[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 22, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 83405-83409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28279]



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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. 246 / Tuesday, December 22, 2020 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 83405]]



NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 701

RIN 3133-AF15


Temporary Regulatory Relief in Response to COVID-19-Extension

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Final rule and temporary final rule; extension.

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SUMMARY: The NCUA Board (Board) is extending the effective date of its 
temporary final rule, which modified certain regulatory requirements to 
help ensure that federally insured credit unions (FICUs) remain 
operational and can properly conduct appropriate liquidity management 
to address economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Specifically, the temporary final rule issued by the Board in April 
2020 temporarily raised the maximum aggregate amount of loan 
participations that a FICU may purchase from a single originating 
lender to the greater of $5,000,000 or 200 percent of the FICU's net 
worth. The rule also temporarily suspended limitations on the eligible 
obligations that a Federal credit union (FCU) may purchase and hold. In 
addition, given physical distancing practices necessitated by COVID-19, 
the rule also tolled the required timeframes for the occupancy or 
disposition of properties not being used for FCU business or that have 
been abandoned. Unless extended, each of these temporary modifications 
will expire on December 31, 2020. Due to the continued impact of COVID-
19, the Board has decided it is necessary to extend the effective 
period of these temporary modifications until December 31, 2021.

DATES: This rule is effective December 22, 2020. The expiration date of 
the temporary final rule published on April 21, 2020 (85 FR 22010), is 
extended through the close of December 31, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Policy and Analysis: Victoria 
Nahrwold, Office of Examination and Insurance, at (703) 548-2633; 
Legal: Thomas Zells and Ariel Pereira, Staff Attorneys, Office of 
General Counsel, at (703) 518-6540; or by mail at: National Credit 
Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background
II. Legal Authority
III. Section-by-Section Analysis
IV. Regulatory Procedures

I. Background

A. COVID-19 Pandemic

    The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty for FICUs and their 
members. The Board continues to work with Federal and state regulatory 
agencies, in addition to FICUs, to assist FICUs in managing their 
operations and to facilitate continued assistance to credit union 
members and communities impacted by the novel coronavirus. In April 
2020, as part of these ongoing efforts, the Board temporarily modified 
certain regulatory requirements to help ensure that FICUs remain 
operational and liquid during the COVID-19 pandemic.\1\ The Board 
concluded that the amendments would provide FICUs necessary additional 
flexibility in a manner consistent with the NCUA's responsibility to 
maintain the safety and soundness of the credit union system. The 
temporary amendments were to remain in place through the end of 
calendar year 2020 unless the Board took action to extend their 
effectiveness.
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    \1\ 85 FR 22010 (Apr. 21, 2020).
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    The economic environment is a key determinant of credit union 
performance. After several years of solid growth, the economy entered a 
recession at the start of 2020.\2\ Given the potential depth of the 
recession, forecasters do not expect the economy to return to its pre-
recession, late 2019 peak before the end of 2021. A sustained, high 
level of unemployment could reduce loan demand, particularly for non-
mortgage consumer loans, and affect credit quality. System-wide 
delinquency rates, which remained low through the second quarter, could 
begin to rise as the forbearance programs put in place during the 
spring come to an end.\3\ The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 
may result in additional stress on credit union balance sheets, 
potentially requiring robust liquidity management over the course of 
2021. While recovery in economic activity and labor markets is widely 
expected to continue, there is a high risk of a worse-than-expected 
outcome. This will depend on the path of COVID-19 infections. As COVID-
19 cases rise, another wave of temporary business closures and other 
measures that hinder economic activity may become necessary. As a 
result, the recovery could falter, leading to more job losses and 
higher unemployment. Weaker-than-expected economic conditions or 
another downturn would keep interest rates low or cause them to 
decline, particularly at the long end of the yield curve, and pose more 
significant challenges for the credit union system. The NCUA, like 
credit unions, needs to plan and prepare for a range of economic 
outcomes that could affect credit union performance. This includes 
ensuring a regulatory environment that provides FICUs with the 
flexibility necessary to cope with and address the range of potential 
COVID-19 impacts.
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    \2\ See https://www.nber.org/news/business-cycle-dating-committee-announcement-june-8-2020.
    \3\ See Title IV of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic 
Security Act, Public Law 116-136, 134 Stat 281 (March 27, 2020).
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    Due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FICUs and 
their members, the Board has determined that it is necessary to extend 
the effectiveness of these temporary provisions. The economic impact of 
the COVID-19 pandemic remains uncertain and is forecasted to extend 
through 2021. As such, the temporary amendments will remain in place 
through the end of calendar year 2021 unless the Board finds conditions 
warrant additional action to further extend their effectiveness.

B. The Temporary Amendments

    In general, two of the temporary amendments expanded the authority 
of FICUs to purchase loans and participations in loans, thereby 
enhancing FICUs' ability to meet liquidity needs. Specifically, the 
Board temporarily raised the maximum aggregate amount of loan 
participations that a FICU may purchase from a single originating 
lender to the greater of $5,000,000 or 200 percent of the credit

[[Page 83406]]

union's net worth. The Board also temporarily suspended certain 
limitations on the types of eligible obligations that a FICU may 
purchase and hold. The third regulatory amendment tolled the required 
timeframes for the occupancy or disposition of properties not being 
used for FCU business or that have been abandoned to address the impact 
of the physical distancing practices necessitated by the COVID-19 
pandemic.
    Section III of this preamble discusses the temporary regulatory 
amendments in greater detail and the rationale for the extension of 
their temporary effect.

II. Legal Authority

    The Board is issuing this temporary final rule pursuant to its 
authority under the Act.\4\ The Act grants the Board a broad mandate to 
issue regulations governing both Federal credit unions and, more 
generally, all FICUs. For example, section 120 of the Act is a general 
grant of regulatory authority and authorizes the Board to prescribe 
rules and regulations for the administration of the Act.\5\ Section 209 
of the Act is a plenary grant of regulatory authority to issue rules 
and regulations necessary or appropriate for the Board to carry out its 
role as share insurer for all FICUs.\6\ Other provisions of the Act 
confer specific rulemaking authority to address prescribed issues or 
circumstances.\7\ Accordingly, the Act grants the Board broad 
rulemaking authority to ensure that the credit union industry and the 
NCUSIF remain safe and sound.
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    \4\ 12 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.
    \5\ 12 U.S.C. 1766(a).
    \6\ 12 U.S.C. 1789.
    \7\ An example of a provision of the Act that provides the Board 
with specific rulemaking authority is section 207 (12 U.S.C. 1787), 
which is a specific grant of authority over share insurance 
coverage, conservatorships, and liquidations.
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III. Section-by-Section Analysis

A. Aggregate Limit on Loan Participation Purchases (Section 
701.22(b)(5)(ii))

    Section 107(5)(E) of the FCU Act authorizes an FCU to engage in 
participation lending with other credit unions, credit union 
organizations, or financial organizations in accordance with written 
policies of the FCU's board of directors.\8\ The NCUA has implemented 
this statutory provision in Sec.  701.22 of its regulations, which 
applies to all FICUs. The statute contains no limitation on the amount 
of participations that an FCU may purchase from any single originating 
lender.
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    \8\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(e).
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    The regulation limits the aggregate amount of loan participations 
that a FICU may purchase from any one originating lender to the greater 
of $5,000,000 or 100 percent of the FICU's net worth.\9\ As explained 
in the preamble to the final rule that established the limitation, the 
purpose of the provision is to mitigate the exposure of FICUs to 
concentration risk.\10\ The preamble explained that, in prescribing 
concentration limits on loan participations, the Board's goal was ``to 
strike an appropriate balance between mitigating risk and fostering the 
[credit union] industry's growth and stability.'' \11\
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    \9\ 12 CFR 701.22(b)(5)(ii).
    \10\ 78 FR 37946 (June 25, 2013).
    \11\ Id. at 37951.
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    Under the temporary final rule issued in April 2020, the aggregate 
limit below which a waiver from the appropriate NCUA Regional Director 
is not required was temporarily raised to the greater of $5,000,000 or 
200 percent of a FICU's net worth. The increase was intended to help 
safeguard the stability of FICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic, without 
undue additional risk to the safety and soundness of the credit union 
system. The temporary increase was set to expire at the close of 
December 31, 2020.
    Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its continued impact on 
FICUs, the Board believes it necessary to extend the effective period 
of this temporary amendment until the close of December 31, 2021. As 
noted in the April 2020 temporary final rule, the Board continues to 
believe that a cap is an important protection against FICU insolvency. 
However, the Board also continues to believe that, as currently 
formulated in Sec.  701.22(b)(5)(ii), the limitation may be overly 
prescriptive during this time. Additional regulatory flexibility 
continues to be especially warranted to deal with the economic impact 
of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may result in additional stress on 
credit union balance sheets, potentially requiring robust liquidity 
management.
    When the Board issued the temporary increase in April, it 
emphasized its belief that this amendment would help safeguard the 
stability of FICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic, without undue 
additional risk to the safety and soundness of the credit union system. 
The Board maintains this belief and expects that the impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic will warrant an increased cap until the close of 
December 31, 2021. The Board also continues to believe that the 
temporary increase is needed to strike the balance the Board sought in 
originally promulgating the rule in 2013; the Board encourages FICUs to 
engage in appropriate due diligence in this context. As such, the Board 
feels it necessary to extend this relief until the close of December 
31, 2021 to continue to allow FICUs the flexibility to conduct robust 
liquidity management to cope with the atypical economic conditions 
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board believes that a one-year 
extension appropriately balances the unpredictable length of the 
economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with safety and soundness 
considerations.
    In the April 2020 temporary final rule, the Board noted that, 
subsequent to the temporary rule's expiration at the close of December 
31, 2020, a FICU must return into compliance with the current 
limitation (that is, the greater of $5,000,000 or 100 percent of its 
net worth) by either ceasing to purchase loan participations from the 
originating lender or requesting a waiver as provided in the 
regulation. With this extension of the expiration, a FICU now must 
return into compliance with the current limitation or obtain a waiver 
at the close of December 31, 2021.

B. Purchase, Sale, and Pledge of Eligible Obligations (Section 
701.23(b))

    Section 107(13) of the FCU Act authorizes an FCU, ``in accordance 
with rules and regulations prescribed by the Board,'' to purchase, 
sell, or pledge all or part of an eligible obligation to one of its own 
members.\12\ The NCUA has implemented this authority in its regulations 
at Sec.  701.23(b)(1)(i) and (b)(2)(i), which provide that an FCU may 
purchase an eligible obligation from any source, provided the FCU is 
empowered to grant the loan or the loan is refinanced within 60 days 
following its purchase so that it is a loan the FCU is empowered to 
grant.
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    \12\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(13).
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    The purpose of the refinancing requirement is to help ensure that 
loans purchased by an FCU comply with the statutory and regulatory 
requirements applicable to loans made by the FCU. Although the Board's 
longstanding policy has been that all eligible obligations of an FCU, 
whether made or purchased, comply with the requirements and goals of 
the FCU Act, the explicit statutory language of the FCU Act does not 
necessarily compel this. As explained in the April 2020 temporary final 
rule, the Board believes that, given the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic, the balance weighs in favor

[[Page 83407]]

of adopting a closer reading of the text of the statute and suspending 
the refinancing requirement for a temporary period to promote the 
extension of credit and flow of liquidity in the credit union system 
generally.
    As noted, the FCU Act and Sec.  701.23 generally do not authorize 
an FCU to purchase a loan unless the person liable on the loan is a 
member of that credit union. The Board's publicly articulated 
interpretation since the 1979 rulemaking that implemented section 
107(13) is that Congress did not intend section 107(13) to be an 
express prohibition on purchases of obligations made to non-members 
provided they are authorized by other sections of the FCU Act.\13\
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    \13\ 44 FR 27068, 27069 (May 9, 1979).
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    The Board's regulations in Sec.  701.23 generally require that 
purchased eligible obligations be obligations of a purchasing FCU's 
members. However, Sec.  701.23(b)(2) provides certain limited 
exceptions to the general requirements for well-capitalized FCUs that 
have composite CAMEL ratings of ``1'' or ``2.'' \14\ The regulations 
authorize these FCUs to purchase the eligible obligations of any FICU 
or of any liquidating credit union without regard to whether they are 
obligations of the purchasing FCU's members. As the Board has 
previously noted, these types of purchases could be construed as being 
made under section 107(14) of the FCU Act (which does not impose a 
membership requirement), as opposed to under section 107(13).\15\ 
Section 107(14) authorizes FCUs to ``purchase all or part of the assets 
of another credit union and to assume the liabilities of the selling 
credit union and those of its members.'' This statutory interpretation 
is consistent with the general principle that the more specific 
provision or authority applies in favor of the more general provision.
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    \14\ Section 701.23 also contains exceptions to the membership 
requirement for certain purchases of student loans and real estate 
loans that an FCU purchases to complete a pool for sale. The Board 
established this exception in the 1979 final rule discussed above. 
44 FR 27068 (May 9, 1979).
    \15\ Section 107(14) is codified in 12 U.S.C. 1757(14). For the 
Board's prior statements on this matter, please refer to 66 FR 
58656, 58660 (Nov. 23, 2001); 51 FR15055, 15059 (Mar. 15, 2001), and 
76 FR 81421, 81426 (Dec. 28, 2011).
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    In the April 2020 temporary final rule, the Board explained that--
while it continues to believe that this exception should generally be 
limited to FCUs with CAMEL 1 or 2 composite ratings--it also recognizes 
the urgent need to support the extension of credit and facilitate 
downstream loan purchases as a tool to manage liquidity. The Board, 
therefore, temporarily amended its regulations to authorize FCUs with 
CAMEL composite ratings of 1, 2, or 3 to purchase eligible obligations 
of FICUs and liquidating credit unions irrespective of whether the 
obligation belongs to the purchasing FCU's members. This change did not 
alter the requirement for a purchasing FCU to be well-capitalized under 
Sec.  701.22(b)(2).\16\
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    \16\ Generally, credit unions with a CAMEL composite rating 
lower than 3 are considered to be in ``troubled condition'' under 
the NCUA's regulations. 12 CFR 700.2.
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    This temporary amendment was set to expire at the close of December 
31, 2020. Due to the ongoing and unforeseeable impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic, the Board believes it appropriate to extend these temporary 
provisions until the close of December 31, 2021. The Board recognizes 
that the need to support the extension of credit and facilitate the 
downstream loan purchases as a tool to manage liquidity remains, and 
likely will remain for the foreseeable future. The Board believes that 
a one-year extension appropriately balances the unpredictable length of 
the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with safety and soundness 
considerations.
    As noted in the April 2020 temporary final rule, the Board 
reiterates that this change allows FCUs to continue to hold obligations 
purchased pursuant to this temporary final rule subsequent to the 
rule's expiration. The standard requirements applicable to the purchase 
of obligations under Sec.  701.23 will resume after the expiration of 
the temporary provisions at the close of December 31, 2021, unless 
extended, and will apply to all future purchases, including to 
purchases of obligations previously acquired under the provisions of 
this temporary final rule. The Board also reiterates that the 
restrictions temporarily relieved in Sec.  701.23 do not apply to 
state-chartered, federally insured credit unions. Any such restrictions 
applicable to state-chartered credit unions would be based on state 
laws or regulations. This temporary final rule does not modify the 
current authority of FCUs under Sec.  701.23 to purchase the 
obligations of a liquidating credit union without regard to whether the 
obligations belong to the purchasing FCU's members.

C. FCU Occupancy and Disposal of Acquired Premises (Section 701.36(c))

    Section 107(4) of the FCU Act authorizes an FCU to purchase, hold, 
and dispose of property necessary or incidental to its operations.\17\ 
The Board has implemented and interpreted this provision of the FCU Act 
in its regulation at 12 CFR 701.36. In general, an FCU may only invest 
in property that it intends to use to transact credit union business or 
in property that supports its internal operations or serves its 
members. Among other provisions, Sec.  701.36: (1) Limits FCU 
investments in fixed assets; and (2) establishes occupancy, planning, 
and disposal requirements for acquired and abandoned premises.
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    \17\ 12 U.S.C. 1757(4).
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    The regulation provides that if an FCU acquires premises, including 
unimproved land or unimproved real property, it must partially occupy 
them ``no later than six years after the date of acquisition,'' subject 
to the NCUA granting a waiver.\18\ Further, an FCU must make diligent 
efforts to dispose of abandoned premises and any other real property it 
does not intend to use in transacting business. Additionally, the FCU 
must advertise for sale premises that have been abandoned for four 
years.\19\ The specific terms of these requirements do not stem 
directly from the FCU Act, but instead reflect the Board's judgment in 
implementing the general statutory provision.
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    \18\ 12 CFR 701.36(c)(1).
    \19\ 12 CFR 701.36(c)(2).
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    In the April temporary final rule, the Board--noting the impact of 
the physical distancing measures adopted by many states and localities 
related to COVID-19 \20\ on FCU's ability to comply with the occupancy 
and disposition requirements in Sec.  701.36--adopted provisions to 
temporarily toll the regulatory mandated timeframes in the rule. The 
Board emphasized that these health-related restrictions on the mobility 
of individuals made the changes in occupancy and dispositions required 
by Sec.  701.36 extremely difficult. The Board explained that this 
temporary change appropriately reflected these unique circumstances 
while maintaining consistency with the statutory provision as 
interpreted and implemented by the Board.
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    \20\ See https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-stay-at-home-order.html. (``[A] a vast majority of 
Americans -- nine in 10 United States residents -- are now or will 
soon be under instructions to stay at home.'')
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    The temporary final rule provided that any days that fall within 
the period commencing on April 21, 2020 and concluding at the close of 
December 31, 2020 shall not be counted for purposes of determining an 
FCU's compliance with the regulatory time periods. This temporary 
deferral has provided FCUs additional flexibility to comply with the 
prescribed time periods, while still complying with the statutory and 
regulatory goals of ensuring that

[[Page 83408]]

properties acquired or held by FCUs are used for credit union business.
    Due to the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its 
continued impact on FICUs, the Board has decided it is necessary to 
extend the effectiveness of this temporary amendment until the close of 
December 31, 2021. Physical distancing practices continue to be a key 
component of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and many states, 
localities, and businesses have adopted related requirements or 
policies \21\ that continue to make the changes in occupancy and 
dispositions required by Sec.  701.36 extremely difficult.
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    \21\ See https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-map-coronavirus.html. (``As coronavirus cases continue to 
surge and hospitals in some areas stretch to capacity, many states 
are once again imposing limits on businesses and everyday life. Some 
governors are closing sectors they had reopened after spring 
lockdowns. Others, wary of an ailing economy, are letting businesses 
remain largely open but setting stricter capacity limits or 
mandating the wearing of masks in public.'')
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    The Board continues to believe this temporary change appropriately 
reflects the unique circumstances necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic 
while maintaining consistency with the statutory provision as 
interpreted and implemented by the Board. The Board feels that a one-
year extension appropriately balances the unpredictable length of the 
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with safety and soundness 
considerations.
    Example One: An FCU closed on the purchase of an office building 30 
days before April 21, 2020 (that is, the temporary final rule is 
published on the 31st day following acquisition). Under the temporary 
regulatory amendment, January 1, 2022 would be deemed the 31st day 
following acquisition for purposes of calculating the six-year deadline 
for partial occupancy.
    Example Two: An FCU has an abandoned parcel of land that, under 
Sec.  701.36(c)(2), it is required to advertise for sale no later than 
November 9, 2020 (i.e., that fourth year anniversary of the date the 
parcel was abandoned). Under this temporary final rule, the FCU would 
have an additional amount of time to meet this requirement equal to the 
number of days between the publication date and January 1, 2022.

IV. Regulatory Procedures

A. Administrative Procedure Act

    The Board is issuing the extension of the temporary final rule 
without prior notice and the opportunity for public comment and the 
delayed effective date ordinarily prescribed by the Administrative 
Procedure Act (APA).\22\ Pursuant to the APA, general notice and the 
opportunity for public comment are not required 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.'' \23\
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    \22\ 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.
    \23\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3).
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    The Board believes that the public interest is best served by 
implementing the extension of the previously issued temporary final 
rule immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. The Board 
notes that the COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented. It is a rapidly 
changing situation and difficult to anticipate how the disruptions 
caused by the crisis will manifest themselves within the financial 
system and how individual credit unions may be impacted. Because of the 
widespread impact of a pandemic and the temporary nature of both the 
relief contemplated by the temporary final rule and this extension of 
such relief, the Board believes it is has good cause to determine that 
ordinary notice and public procedure are impracticable and that moving 
expeditiously to extend the temporary final rule is in the best of 
interests of the public and the FICUs that serve that public. The 
extension of these temporary regulatory changes are proactive steps 
that are designed help FICUs cope with the economic impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, which may result in additional stress on credit 
union balance sheets, potentially requiring robust liquidity management 
over the course of 2021. The changes are undertaken with expedience to 
ensure the maximum intended effects remain in place.
    The Board values public input in its rulemakings and believes that 
providing the opportunity for comment enhances its regulations. 
Accordingly, the Board often solicits comments on its rules even when 
not required under the APA, such as for the rules it issues on an 
interim-final basis. The Board, however, notes that the provisions 
extended in this rule are temporary in nature, and designed 
specifically to help credit unions affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
The extension of the amendments made by the initial temporary final 
rule will automatically expire at the close of December 31, 2021, and 
are limited in number and scope. For these reasons, the Board finds 
that there is good cause consistent with the public interest to issue 
the rule without advance notice and comment.
    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.\24\ Because the 
rules relieve currently codified limitations and restrictions, the 
extension of the temporary final rule is exempt from the APA's delayed 
effective date requirement. As an alternative basis to make the rule 
effective without the 30-day delayed effective date, the Board finds 
there is good cause to do so for the same reasons set forth above 
regarding advance notice and opportunity for comment.
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    \24\ 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
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B. Congressional Review Act

    For purposes of the Congressional Review Act,\25\ the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) makes a determination as to whether a final 
rule constitutes a ``major'' rule. If the OMB deems a rule to be a 
``major rule,'' the Congressional Review Act generally provides that 
the rule may not take effect until at least 60 days following its 
publication.
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    \25\ 5 U.S.C. 801-808.
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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 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.\26\
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    \26\ 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
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    For the same reasons set forth above, the Board is adopting the 
extension of the temporary 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 therefor in 
the rule issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are 
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.\27\ In 
light of current market uncertainty, the Board believes that delaying 
the effective date of the extension of the

[[Page 83409]]

temporary final rule would be contrary to the public interest for the 
same reasons discussed above.
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    \27\ 5 U.S.C. 808.
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    As required by the Congressional Review Act, the Board will submit 
the final rule and other appropriate reports to Congress and the 
Government Accountability Office for review.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) 
requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve all 
collections of information by a Federal agency from the public before 
they can be implemented. Respondents are not required to respond to any 
collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control 
number.
    In accordance with the PRA, the information collection requirements 
included in this temporary final rule extension have been submitted to 
OMB for approval under control numbers 3133-0141, 3133-0127 and 3133-
0040.

D. Executive Order 13132, on Federalism

    Executive Order 13132 \28\ encourages independent regulatory 
agencies to consider the impact of their actions on state and local 
interests. The NCUA, an independent regulatory agency, as defined in 44 
U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily complies with the Executive order to adhere 
to fundamental federalism principles. The extension of the temporary 
final rule will not have substantial direct effects on the states, on 
the relationship between the National Government and the states, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government. The Board has therefore determined that this rule does 
not constitute a policy that has federalism implications for purposes 
of the Executive order.
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    \28\ Executive Order 13132 on Federalism, was signed by former 
President Clinton on August 4, 1999, and subsequently published in 
the Federal Register on August 10, 1999 (64 FR 43255).
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E. Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    The NCUA has determined that the extension of the temporary final 
rule will not affect family well-being within the meaning of Section 
654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
1999.\29\
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    \29\ Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998).
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F. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that when 
an agency issues a proposed rule or a final rule pursuant to the APA or 
another law, the agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis 
that meets the requirements of the RFA and publish such analysis in the 
Federal Register. Specifically, the RFA normally requires agencies to 
describe the impact of a rulemaking on small entities by providing a 
regulatory impact analysis. For purposes of the RFA, the Board 
considers credit unions with assets less than $100 million to be small 
entities.
    As discussed previously, consistent with the APA, the Board has 
determined for good cause that general notice and opportunity for 
public comment is unnecessary, and therefore the Board is not issuing a 
notice of proposed rulemaking. Rules that are exempt from notice and 
comment procedures are also exempt from the RFA requirements, including 
conducting a regulatory flexibility analysis, when among other things 
the agency for good cause finds that notice and public procedure are 
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. 
Accordingly, the Board has concluded that the RFA's requirements 
relating to initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis do not 
apply.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 701

    Aged, Civil rights, Credit, Credit unions, Fair housing, 
Individuals with disabilities, Insurance, Mortgages, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    By the NCUA Board, this 17th day of December 2020.
Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks,
Secretary of the Board.

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

PART 701--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF CREDIT UNIONS

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

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


Sec.  701.22  [Amended]

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2. In Sec.  701.22(e), remove the date ``December 31, 2020'' and add in 
its place the date ``December 31, 2021''.


Sec.  701.23  [Amended]

0
3. In Sec.  701.23(i) introductory text, remove the date ``December 31, 
2020'' and add in its place the date ``December 31, 2021''.


Sec.  701.36  [Amended]

0
4. In Sec.  701.36(c)(3), remove the date ``December 31, 2020'' and add 
in its place the date ``December 31, 2021''.

[FR Doc. 2020-28279 Filed 12-21-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P