[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 234 (Friday, December 4, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78269-78277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25988]


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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 741

[NCUA 2020-0114]
RIN 3133-AF30


Capitalization of Interest in Connection With Loan Workouts and 
Modifications

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The NCUA Board (Board) seeks public comment on a proposed rule 
to amend its regulations by removing the prohibition on the 
capitalization of interest in connection with loan workouts and 
modifications. The Board has determined that the current prohibition on 
authorizing additional advances to finance unpaid interest may be 
overly burdensome and, in some cases, hamper a federally insured credit 
union's (FICU's) good-faith efforts to engage in loan workouts with 
borrowers facing difficulty because of the economic disruption that the 
COVID-19 pandemic has caused. Advancing interest may avert the need for 
alternative actions that would be more harmful to borrowers. The 
proposed rule would establish documentation requirements to help ensure 
that the addition of unpaid interest to the principal balance of a 
mortgage loan does not hinder the borrower's ability to become current 
on the loan. The proposed change would apply to workouts of all types 
of member loans, including commercial and business loans. The Board has 
also taken this opportunity to make several technical changes to the 
Appendix to improve its clarity and update certain references. For the 
convenience of readers, the Board is republishing the Appendix in its 
entirety so that the changes may be viewed in the context of the full 
document.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 2, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments, identified by RIN 3133-
AF30, by any of the following methods (Please send comments by one 
method only):
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments for NCUA 2020-0114.
     Fax: (703) 518-6319. Include ``[Your Name]--Comments on 
``Proposed Rule: Capitalization of Interest in Connection with Loan 
Workouts and Modifications'' in the transmittal.
     Mail: Address to Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks, Secretary of 
the Board, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428.
    Public Inspection: You may view all public comments on the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov) as submitted, except 
for those we cannot post for technical reasons. The NCUA will not edit 
or remove any identifying or contact information from the public 
comments submitted. Due to social distancing measures in effect, the 
usual opportunity to inspect paper copies of comments in the NCUA's law 
library is not currently available. After social distancing measures 
are relaxed, visitors may make an appointment to review paper copies by 
calling (703) 518-6540 or emailing [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Neat, Associate Director of the 
Office of Examination and Insurance, at (703) 518-6360; and Ariel 
Pereira and Gira Bose, Staff Attorneys, Office of General Counsel, at 
(703) 518-6540.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background
II. Legal Authority
III. Summary of the Proposed Rule
IV. Regulatory Procedures

I. Background

A. May 2012 Adoption of the Loan Workout and Accrual and TDR 
Requirements

    In May 2012, the Board published a final rule on loan workout 
policies and monitoring requirements that applies to all FICUs. The 
rule also established requirements for nonaccrual policies, and for 
regulatory reporting of troubled debt restructurings (TDRs).\1\ The 
Board noted that the May 2012 final rule was similar to guidance set 
forth in an interagency policy statement issued by the banking agencies 
of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) on 
June 12, 2000,\2\ though the NCUA did not join the agencies in issuing 
the statement.
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    \1\ 77 FR 31993 (May 31, 2012).
    \2\ FFIEC, Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account 
Management Policy, 65 FR 36903 (June 12, 2000).
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    The May 2012 final rule, codified in Appendix B to Part 741 of the 
NCUA's

[[Page 78270]]

regulations, established four requirements.
    1. The final rule required that FICUs have written policies that 
address loan workouts and nonaccrual practices required under Sec.  
741.3, Criteria. In Appendix B, the Board also required that such 
policies prohibit a credit union from authorizing additional advances 
to a borrower to finance unpaid interest (capitalization of interest) 
and credit union fees. Credit unions are permitted to make such 
advances to cover third-party fees, excluding credit union commissions, 
such as force-placed insurance and property taxes. This requirement is 
similar to the expectation established in the June 2000 interagency 
statement of policy cited above, except that the interagency statement 
provided that a bank's policies should prohibit such advances but did 
not state that the policies must prohibit them.
    2. The final rule standardized an industry-wide practice by 
requiring that FICUs cease to accrue interest on all loans at 90 days 
or more past due, subject to a few exceptions.
    3. The final rule required that a FICU maintain member business 
workout loans in a nonaccrual status until it receives six consecutive 
payments under the modified terms.
    4. The final rule required that FICUs calculate and report TDR loan 
delinquency based on restructured contract terms, rather than the 
original loan terms.
    In adopting the May 2012 final rule, the Board stated its intention 
to provide regulatory relief to FICUs while instituting countervailing 
controls and clarifying regulatory expectations. In the 2012 
rulemaking, the Board acknowledged the need to balance appropriate loan 
workout programs with safety and soundness considerations. The Board 
noted that such considerations include the ability to identify 
deterioration in the quality of the loan portfolio and delayed loss 
recognition in light of the high degree of relapse into past due 
status.

B. COVID-19 Pandemic and FFIEC Statement on Loan Accommodations

    In light of the challenges and economic disruption caused by the 
COVID-19 pandemic, the Board is proposing an amendment to the 
requirement in the May 2012 final rule that relates to the 
capitalization of interest.\3\ As the NCUA and other member agencies of 
the FFIEC noted in an August 2020 statement on loan accommodations, the 
COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant adverse impact on consumers, 
businesses, financial institutions, and the economy.\4\
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    \3\ The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak was declared a 
national emergency under Proclamation 9994, 85 FR 15337 (Mar. 18, 
2020).
    \4\ Joint Statement on Additional Loan Accommodations Related to 
COVID-19, available at https://www.ncua.gov/files/press-releases-news/joint-statement-additional-loan-accommodations.pdf.
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    To address such impacts, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic 
Security (CARES) Act \5\ provided several forms of relief to businesses 
and borrowers, and some states and localities have provided similar 
credit accommodations. Additionally, many financial institutions have 
voluntarily offered borrowers other credit accommodations.
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    \5\ Public Law 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (Mar. 27, 2020).
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    The NCUA, along with the other FFIEC members, has encouraged 
financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers who are unable, 
or may become unable, to meet their contractual payment obligations as 
a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.\6\ Specifically, the NCUA and the 
other FFIEC members have stated that they view loan accommodations as 
positive actions that can mitigate adverse effects on borrowers caused 
by the COVID-19 pandemic. For borrowers experiencing financial 
hardship, a prudently underwritten and appropriately managed loan 
modification, consistent with safe and sound lending practices, is 
generally in the long-term best interest of both the borrower and the 
credit union. Such modifications may allow a borrower to remain in 
their home or a commercial borrower to maintain operations due to 
external circumstances, and can help credit unions minimize the costs 
of default and foreclosures.
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    \6\ See Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and 
Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected 
by the Coronavirus (Revised), (Apr. 7, 2020) and FFIEC's Joint 
Statement on Additional Loan Accommodations Related to COVID-19 
(Aug. 3, 2020).
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    While some borrowers will be able to resume contractual payments at 
the end of an accommodation, others may be unable to meet their 
obligations due to continuing financial challenges. In light of these 
challenges, the NCUA and the other FFIEC members encouraged financial 
institutions to consider prudent accommodation options that are based 
on an understanding of a borrower's credit risk. Accommodations must 
also be consistent with applicable laws and regulations and ease cash 
flow pressures to improve the affected borrower's ability to service 
debt, which improves a financial institution's ability to collect on 
its loans. The agencies noted that such arrangements also may reduce 
financial stress on borrowers by decreasing delinquencies or other 
adverse consequences. Imprudent relief practices by a lender can 
adversely affect borrowers and expose financial institutions to 
increases in credit, compliance, reputational, operational, and other 
risks. Additionally, imprudent relief practices present risks to a 
financial institution's capital position.

C. Capitalization of Unpaid Interest

    During development of the interagency guidance discussed above, the 
Board determined that the prohibition in the May 2012 final rule on the 
capitalization of interest might be overly burdensome and, in some 
cases, possibly hamper a FICU's good-faith efforts to engage in loan 
workouts with borrowers facing difficulty because of the economic 
disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Banks are not subject to the same prohibition on capitalizing 
interest (the banking agencies have not adopted an absolute standard 
equivalent to the rule that the Board codified in 2012). The banking 
agencies have addressed capitalization of interest through guidance, 
letters, and Call Report instructions, none of which strictly prohibit 
the capitalization of interest when modifying loans. Instead, the 
banking agencies examine these practices for safety and soundness 
during the course of their supervision. As a result, FICUs have fewer 
options when working with their member borrowers, as compared to banks.
    Further, the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae 
and Freddie Mac, have had a long-standing policy supporting the ability 
of servicers to capitalize interest and fees as part of a prudent 
modification program. When FICUs originate certain loans, they often do 
so with the intent of selling to the secondary market for liquidity or 
other strategic purposes, but many FICUs may retain servicing rights 
after the sale of the loan. The GSEs are frequent investors in FICU-
originated loans. After such a sale, if a member with a loan sold by a 
FICU begins experiencing financial difficulty and needs assistance in 
the form of a modification, capitalization of interest is permitted 
within a loan workout by the GSE that now holds the loan. However, for 
loans retained by the FICU, the borrower would not get the benefit of 
interest capitalization upon a loan workout due to the prohibition 
currently in the Appendix. This contrast

[[Page 78271]]

with the GSEs' policy results in inequitable treatment of members 
within the same FICU, which jeopardizes the integrity of the 
cooperative membership base.
    For the reasons described in the preceding discussion, the Board 
believes the current rule's prohibition on the capitalization of 
interest limits a FICU's options to implement a mutually beneficial 
solution that addresses the potential financial challenge of their 
members when the forbearance period ends. As discussed in greater 
detail in the Summary of the Proposed Rule, the Board proposes to 
remove the prohibition on capitalization of interest from Appendix B. 
As noted, the Board's reconsideration was partially prompted by the 
economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related developments. 
Other considerations described above, such as parity with the treatment 
of interest capitalization by banks, have also factored in the Board's 
determination. Accordingly, the Board believes it is appropriate to 
propose amending Appendix B to make capitalization of interest a 
permissible option indefinitely. Despite proposing this change, the 
Board underscores that Appendix B currently requires several safety and 
soundness and consumer protection-oriented measures that would also 
apply to this practice. Furthermore, capitalization of interest is not 
an appropriate solution in all cases and, as the Appendix currently 
provides, a FICU should consider and balance the best interests of the 
credit union and the borrower. In addition, the Board proposes to add 
several consumer protection and safety and soundness requirements to 
the Appendix for FICUs that capitalize interest in connection with loan 
workouts.

II. Legal Authority

    The Board issues this proposed rule pursuant to its authority under 
the Federal Credit Union (FCU) Act.\7\ Under the FCU Act, the NCUA is 
the chartering and supervisory authority for FCUs and the Federal 
supervisory authority for FICUs.\8\ The FCU Act grants the NCUA a broad 
mandate to issue regulations that govern both FCUs and FICUs. 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.\9\ 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 FICUs.\10\ 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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    \7\ 12 U.S.C. 1751 et al.
    \8\ 12 U.S.C. 1752-1775.
    \9\ 12 U.S.C. 1766(a).
    \10\ 12 U.S.C. 1789(a)(11).
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III. Summary of the Proposed Rule

A. Capitalization of Interest

    The Board is proposing to amend a prescriptive requirement in its 
regulations by amending Appendix B of Part 741 to remove the 
prohibition on the capitalization of interest in connection with loan 
workouts and modifications. The proposed change would apply to workouts 
of all types of member loans, including commercial and business loans. 
The NCUA also notes that--consistent with the scope of Appendix B--the 
proposed change addresses the capitalization of interest in connection 
with loan modifications. The proposed rule, however, does not address 
the capitalization of interest that may occur in other contexts. The 
Board notes that banks frequently include interest capitalization as 
one of several components in a loan restructuring to mutually benefit 
the lender and the borrower. The Board expects that FICUs will follow 
suit, and provide borrowers with the option to capitalize interest 
along with other loan modification options, such as the lowering of 
loan payments or the interest rate, extending the maturity date, 
partial principal or interest forgiveness and other modifications.
    The proposed rule would add a definition of capitalized interest to 
the Glossary of Appendix B. For the purposes of this rulemaking, 
capitalization of interest constitutes the addition of accrued but 
unpaid interest to the principal balance of a loan. This differs from 
ceasing to accrue interest on past-due loans, generally when the loan 
reaches 90 days past due.
    The rule will continue to provide that a credit union may, in no 
event, authorize additional advances to finance credit union fees and 
commissions. FICUs will be permitted to continue to make advances to 
cover third party fees to protect loan collateral, such as force-placed 
insurance or property taxes. The Board believes that maintaining the 
prohibition on the capitalization of credit union fees is an important 
consumer protection feature of the rule for member borrowers.
    Prior to 2012, NCUA guidance contemplated capitalization of 
interest and fees as one of many options available to credit unions to 
modify a loan to accommodate a borrower's circumstances. In the 2012 
final rule, the Board adopted a requirement that a FICU's loan workout 
policy prohibit additional advances to finance unpaid interest and 
fees. The final rule did allow such advances to finance third-party 
fees, which was in response to a request by a commenter on the proposed 
rule. The 2012 final rule did not explain the reasons this practice was 
prohibited. The Board has reconsidered the conclusion from the 2012 
final rule and proposes to remove the prohibition on the capitalization 
of interest because, when used appropriately, capitalization of 
interest may be in the best interests of both a FICU and the borrower. 
Accordingly, the proposed rule would delete this prohibition from 
Appendix B.
    The Board underscores that in proposing to remove this prohibition, 
it would maintain several requirements that apply to all loan workout 
policies in Appendix B. For example, the Appendix establishes the 
expectation that loan workouts will consider and balance the best 
interests of the FICU and the borrower, including consumer financial 
protection measures. Ensuring the best interest of the borrower 
prohibits predatory type lending practices such as including loan terms 
that result in negative amortization. In addition, a FICU's policy must 
establish limits on the number of modifications allowed for an 
individual loan. Further, the policy must ensure that a FICU make loan 
workout decisions based on a borrower's renewed willingness and ability 
to repay the loan.
    If a FICU restructures a loan more frequently than once a year or 
twice in five years, examiners will have higher expectations for the 
documentation of the borrower's renewed willingness and ability to 
repay the loan. The current Appendix also sets forth several 
supervisory expectations relating to multiple restructurings, stating 
that examiners will request validation documentation regarding 
collectability if a FICU engages in multiple restructurings of a loan. 
The current Appendix also requires that a FICU maintain sufficient 
documentation to demonstrate that the FICU's personnel communicated the 
new terms with the borrower, that the borrower agreed to pay the loan 
in full under the new terms and, most importantly, the borrower has the 
ability to repay the loan under any new terms.
    These requirements and expectations, which currently apply to 
FICUs' loan workout policies, would apply equally if a FICU adopts a 
practice of

[[Page 78272]]

capitalizing interest in connection with loan workouts. In addition, in 
light of the potential for this practice to have a detrimental effect 
on borrowers if executed inappropriately, and to mask the true 
financial status of a loan and a credit union's financial statements, 
the Board proposes to add requirements to the Appendix to apply to 
FICUs that engage in this practice.
    Modifications of loans that result in capitalization of unpaid 
interest are appropriate only when the borrower has the ability to 
repay the debt in accordance with the modification. At a minimum, if a 
FICU's loan modification policy permits capitalization of unpaid 
interest, the policy must require each of the following:
    1. Compliance with all applicable consumer protection laws and 
regulations, including, but not limited to, the Equal Credit 
Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Truth In Lending Act, the 
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 
and the prohibitions against the use of unfair, deceptive or abusive 
acts or practices contained in the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 
2010. (The Board notes that FICUs are also expected to comply with 
applicable State consumer protection laws that, in some instances, may 
be more stringent than Federal law, prohibiting, for example, the 
charging of interest on interest.)
    2. Documentation that reflects a borrower's ability to repay, a 
borrower's source(s) of repayment, and when appropriate, compliance 
with the FICU's valuation policies at the time the modification is 
approved.
    3. Providing borrowers with documentation that is accurate, clear, 
and conspicuous and consistent with Federal and state consumer 
protection laws.
    4. Appropriate reporting of loan status for modified loans in 
accordance with applicable law and accounting practices. The FICU shall 
not report a modified loan as past due if the loan was current prior to 
modification and the borrower is complying with the terms of the 
modification.
    5. Prudent policies and procedures to help borrowers resume 
affordable and sustainable repayments that are appropriately 
structured, while at the same time minimizing losses to the credit 
union. The prudent policies and procedures must consider:
    i. Whether the loan modifications are well-designed, consistently 
applied, and provide a favorable outcome for borrowers.
    ii. The available options for borrowers to repay any missed 
payments at the end of their modifications to avoid delinquencies or 
other adverse consequences.
    6. Appropriate safety and soundness safeguards to prevent the 
following:
    i. Masking deteriorations in loan portfolio quality and 
understating charge-off levels;
    ii. Delaying loss recognition resulting in an understated allowance 
for loan and lease losses account or inaccurate loan valuations;
    iii. Overstating net income and net worth (regulatory capital) 
levels; and
    iv. Circumventing internal controls.

B. Technical Updates to Appendix B

    The Board has also taken this opportunity to make several technical 
changes to the Appendix to improve its clarity and update certain 
references. For example, the Board is proposing several updates to 
references to the NCUA's or other guidance in the Appendix, such as 
guidance or standards issued by other federal banking agencies or the 
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). These changes are intended 
to provide more current information, and are not intended to entail 
substantive policy changes within the Appendix.
    In May 2014, FASB issued an accounting standards update for revenue 
recognition (ASU 2014-09) which replaced the cost recovery method of 
income recognition in ASC 605-10-25-4 with transition guidance found in 
ASC 606--Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The (2012) Appendix 
made reference to the cost recovery method of income recognition with 
citation in the Glossary. As this has been superseded by ASC 606, the 
Board eliminated this reference in the Appendix and emphasizes that 
accrual of interest income ceases on a financial asset when full 
payment of principal and interest in cash is not expected.
    In addition, to conform to the terminology that the Board adopted 
in 2016 in amending part 723,\11\ the Board proposes to update 
references to member business loans to also refer to commercial loans. 
These changes are not intended to create new requirements or standards.
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    \11\ 81 FR 13530 (Mar. 14, 2016).
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    The Board also proposes to make terminology in the Appendix 
consistent with its purpose. The Appendix sets forth requirements for 
FICU policies relating to loan workouts, TDRs, and nonaccrual status. 
In several instances, the current Appendix uses the word ``should'' 
when referring to necessary elements of a FICU's policies or refers to 
the Appendix as ``guidance'' or an interpretive ruling and policy 
statement. To make the purpose and effect of the Appendix clearer, the 
Board proposes using mandatory language where appropriate and 
eliminating references to the Appendix as ``guidance.''
    Finally, the Board proposes to clarify several statements of the 
Appendix to make it more consistent with plain language principles. The 
Board does not intend to make any substantive changes in these 
amendments. The Federal Register's publication procedures require the 
Board to print the entire revised Appendix in the amendatory 
instructions of this proposed rule. To help commenters follow the 
proposed changes, the NCUA will post a document on its website that 
shows the specific proposed changes in redline or strikethrough form.

C. NCUA Questions for Comment

    The NCUA is interested in all aspects of the interest 
capitalization issue. In addition to offering your comments on any 
aspect of this proposed rule, please provide your input on the 
following questions:
    1. What was your experience or level of use with interest 
capitalization before the agency prohibited the practice in 2012 
pursuant to Appendix B?
    2. How likely are you to incorporate interest capitalization as a 
mortgage modification tool if permitted by the agency?
    3. What risks do you foresee, if any, to either the credit union or 
the borrower in a mortgage modification that includes capitalization of 
interest?
    4. When credit unions originate certain loans, they often do so 
with the intent of selling to the secondary market. The GSEs are 
frequent investors in credit union originated loans. Subsequent to 
sale, if a member with a loan sold by a credit union begins 
experiencing financial difficulty and needs assistance in the form of a 
modification, capitalization of interest is permitted within a loan 
workout by the GSE who now holds the loan. However, Fannie Mae does not 
permit interest capitalization prior to sale and Freddie Mac does so 
only under certain conditions. How would this limitation on 
capitalizing interest prior to sale to a GSE impact your willingness or 
ability to offer interest capitalization on a loan?
    5. In light of the fact that adding unpaid interest to the 
principal balance of a mortgage loan could potentially be detrimental 
to a member's ability to become current on the loan, the NCUA is 
proposing to add a number of consumer protection guardrails to Appendix 
B. We invite comments on these guardrails. In addition, what other

[[Page 78273]]

documentation, disclosure, or other consumer protection features, if 
any, should the NCUA require before permitting capitalization of 
interest as a loan modification tool? Are the consumer protections that 
apply to other types of loan modification sufficient to protect 
borrowers who receive interest capitalization or should the agency 
consider any other protections to counter any risks caused specifically 
by interest capitalization?
    6. The proposed rule continues to provide that a credit union may, 
in no event, authorize additional advances to finance credit union fees 
and commissions. Should the Board authorize the capitalization of such 
fees and commissions at the final rule stage? Why or why not? Depending 
on the information obtained through the rulemaking, the Board may 
consider making this change in the final rule.

IV. Regulatory Procedures

A. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act \12\ generally requires that, in 
connection with a notice of proposed rulemaking, an agency prepare and 
make available for public comment an initial regulatory flexibility 
analysis that describes the impact of a proposed 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 Regulatory Flexibility Act to include FICUs with assets 
less than $100 million) and publishes its certification and a short, 
explanatory statement in the Federal Register together with the rule. 
The proposed rule would allow FICUs to capitalize unpaid interest when 
working with borrowers. The proposed rule is not expected to increase 
the cost burden for FICUs. Accordingly, the NCUA certifies that the 
proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small credit unions.
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    \12\ 5 U.S.C. 603(a).
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B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) applies to rulemakings in 
which an agency by rule creates a new paperwork burden on regulated 
entities or modifies an existing burden.\13\ For purposes of the PRA, a 
paperwork burden may take the form of a reporting, recordkeeping, or a 
third-party disclosure requirement, referred to as an information 
collection. The NCUA proposes to amend Appendix B of Part 741 to remove 
the prohibition on the capitalization of interest in connection with 
loan workouts and modifications and to allow FICUs to capitalize unpaid 
interest when working with borrowers. Currently, all FICUs are required 
to retain and maintain a written loan policy; of which 500 FICUs are 
estimated to take four hours annually to retain and maintain enhanced 
records related to loan workout activity. NCUA anticipates a 50 percent 
increase in the number of these respondents due to the amendments in 
this proposed rule. Information collection requirements prescribed by 
Appendix B to 741 are currently approved under OMB control number 3133-
0092. This revision of a currently approved collection would increase 
the information collection requirements by 2,000 burden hours.
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    \13\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d); 5 CFR part 1320.
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    OMB Control Number: 3133-0092.
    Title of information collection: Loans to Members and Lines of 
Credit to Members, 12 CFR 701.21 and Appendix B to 741.
    Estimated number of respondents: 5,236.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 4.5.
    Estimated total annual responses: 23,534.
    Estimated burden per response: 1.0.
    Estimated total annual burden: 23,584.
    The NCUA invites comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or 
start-up costs and cost of operation, maintenance, and purchase of 
services to provide information.
    All comments are a matter of public record. Due to the limited in-
house staff, email comments are preferred. Comments regarding the 
information collection requirements of this rule should be (1) mailed 
to: [email protected] with ``OMB No. 3133-0133'' in the subject 
line; faxed to (703) 837-2406; or mailed to Dawn Wolfgang, NCUA PRA 
Clearance Officer, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke 
Street, Suite 6032, Alexandria, VA 22314, and to the (2) Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, at 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Select ``Currently under 30-day 
Review--Open for Public Comments'' or use the search function.

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 proposal 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.\14\
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    \14\ Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998).
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List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 741

    Credit, Credit unions, Share insurance.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on November 
19, 2020.
Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks,
Secretary of the Board.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Board proposes to 
amend 12 CFR part 741 as follows:

PART 741--REQUIREMENTS FOR INSURANCE

0
1. The authority citation for part 741 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1757, 1766(a), 1781-1790, and 1790d; 31 
U.S.C. 3717.

0
2. Appendix B to part 741 is revised to read as follows:

[[Page 78274]]

Appendix B to Part 741--Loan Workouts, Nonaccrual Policy, and 
Regulatory Reporting of Troubled Debt Restructured Loans

    This appendix establishes requirements for the management of 
loan workout \1\ arrangements, loan nonaccrual, and regulatory 
reporting of troubled debt restructured loans (herein after referred 
to as TDR or TDRs). This appendix applies to all federally insured 
credit unions.
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    \1\ Terms defined in the Glossary will be italicized on their 
first use in the body of this =Appendix.
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    Under this appendix, TDRs are as defined in generally accepted 
accounting principles (GAAP), and the Board does not intend to 
change the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) definition 
of TDR in any way through this policy. In addition to existing 
agency policy, this appendix sets the NCUA's supervisory 
expectations governing loan workout policies and practices and loan 
accruals.

Written Loan Workout Policy and Monitoring Requirements \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ For additional guidance on commercial and member business 
lending extension, deferral, renewal, and rewrite policies, see 
Interagency Policy Statement on Prudent Commercial Real Estate Loan 
Workouts (October 30, 2009) transmitted by Letter to Credit Unions 
No. 10-CU-07, and available at http://www.ncua.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For purposes of this appendix, types of workout loans to 
borrowers in financial difficulties include re-agings, extensions, 
deferrals, renewals, or rewrites. See the Glossary entry on workouts 
for further descriptions of each term. Borrower retention programs 
or new loans are not encompassed within this policy nor considered 
by the Board to be workout loans.
    A credit union can use loan workouts to help borrowers overcome 
temporary financial difficulties such as loss of job, medical 
emergency, or change in family circumstances such as the loss of a 
family member. Loan workout arrangements must consider and balance 
the best interests of both the borrower and the credit union.
    The lack of a sound written policy on workouts can mask the true 
performance and past due status of the loan portfolio. Accordingly, 
the credit union board and management must adopt and adhere to an 
explicit written policy and standards that control the use of loan 
workouts, and establish controls to ensure the policy is 
consistently applied. The loan workout policy and practices should 
be commensurate with a credit union's size and complexity, and must 
conform with a credit union's broader risk mitigation strategies. 
The policy must define eligibility requirements (that is, under what 
conditions the credit union will consider a loan workout), including 
establishing limits on the number of times an individual loan may be 
modified.\3\ The policy must also ensure credit unions make loan 
workout decisions based on a borrower's renewed willingness and 
ability to repay the loan. If a credit union restructures a loan 
more frequently than once a year or twice in five years, examiners 
will have higher expectations for the documentation of the 
borrower's renewed willingness and ability to repay the loan. The 
NCUA is concerned about restructuring activity that pushes existing 
losses into future reporting periods without improving a loan's 
collectability. One way a credit union can provide convincing 
evidence that multiple restructurings improve collectability is to 
validate completed multiple restructurings that substantiate the 
claim. Examiners will ask for such validation documentation if a 
credit union engages in multiple restructurings of a loan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Broad based credit union programs commonly used as a member 
benefit and implemented in a safe and sound manner limited to only 
accounts in good standing, such as Skip-a-Pay programs, are not 
intended to count toward these limits.
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    In addition, the policy must establish sound controls to ensure 
loan workout actions are appropriately structured.\4\ The policy 
must explicitly prohibit the authorization of additional advances to 
finance credit union fees and commissions. The credit union may, 
however, make advances to cover third-party fees, such as force-
placed insurance or property taxes. For loan workouts granted, a 
credit union must document the determination that the borrower is 
willing and able to repay the loan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ In developing a written policy, the credit union board and 
management may wish to consider similar parameters as those 
established in the FFIEC's ``Uniform Retail Credit Classification 
and Account Management Policy'' (FFIEC Policy). 65 FR 36903 (June 
12, 2000). The FFIEC Policy sets forth specific limitations on the 
number of times a loan can be re-aged (for open-end accounts) or 
extended, deferred, renewed or rewritten (for closed-end accounts). 
NCUA Letter to Credit Unions (LCU) 09-CU-19, ``Evaluating 
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loan Modification Programs,'' also 
outlines policy best practices for real estate modifications. Those 
best practices remain applicable to real estate loan modifications 
(with the exception to the capitalization of credit union fees) but 
could be adapted in part by the credit union in their written loan 
workout policy for other loans.
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    Modifications of loans that result in capitalization of unpaid 
interest are appropriate only when a borrower has the ability to 
repay the debt. At a minimum, if a FICU's loan modification policy 
permits capitalization of unpaid interest, the policy must require:
    1. Compliance with all applicable federal and state consumer 
protection laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the 
Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Truth In 
Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Fair 
Credit Reporting Act, and the prohibitions against the use of 
unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices in the Consumer 
Financial Protection Act of 2010.
    2. Documentation that reflects a borrower's ability to repay, a 
borrower's source(s) of repayment, and when appropriate, compliance 
with the FICU's valuation policies at the time the modification is 
approved.
    3. Providing borrowers with written disclosures that are 
accurate, clear and conspicuous and that are consistent with Federal 
and state consumer protection laws.
    4. Appropriate reporting of loan status for modified loans in 
accordance with applicable law and accounting practices. The FICU 
shall not report a modified loan as past due if the loan was current 
prior to modification and the borrower is complying with the terms 
of the modification.
    5. Prudent policies and procedures to help borrowers resume 
affordable and sustainable repayments that are appropriately 
structured, while at the same time minimizing losses to the credit 
union. The prudent policies and procedures must consider:
    i. Whether the loan modifications are well-designed, 
consistently applied, and provide a favorable outcome for borrowers.
    ii. The available options for borrowers to repay any missed 
payments at the end of their modifications to avoid delinquencies or 
other adverse consequences.
    6. Appropriate safety and soundness safeguards to prevent the 
following:
    i. Masking deteriorations in loan portfolio quality and 
understating charge-off levels; \5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Refer to NCUA guidance on charge-offs set forth in LCU 03-
CU-01, ``Loan Charge-off Guidance,'' dated January 2003. Examiners 
will require that a reasonable written charge-off policy is in place 
and that it is consistently applied. Additionally, credit unions 
need to adjust historical loss factors when calculating ALLL needs 
for pooled loans to account for any loans with protracted charge-off 
timeframes (for example, 12 months or more). See discussions on the 
latter point in the 2006 Interagency ALLL Policy Statement 
transmitted by Accounting Bulletin 06-1 (December 2006). Upon 
implementation of ASC 326--Financial Instruments--Credit Losses, 
credit unions will use the guidance in Interagency Policy Statement 
on Allowances for Credit Losses (May 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ii. Delaying loss recognition resulting in an understated 
allowance for loan and lease losses account or inaccurate loan 
valuations;
    iii. Overstating net income and net worth (regulatory capital) 
levels; and
    iv. Circumventing internal controls.
    The credit union's risk management framework must include 
thresholds, based on aggregate volume of loan workout activity, that 
trigger enhanced reporting to the board of directors. This reporting 
will enable the credit union's board of directors to evaluate the 
effectiveness of the credit union's loan workout program, understand 
any implications to the organization's financial condition, and make 
any compensating adjustments to the overall business strategy. This 
information will also be available to examiners upon request.
    To be effective, management information systems need to track 
the principal reductions and charge-off history of loans in workout 
programs by type of program. Any decision to re-age, extend, defer, 
renew, or rewrite a loan, like any other revision to contractual 
terms, must be supported by the credit union's management 
information systems. Sound management information systems identify 
and document any loan that is re-aged, extended, deferred, renewed, 
or rewritten, including the frequency and extent of such action. 
Documentation normally shows that credit union personnel 
communicated with the borrower, the borrower agreed to pay the loan 
in full under any new terms, and the borrower has the ability to 
repay the loan under any new terms.

[[Page 78275]]

Regulatory Reporting of Workout Loans Including TDR Past Due Status

    Credit unions will calculate the past due status of all loans 
consistent with loan contract terms, including amendments made to 
loan terms through a formal restructure. Credit unions will report 
delinquency on the Call Report consistent with this policy.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Subsequent Call Reports and accompanying instructions will 
reflect this policy, including focusing data collection on loans 
meeting the definition of TDR under GAAP. In reporting TDRs on 
regulatory reports, the data collections will include all TDRs that 
meet the GAAP criteria for TDR reporting, without the application of 
materiality threshold exclusions based on scoping or reporting 
policy elections of credit union preparers or their auditors. Credit 
unions should also refer to ASC Subtopic 310-40 when determining if 
a restructuring of a debt constitutes a TDR.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loan Nonaccrual Policy

    Credit unions must recognize interest income appropriately. 
Credit unions must place loans in nonaccrual status when doubt 
exists as to full collection of principal and interest or the loan 
has been in default for a period of 90 days or more. Upon placing a 
loan in nonaccrual, a credit union must reverse or charge-off 
previously accrued but uncollected interest. A nonaccrual loan may 
be returned to accrual status when a credit union expects repayment 
of the remaining contractual principal and interest or it is well 
secured and in process of collection.\7\ This policy on loan accrual 
is consistent with longstanding credit union industry practice as 
implemented by the NCUA over the last several decades. The balance 
of the policy relates to commercial and member business loan 
workouts and is similar to the policies adopted by the federal 
banking agencies \8\ as set forth in the FFIEC Call Report for 
banking institutions and its instructions.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Placing a loan in nonaccrual status does not change the loan 
agreement or the obligations between the borrower and the credit 
union. Only the parties can effect a restructuring of the original 
loan terms or otherwise settle the debt.
    \8\ The federal banking agencies are the Board of Governors of 
the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
    \9\ FFIEC Report of Condition and Income Forms, Instructions and 
Supplemental Instructions, https://www.ffiec.gov/forms041.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nonaccrual Status

    Credit unions may not accrue interest \10\ on any loan where 
principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or 
more unless the loan is both ``well secured'' and ``in the process 
of collection.'' \11\ For purposes of applying the ``well secured'' 
and ``in process of collection'' test for nonaccrual status listed 
above, the date on which a loan reaches nonaccrual status is 
determined by its contractual terms.
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    \10\ Nonaccrual of interest also includes the amortization of 
deferred net loan fees or costs, or the accretion of discount. 
Nonaccrual of interest on loans past due 90 days or more is a 
longstanding agency policy and credit union practice.
    \11\ A purchased credit impaired loan asset need not be placed 
in nonaccrual status as long as the criteria for accrual of income 
under the interest method in GAAP is met. Also, the accrual of 
interest on workout loans is covered in a later section of this 
appendix.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While a loan is in nonaccrual status, a credit union may treat 
some or all of the cash payments received as interest income on a 
cash basis provided no doubt exists about the collectability of the 
remaining recorded investment in the loan. A credit union must 
handle the reversal of previously accrued, but uncollected, interest 
applicable to any loan placed in nonaccrual status in accordance 
with GAAP.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Acceptable accounting treatment includes a reversal of all 
previously accrued, but uncollected, interest applicable to loans 
placed in a nonaccrual status against appropriate income and balance 
sheet accounts. For example, one acceptable method of accounting for 
such uncollected interest on a loan placed in nonaccrual status is:
    (1) To reverse all of the unpaid interest by crediting the 
``accrued interest receivable'' account on the balance sheet,
    (2) to reverse the uncollected interest that has been accrued 
during the calendar year-to-date by debiting the appropriate 
``interest and fee income on loans'' account on the income 
statement, and
    (3) to reverse any uncollected interest that had been accrued 
during previous calendar years by debiting the ``allowance for loan 
and lease losses'' account on the balance sheet.
    The use of this method presumes that credit union management's 
additions to the allowance through charges to the ``provision for 
loan and lease losses'' on the income statement have been based on 
an evaluation of the collectability of the loan and lease portfolios 
and the ``accrued interest receivable'' account.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Restoration to Accrual Status for All Loans Except Commercial and 
Member Business Loan Workouts

    A nonaccrual loan may be restored to accrual status when:
     Its past due status is less than 90 days and the credit 
union expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and 
interest within a reasonable period;
     It otherwise becomes both well secured and in the 
process of collection; or
     The asset is a purchased impaired loan and it meets the 
criteria under GAAP for accrual of interest income under the 
accretable yield method. See ASC 310-30.
    In restoring all loans to accrual status, if the credit union 
applied any interest payments received while the loan was in 
nonaccrual status to reduce the recorded investment in the loan, the 
credit union must not reverse the application of these payments to 
the loan's recorded investment (and must not credit interest 
income). Likewise, a credit union cannot restore the accrued but 
uncollected interest reversed or charged-off at the point the loan 
was placed on nonaccrual status to accrual; it can only be 
recognized as income if collected in cash or cash equivalents from 
the member.

Restoration to Accrual Status on Commercial and Member Business Loan 
Workouts \13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ This policy is derived from the ``Interagency Policy 
Statement on Prudent Commercial Real Estate Loan Workouts'' the NCUA 
and the other financial regulators issued on October 30, 2009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A formally restructured commercial or member business loan 
workout need not be maintained in nonaccrual status, provided the 
restructuring and any charge-off taken on the loan are supported by 
a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower's 
financial condition and prospects for repayment under the revised 
terms. Otherwise, the restructured loan must remain in nonaccrual 
status.
    The credit union's evaluation must include consideration of the 
borrower's sustained historical repayment performance for a 
reasonable period prior to the date on which the loan is returned to 
accrual status. A sustained period of repayment performance is a 
minimum of six consecutive payments, and includes timely payments 
under the restructured loan's terms of principal and interest in 
cash or cash equivalents. In returning the commercial or member 
business workout loan to accrual status, a credit union may consider 
sustained historical repayment performance for a reasonable time 
prior to the restructuring. Such a restructuring must improve the 
collectability of the loan in accordance with a reasonable repayment 
schedule and does not relieve the credit union from the 
responsibility to promptly charge off all identified losses.
    The following graph provides an example of a schedule of 
repayment performance to demonstrate a determination of six 
consecutive payments. If the original loan terms required a monthly 
payment of $1,500, and the credit union lowered the borrower's 
payment to $1,000 through formal commercial or member business loan 
restructure, then based on the first row of the graph, the 
``sustained historical repayment performance for a reasonable time 
prior to the restructuring'' would encompass five of the pre-workout 
consecutive payments that were at least $1,000 (months 1 through 5). 
In total, the six consecutive repayment burden would be met by the 
first month post workout (month 6).
    In the second row, only one of the pre-workout payments would 
count toward the six consecutive repayment requirement (month 5), 
because it is the first month in which the borrower made a payment 
of at least $1,000 after failing to pay at least that amount. 
Therefore, the loan would remain on nonaccrual for at least five 
post-workout consecutive payments (months 6 through 10) provided the 
borrower continues to make payments consistent with the restructured 
terms.

[[Page 78276]]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Pre-workout                                                                  Post-workout
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Month 1         Month 2         Month 3         Month 4        Month 5        Month 6        Month 7        Month 8        Month 9        Month 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     $1,500          $1,200          $1,200          $1,000          $1,000         $1,000         $1,000         $1,000         $1,000         $1,000
      1,500           1,200             900             875           1,000          1,000          1,000          1,000          1,000          1,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After a formal restructure of a commercial or member business 
loan, if the restructured loan has been returned to accrual status, 
the loan otherwise remains subject to the nonaccrual standards of 
this policy. If any interest payments received while the commercial 
or member business loan was in nonaccrual status were applied to 
reduce the recorded investment in the loan the application of these 
payments to the loan's recorded investment must not be reversed (and 
interest income must not be credited). Likewise, accrued but 
uncollected interest reversed or charged-off at the point the 
commercial or member business workout loan was placed on nonaccrual 
status cannot be restored to accrual; it can only be recognized as 
income if collected in cash or cash equivalents from the member.
    The following tables summarize nonaccrual and restoration to 
accrual requirements previously discussed:

                      Table 1--Nonaccrual Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Additional
           Action             Condition identified      consideration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonaccrual on All Loans.....  90 days or more past  See Glossary
                               due unless loan is    definitions for
                               both well-secured     ``well secured''
                               and in the process    and ``in the
                               of collection; or     process of
                              The loan is            collection.''
                               maintained on the
                               Cash basis because
                               there is a
                               deterioration in
                               the financial
                               condition of the
                               borrower, or for
                               which payment in
                               full of principal
                               or interest is not
                               expected.
Nonaccrual on Commercial or   Continue on           See Table 2--Restore
 Member Business Loan          nonaccrual at         to Accrual.
 Workouts.                     workout point and
                               until restore to
                               accrual criteria
                               are met.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       Table 2--Restore to Accrual
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Additional
           Action             Condition identified      consideration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restore to Accrual on All     When a loan is less   See Glossary
 Loans except Commercial or    than 90 days past     definitions for
 Member Business Loan          due and the credit    ``well secured''
 Workouts.                     union expects         and ``in the
                               repayment of the      process of
                               remaining             collection.''
                               contractual          Interest payments
                               principal and         received while the
                               interest within a     loan was in
                               reasonable period,    nonaccrual status
                               or.                   and applied to
                              When it otherwise      reduce the recorded
                               becomes both ``well   investment in the
                               secured'' and ``in    loan must not be
                               the process of        reversed and income
                               collection''; or.     credited. Likewise,
                                                     accrued but
                                                     uncollected
                                                     interest reversed
                                                     or charged-off at
                                                     the point the loan
                                                     was placed on
                                                     nonaccrual status
                                                     cannot be restored
                                                     to accrual.
                              The asset is a        ....................
                               purchased impaired
                               loan and it meets
                               the criteria under
                               GAAP (see ASC 310-
                               30) for accrual of
                               interest income
                               under the
                               accretable yield
                               method.
Restore to Accrual on         Formal restructure    The evaluation must
 Commercial or Member          with a current,       include
 Business Loan Workouts.       well documented       consideration of
                               credit evaluation     the borrower's
                               of the borrower's     sustained
                               financial condition   historical
                               and prospects for     repayment
                               repayment under the   performance for a
                               revised terms.        minimum of six
                                                     timely consecutive
                                                     payments comprised
                                                     of principal and
                                                     interest. In
                                                     returning a loan to
                                                     accrual status, a
                                                     credit union may
                                                     take into account
                                                     sustained
                                                     historical
                                                     repayment
                                                     performance for a
                                                     reasonable time
                                                     prior to the
                                                     restructured terms.
                                                     Interest payments
                                                     received while the
                                                     commercial or
                                                     member business
                                                     loan was in
                                                     nonaccrual status
                                                     and applied to
                                                     reduce the recorded
                                                     investment in the
                                                     loan must not be
                                                     reversed and income
                                                     credited.
                                                    Accrued but
                                                     uncollected
                                                     interest reversed
                                                     or charged-off at
                                                     the point the
                                                     commercial or
                                                     member business
                                                     loan was placed on
                                                     nonaccrual status
                                                     cannot be restored
                                                     to accrual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Glossary \14\
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    \14\ Terms defined in the Glossary will be italicized on their 
first use in the body of this guidance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ``Capitalization of Interest'' constitutes the addition of 
accrued but unpaid interest to the principal balance of a loan.
    ``Cash Basis'' method of income recognition is set forth in GAAP 
and means while a loan is in nonaccrual status, some or all of the 
cash interest payments received may be treated as interest income on 
a cash basis provided no doubt exists about the collectability of 
the remaining recorded investment in the loan.\15\
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    \15\ Acceptable accounting practices include: (1) Allocating 
contractual interest payments among interest income, reduction of 
the recorded investment in the asset, and recovery of prior charge-
offs. If this method is used, the amount of income that is 
recognized would be equal to that which would have been accrued on 
the loan's remaining recorded investment at the contractual rate; 
and, (2) accounting for the contractual interest in its entirety 
either as income, reduction of the recorded investment in the asset, 
or recovery of prior charge-offs, depending on the condition of the 
asset, consistent with its accounting policies for other financial 
reporting purposes.

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[[Page 78277]]

    ``Charge-off'' means a direct reduction (credit) to the carrying 
amount of a loan carried at amortized cost resulting from 
uncollectability with a corresponding reduction (debit) of the ALLL. 
Recoveries of loans previously charged off must be recorded when 
received.
    ``Commercial Loan'' is defined consistent with Section 723.2 of 
the NCUA's MEMBER BUSINESS LOANS; COMMERCIAL LENDING Rule, 12 CFR 
723.2.
    ``Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)'' means 
official pronouncements of the FASB as memorialized in the FASB 
Accounting Standards Codification[supreg] as the source of 
authoritative principles and standards recognized to be applied in 
the preparation of financial statements by federally insured credit 
unions in the United States with assets of $10 million or more.
    ``In the process of collection'' means collection of the loan is 
proceeding in due course either: (1) Through legal action, including 
judgment enforcement procedures, or (2) in appropriate 
circumstances, through collection efforts not involving legal action 
which are reasonably expected to result in repayment of the debt or 
in its restoration to a current status in the near future, i.e., 
generally within the next 90 days.
    ``Member Business Loan'' is defined consistent with Section 
723.8 of the NCUA's MEMBER BUSINESS LOANS; COMMERCIAL LENDING Rule, 
12 CFR 723.8.
    ``New Loan'' means the terms of the revised loan are at least as 
favorable to the credit union (i.e., terms are market-based, and 
profit driven) as the terms for comparable loans to other customers 
with similar collection risks who are not refinancing or 
restructuring a loan with the credit union, and the revisions to the 
original debt are more than minor.
    ``Past Due'' means a loan is determined to be delinquent in 
relation to its contractual repayment terms including formal 
restructures, and must consider the time value of money. Credit 
unions may use the following method to recognize partial payments on 
``consumer credit,'' i.e., credit extended to individuals for 
household, family, and other personal expenditures, including credit 
cards, and loans to individuals secured by their personal residence, 
including home equity and home improvement loans. A payment 
equivalent to 90 percent or more of the contractual payment may be 
considered a full payment in computing past due status.
    ``Recorded Investment in a Loan'' means the loan balance 
adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount and unamortized 
loan fees or costs, less any amount previously charged off, plus 
recorded accrued interest.
    ``Troubled Debt Restructuring'' is as defined in GAAP and means 
a restructuring in which a credit union, for economic or legal 
reasons related to a member borrower's financial difficulties, 
grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise 
consider.\16\ The restructuring of a loan may include, but is not 
necessarily limited to:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ FASB ASC 310-40, ``Troubled Debt Restructuring by 
Creditors.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The transfer from the borrower to the credit union of real 
estate, receivables from third parties, other assets, or an equity 
interest in the borrower in full or partial satisfaction of the 
loan,
    (2) a modification of the loan terms, such as a reduction of the 
stated interest rate, principal, or accrued interest or an extension 
of the maturity date at a stated interest rate lower than the 
current market rate for new debt with similar risk, or
    (3) a combination of the above.
    A loan extended or renewed at a stated interest rate equal to 
the current market interest rate for new debt with similar risk is 
not to be reported as a restructured troubled loan.
    ``Well secured'' means the loan is collateralized by: (1) A 
perfected security interest in, or pledges of, real or personal 
property, including securities with an estimable value, less cost to 
sell, sufficient to recover the recorded investment in the loan, as 
well as a reasonable return on that amount, or (2) by the guarantee 
of a financially responsible party.
    ``Workout Loan'' means a loan to a borrower in financial 
difficulty that has been formally restructured so as to be 
reasonably assured of repayment (of principal and interest) and of 
performance according to its restructured terms. A workout loan 
typically involves a re-aging, extension, deferral, renewal, or 
rewrite of a loan.\17\ For purposes of this policy statement, 
workouts do not include loans made to market rates and terms such as 
refinances, borrower retention actions, or new loans.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ ``Re-Age'' means returning a past due account to current 
status without collecting the total amount of principal, interest, 
and fees that are contractually due.
    \18\ There may be instances where a workout loan is not a TDR 
even though the borrower is experiencing financial hardship. For 
example, a workout loan would not be a TDR if the fair value of cash 
or other assets accepted by a credit union from a borrower in full 
satisfaction of its receivable is at least equal to the credit 
union's recorded investment in the loan, e.g., due to charge-offs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ``Extension'' means extending monthly payments on a closed-end 
loan and rolling back the maturity by the number of months extended. 
The account is shown current upon granting the extension. If 
extension fees are assessed, they must be collected at the time of 
the extension and not added to the balance of the loan.
    ``Deferral'' means deferring a contractually due payment on a 
closed-end loan without affecting the other terms, including 
maturity, of the loan. The account is shown current upon granting 
the deferral.
    ``Renewal'' means underwriting a matured, closed-end loan 
generally at its outstanding principal amount and on similar terms.
    ``Rewrite'' means significantly changing the terms of an 
existing loan, including payment amounts, interest rates, 
amortization schedules, or its final maturity.

[FR Doc. 2020-25988 Filed 12-3-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P