rule to allow for that.\8\ In particular, current Sec.  702.506(c) 
provides that after the NCUA has completed three consecutive 
supervisory stress tests of a covered credit union, the covered credit 
union may, with the NCUA's approval, conduct the tests described in 
subpart E of part 702 on its own. Having now completed three annual 
stress testing cycles, the NCUA believes that changing its regulation 
to have covered credit unions conduct their own supervisory stress 
tests, without needing to obtain approval from the NCUA, is 
appropriate. Accordingly, in this final rule, the requirement that the 
NCUA conduct supervisory stress tests is eliminated. Additionally, the 
NCUA retains the provision in the current rule that reserves the NCUA's 
right to conduct the stress tests on any covered credit union at any 
time, and to request qualitative and quantitative information from the 
covered credit unions that pertains to supervisory stress testing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 79 FR 24311 (Apr. 30, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Incremental Approach. Running a supervisory stress test requires 
internal controls that enable the credit union to effectively challenge 
all material aspects of its capital planning and analysis. For a 
covered credit union to develop the ability to obtain, cleanse, and 
manage internal and external data, and perform adequate capital 
analyses, it must possess a level of experience and operational scale 
that is unlikely to be in place or quickly developed by a credit union 
when it first reaches the $10 billion threshold. Accordingly, the NCUA 
is adopting an incremental regulatory approach to supervisory stress 
testing that gradually increases regulatory requirements on a covered 
credit union as it increases in asset size without making the 
requirements too burdensome too soon.

                                    Table 2--Stress Test Incremental Approach
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Minimum stress-    Financials ``as
       Tier            Description          Required         test ratio          of'' date          Due date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I................  A credit union with  No..............  N/A.............  N/A...............  N/A.
                    $10 billion or
                    more in total
                    assets, but less
                    than $15 billion
                    in total assets.
II...............  A credit union with  Yes.............  N/A.............  December 31st.....  May 31st.
                    $15 billion or
                    more in total
                    assets, but less
                    than $20 billion
                    in total assets.
III..............  A credit union with  Yes.............  5%..............  December 31st.....  May 31st.
                    $20 billion or
                    more in total
                    assets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Tier I. In the final rule, a tier I credit union is not subject to 
any supervisory stress testing requirements, nor is it required to 
incorporate the NCUA's stress test scenarios in its capital plan. This 
approach allows a tier I credit union time after it reaches the $10 
billion threshold to obtain the policies and processes necessary to 
develop sound capital plans and analyses prior to incorporating 
supervisory stress testing. Once a covered credit union has $15 billion 
in total assets, it is required to meet all tier II requirements 
described below.
    Tier II. In the final rule, a tier II credit union is subject to 
supervisory stress testing requirements. In addition, a tier II credit 
union must incorporate the NCUA's annual stress test scenarios into its 
capital plan, even though the capital plan is not required to be 
submitted to the NCUA on May 31st. The NCUA does not believe this 
particular requirement imposes additional regulatory burden on a tier 
II credit union because, as the NCUA has observed over the last three 
years of implementing the stress testing regulations, covered credit 
unions already incorporate the NCUA's supervisory stress test scenarios 
into their capital plans even though they are not required to do so 
under the current rule.
    Tier III. In the final rule, a tier III credit union is subject to 
supervisory stress testing requirements and must meet a minimum stress-
test ratio of 5 percent. The final rule also requires a tier III credit 
union to incorporate the NCUA's stress test scenarios into its capital 
plan submission. Because a tier III credit union poses the greatest 
level of systemic risk to the NCUSIF, it must also submit a plan to 
build capital or mitigate the risk if the credit union shows that its 
stress test capital ratio would fall below the 5 percent minimum stress 
test capital threshold. This is consistent with the supervisory stress 
testing requirements in current Sec.  702.506(g).
    The final rule applies the asset thresholds as of the March 31st 
measurement date of each year.\9\ If a credit union crosses any of the 
tier I, II, or III asset thresholds by March 31st, then the credit 
union's new classification is effective at the beginning of the next 
year. Therefore, if a credit union has over $10 billion in total assets 
as of March 31, 2018, it must complete a capital plan in calendar year 
2019. And, if a covered credit union has $15 billion in assets on March 
31, 2018, it must also conduct a stress test in calendar year 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See the definition of ``covered credit union.'' 12 CFR 
702.502.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Website Instructions. The NCUA will publish on its website 
instructions for tier II and III credit unions on how to administer 
their own supervisory stress tests. The NCUA believes that a covered 
credit union's ability to maintain independence and flexibility is 
essential to the overall success of the NCUA's supervisory stress 
testing program. Accordingly, tier II and III credit unions are 
required to conduct their own stress tests in accordance with the 
instructions provided by the NCUA.
    Conforming and Clarifying Amendments. The final rule also makes 
some minor conforming and clarifying amendments to the current rule. 
These conforming and clarifying amendments include removing, changing, 
and adding certain definitions.
    The changes outlined above are discussed in more detail in the 
Section-by-Section Analysis below.

IV. Section-by-Section Analysis

Section 702.502 Definitions

    The final rule retains most of the definitions included in the 
proposed rule except that the proposed definition of capital planning 
cycle has been removed. The definition was necessary to distinguish 
between tier I and II credit unions in the proposed rule, but is not 
necessary in the final rule as the number of capital planning cycles 
completed is no longer a distinguishing factor between the tier I and 
II threshold classifications. The final rule also retains most of the 
definitions from current Sec.  702.502, without change, with the 
following exceptions.

[[Page 17907]]

Adverse Scenario

    The final rule removes the definition of ``adverse scenario'' from 
Sec.  702.502 and replaces this term throughout subpart E with terms 
more commonly used in the financial services industry. This change is 
intended to reduce confusion for covered credit unions. No substantive 
changes to the requirements of subpart E are intended by this change 
and covered credit unions will continue to be subject to the baseline 
and one or more stressed scenarios.

Covered Credit Union

    The final rule makes conforming amendments to the current 
definition of ``covered credit union'' in Sec.  702.502. The amended 
definition provides that ``covered credit union'' means a federally 
insured credit union whose assets are $10 billion or more. The 
definition provides further that a credit union that crosses that asset 
threshold as of March 31st of a given calendar year is subject to the 
applicable requirements of subpart E in the following calendar year.

Scenarios

    The revised definition provides that ``scenarios'' are those sets 
of conditions that affect the U.S. economy or the financial condition 
of a covered credit union that serve as the basis for stress testing, 
including, but not limited to, NCUA-established baseline scenarios, and 
stress scenarios. It is the NCUA's intention to continue to base the 
NCUA-established scenarios on the scenarios developed by the Federal 
Reserve Board. As currently is the practice, the NCUA may modify such 
scenarios to ensure they are appropriate for domestic banking 
operations.

Severely Adverse Scenario

    The final rule deletes the definition of ``severely adverse 
scenario'' from Sec.  702.502 and replaces this term throughout subpart 
E with terms more commonly used in the financial services industry. 
This change is intended to reduce confusion for covered credit unions. 
No substantive changes to the requirements of subpart E are intended by 
this change and covered credit unions will continue to be subject to 
the baseline and one or more stressed scenarios.

Stress Scenario

    The final rule adds the definition ``stress scenario'' to Sec.  
702.502. The definition provides that ``stress scenario'' means a 
scenario that is more adverse than that associated with the baseline 
scenario.

Tier I Credit Union

    The final rule adds the definition of ``tier I credit union'' to 
Sec.  702.502. The definition provides that ``tier I credit union'' 
means a covered credit union that has less than $15 billion in total 
assets. The definition of a tier I credit union provides regulatory 
relief for qualifying covered credit unions. This definition allows the 
NCUA to better align regulatory expectations based on the size, 
complexity, and financial condition of each covered credit union.

Tier II Credit Union

    The final rule adds the definition of ``tier II credit union'' to 
Sec.  702.502. The definition provides that ``tier II credit union'' 
means a covered credit union that has $15 billion or more in total 
assets but less than $20 billion in total assets, or is otherwise 
designated as a tier II credit union by NCUA. This definition 
recognizes the iterative nature of the NCUA's capital planning and 
stress testing processes, and acknowledges that covered credit unions 
get better at developing and implementing their capital plans over time 
and through repetition. The NCUA believes these changes provide 
regulatory relief for tier II credit unions.

Tier III Credit Union

    The final rule adds the definition of ``tier III credit union'' to 
Sec.  702.502. The definition provides that ``tier III credit union'' 
means a covered credit union that has $20 billion or more in total 
assets, or is otherwise designated as a tier III credit union by NCUA. 
The final rule identifies credit unions with total assets of $20 
billion or more as posing the highest degree of risk to the NCUSIF. 
While the NCUA considers qualitative and quantitative capital plan 
supervision and credit union-run stress test review to be appropriate 
for covered credit unions with less than $20 billion in total assets, 
it does not for larger covered credit unions. For covered credit unions 
with total assets of $20 billion or more, the NCUA believes it is 
prudent, given the size of the NCUSIF and the potential loss associated 
with the failure of a credit union that large, to establish formal 
triggers requiring the NCUA and credit union actions to further 
mitigate NCUSIF risk exposure.
    The Board retains the authority to designate a covered credit union 
as a tier II credit union or tier III credit union.

Section 702.504 Capital Planning

    The final rule retains most of current Sec.  702.504 without 
change, with the following exceptions.
(a) Annual Capital Planning
(a)(1)
    Section 702.504(a)(1) continues to provide that all covered credit 
unions must develop and maintain a capital plan. Under the final rule, 
however, only tier III credit unions are required to submit their 
capital plan and capital policy to the NCUA. Therefore, the final rule 
amends Sec.  702.504(a)(1) to state that a tier I and II credit union 
must complete a capital plan by December 31st each year, but are not 
required to submit a plan to the NCUA. Additionally, the final rule has 
been amended to state that the capital plan must be based on financial 
data from either of the two preceding calendar quarters. For example, 
if a tier I or II credit union's board approves its capital plan in the 
fourth quarter, the plan financial data must be as of either September 
30th or June 30th. Section 702.504(a)(1) is also amended to explicitly 
state that a tier III credit union must submit its plan and capital 
policy to the NCUA by May 31st each year, or such later date as 
directed by the NCUA. The final rule also continues to provide that for 
tier III covered credit unions, the plan must be based on the covered 
credit union's financial data as of December 31st of the preceding 
calendar year, or such other date as directed by the NCUA. Finally, 
Sec.  702.504(a)(1) will no longer include the last sentence in current 
Sec.  702.504(a)(1), which provides that the NCUA will assess whether 
the capital planning and analysis process is sufficiently robust in 
determining whether to accept a credit union's capital plan. Given the 
other changes in this final rule, this sentence is no longer necessary.
(a)(2)
    The current rule states that a covered credit union's board of 
directors (or a designated committee of the board) must at least 
annually, and prior to the submission of the capital plan, review and 
approve the credit union's capital plan. The final rule clarifies that 
this requirement applies to all covered credit unions, even if the 
credit union is not required to submit the plan to the NCUA.
(b) Mandatory Elements
(b)(4)
    The final rule deletes current Sec.  702.504(b)(4) from the 
regulation. Current Sec.  702.504(b)(4) provides that if a credit union 
conducts its own stress test under Sec.  702.506(c), its capital plan 
must include a discussion of how the credit union will maintain a 
stress test capital ratio of 5 percent or more under

[[Page 17908]]

baseline, adverse, and severely adverse conditions in each quarter of 
the 9-quarter horizon. This sentence is no longer necessary because it 
is fully addressed in Sec.  702.506(f).

Section 702.505 NCUA Action on Capital Plans

(a) Timing
    The final rule amends current Sec.  702.505(a) by dividing 
paragraph (a) into two subparts. Under this final rule, Sec.  
702.505(a)(1) provides that the NCUA will address any deficiencies in 
the capital plans submitted by tier I and tier II credit unions through 
the supervisory process. The intent of this change is to provide 
regulatory relief to tier I and tier II credit unions by removing the 
regulatory review and regulatory ``accept or reject'' assessment of 
their capital plans. It also provides the NCUA with additional 
flexibility in addressing plan deficiencies.
    Under this final rule, Sec.  702.505(a)(2) continues to require 
that the NCUA accept or reject tier III credit unions' capital plans. 
The NCUA is not removing this requirement for tier III credit unions at 
this time for the reasons discussed above. Accordingly, Sec.  
702.505(a)(2) provides that the NCUA will notify tier III credit unions 
of the acceptance or rejection of their capital plans by August 31 of 
the year in which their plan is submitted.
    The final rule also makes additional conforming changes throughout 
Sec.  702.505 to clarify that only tier III credit unions are required 
to operate under a capital plan formally accepted by the NCUA. No 
substantive changes, other than those discussed above, are intended.

Section 702.506 Annual Supervisory Stress Testing

    Much of the substance of current Sec.  702.506 remains unchanged in 
the final rule. Each of the substantive amendments are discussed in 
detail below. The final rule also makes some non-substantive conforming 
amendments to address certain changes in terminology.
(a) General Requirements
    The final rule amends current Sec.  702.506(a) by adding a new 
clarifying sentence to the beginning of paragraph (a). The new sentence 
provides that only tier II and tier III credit unions are required to 
conduct supervisory stress tests. The NCUA believes that exempting tier 
I credit unions from supervisory stress testing provides prudent 
regulatory relief and enables tier I credit unions time to develop 
their own capital adequacy assessments. The NCUA considers the 
supervisory stress testing exemption for tier I credit unions, which 
allow credit unions to grow from $10 billion in total assets to $15 
billion in total assets, to be sufficient time to develop internal 
capabilities to perform credit union-run supervisory stress tests.

NCUA-Run Tests

    The final rule deletes current Sec.  702.506(b) regarding NCUA 
conducted stress tests, which, because of the other changes being 
implemented to part 702, is overridden. The NCUA reserves, in amended 
Sec.  702.506(b)(3), the right to conduct stress tests on covered 
credit unions if it deems such action necessary.
(b) Credit Union-Run Supervisory Stress Tests
    The final rule makes significant revisions to current Sec.  
702.506(c) (which has been renumbered to Sec.  702.506(b) in the final 
rule) to require tier II and tier III credit unions to conduct their 
own stress tests instead of first having to get approval from the NCUA. 
In the final rule, renumbered Sec.  702.506(b) is split into three new 
subparagraphs, each of which is described in more detail below.
(b)(1) General
    Section 702.506(b)(1) of the final rule provides that all 
supervisory stress tests must be conducted according to the NCUA's 
instructions. The NCUA is adding this requirement to ensure that 
supervisory stress tests performed by tier II and tier III credit 
unions are conducted in a manner that promotes consistency and 
comparability. Credit union-run stress tests must adhere to these 
principles in order for the NCUA to assess inherent risk in the 
portfolios of covered credit unions and establish supervisory 
benchmarks. The NCUA will publish credit union-run supervisory stress 
test instructions on its website.
(b)(2) Tier III Credit Unions
    Section 702.506(b)(2) of the final rule provides that when 
conducting its stress test, a tier III credit union must apply the 
minimum stress test capital ratio to all time periods in the planning 
horizon. The NCUA believes that only tier III credit unions should be 
subject to a minimum stress test capital requirement. Therefore, tier 
II credit unions do not have to apply a minimum stress test capital 
ratio to each time period in the planning horizon.
(b)(3) NCUA Tests
    Section 702.506(b)(3) of the final rule retains the last two 
sentences in current Sec.  702.506(c), without change. Section 
702.506(b)(3) of the final rule provides that the NCUA reserves the 
right to conduct the stress tests described in this section on any 
covered credit union at any time. Paragraph (b)(3) provides further 
that where both the NCUA and a covered credit union have conducted the 
tests, the results of the NCUA's tests will determine whether the 
covered credit union has met the requirements of part 702. The final 
rule includes no substantive changes to these two sentences as compared 
to the current rule.
(e) Stress Test Results
    The final rule states that all stress test results are due to the 
NCUA by May 31st each year. The May 31st stress testing due date 
applies to both tier II and III credit unions, even though tier II 
covered credit unions are not required to submit a capital plan on May 
31st.
(f) Supervisory Actions
    The final rule retains much of the language in current Sec.  
702.506(g), but inserts some additional language. The section also is 
broken into three subsections, each of which is discussed in more 
detail below.
(f)(1)
    Section 702.506(f)(1) of the final rule provides that if a credit 
union-run stress test shows a tier III credit union does not have the 
ability to maintain a stress test capital ratio of 5 percent or more 
under expected and stressed conditions in each quarter of the planning 
horizon, the credit union must incorporate into its capital plan a 
stress test capital enhancement plan showing how it will meet that 
target.
(f)(2)
    Section 702.506(f)(2) provides that if an NCUA-run stress test 
shows that a tier III credit union does not have the ability to 
maintain a stress test capital ratio of 5 percent or more under 
expected and stressed conditions in each quarter of the planning 
horizon, the credit union must provide the NCUA, by November 30 of the 
calendar year in which the NCUA conducted the tests, a stress test 
capital enhancement plan showing how it will meet that target. As 
explained above, the NCUSIF risk exposure to a tier I and tier II 
credit union is sufficiently mitigated through qualitative and 
quantitative supervision of the credit union's capital planning and 
capital adequacy analysis. Accordingly, the final rule offers

[[Page 17909]]

regulatory relief as tier I and tier II credit unions are no longer 
subject to the minimum stress test capital ratio.
(f)(3)
    Section 702.506(f)(3) of the final rule provides that a tier III 
credit union operating without an NCUA-approved stress test capital 
enhancement plan required under this section may be subject to 
supervisory action. A tier III credit union operating without an 
accepted capital plan or an approved stress test capital enhancement 
plan will be considered poorly managed and/or operating with 
insufficient capital to support the credit union's risk profile. The 
NCUA believes it is prudent to subject a tier III credit union to 
heightened regulatory scrutiny under such circumstances.

V. Stress Testing and Capital Plan Requirements for 2018

    The final rule is effective June 1, 2018, after the May 31, 2018 
submission date for capital plans. Therefore, the current rule remains 
effective for covered credit unions' 2018 capital plans and all covered 
credit unions must complete their capital plans by May 31, 2018. Tier I 
and II credit unions, however, do not need to submit their capital 
plans to the NCUA by May 31, 2018, and the NCUA will review their 
capital plans through the supervisory process. With respect to stress 
testing, the NCUA will conduct stress tests in calendar year 2018 for 
supervisory purposes.

VI. Regulatory Procedures

1. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires the NCUA to prepare an 
analysis of any significant economic impact any regulation may have on 
a substantial number of small entities (primarily those under $100 
million in assets).\10\ The final rule and its requirements apply to 
only the largest credit unions, those with $10 billion or more in total 
assets. Accordingly, the Board certifies that it will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 5 U.S.C. 603(a); 12 U.S.C. 1787(c)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) 
requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve all 
collections of information by a Federal agency from the public before 
they can be implemented. Respondents are not required to respond to any 
collection of information unless it displays a current, valid OMB 
control number.
    In accordance with the PRA, the information collection requirements 
included in this final rule has been submitted to OMB for approval 
under control number 3133-0199, and includes the following program 
changes:
    Section 702.504 requires FICUs with assets of at least $10 billion 
(covered credit unions) to develop and maintain capital plans; but only 
tier III to submit NCUA. The removal of the requirement for tier I and 
II credit unions to formally submit capital plans to NCUA is a change 
from the proposed rule and reflects a reduction of 30 burden hours 
annually. Also, an increase of 240 burden hours is due to an adjustment 
in the number of respondents from 3 to 4 falling under the 
recordkeeping requirements of Sec.  702.504.
    Section 702.506 requires tier II and III credit unions to conduct 
their own supervisory stress tests in a manner prescribed by NCUA, 
which had previously been conducted by NCUA. It is estimated this new 
information collection requirement impacts five credit unions for a 
total increase of 500 burden hours.
    Estimated number of respondents: FICUs with assets of at least $10 
billion.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Annual Burden Hours Requested: 2,960 under OMB control number 
3133-0199; a total increase of 710 burden hours.

3. Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to 
consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. The 
NCUA, an independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), 
voluntarily complies with the executive order to adhere to fundamental 
federalism principles. The final rule does not have substantial direct 
effects on the states, on the relationship between the national 
government and the states, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. The Board has, 
therefore, determined that this final rule does not constitute a policy 
that has federalism implications for purposes of the executive order.

4. Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    The Board has determined that this final rule will not affect 
family well-being within the meaning of section 654 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law 105-277, 112 
Stat. 2681 (1998).

5. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA) provides generally for congressional review of agency rules. A 
reporting requirement is triggered in instances where NCUA issues a 
final rule as defined by Section 551 of the Administrative Procedure 
Act. NCUA does not believe this final rule is a ``major rule'' within 
the meaning of the relevant sections of SBREFA. NCUA has submitted the 
rule to the Office of Management and Budget for its determination in 
that regard.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 702

    Credit unions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board, on April 19, 
2018.
Gerard Poliquin,
Secretary of the Board.

    For the reasons discussed above, the National Credit Union 
Administration amends 12 CFR part 702 as follows:

PART 702--CAPITAL ADEQUACY

0
1. Revise the authority citation for part 704 to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1766(a), 1784(a), 1786(e), 1790d.

Subpart E--Capital Planning and Stress Testing

0
2. Amend Sec.  702.502 as follows:
0
a. Remove the definition of ``adverse scenario''.
0
b. Remove from the definition of ``covered credit union'' the words 
``capital planning and stress testing'' and add in their place the word 
``applicable''.
0
c. Remove from the definition of ``scenarios'' the words ``adverse, and 
severely adverse'' and add in their place the words ``scenarios and 
stress''.
0
d. Remove the definition of ``severely adverse scenario''.
0
e. Add in alphabetical order the definitions of ``stress scenario'', 
``tier I credit union'', ``tier II credit union'', and ``tier III 
credit union'' to read as follows:


Sec.  702.502  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Stress scenario means a scenario that is more adverse than that 
associated with the baseline scenario.
* * * * *
    Tier I credit union means a covered credit union that has less than 
$15 billion in total assets.
    Tier II credit union means a covered credit union that has $15 
billion or more

[[Page 17910]]

in total assets but less than $20 billion in total assets, or is 
otherwise designated as a tier II credit union by NCUA.
    Tier III credit union means a covered credit union that has $20 
billion or more in total assets, or is otherwise designated as a tier 
III credit union by NCUA.

0
3. Amend Sec.  702.504 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (a)(1).
0
b. In paragraph (a)(2) introductory text, add the words ``for tier III 
credit unions,'' before the words ``prior to the submission of the 
capital plan''.
0
c. Remove paragraph (b)(4).
0
d. Redesignate paragraphs (b)(5) and (b)(6) as paragraphs (b)(4) and 
(b)(5).
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  702.504  Capital planning.

    (a) * * * (1) A covered credit union must develop and maintain a 
capital plan. Tier I and tier II credit unions must complete this plan 
and their capital policy by December 31 each year, but are not required 
to submit this plan to the NCUA. For tier I and tier II credit unions, 
the plan must be based on the credit union's financial data from either 
of the two calendar quarters preceding the quarter in which the plan is 
approved by the credit union's board of directors (or a designated 
committee of the board). A tier III credit union must submit this plan 
and its capital policy to NCUA by May 31 each year, or such later date 
as directed by NCUA. For tier III credit unions, the plan must be based 
on the credit union's financial data as of December 31 of the preceding 
calendar year, or such other date as directed by NCUA.
* * * * *

0
4. Amend Sec.  702.505 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (a).
0
b. Add to the introductory text of paragraph (d) the words ``tier III'' 
before the words ``credit union's capital plan''.
0
c. In paragraph (e), remove the word ``covered'' and add in its place 
the words ``tier III''.
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  702.505  NCUA action on capital plans.

    (a) Timing. (1) Tier I & tier II credit unions. NCUA will address 
any deficiencies in the capital plans submitted by tier I and tier II 
credit unions through the supervisory process.
    (2) Tier III credit unions. NCUA will notify tier III credit unions 
of the acceptance or rejection of their capital plans by August 31 of 
the year in which their plan is submitted.
* * * * *

0
5. Section 702.506 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  702.506  Annual supervisory stress testing.

    (a) General requirements. Only tier II and tier III credit unions 
are required to conduct supervisory stress tests. The supervisory 
stress tests consist of a baseline scenario, and stress scenarios, 
which NCUA will provide by February 28 of each year. The tests will be 
based on the credit union's financial data as of December 31 of the 
preceding calendar year, or such other date as directed by NCUA. The 
tests will take into account all relevant exposures and activities of 
the credit union to evaluate its ability to absorb losses in specified 
scenarios over a planning horizon.
    (b) Credit union-run supervisory stress tests--(1) General. All 
supervisory stress tests must be conducted according to NCUA's 
instructions.
    (2) Tier III credit unions. When conducting its stress test, a tier 
III credit union must apply the minimum stress test capital ratio to 
all time periods in the planning horizon. The minimum stress test 
capital ratio is 5 percent.
    (3) NCUA tests. NCUA reserves the right to conduct the tests 
described in this section on any covered credit union at any time. 
Where both NCUA and a covered credit union have conducted the tests, 
the results of NCUA's tests will determine whether the covered credit 
union has met the requirements of this subpart.
    (c) Potential impact on capital. In conducting stress tests under 
this subpart, the credit union, or the NCUA if it elects to conduct the 
stress test under paragraph (b)(3) of this section, will estimate the 
following for each scenario during each quarter of the planning 
horizon:
    (1) Losses, pre-provision net revenues, loan and lease loss 
provisions, and net income; and
    (2) The potential impact on the stress test capital ratio, 
incorporating the effects of any capital action over the planning 
horizon and maintenance of an allowance for loan losses appropriate for 
credit exposures throughout the horizon. The credit union, or the NCUA 
if it elects to conduct the stress test under paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section, will conduct the stress tests without assuming any risk 
mitigation actions on the part of the credit union, except those 
existing and identified as part of the credit union's balance sheet, or 
off-balance sheet positions, such as derivative positions, on the date 
of the stress test.
    (d) Information collection. Upon request, the credit union must 
provide NCUA with any relevant qualitative or quantitative information 
requested by NCUA pertinent to the stress tests under this subpart.
    (e) Stress test results. A credit union required to conduct stress 
tests under this section must incorporate the results of its tests in 
its capital plan. A credit union required to conduct stress tests must 
submit its stress test results to NCUA by May 31 of each year.
    (f) Supervisory actions. (1) If a credit union-run stress test 
shows a tier III credit union does not have the ability to maintain a 
stress test capital ratio of 5 percent or more under expected and 
stressed conditions in each quarter of the planning horizon, the credit 
union must incorporate, into its capital plan, a stress test capital 
enhancement plan that shows how it will meet that target.
    (2) If an NCUA-run stress test shows that a tier III credit union 
does not have the ability to maintain a stress test capital ratio of 5 
percent or more under expected and stressed conditions in each quarter 
of the planning horizon, the credit union must provide NCUA, by 
November 30 of the calendar year in which NCUA conducted the tests, a 
stress test capital enhancement plan showing how it will meet that 
target.
    (3) A tier III credit union operating without an NCUA approved 
stress test capital enhancement plan required under this section may be 
subject to supervisory actions.
    (g) Consultation on proposed action. Before taking any action under 
this section against a federally insured, state-chartered credit union, 
NCUA will consult and work cooperatively with the appropriate State 
official.

[FR Doc. 2018-08558 Filed 4-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7535-01-P