[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 24, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37731-37734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13719]



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 Rules and Regulations
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 24, 2020 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 37731]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Part 8

[Docket ID OCC-2020-0024]
RIN 1557-AE95


Assessment of Fees

AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury.

ACTION: Interim final rule and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is 
adopting an interim final rule to reduce assessments in response to the 
national emergency declared in connection with coronavirus disease 2019 
(COVID-19). Under the interim final rule, assessments due on September 
30, 2020, for national banks, Federal savings associations, and Federal 
branches and agencies of foreign banks (collectively, banks under the 
jurisdiction of the OCC) will be calculated using the December 31, 
2019, ``Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income'' (Call Report) 
for each institution, rather than the June 30, 2020 Call Report. This 
will result in lower assessments for most banks under the jurisdiction 
of the OCC. In the event a bank's assets as reported on the June 30, 
2020, Call Report are lower than on the December 31, 2019, Call Report, 
the OCC will calculate the assessment due on September 30, 2020, for 
the institution using the June 30, 2020, Call Report.

DATES: The interim final rule is effective from June 24, 2020 through 
October 15, 2020. Comments on the interim final rule must be received 
no later than July 24, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties are encouraged to submit written 
comments. Commenters are encouraged to submit comments through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal or email, if possible. Please use the title 
``Assessment of Fees'' to facilitate the organization and distribution 
of the comments. You may submit comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal--Regulations.gov Classic or 
Regulations.gov Beta:
    Regulations.gov Classic: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/. Enter 
``Docket ID OCC-2020-0024'' in the Search Box and click ``Search.'' 
Click on ``Comment Now'' to submit public comments. For help with 
submitting effective comments please click on ``View Commenter's 
Checklist.'' Click on the ``Help'' tab on the Regulations.gov home page 
to get information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for 
submitting public comments.
    Regulations.gov Beta: Go to https://beta.regulations.gov/ or click 
``Visit New Regulations.gov Site'' from the Regulations.gov Classic 
homepage. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2020-0024'' in the Search Box and click 
``Search.'' Public comments can be submitted via the ``Comment'' box 
below the displayed document information or by clicking on the document 
title and then clicking the ``Comment'' box on the top left side of the 
screen. For help with submitting effective comments please click on 
``Commenter's Checklist.'' For assistance with the Regulations.gov Beta 
site, please call (877) 378-5457 (toll free) or (703) 454-9859 Monday-
Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET or email [email protected].
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: Chief Counsel's Office, Attention: Comment 
Processing, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street 
SW, Suite 3E-218, Washington, DC 20219.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th Street SW, Suite 3E-218, 
Washington, DC 20219.
     Fax: (571) 465-4326.
    Instructions: You must include ``OCC'' as the agency name and 
``Docket ID OCC-2020-0024'' in your comment. In general, the OCC will 
enter all comments received into the docket and publish the comments on 
the Regulations.gov website without change, including any business or 
personal information provided such as name and address information, 
email addresses, or phone numbers. Comments received, including 
attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the public 
record and subject to public disclosure. Do not include any information 
in your comment or supporting materials that you consider confidential 
or inappropriate for public disclosure.
    You may review comments and other related materials that pertain to 
this rulemaking action by any of the following methods:
     Viewing Comments Electronically--Regulations.gov Classic 
or Regulations.gov Beta: Regulations.gov Classic: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2020-0024'' in the Search 
box and click ``Search.'' Click on ``Open Docket Folder'' on the right 
side of the screen. Comments and supporting materials can be viewed and 
filtered by clicking on ``View all documents and comments in this 
docket'' and then using the filtering tools on the left side of the 
screen. Click on the ``Help'' tab on the Regulations.gov home page to 
get information on using Regulations.gov. The docket may be viewed 
after the close of the comment period in the same manner as during the 
comment period.
    Regulations.gov Beta: Go to https://beta.regulations.gov/ or click 
``Visit New Regulations.gov Site'' from the Regulations.gov Classic 
homepage. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2020-0024'' in the Search Box and click 
``Search.'' Click on the ``Comments'' tab. Comments can be viewed and 
filtered by clicking on the ``Sort By'' drop-down on the right side of 
the screen or the ``Refine Results'' options on the left side of the 
screen. Supporting materials can be viewed by clicking on the 
``Documents'' tab and filtered by clicking on the ``Sort By'' drop-down 
on the right side of the screen or the ``Refine Results'' options on 
the left side of the screen.'' For assistance with the Regulations.gov 
Beta site, please call (877) 378-5457 (toll free) or (703) 454- 9859 
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET or email 
[email protected]. The docket may be viewed after the 
close of the comment period in the same manner.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Sherry, Principal Deputy 
Comptroller for Management and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, 
Financial Management, (202) 649-5658, or Mitchell Plave, Special 
Counsel, Chief Counsel's Office, (202) 649-5490,

[[Page 37732]]

for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY, (202) 649-5597.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The National Bank Act \1\ and the Home Owners' Loan Act \2\ 
authorize the Comptroller to recover the costs of the OCC's operations 
through assessments, fees, and other charges on banks under the 
jurisdiction of the OCC.\3\ In setting assessments, the Comptroller has 
broad authority to consider variations among institutions, including 
the nature and scope of the activities of the entity, the amount and 
type of assets that the entity holds, the financial and managerial 
condition of the entity, and any other factor the Comptroller 
determines is appropriate.\4\
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    \1\ Revised Statutes of the United States, Title LXII, 12 U.S.C. 
1 et seq.
    \2\ The Home Owners' Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.
    \3\ 12 U.S.C. 16, 481, 482, 1467.
    \4\ 12 U.S.C. 16. See also 12 U.S.C. 1467 (providing that the 
Comptroller has the authority to recover costs of examination of 
federal savings associations ``as the Comptroller deems necessary or 
appropriate.'').
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    The OCC collects assessments from banks under its jurisdiction in 
accordance with 12 CFR part 8. Under part 8, the base assessment for 
banks is calculated using a table with eleven categories, or brackets, 
each of which comprises a range of asset-size values. The assessment 
for each bank is the sum of a base amount, which is the same for every 
bank in its asset-size bracket, plus a marginal amount, which is 
computed by applying a marginal assessment rate to the amount in excess 
of the lower boundary of the asset-size bracket.\5\ The marginal 
assessment rate declines as asset size increases, reflecting economies 
of scale in bank examination and supervision.
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    \5\ 12 CFR 8.2(a). Only the total domestic assets of federal 
branches and agencies are subject to assessment. 12 CFR 8.2(b)(2).
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    The OCC's annual Notice of Office of the Comptroller of the 
Currency Fees and Assessments (Notice of Fees) sets forth the marginal 
assessment rates applicable to each asset-size bracket for each year, 
as well as other assessment components and fees. Under part 8, the OCC 
may adjust the marginal rates to account for inflation through the 
annual Notice of Fees.\6\ The OCC also has the discretion under part 8 
to adjust marginal rates by amounts other than inflation.\7\ The OCC 
may issue an interim or amended Notice of Fees if the Comptroller 
determines that it is necessary to revise assessments to meet the OCC's 
supervisory obligations.\8\
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    \6\ 12 CFR 8.2(a)(4).
    \7\ Id.
    \8\ 12 CFR 8.8(b).
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    Under 12 CFR 8.2, the OCC collects assessments on a semiannual 
basis, with fees due by March 31 and September 30 (payment due dates) 
of each year for the six-month period beginning on January 1 and July 1 
before each payment due date.\9\ Each semiannual assessment is based 
upon the total assets shown in the institution's most recent Call 
Report preceding the payment date.
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    \9\ 12 CFR 8.2(a) and 8.2(b)(1).
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II. Description of the Interim Final Rule

    COVID-19 has significantly affected financial institutions, 
businesses, and consumers. In light of the adverse economic effect of 
the extraordinary measures that have been taken to limit the public 
health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCC is issuing this 
interim final rule to reduce assessments for the upcoming semiannual 
assessment. Under the interim final rule, which amends 12 CFR part 8, 
the OCC will calculate assessments due on September 30, 2020, using 
Call Report assets as of December 31, 2019, rather June 30, 2020. The 
use of December 31, 2019, Call Report assets will result in reduced 
assessments for most banks. If an institution's June 30, 2020, Call 
Report assets are lower than the institution's assets as reported on 
December 31, 2019, the OCC will use the June 30, 2020, Call Report for 
calculation of the institution's assessment.
    The interim final rule will expire after the collection of 
assessments on September 30, 2020. Thereafter, semiannual assessments 
will be based on the total assets shown in each institution's most 
recent Call Report preceding the payment date.
    The OCC seeks comment on all aspects of this interim final rule.

III. Administrative Law Matters

A. Administrative Procedure Act

    The OCC is issuing this interim final rule without prior notice and 
the opportunity for public comment and the delayed effective date 
ordinarily prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).\10\ 
Pursuant to section 553(b)(B) of the APA, general notice and 
opportunity for the public to comment are not require with respect to a 
rulemaking when an ``agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the 
finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued) 
that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, 
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' \11\
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    \10\ 5 U.S.C. 553.
    \11\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
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    The OCC believes that the public interest is best served by 
implementing the interim final before the next assessment collection. 
As discussed above, COVID-19 has significantly affected global economic 
activity. The reduction of assessments for banks under the jurisdiction 
of the OCC will reduce burden during this period. Issuance of an 
interim final rule will provide for expedited implementation of the 
assessment change and permit the OCC to timely issue an amended Notice 
of Fees, which will implement the assessment change for the semiannual 
assessment due on September 30, 2020.\12\ For these reasons, the OCC 
believes that there is good cause consistent with the public interest 
to issue the interim final rule without advance notice and comment.\13\
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    \12\ 12 CFR 8.8. An amended Notice of Fees becomes effective 30 
days after issuance. Id. 8.8(b).
    \13\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B); 553(d)(3).
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    The APA also requires a 30-day delayed effective date, except for 
(1) substantive rules which grant or recognize an exemption or relieve 
a restriction; (2) interpretative rules and statements of policy; or 
(3) as otherwise provided by the agency for good cause.\14\ Because the 
rule grants an exemption, the interim final rule is exempt from the 
APA's delayed effective date requirement.\15\ Additionally, the OCC 
finds good cause to publish the interim final rule with an immediate 
effective date for the same reasons set forth above. While the OCC 
believes that there is good cause to issue the rule without advance 
notice and comment and with an immediate effective date, the OCC is 
interested in the views of the public and requests comment on all 
aspects of the interim final rule.
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    \14\ 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
    \15\ 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1).
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B. Congressional Review Act

    For purposes of Congressional Review Act, the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) makes a determination as to whether a final rule 
constitutes a ``major'' rule.\16\ If a rule is deemed a ``major rule'' 
by the OMB, the Congressional Review Act generally provides that the 
rule may not take effect until at least 60 days following its 
publication.\17\
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    \16\ 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.
    \17\ 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(3).
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    The Congressional Review Act defines a ``major rule'' as any rule 
that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs of

[[Page 37733]]

the OMB finds has resulted in or is likely to result in (A) an annual 
effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; (B) a major increase in 
costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, 
or local government agencies or geographic regions, or (C) significant 
adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to 
compete with foreign based enterprises in domestic and export 
markets.\18\
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    \18\ 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
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    For the same reasons set forth above with respect to APA 
requirements, the OCC is adopting the interim final rule without the 
delayed effective date generally prescribed under the Congressional 
Review Act. The delayed effective date required by the Congressional 
Review Act does not apply to any rule for which an agency for good 
cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of 
reasons therefore in the rule issued) that notice and public procedure 
thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.\19\ Because the interim rule will reduce assessments and 
provide relief to institutions during the financial stress introduced 
by the measures taken to limit the public health risks of the COVID-19 
pandemic, the OCC believes that delaying the rule would be contrary to 
the public interest.
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    \19\ 5 U.S.C. 808(2).
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    As required by the Congressional Review Act, the OCC will submit 
this interim final rule and other appropriate reports to Congress and 
the Government Accountability Office for review.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (PRA),\20\ the OCC may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent 
is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OCC has reviewed 
this interim final rule and determined that it would not introduce any 
new or revise any collection of information pursuant to the PRA. 
Therefore, no submissions will be made to OMB.
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    \20\ 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
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D. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) \21\ generally requires that 
an agency to consider whether a proposed rule will have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.\22\ The RFA 
applies only to rules for which an agency publishes a general notice of 
proposed rulemaking pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).\23\ As discussed 
above, consistent with section 553(b)(B) of the APA, the OCC has 
determined for good cause that general notice and opportunity for 
public comment is unnecessary, and, therefore, the OCC is not issuing a 
notice of proposed rulemaking. Accordingly, the OCC has concluded that 
the RFA's requirements relating to initial and final regulatory 
flexibility analysis do not apply.
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    \21\ U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    \22\ 5 U.S.C. 604. Under regulations issued by the Small 
Business Administration, a small entity includes a depository 
institution, bank holding company, or savings and loan holding 
company with total assets of $600 million or less and trust 
companies with total assets of $41.5 million or less. See 13 CFR 
121.201.
    \23\ 5 U.S.C. 604(a).
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    Nevertheless, the OCC seeks comment on whether, and the extent to 
which, the interim final rule would affect a significant number of 
small entities.

E. Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994

    Pursuant to section 302(a) of the Riegle Community Development and 
Regulatory Improvement Act (RCDRIA),\24\ in determining the effective 
date and administrative compliance requirements for new regulations 
that impose additional reporting, disclosure, or other requirements on 
insured depository institutions (IDIs), the OCC must consider, 
consistent with the principle of safety and soundness and the public 
interest, any administrative burdens that such regulations would place 
on depository institutions, including small depository institutions, 
and customers of depository institutions, as well as the benefits of 
such regulations. In addition, section 302(b) of RCDRIA requires new 
regulations and amendments to regulations that impose additional 
reporting, disclosure, or other new requirements on IDIs generally to 
take effect on the first day of a calendar quarter that begins on or 
after the date on which the regulations are published in final form, 
with certain exceptions, including for good cause.\25\ The interim 
final rule would not impose any additional reporting, disclosure, or 
other new requirements on IDIs. Therefore, for the reasons described 
above, the OCC finds good cause exists under section 302 of RCDRIA to 
publish this interim final rule with an immediate effective date. As 
such, the interim final rule will be effective on June 24, 2020. 
Nevertheless, the OCC seeks comment on RCDRIA.
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    \24\ 12 U.S.C. 4802(a).
    \25\ 12 U.S.C. 4802.
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F. Use of Plain Language

    Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act \26\ requires the Federal 
banking agencies to use plain language in all proposed and final rules 
published after January 1, 2000. The OCC has sought to present the 
interim final rule in a simple and straightforward manner. The OCC 
invites comment on whether there are additional steps it could take to 
make the rule easier to understand. For example:
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    \26\ 12 U.S.C. 4809.
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     Have we organized the material to suit your needs? If not, 
how could this material be better organized?
     Are the requirements in the regulation clearly stated? If 
not, how could the regulation be more clearly stated?
     Does the regulation contain language or jargon that is not 
clear? If so, which language requires clarification?
     Would a different format (grouping and order of sections, 
use of headings, paragraphing) make the regulation easier to 
understand? If so, what changes to the format would make the regulation 
easier to understand? What else could we do to make the regulation 
easier to understand?

G. OCC Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 Determination

    Consistent with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), 2 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq., the OCC typically prepares a budgetary impact 
statement before promulgating a rule that includes a Federal mandate 
that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any one year. However, UMRA does not apply to final 
rules for which a general notice of proposed rulemaking was not 
published.\27\ Therefore, because the OCC has found good cause to 
dispense with notice and comment for this interim final rule, the OCC 
has not prepared a budgetary impact statement for this interim final 
rule.
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    \27\ See 2 U.S.C. 1532(a).
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List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 8

    Assessments, Federal branches and agencies, National banks, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations.

[[Page 37734]]

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Chapter I

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, chapter I of title 12 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 8--ASSESSMENT OF FEES

0
1. The authority for part 8 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 16, 93a, 481, 482, 1467, 1831c, 1867, 3102, 
3108, and 5412(b)(2)(B); and 15 U.S.C. 78c and 78l.


0
2. Section 8.2 is amended by:
0
a. Redesignating paragraph (a)(5) as paragraph (a)(5)(i);
0
b. Adding paragraph (a)(5)(ii);
0
c. Redesignating paragraph (b)(3) as paragraph (b)(3)(i); and
0
d. Adding paragraph (b)(3)(ii).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  8.2  Semiannual assessment.

    (a) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section, the 
semiannual assessment for each national bank or Federal savings 
association due on September 30, 2020, will be based upon the lesser of 
total assets shown in the national bank's or Federal savings 
association's December 31, 2019, Call Report or June 30, 2020, Call 
Report.
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section, the 
semiannual assessment for each Federal branch and each agency due on 
September 30, 2020, will be based upon the lesser of total assets shown 
in the Federal branch's or agency's December 31, 2019, Call Report or 
June 30, 2020, Call Report.
* * * * *

Brian P. Brooks,
Acting Comptroller of the Currency.
[FR Doc. 2020-13719 Filed 6-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-33-P