[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10971-10976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05186]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 57 / Monday, March 25, 2019 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 10971]]



NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 701

RIN 3133-AE88


Loans to Members and Lines of Credit to Members

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The NCUA Board (Board) is amending its regulations regarding 
loans to members and lines of credit to members to reduce regulatory 
burden, improve clarity, and make compliance easier. The amendments 
make the NCUA's regulations more user friendly by identifying in one 
section all of the various maturity limits applicable to federal credit 
union (FCU) loans, stating that the maturity date for a new loan under 
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) is calculated from the 
origination date of the new loan, and more clearly expressing the 
limits for loans to a single borrower or group of associated borrowers.

DATES: The effective date for this rule is April 24, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas I. Zells, Staff Attorney, 
Office of General Counsel, at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 or 
telephone: (703) 548-2478.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background
II. Final Rule and Summary of Comments
III. Section-by-Section Analysis
IV. Legal Authority
V. Regulatory Procedures

I. Background

    In August 2017,\1\ the Board published and sought comment on the 
NCUA Regulatory Reform Task Force's (Task Force) first report on 
implementing the agency's regulatory reform agenda (Agenda). The Agenda 
identifies those regulations the Board intends to amend or repeal 
because they are outdated, ineffective, or excessively burdensome.\2\ 
The Board published the Task Force's second and final report in 
December 2018.\3\ The final report contains the Task Force's updated 
recommendations and a refined blueprint for implementing the Agenda.
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    \1\ 82 FR 39702 (Aug. 22, 2017).
    \2\ This is consistent with the spirit of the President's 
regulatory reform agenda and Executive Order 13777. Although the 
NCUA, as an independent agency, is not required to comply with 
Executive Order 13777, the Board has chosen to comply with it in 
spirit and has reviewed all of the NCUA's regulations to that end.
    \3\ 83 FR 65926 (Dec. 21, 2018).
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    A number of the items in the Agenda relate to the NCUA's 
regulations on loans to members and lines of credit to members.\4\ The 
Board issued a proposed rule in August 2018 to address those items and 
to request further public comment on other issues.\5\ More 
specifically, the Board proposed changes to make the NCUA's regulations 
more user friendly by: (1) Identifying in one section the various 
maturity limits applicable to FCU loans; (2) clarifying that the 
maturity for a ``new loan'' under GAAP is calculated from the new date 
of origination; \6\ and (3) more clearly expressing the limits in place 
for loans to a single borrower or group of associated borrowers. The 
Board also sought advanced comment on: (1) Whether the NCUA should 
provide for longer, more flexible maturity limits for certain loans as 
permitted by section 107(5)(A)(i)-(ii) of the FCU Act; and (2) whether 
the NCUA should establish a single universal limit for loans to a 
single borrower or group of associated borrowers in lieu of the current 
system of having various limits depending on the type of loan.\7\
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    \4\ 12 CFR 701.21.
    \5\ 83 FR 39622 (Aug. 10, 2018).
    \6\ GAAP is defined as generally accepted accounting principles 
in the United States as set forth in the Financial Accounting 
Standards Board's (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC).
    \7\ The proposal sought advanced stakeholder comment on these 
related issues to help the Board determine what, if any, changes the 
agency should consider proposing in the future.
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    For the reasons discussed below, the Board is adopting the proposed 
rule largely as proposed. The NCUA is also continuing to evaluate the 
comments received on the issues for which it sought advanced comment. 
Any regulatory amendments that the Board decides to propose based on 
the advanced comments will be done through the NCUA's normal notice and 
comment rulemaking process to comply with the Administrative Procedure 
Act (APA).\8\
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    \8\ 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.
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II. Final Rule and Summary of Comments

    The NCUA received 31 comments on the proposed rule. Those comments 
generally fell into three categories: (1) Comments addressing the 
technical and clarifying changes the NCUA specifically proposed; (2) 
comments addressing the issues on which the NCUA sought advanced 
comment; and (3) comments addressing subjects outside the scope of the 
proposed amendments. Commenters were overwhelmingly supportive of the 
technical and clarifying changes that the proposal made with no 
commenters generally opposing the proposed changes. As stated above, 
the Board is finalizing these changes largely as proposed.
    The majority of commenters heavily focused on the issues on which 
the NCUA sought advanced comment, namely: (1) Potential alternate 
maturity limits; and (2) a potential universal limit on loans to one 
borrower. The Board reiterates that the proposal sought advanced 
stakeholder input on these topics with an eye toward making future 
regulatory amendments. Any future changes related to this request for 
advanced comment will be done through the NCUA's normal notice and 
comment rulemaking process to comply with the APA. It is worth noting 
that, as a general matter, commenters expressed confusion about the 
maturities applicable to various types of loans and the NCUA's 
authority to alter them. Commenters also addressed a number of issues 
that were largely unrelated to the issues on which the proposal sought 
comment. The Board will continue to evaluate these comments, but notes 
that such unrelated comments are outside the scope of this rulemaking 
and would require separate future action.

A. Loan Maturity Limits for Federal Credit Unions

    Section 107(5) of the Federal Credit Union Act (FCU Act) grants 
FCUs the power ``to make loans, the maturities of which shall not 
exceed 15 years, except

[[Page 10972]]

as otherwise provided herein.'' \9\ The NCUA implemented this general 
maturity limit in Sec.  701.21(c)(4) of its regulations. Sections 
107(5)(A)(i)-(iii) of the FCU Act provide exceptions to the general 15-
year maturity limit, which have been implemented in Sec.  701.21(e) 
through (g) of the NCUA's regulations.
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    \9\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(5).
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    Section 107(5)(A)(i) of the FCU Act, implemented in Sec.  701.21(g) 
of the NCUA's regulations, states that ``a residential real estate loan 
on a one-to-four-family dwelling, including an individual cooperative 
unit, that is or will be the principal residence of a credit union 
member, and which is secured by a first lien upon such dwelling, may 
have a maturity not exceeding thirty years or such other limits as 
shall be set by the National Credit Union Administration Board (except 
that a loan on an individual cooperative unit shall be adequately 
secured as defined by the Board), subject to the rules and regulations 
of the Board.'' \10\ Pursuant to its authority in section 107(5)(A)(i) 
of the FCU Act to set alternate maturities for covered 1-4 family real 
estate loans, the Board has established a 40-year maximum maturity for 
such loans and has provided that longer periods may be permitted by the 
Board on a case-by-case basis.\11\
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    \10\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(i) (emphasis added); 12 CFR 701.21(g).
    \11\ 12 CFR 701.21(g)(1) (stating that ``[a] federal credit 
union may make residential real estate loans to members, including 
loans secured by manufactured homes permanently affixed to the land, 
with maturities of up to 40 years, or such longer period as may be 
permitted by the NCUA Board on a case-by-case basis, subject to the 
conditions of this paragraph'').
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    Section 107(5)(A)(ii) of the FCU Act, implemented in Sec.  
701.21(f) of the NCUA's regulations, states that ``a loan to finance 
the purchase of a mobile home, which shall be secured by a first lien 
on such mobile home, to be used by the credit union member as his 
residence, a loan for the repair, alteration, or improvement of a 
residential dwelling which is the residence of a credit union member, 
or a second mortgage loan secured by a residential dwelling which is 
the residence of a credit union member, shall have a maturity not to 
exceed 15 years or any longer term which the Board may allow.'' \12\ 
Pursuant to its authority in Sec.  107(5)(A)(ii) to set alternate 
maturities for covered loans, the Board has established a 20-year 
maximum maturity for such loans.\13\
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    \12\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(ii) (emphasis added); 12 CFR 
701.21(f).
    \13\ 12 CFR 701.21(f)(1) (stating that ``[n]otwithstanding the 
general 15-year maturity limit on loans to members, a federal credit 
union may make loans with maturities of up to 20 years'' for loans 
covered by this paragraph.).
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    Finally, section 107(5)(A)(iii) of the FCU Act, implemented in 
Sec.  701.21(e) of the NCUA's regulations, states that ``a loan secured 
by the insurance or guarantee of, or with advance commitment to 
purchase the loan by, the Federal Government, a State Government, or 
any agency of either may be made for the maturity and under the terms 
and conditions specified in the law under which such insurance, 
guarantee, or commitment is provided.'' \14\
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    \14\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(iii); 12 CFR 701.21(e).
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i. Identifying the Various Maturity Limits in One Section
    Section 701.21 of the NCUA's regulations addresses various loan 
maturity limits in paragraphs (c), (e), (f), and (g). Paragraph (c) 
provides the general rules applicable to all loans to members and, 
where indicated, all lines of credit (including credit cards) to 
members, except as otherwise provided in the remaining provisions of 
Sec.  701.21. Paragraph (c)(4) implements the general 15-year maturity 
limit that Sec.  107(5) of the FCU Act places on loans to members. 
Paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) of Sec.  701.21 implement the three 
exceptions to this general 15-year limit that appear in section 
107(5)(A)(i)-(iii) of the FCU Act.
    Having the various maturity limits spread among numerous sections 
of the NCUA's regulations, often separated by large amounts of 
regulatory text unrelated to maturities, can be confusing to a reader 
and makes it more difficult to understand the lending regulations. To 
remedy this, in the proposed rule, the Board proposed to make the 
NCUA's loan maturity requirements more understandable and user friendly 
by identifying in one section (Sec.  701.21(c)(4)), including cross-
citations, all of the maturity limits applicable to FCU loans.
    More than half of the comments received specifically offered 
support for the NCUA's efforts to provide more regulatory clarity and 
make compliance easier by identifying all loan maturity requirements in 
one section and adding cross-citations. No commenters opposed the 
changes. As such, the NCUA is adopting these changes as proposed.
ii. The Treatment of Maturities for Lending Actions That Qualify as 
``New Loans'' Under GAAP
    The proposal also clarified that, in the case of a lending action 
qualifying as a ``new loan'' under GAAP, the maturity limit is 
calculated from the new date of origination.\15\ The Board proposed to 
accomplish this by adding language to Sec.  701.21(c)(4), which 
articulates the general 15-year maturity limit. The Board is adopting 
the proposal without change.
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    \15\ ASC 310-20-35-9 & 10.
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    Nearly one-third of commenters addressed this aspect of the 
proposal. The vast majority of these commenters explicitly supported 
the proposal. Several commenters noted that it is unclear if the 
proposal applies only to new loan originations, loan modifications, or 
both, and they requested further clarity regarding the proposal. To 
alleviate any potential confusion, the Board clarifies that the final 
rule applies to any lending action that qualifies as a new loan under 
GAAP, whether that action is a new origination or a modification.
iii. Request for Comment on Providing Longer Maturity Limits for 
Certain Loans
    In the proposal, the Board sought advanced comment on whether it 
should provide longer maturity limits for 1-4 family real estate loans 
and other loans (such as certain home improvement, mobile home, and 
second mortgage loans) as permitted by section 107(5)(A)(i)-(ii) of the 
FCU Act and remove the case-by-case exception that the Board can 
provide for covered 1-4 family real estate loans. As discussed earlier, 
these maturity limits are implemented in Sec.  701.21(f) and (g) of the 
NCUA's regulations. The case-by-case exception is located in Sec.  
701.21(g)(1) of the NCUA's regulations and provides that the Board can 
permit an FCU to make loans with maturities that exceed the 
regulation's 40-year limit ``on a case-by-case basis, subject to the 
conditions of this paragraph (g).'' \16\
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    \16\ 12 CFR 701.21(g)(1).
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    Nearly every commenter addressed the various maturity limits in 
some manner. Comments on the maturity limits generally fell into three 
categories: (1) Comments asking the NCUA to take action the Board does 
not believe it is authorized to take under the FCU Act; (2) responses 
to the request for advanced comment on actions the Board does believe 
it is authorized to take under the FCU Act, which the Board is taking 
under advisement for future rulemaking purposes; and (3) unsolicited 
comments that are more appropriately handled by guidance or legal 
opinion.
    Category 1. Many commenters expressed displeasure with the general

[[Page 10973]]

15-year maturity limit \17\ and specifically the 15-year maturity limit 
on first-lien, 1-4 family real estate loans that are not the principal 
residence of the borrower. The Board has no authority to alter this 
statutory limit.
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    \17\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(5).
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    Category 2. Commenters addressed the following provisions on which 
the Board sought advanced comment: (1) The current 40-year maturity 
limit on long-term residential real estate loans where the 1-4 family 
unit is the principal residence of the borrower; (2) the case-by-case 
exception the Board can use to grant maturity limits that exceed 40 
years on long-term residential real estate loans; and (3) the 20-year 
maturity limit for covered home improvement, mobile home, and second 
mortgage loans. While the Board has the authority to amend these 
provisions, they are beyond the scope of what the Board proposed and 
thus under the APA the Board cannot act on them now, and would have to 
issue a new proposed rule. The Board is taking these comments under 
advisement and is considering whether to issue a proposed rule at a 
later date pursuant to the NCUA's normal notice and comment rulemaking 
process.
    Category 3. Commenters provided unsolicited feedback on issues not 
specifically raised in the proposed rule. For example, several 
commenters requested clarification on the proper characterization of a 
loan on a residential dwelling that includes a detached structure on 
the same parcel of land, such as a ``mother-in-law suite.'' The Board 
believes this is more appropriately handled by guidance or legal 
opinion and may take such action later this year.

B. Single Borrower and Group of Associated Borrowers Limits

i. More Clearly Identifying the Various Limits
    Three provisions of the NCUA's regulations address limits on loans 
to a single borrower or group of associated borrowers: (1) Sec.  
701.21(c)(5) Addresses the general limit; (2) Sec.  701.22(b)(5)(iv) 
addresses the limit on loan participations; and (3) Sec.  723.4(c) 
addresses the limit on commercial loans. Because these provisions are 
spread among several sections of the NCUA's regulations, some 
stakeholders are not aware that there are multiple limits that apply in 
different contexts. To rectify this, the proposal made clear that all 
three of these limits exist. Rather than move the provisions that 
specifically apply to loan participations and commercial loans from 
their current regulatory sections to the general limit section, the 
NCUA proposed to include cross-citations to the more specific loan 
participation and commercial loan limits in the general limit section 
(Sec.  701.21(c)(5)).
    Section 701.21(c)(5), as part of the general rules on loans and 
lines of credit to members, imposes the FCU Act's ten percent limit on 
loans and lines of credit to any member.\18\ Specifically, Sec.  
701.21(c)(5) requires that ``[n]o loan or line of credit advance may be 
made to any member if such loan or advance would cause that member to 
be indebted to the Federal credit union upon loans and advances made to 
the member in the aggregate amount exceeding 10% of the credit union's 
total unimpaired capital and surplus.'' \19\ Section 701.21(c)(5) also 
provides an outdated cross-citation to part 723 for the specific limit 
on commercial lending. The proposal removed this outdated cross-
citation and provided updated references to both the current loan 
participation limit in Sec.  701.22(b)(5) and the commercial lending 
limit in Sec.  723.4(c).
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    \18\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(x).
    \19\ 12 CFR 701.21(c)(5).
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    The Board also proposed conforming amendments to update cross-
citations to the single borrower and group of associated borrower 
limits in Sec. Sec.  701.20(c)(2) and 701.22(b)(1).
    One-third of commenters addressed the technical and clarifying 
amendments the Board proposed related to the limits on loans to a 
single borrower or group of associated borrowers. All of these 
commenters supported adding internal cross-citations to more clearly 
identify the various limits in the general lending, loan 
participations, and commercial lending regulations. Three of these 
commenters specifically stated that this would simplify compliance. 
Several commenters noted confusion with the current layout.
    One commenter said that the fact that part 741 incorporates 
applicable provisions by reference compounds the difficulty for 
federally insured, state-chartered credit unions (FISCUs). The 
commenter recommended that the NCUA incorporate loan limitations 
applicable to FISCUs in Sec.  741.203 in their entirety. The Board 
appreciates the commenter's suggestion, but does not believe such a 
change is necessary for FISCUs to understand the applicable maturity 
limits.
    Another commenter recommended that, because the loan participation 
and commercial loan limits also apply to a group of associated 
borrowers, the NCUA should also include in the general lending 
regulations reference and cross-citations to the ``associated 
borrower'' definition in Sec. Sec.  701.22 and 723.2 of the NCUA's 
regulations. The Board is concerned that the commenter's suggestion to 
include cross-citations in the general lending regulations to the 
definition of ``associated borrower'' in the loan participation and 
commercial lending regulations would cause confusion for credit unions. 
The term ``associated borrower'' does not appear in the general lending 
regulations and does not apply to the general lending limit. As noted, 
the Board is of the view that cross-citations to the term ``associated 
borrower'' in the commercial lending and loan participation regulations 
would only serve to confuse readers and raise questions of its 
applicability and relevance to the general lending limit where that 
term is not defined.
    The Board believes that the proposed cross-citations provide an 
efficient and user-friendly way to identify and comply with the 
multiple lending limits in the NCUA's regulations. As such, the Board 
is adopting the amendments as proposed.
ii. Request for Comment Regarding the Limits Applicable to Loan 
Participations and Commercial Loans
    In the proposal, the Board sought advanced comment on the 
possibility of establishing a single universal limit on loans to a 
single borrower or group of associated borrowers in lieu of the current 
system of having various limits depending on the type of loan. The NCUA 
noted that such a limit may help facilitate compliance and reduce 
regulatory burden. Currently, a loans to one borrower limit of 15 
percent of a federally insured credit union's net worth exists for: (1) 
Commercial loans and (2) loan participations. A waiver from this limit 
is available for loan participations, but not for commercial loans. 
Instead, an alternate limit is available for commercial loans.
    More specifically, the 15 percent limit on loan participations can 
be waived by the appropriate regional director for FCUs, and, in the 
case of a federally insured, state-chartered credit union, by the 
regional director with prior written concurrence of the appropriate 
state supervisory authority.\20\ The limit on commercial loans, 
however, does not provide for a waiver. Instead, it provides

[[Page 10974]]

that ``the aggregate dollar amount of commercial loans to any one 
borrower or group of associated borrowers may not exceed the greater of 
15 percent of the federally insured credit union's net worth or 
$100,000, plus an additional 10 percent of the credit union's net worth 
if the amount that exceeds the credit union's 15 percent general limit 
is fully secured at all times with a perfected security interest by 
readily marketable collateral as defined in Sec.  723.2 of this part. 
Any insured or guaranteed portion of a commercial loan made through a 
program in which a federal or state agency (or its political 
subdivision) insures repayment, guarantees repayment, or provides an 
advance commitment to purchase the loan in full, is excluded from this 
limit.'' \21\
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    \20\ 12 CFR 701.22(b)(5)(iv). The appropriate regional director 
for FCUs with $10 billion or more in assets is the Director of the 
Office of National Examinations and Supervision. 12 CFR 700.2.
    \21\ 12 CFR 723.4(c).
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    Approximately half of the commenters specifically addressed a 
potential universal limit. These commenters offered mixed views on the 
potential limit and provided the Board with a great deal to consider 
moving forward. The NCUA will continue to evaluate the comments 
received and determine whether a single universal limit would be 
beneficial. If the Board determines that a universal limit should be 
adopted, the Board will issue a proposed rule at a later date pursuant 
to the NCUA's normal notice and comment rulemaking process.

III. Section-by-Section Analysis

    The clarifying amendments in this final rule are largely technical 
in nature. As a result, most of the current language in Sec.  701.21 
remains. The changes to Sec.  701.21 and the conforming amendments to 
Sec. Sec.  701.20 and 701.22 are discussed in more detail below.

Section 701.20 Suretyship and guaranty.

    (c) Requirements.
    The final rule makes minor conforming amendments to Sec.  
701.20(c).
    (c)(2).
    The final rule makes conforming amendments to the section governing 
requirements for suretyship or guaranty agreements by removing outdated 
cross-citations to the loans to one borrower or group of associated 
borrowers limit in Sec. Sec.  723.2 and 723.8 of the member business 
lending regulation and adding an updated cross-citation to Sec.  
723.4(c).

Section 701.21

    (c) General rules.
    (c)(4) Maturity.
    The final rule divides Sec.  701.21(c)(4) into two new paragraphs. 
One paragraph, Sec.  701.21(c)(4)(i), states the general rule that 
loans carry a 15-year maturity. The other, Sec.  701.21(c)(4)(ii), 
makes more explicit that there are exceptions to the general 15-year 
maturity limit in Sec.  701.21(e) through (g) for various types of 
credit union loans.
    (c)(4)(i) General rules.
    The final rule maintains all of current Sec.  701.21(c)(4) in Sec.  
701.21(c)(4)(i), which articulates the general 15-year maturity limit 
that exists on FCU loans. However, the final rule also adds language to 
clarify that the maturity for a new loan under GAAP is calculated from 
the new date of origination.
    (c)(4)(ii) Exceptions.
    Section 701.21(c)(4)(ii) of the final rule explicitly states, in 
three paragraphs ((c)(4)(ii)(A), (B), and (C)), that there are three 
exceptions to the general 15-year maturity limit and cross-cites to 
Sec.  701.21(e) through (g) as follows:
    (c)(4)(ii)(A).
    Section 701.21(c)(4)(ii)(A) of the final rule cross-cites to the 
exception to the general 15-year maturity limit in Sec.  701.21(e) 
regarding covered loans secured, in full or in part, by the insurance 
or guarantee of, or with an advance commitment to purchase the loan, in 
full or in part, by the Federal Government, a State Government or any 
agency of either.
    (c)(4)(ii)(B).
    Section 701.21(c)(4)(ii)(B) of the final rule cross-cites to the 
exception to the general 15-year maturity limit in Sec.  701.21(f) 
regarding covered home improvement, mobile home, and second mortgage 
loans.
    (c)(4)(ii)(C).
    Section 701.21(c)(4)(ii)(C) of the final rule cross-cites to the 
exception to the general 15-year maturity limit in Sec.  701.21(g) 
regarding covered 1-4 family real estate loans.
    (c)(5) Ten percent limit.
    The final rule revises Sec.  701.21(c)(5) to add cross-citations to 
the specific requirements on loans to a single borrower or group of 
associated borrowers in the loan participation rule, Sec.  
701.22(b)(5)(iv), and member business lending rule, Sec.  723.4(c).
    (e) Insured, Guaranteed, and Advance Commitment Loans.
    The final rule revises Sec.  701.21(e) to make more explicit that 
the maturity limits applicable to loans covered by paragraph (e) are 
notwithstanding the general 15-year limit in paragraph (c)(4). The 
final rule also adds a cross-citation to paragraph (c)(4).
    (f) 20-Year Loans.
    The final rule retains almost all of current Sec.  701.21(f), but 
inserts some additional language to improve clarity.
    (f)(1).
    The final rule revises Sec.  701.21(f)(1) to make more explicit 
that the maturity limit applicable to loans covered by paragraph (f) is 
notwithstanding the general 15-year limit in paragraph (c)(4). The 
final rule also adds a cross-citation to paragraph (c)(4).
    (g) Long-Term Mortgage Loans.
    The final rule retains almost all of Sec.  701.21(g), but inserts 
some additional language to improve clarity.
    (g)(1).
    The final rule revises Sec.  701.21(g)(1) to make more explicit 
that the maturity limit applicable to loans covered by paragraph (g) is 
notwithstanding the general 15-year limit in paragraph (c)(4). The 
final rule also adds a cross-citation to paragraph (c)(4).

Section 701.22

    (b).
    As described in more detail below, the final rule makes minor 
conforming amendments to Sec.  701.22(b) regarding loan participations.
    (b)(1).
    The final rule updates the cross-citation in Sec.  701.22(b)(1), 
which provides that for a federally insured credit union to purchase a 
participation interest in a loan, the loan must comply with all 
regulatory requirements to the same extent as if the purchasing 
federally insured credit union had originated the loan. Specifically, 
the final rule changes the outdated cross-citation in Sec.  
701.22(b)(1) from Sec.  723.8 to Sec.  723.4(c).

IV. Legal Authority

    The Board is issuing this rule pursuant to its authority under the 
FCU Act. Under the FCU Act, the NCUA is the chartering and supervisory 
authority for FCUs and the federal supervisory authority for federally 
insured credit unions.\22\ The FCU Act grants NCUA a broad mandate to 
issue regulations governing both FCUs and all federally insured credit 
unions. Section 120 of the FCU Act is a general grant of regulatory 
authority and authorizes the Board to prescribe rules and regulations 
for the administration of the FCU Act.\23\ Section 207 of the FCU Act 
is a specific grant of authority over share insurance coverage, 
conservatorships, and liquidations.\24\ Section 209 of the FCU Act is a 
plenary grant of regulatory authority to the NCUA to issue rules and 
regulations necessary or appropriate to carry out its role as share 
insurer for all federally insured credit unions.\25\

[[Page 10975]]

Accordingly, the FCU Act grants the Board broad rulemaking authority to 
ensure that the credit union industry and the National Credit Union 
Share Insurance Fund remain safe and sound.
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    \22\ 12 U.S.C. 1752-1775.
    \23\ 12 U.S.C. 1766(a).
    \24\ 12 U.S.C. 1787.
    \25\ 12 U.S.C. 1789.
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V. Regulatory Procedures

A. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that, in 
connection with a final rule, an agency prepare and make available for 
public comment a final regulatory flexibility analysis that describes 
the impact of the final rule on small entities. A regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required, however, if the agency certifies 
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities (defined for purposes of the RFA 
to include credit unions with assets less than $100 million) \26\ and 
publishes its certification and a short, explanatory statement in the 
Federal Register together with the rule. The final rule reduces 
regulatory burden through clarifying and technical changes and will not 
have an impact on small credit unions. Accordingly, the NCUA certifies 
that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small credit unions.
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    \26\ See 80 FR 57512 (Sept. 24, 2015).
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B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) applies to rulemakings in 
which an agency creates new or amends existing information collection 
requirements.\27\ For purposes of the PRA, an information collection 
requirement may take the form of a reporting, recordkeeping, or a 
third-party disclosure requirement. The final rule does not contain 
information collection requirements that require approval by OMB under 
the PRA.\28\ The final rule only makes clarifying and technical 
changes.
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    \27\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d); 5 CFR part 1320.
    \28\ 44 U.S.C. chap. 35.
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C. Executive Order 13132

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

D. Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    The NCUA 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.\29\
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    \29\ Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998).
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E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    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 the NCUA issues a 
final rule as defined by Section 551 of the Administrative Procedure 
Act. The NCUA does not believe this final rule is a ``major rule'' 
within the meaning of the relevant sections of SBREFA. The 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 701

    Credit, Credit unions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on March 14, 
2019.
Gerard Poliquin,
Secretary of the Board.

    For the reasons discussed above, the Board amends 12 CFR part 701 
as follows:

PART 701--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 701 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1752(5), 1755, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1759, 
1761a, 1761b, 1766, 1767, 1782, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1788, 1789. 
Section 701.6 is also authorized by 15 U.S.C. 3717. Section 701.31 
is also authorized by 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 1981 and 
3601-3610. Section 701.35 is also authorized by 42 U.S.C. 4311-4312.


Sec.  701.20   [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  701.20(c)(2) by removing the words ``723.2 and 723.8'' 
and adding in their place ``723.4(c)''.

0
3. Amend Sec.  701.21 by revising paragraphs (c)(4) and (5), (e), 
(f)(1) introductory text, and (g)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  701.21  Loans to members and lines of credit to members.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (4) Maturity. (i) In General. The maturity of a loan to a member 
may not exceed 15 years. Lines of credit are not subject to a statutory 
or regulatory maturity limit. Amortization of line of credit balances 
and the type and amount of security on any line of credit shall be as 
determined by contract between the Federal credit union and the member/
borrower. In the case of a lending action that qualifies as a ``new 
loan'' under GAAP, the new loan's maturity is calculated from the new 
date of origination.
    (ii) Exceptions. Notwithstanding the general 15-year maturity limit 
on loans to members, a federal credit union may make loans with 
maturities:
    (A) As specified in the law, regulations or program under which a 
loan is secured, in full or in part, by the insurance or guarantee of, 
or with an advance commitment to purchase the loan, in full or in part, 
by the Federal Government, a State government or any agency of either, 
as provided in paragraph (e) of this section;
    (B) of up to 20 years or such longer term as is provided in 
paragraph (f) of this section; and
    (C) of up to 40 years or such longer term as is provided in 
paragraph (g) of this section.
    (5) Ten percent limit. No loan or line of credit advance may be 
made to any member if such loan or advance would cause that member to 
be indebted to the Federal credit union upon loans and advances made to 
the member in an aggregate amount exceeding 10% of the credit union's 
total unimpaired capital and surplus. In the case of loan 
participations as defined in Sec.  701.22(a) of this part and 
commercial loans as defined in Sec.  723.2 of this chapter, additional 
limitations apply as set forth in Sec.  701.22(b)(5)(iv) of this part 
and Sec.  723.4(c) of this chapter.
* * * * *
    (e) Insured, Guaranteed, and Advance Commitment Loans. 
Notwithstanding the general 15-year maturity limit on loans to members 
in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, a loan secured, in full or in 
part, by the insurance or guarantee of, or with an advance commitment 
to purchase the loan, in full or in part, by the Federal Government, a 
State government or any agency of either, may be made for the maturity 
and under the terms and conditions, including rate of interest, 
specified in the law, regulations or program under which the insurance, 
guarantee or commitment is provided.

[[Page 10976]]

    (f) * * *
    (1) Notwithstanding the general 15-year maturity limit on loans to 
members in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, a federal credit union may 
make loans with maturities of up to 20 years in the case of:
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) Authority. Notwithstanding the general 15-year maturity limit 
on loans to members in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, a federal 
credit union may make residential real estate loans to members, 
including loans secured by manufactured homes permanently affixed to 
the land, with maturities of up to 40 years, or such longer period as 
may be permitted by the NCUA Board on a case-by-case basis, subject to 
the conditions of this paragraph (g).
* * * * *


Sec.  701.22   [Amended]

0
4. Amend Sec.  701.22(b)(1) by removing the words ``Sec.  723.8'' and 
adding in their place ``Sec.  723.4''.

[FR Doc. 2019-05186 Filed 3-22-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7535-01-P