[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 3, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7949-7958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-01867]


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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 791

[Docket No. NCUA-2020-0098]
RIN 3133-AF28


Role of Supervisory Guidance

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The NCUA Board is adopting a final rule that codifies the 
Interagency Statement Clarifying the Role of

[[Page 7950]]

Supervisory Guidance, issued by the NCUA, Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation (FDIC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (the 
Board), the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) (collectively, the 
agencies) on September 11, 2018 (2018 Statement). By codifying the 2018 
Statement, with amendments, the final rule confirms that the NCUA will 
continue to follow and respect the limits of administrative law in 
carrying out their supervisory responsibilities. The 2018 Statement 
reiterated well-established law by stating that, unlike a law or 
regulation, supervisory guidance does not have the force and effect of 
law. As such, supervisory guidance does not create binding legal 
obligations for the public. Because it is incorporated into the final 
rule, the 2018 Statement, as amended, is binding on the NCUA. The final 
rule adopts the rule as proposed without change.

DATES: The provisions of this final rule are effective on March 5, 
2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naghi Khaled, Policy Officer (703) 
664-3883 or Scott Neat, Associate Director, Office of Examinations and 
Insurance at (703) 518-6363; Ian Marenna, Associate General Counsel, or 
Marvin Shaw, Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel, at the above 
address or telephone (703) 518-6540. National Credit Union 
Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The NCUA recognizes the important distinction between issuances 
that serve to implement acts of Congress (known as ``regulations'' or 
``legislative rules'') and non-binding supervisory guidance 
documents.\1\ Regulations create binding legal obligations. Supervisory 
guidance is issued by an agency to ``advise the public prospectively of 
the manner in which the agency proposes to exercise a discretionary 
power'' and does not create binding legal obligations.\2\
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    \1\ Regulations are commonly referred to as legislative rules 
because regulations have the ``force and effect of law.'' Perez v. 
Mortgage Bankers Association, 575 U.S. 92, 96 (2015) (citations 
omitted).
    \2\ See Chrysler v. Brown, 441 U.S. 281, 302 (1979) (quoting the 
Attorney General's Manual on the Administrative Procedure Act at 30 
n.3 (1947) (Attorney General's Manual) and discussing the 
distinctions between regulations and general statements of policy, 
of which supervisory guidance is one form).
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    In recognition of the important distinction between rules and 
guidance, on September 11, 2018, the NCUA along with the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve (the Board), the Office of Comptroller of the Currency 
(OCC), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) 
(collectively, the agencies) issued the Interagency Statement 
Clarifying the Role of Supervisory Guidance (2018 Statement) to explain 
the role of supervisory guidance and describe the agencies' approach to 
supervisory guidance.\3\ As noted in the 2018 Statement, the agencies 
issue various types of supervisory guidance to their respective 
supervised institutions, including, but not limited to, interagency 
statements, advisories, bulletins, policy statements, questions and 
answers, and frequently asked questions. Supervisory guidance outlines 
the agencies' supervisory expectations or priorities and articulates 
the agencies' general views regarding practices for a given subject 
area. Supervisory guidance often provides examples of practices that 
mitigate risks, or that the agencies generally consider to be 
consistent with safety-and-soundness standards or other applicable laws 
and regulations, including those designed to protect consumers.\4\ The 
agencies noted in the 2018 Statement that supervised institutions at 
times request supervisory guidance and that guidance is important to 
provide clarity to these institutions, as well as supervisory staff, in 
a transparent way that helps to ensure consistency in the supervisory 
approach.\5\
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    \3\ See https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/news-releases/2018/nr-ia-2018-97a.pdf.
    \4\ While supervisory guidance offers guidance to the public on 
the agencies' approach to supervision under statutes and regulations 
and safe and sound practices, the issuance of guidance is 
discretionary and is not a prerequisite to an agency's exercise of 
its statutory and regulatory authorities. This point reflects the 
fact that statutes and legislative rules, not statements of policy, 
set legal requirements.
    \5\ The Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) 
has recognized the important role of guidance documents and has 
stated that guidance can ``make agency decision-making more 
predictable and uniform and shield regulated parties from unequal 
treatment, unnecessary costs, and unnecessary risk, while promoting 
compliance with the law.'' ACUS, Recommendation 2017-5, Agency 
Guidance Through Policy Statements at 2 (adopted December 14, 2017), 
available at https://www.acus.gov/recommendation/agency-guidance-through-policy-statements. ACUS also suggests that ``policy 
statements are generally better [than legislative rules] for dealing 
with conditions of uncertainty and often for making agency policy 
accessible.'' Id. ACUS's reference to ``policy statements'' refers 
to the statutory text of the APA, which provides that notice and 
comment is not required for ``general statements of policy.'' The 
phrase ``general statements of policy'' has commonly been viewed by 
courts, agencies, and administrative law commentators as including a 
wide range of agency issuances, including guidance.
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    The 2018 Statement restated existing law and reaffirmed the 
agencies' understanding that supervisory guidance does not create 
binding, enforceable legal obligations. The 2018 Statement reaffirmed 
that the agencies do not issue supervisory criticisms for 
``violations'' of supervisory guidance and described the appropriate 
use of supervisory guidance by the agencies. In the 2018 Statement, the 
agencies also expressed their intention to (1) limit the use of 
numerical thresholds in guidance; (2) reduce the issuance of multiple 
supervisory guidance documents on the same topic; (3) continue efforts 
to make the role of supervisory guidance clear in communications to 
examiners and supervised institutions; and (4) encourage supervised 
institutions to discuss their concerns about supervisory guidance with 
their agency contact.
    On November 5, 2018, the OCC, Board, FDIC, and Bureau each received 
a petition for a rulemaking (Petition), as permitted under the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA),\6\ requesting that the agencies 
codify the 2018 Statement.\7\ The Petitioners did not submit a petition 
to the NCUA, which has no supervisory authority over the financial 
institutions that are represented by Petitioners. The NCUA determined 
that it was appropriate to join this rulemaking on its own initiative. 
References in the preamble to ``agencies'' therefore include the NCUA.
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    \6\ 5 U.S.C. 553(e).
    \7\ See Petition for Rulemaking on the Role of Supervisory 
Guidance, available at https://bpi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BPI_PFR_on_Role_of_Supervisory_Guidance_Federal_Reserve.pdf.
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    The Petition argued that a rule on guidance is necessary to bind 
future agency leadership and staff to the 2018 Statement's terms. The 
Petition also suggested there are ambiguities in the 2018 Statement 
concerning how supervisory guidance is used in connection with matters 
requiring attention, matters requiring immediate attention 
(collectively, MRAs for banks), as well as in connection with other 
supervisory actions that should be clarified through a rulemaking. As 
explained in the next section, the NCUA examiners use a notification 
similar to an MRA called a Document of Resolution (DOR). Finally, the 
Petition called for the rulemaking to implement changes in the 
agencies' standards for issuing MRAs. Specifically, the Petition 
requested that the agencies limit the role of MRAs to addressing 
circumstances in which there is a violation of a statute,

[[Page 7951]]

regulation, or order, or demonstrably unsafe or unsound practices.

B. NCUA's Examination and Supervisory Oversight

    As a member of the Federal Financial Institution Examination 
Council (FFIEC),\8\ the NCUA participates with and generally has 
regulations and guidance consistent with the other financial 
regulators. Nevertheless, given its different statutory framework, the 
NCUA's supervision of Federal credit unions and federally insured, 
state-chartered credit unions is different than the other agencies. 
With respect to safety and soundness, the Federal Credit Union Act 
requires the NCUA to ensure all federally insured credit unions operate 
safely and soundly.\9\ In particular, 12 U.S.C. 1786(b) compels the 
agency to act to correct unsafe or unsound conditions or practices in 
insured credit unions.\10\
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    \8\ https://www.ffiec.gov/.
    \9\ There are 21 references to ``safety and soundness'' in the 
Federal Credit Union Act. See 12 U.S.C. 1757(5)(A)(vi)(I), 1759(d & 
f), 1781(c)(2), 1782(a)(6)(B), 1786(b), 1786(e), 1786(f), 1786(g), 
1786(k)(2), 1786(r), 1786(s), and 1790d(h). Similarly, the NCUA 
requires federally insured credit unions to comply with relevant 
consumer protection statutes and regulations.
    \10\ ``Whenever, in the opinion of the Board, any insured credit 
union is engaging or has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices in 
conducting the business of such credit union, or is in an unsafe or 
unsound condition to continue operations as an insured credit union, 
or is violating or has violated an applicable law, rule, regulation, 
order, or any condition imposed in writing by the Board in 
connection with any action on any application, notice, or other 
request by the credit union or institution-affiliated party, or is 
violating or has violated any written agreement entered into with 
the Board, the Board shall serve upon the credit union a statement 
with respect to such practices or conditions or violations for the 
purpose of securing the correction thereof.''
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    Often, and necessarily, regulatory requirements are not simple 
prescriptions that lend themselves to right-or-wrong determinations. 
Codifying in regulation all unsafe and unsound conditions and practices 
in explicit detail would be unfeasible, especially in light of the 
ever-evolving nature of financial services. Highly detailed or 
prescriptive regulations would also lead to unintended consequences. 
Regulated entities would face additional burden, less flexibility, and 
innovation would be stifled.
    Notwithstanding these limitations, the NCUA has issued a regulation 
that implements the Federal Credit Union Act's requirement that 
federally insured credit unions operate safely and soundly. Section 
741.3(b) of the NCUA's Rules and Regulation lists various factors the 
agency considers ``in determining whether the credit union's financial 
condition and policies are both safe and sound.'' Regarding the 
continuing insurability of a credit union, Section 741.3(d) of the 
NCUA's Rules and Regulation goes on to specify that ``[i]nsurance of 
member accounts would not otherwise involve undue risk to the National 
Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF).'' \11\
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    \11\ This provision states: ``Any circumstances which may be 
unique to the particular credit union concerned shall also be 
considered in arriving at the determination of whether or not an 
undue risk to the NCUSIF is or may be present. For purposes of this 
section, the term `undue risk to the NCUSIF' is defined as a 
condition which creates a probability of loss in excess of that 
normally found in a credit union and which indicates a reasonably 
foreseeable probability of the credit union becoming insolvent 
because of such condition, with a resultant claim against the 
NCUSIF.''
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    The NCUA needs to be able to address safety and soundness issues 
through supervisory determinations that properly evaluate and weigh the 
relevant facts and considerations in their totality. For example, a 
federally insured credit union may be engaged in an inherently high-
risk activity, but the credit union may mitigate the risk by holding 
extra capital and liquidity and adopting leading practices in managing 
the underlying risk. Conversely, another institution may have not 
adopted sufficient mitigations to offset the risk, leading to undue 
risk to the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund and taxpayers.
    Like the other agencies, the NCUA has instructions that set 
requirements for how examiners supervise institutions.\12\ For example, 
when addressing a concern in a report of examination, examiners are 
required to cite the highest authority related to the subject matter, 
and describe the root problem including the corresponding details and 
facts that support the examiner's conclusion. Examiners can cite agency 
guidance when addressing some violations or unsafe or unsound 
conditions or practices when they involve a significant degree of 
judgment or interpretation in their application. This is necessary and 
helpful for both regulated institutions and examiners by standardizing 
application of regulatory requirements that require judgment or 
interpretation in their application, instead of relying on the 
individual views of each examiner. The examiner guidance explains how 
the subject relates to a regulatory or statutory requirement and 
provides the institution with additional information on the topic.
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    \12\ https://www.ncua.gov/regulation-supervision/manuals-guides/examiners-guide.
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    Pursuant to agency policy, examiners may only include in the 
Document of Resolution (DOR) \13\ issues that are significant enough 
that they would be escalated to the next level of enforcement for 
failure to correct the problem. These types of problems are defined as:
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    \13\ The Document of Resolution section of the NCUA's report of 
examination is the equivalent of Matters Requiring Immediate 
Attention used by the other banking agencies.
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     Unsafe or unsound practices that reasonably threaten the 
stability of the credit union--that is, any action or lack of action 
that, if left uncorrected, may result in substantial loss or damage to 
the credit union or its members.
     Violations of law or regulation that are systemic, 
recurring, or that result from willful neglect.
    With that statutory and regulatory background in mind, the NCUA 
uses DORs to address practices that result in substantive noncompliance 
with laws or rules, enforcement actions, or conditions imposed in 
writing. The NCUA's policy is to identify deficient practices and 
violations in a timely manner and encourage corrective action well 
before deficiencies affect a credit union's financial condition or 
viability.

II. The Proposed Rule and Comments Received

    On November 5, 2020, the agencies issued a proposed rule (Proposed 
Rule) that would codify the 2018 Statement, with clarifying changes, as 
an appendix to proposed rule text.\14\ The Proposed Rule would 
supersede the 2018 Statement. The rule text would also provide that the 
amended version of the 2018 Statement is binding on each respective 
agency.
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    \14\ 85 FR 70512 (November 5, 2020).
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Clarification of the 2018 Statement

    The Petition expressed support for the 2018 Statement and 
acknowledged that it addresses many issues of concern for the 
Petitioners relating to the use of supervisory guidance. The Petition 
expressed concern, however, that the 2018 Statement's reference to not 
basing ``criticisms'' on violations of supervisory guidance has led to 
confusion about whether MRAs are covered by the 2018 Statement. 
Accordingly, the agencies proposed to clarify in the Proposed Rule that 
the term ``criticize'' includes the issuance of MRAs and other 
supervisory criticisms such as DORs, including those communicated 
through matters requiring board attention, documents of resolution, and 
supervisory recommendations (collectively,

[[Page 7952]]

supervisory criticisms).\15\ As such, the agencies reiterated that 
examiners will not base supervisory criticisms on a ``violation'' of or 
``non-compliance with'' supervisory guidance. The agencies noted that, 
in some situations, examiners may reference (including in writing) 
supervisory guidance to provide examples of safe and sound conduct, 
appropriate consumer protection and risk management practices, and 
other actions for addressing compliance with laws or regulations. The 
agencies also reiterated that they will not issue an enforcement action 
on the basis of a ``violation'' of or ``non-compliance'' with 
supervisory guidance. The Proposed Rule reflected these 
clarifications.\16\
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    \15\ The agencies use different terms to refer to supervisory 
actions that are similar to MRAs and Matters Requiring Immediate 
Attention (MRIAs), including matters requiring board attention, 
documents of resolution, and supervisory recommendations.
    \16\ The 2018 Statement contains the following sentence:
    Examiners will not criticize a supervised financial institution 
for a ``violation'' of supervisory guidance.
    2018 Statement at 2. As revised in the Proposed Rule, this 
sentence read as follows:
    Examiners will not criticize (including through the issuance of 
matters requiring attention, matters requiring immediate attention, 
matters requiring board attention, documents of resolution, and 
supervisory recommendations) a supervised financial institution for, 
and agencies will not issue an enforcement action on the basis of, a 
``violation'' of or ``non-compliance'' with supervisory guidance.
    Proposed Rule (emphasis added). As discussed infra in footnote 
12, the Proposed Rule also removed the sentences in the 2018 
Statement that referred to ``citation,'' which the Petition 
suggested had been confusing. These sentences were also removed to 
clarify that the focus of the Proposed Rule related to the use of 
guidance, not the standards for MRAs.
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    The Petition requested further that these supervisory criticisms 
should not include ``generic'' or ``conclusory'' references to safety 
and soundness. The agencies agreed that supervisory criticisms should 
continue to be specific as to practices, operations, financial 
conditions, or other matters that could have a negative effect on the 
safety and soundness of the financial institution, could cause consumer 
harm, or could cause violations of laws, regulations, final agency 
orders, or other legally enforceable conditions. Accordingly, the 
agencies included language reflecting this practice in the Proposed 
Rule.
    The Petition also suggested that MRAs, as well as memoranda of 
understanding (MOUs), examination downgrades, and any other formal 
examination mandate or sanction, should be based only on a violation of 
a statute, regulation, or order, including a ``demonstrably unsafe or 
unsound practice.'' \17\ As noted in the Proposed Rule, examiners all 
take steps to identify deficient practices before they rise to 
violations of law or regulation or before they constitute unsafe or 
unsound banking practices. The agencies stated that they continue to 
believe that early identification of deficient practices serves the 
interest of the public and of supervised institutions. Early 
identification protects the safety and soundness of banks and credit 
unions promotes consumer protection and reduces the costs and risk of 
deterioration of financial condition from deficient practices resulting 
in violations of laws or regulations, unsafe or unsound conditions, or 
unsafe or unsound practices. The Proposed Rule also noted that the 
agencies have different supervisory processes, including for issuing 
supervisory criticisms. For these reasons, the agencies did not propose 
revisions to their respective supervisory practices relating to 
supervisory criticisms.
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    \17\ The Petition asserted that the federal banking agencies 
rely on 12 U.S.C. 1818(b)(1) when issuing MRAs based on safety-and-
soundness matters. Through statutory examination and reporting 
authorities, Congress has conferred upon the agencies the authority 
to exercise visitorial powers with respect to supervised 
institutions. The Supreme Court has indicated support for a broad 
reading of the agencies' visitorial powers. See, e.g., Cuomo v. 
Clearing House Assn L.L.C., 557 U.S. 519 (2009); United States v. 
Gaubert, 499 U.S. 315 (1991); and United States v. Philadelphia Nat. 
Bank, 374 U.S. 321 (1963). The visitorial powers facilitate early 
identification of supervisory concerns that may not rise to a 
violation of law, unsafe or unsound banking practice, or breach of 
fiduciary duty under 12 U.S.C. 1818. For credit unions, the 
corresponding provision is 12 U.S.C. 1786.
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    The agencies also noted that the 2018 Statement was intended to 
focus on the appropriate use of supervisory guidance in the supervisory 
process, rather than the standards for supervisory criticisms. To 
address any confusion concerning the scope of the 2018 Statement, the 
Proposed Rule removed two sentences from the 2018 Statement concerning 
grounds for ``citations'' and the handling of deficiencies that do not 
constitute violations of law.\18\
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    \18\ The following sentences from the 2018 Statement were not 
present in the Proposed Rule:
    Rather, any citations will be for violations of law, regulation, 
or non-compliance with enforcement orders or other enforceable 
conditions. During examinations and other supervisory activities, 
examiners may identify unsafe or unsound practices or other 
deficiencies in risk management, including compliance risk 
management, or other areas that do not constitute violations of law 
or regulation.
    2018 Statement at 2. The agencies did not intend these deletions 
to indicate a change in supervisory policy.
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Comments on the Proposed Rule

A. NCUA Specific Comments
    The NCUA received 13 comments specifically focusing on credit union 
concerns about the Proposed Rule. These commenters, which included 
national trade associations, state credit union leagues, and credit 
unions, generally supported he proposed rule. Six comments were sent 
jointly to each regulator, two were from associations that provided 
similar comments to the CFPB, and five were comments provided solely to 
the NCUA. Topics discussed within the scope of the proposal are issues 
addressing the effect and applicability of the guidance. Issues beyond 
the scope of the rule addressed coordination with other Federal and 
State regulatory authorities, consistency in applying guidance, the 
examination cycle, the need for an appeals process, and the need for 
the Board to issue more guidance on various topics.
    One commenter stated that each guidance statement from the NCUA 
should include a notice that it is nonbinding. In addition, the 
commenter believed that the NCUA should add a notice to each guidance 
statement to support that credit unions are fully permitted to develop 
their own approaches to compliance issues, and that the examiner's 
recommendations or suggestions do not eliminate the ability of the 
credit union to implement its specific solutions.
    Aside from expressing general support for the rule, most credit 
union specific comments were beyond the scope of the rulemaking. Three 
commenters requested that the NCUA improve coordination with respect to 
other Federal regulators, especially CFPB and FINCEN. Two commenters 
also requested that NCUA improve coordination with state supervisory 
authorities. The commenters stated that such enhanced coordination 
would help avoid overlapping or consecutive examinations, which they 
stated imposes operational burdens and utilizes critical staff member 
time. With respect to state guidance, two commenters stated that the 
NCUA must ensure state regulators understand how the NCUA will 
incorporate state reliance on state guidance into joint examinations or 
in alternating examinations where the NCUA may be the lead agency.
    Two commenters stated that there should be more consistent 
application of the rules and guidance across regions, with examples 
provided about BSA/AML and audit reports. One commenter recommended 
that the NCUA should create a task force to evaluate

[[Page 7953]]

inconsistent application of guidance comprised of credit union 
officials and staff.
    One commenter stated that the NCUA Interpretive Rules and Policy 
Statements (IRPS) are part exempted interpretive rules and covered 
policy statements. NCUA might consider explicitly identifying existing 
and future issuances as either covered supervisory guidance or exempt 
interpretive rule to provide clarity for stakeholders.
B. Comments to All the Agencies Including the NCUA
    In addition, the agencies received 30 comments concerning the 
Proposed Rule.\19\ Commenters representing trade associations for 
banking institutions and other businesses, state bankers' associations, 
individual financial institutions, and one member of Congress expressed 
support for the proposed rule. These commenters supported codification 
of the 2018 Interagency Statement and the reiteration by the agencies 
that guidance does not have the force of law and cannot give rise to 
binding, enforceable legal obligations. One of these commenters stated 
that the proposal would serve the interests of consumers and 
competition by allowing institutions to know what the law is and to 
develop innovative products that serve consumers and business clients, 
without uncertainty regarding potential regulatory consequences. These 
commenters expressed strong support as well for the clarification in 
the Proposed Rule that the Agencies will not criticize, including 
through the issuance of ``matters requiring attention,'' a supervised 
financial institution for a ``violation'' of, or ``non-compliance'' 
with, supervisory guidance.
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    \19\ Of the comments received, some comments were not submitted 
to all agencies, some comments were identical, and many comments 
were directed at an unrelated rulemaking by the Financial Crimes 
Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury (FinCEN).
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    One commenter agreed with the agencies that supervisory criticisms 
should not be limited to violation of statutes, regulations, or order, 
including a ``demonstrable unsafe or unsound practice'' and that 
supervisory guidance remains a beneficial tool to communicate 
supervisory expectations to the industry. The commenter stated that the 
proactive identification of supervisory criticism or deficiencies that 
do not constitute violations of law facilitates forward-looking 
supervision, which helps address problems before they warrant a formal 
enforcement action. The commenter noted as well that supervisory 
guidance provides important insight to industry and ensures consistency 
in the supervisory approach and that supervised institutions frequently 
request supervisory guidance. The commenter observed that the pandemic 
has amplified the requests for supervisory guidance and interpretation, 
and that it is apparent institutions want clarity and guidance from 
regulators.
    Two commenters, both advocacy groups, opposed the proposed rule, 
suggesting that codifying the 2018 Statement may undermine the 
important role that supervisory guidance can play by informing 
supervisory criticism, rather than merely clarifying that it will not 
serve as the basis for enforcement actions. One commenter stated that 
it is essential for agencies to have the prophylactic authority to base 
criticisms on improper practices by financial institutions that may not 
yet have ripened into violations of law or significant safety and 
soundness concerns. The commenter stated that this is particularly 
important with respect to large banks, where delay in addressing 
concerns could lead to a broader crisis. One commenter stated that the 
agencies have not explained the benefits that would result from the 
rule or demonstrated how the rule will promote safety and soundness or 
consumer protection. The commenter argued that supervision is different 
from other forms of regulation and requires supervisory discretion, 
which could be constrained by the rule. One of these commenters argued 
that the proposal would send a signal that financial institutions have 
wider discretion to ignore supervisory guidance.
B. Scope of Rule
    Several commenters requested that the Proposed Rule cover 
interpretive rules and clarify that interpretive rules do not have the 
force and effect of law. One commenter stated that the agencies should 
clarify whether they believe that interpretive rules can be binding. 
The commenter argued that, under established legal principles, 
interpretive rules can be binding on the issuing agency but not on the 
public. Some commenters suggested that the agencies follow ACUS 
recommendations for issuing interpretive rules and that the agencies 
should clarify when particular guidance documents are or are not 
interpretive rules and allow the public to petition and change an 
interpretation. A number of commenters requested that the agencies 
expand the statement to address the standards that apply to MRAs and 
other supervisory criticisms such as DORs, a suggestion made in the 
Petition.
C. Role of Guidance Documents
    Several commenters recommended that the agencies clarify that the 
practices described in supervisory guidance are merely examples of 
compliant conduct, not expectations that may form the basis for 
supervisory criticism. One commenter suggested that the agencies state 
that when agencies offer examples of safe and sound conduct, compliance 
with consumer protection standards, appropriate risk management 
practices, or acceptable practices through supervisory guidance or 
interpretive rules, the Agencies will treat adherence to that 
supervisory guidance or interpretive rule as deemed compliance. One 
commenter also requested that the agencies make clear that guidance 
that goes through public comment, as well as any examples used in 
guidance, are not binding. The commenter also requested that the 
agencies affirm that they will apply statutory factors while processing 
applications.
    One commenter argued that guidance provides valuable information to 
supervisors about how their discretion should be exercised and 
therefore plays an important role in supervision. According to this 
commenter, 12 U.S.C. 1831p-1 and 12 U.S.C. 1818 recognize the 
discretionary power conferred on banking agencies separate from the 
power to issue regulations. The commenter noted that, pursuant to these 
statutes, regulators may issue cease and desist orders based on a 
reasonable cause to believe that an institution has engaged, is 
engaging or is about to engage in an unsafe and unsound practice, 
separately and apart from whether the institution has technically 
violated a law or regulation. The commenter added that Congress 
entrusted the agencies with the power to determine whether practices 
are unsafe and unsound and attempt to halt such practices through 
supervision, even if a specific case may not constitute a violation of 
a written law or regulation.

D. Supervisory Criticisms

    Several commenters addressed supervisory criticisms and how they 
relate to guidance. Commenters suggested that supervisory criticisms 
should be specific as to practices, operations, financial conditions, 
or other matters that could have a negative effect. Commenters 
suggested that MRAs, memoranda of understanding and any other formal 
written mandates or sanctions should be based only on a violation of a 
statute or regulation. Similarly, commenters argued that there should 
be no references to guidance in

[[Page 7954]]

written formal actions and that banking institutions should be 
reassured that they will not be criticized or cited for a violation of 
guidance when no law or regulation is cited. One commenter suggested 
that it would instead be appropriate to discuss supervisory guidance 
privately, rather than publicly, potentially during the pre-exam 
meetings or during examination exit meetings. Another commenter 
suggested that, while referencing guidance in supervisory criticism may 
be useful at times, agencies should provide safeguards to prevent such 
references from becoming the de facto basis for supervisory criticisms. 
One commenter suggested that examiners also should not criticize 
community banks in their final written examination reports for not 
complying with ``best practices'' unless the criticism involves a 
violation of bank policy or regulation. The commenter added that 
industry best practices should be transparent enough and sufficiently 
known throughout the industry before they are cited in an examination 
report. One commenter requested that examiners should not apply large 
bank practices to community banks that have a different, less complex 
and more conservative business model. One commenter asserted that MRAs 
should not be based on ``reputational risk,'' but rather the underlying 
conduct giving rise to concerns should be the basis for an MRA and 
asked the agencies to address this in the final rule.
    Commenters that opposed the proposal did not support restricting 
supervisory criticism or sanctions to explicit violations of law or 
regulation. One commenter expressed concern that requiring supervisors 
to wait for an explicit violation of law before issuing criticism would 
effectively erase the line between supervision and enforcement. One 
commenter emphasized the importance of bank supervisors basing their 
criticisms on imprudent bank practices that may not yet have ripened 
into violations of laws or rules but which if left unaddressed could 
undermine safety and soundness or pose harm to consumers.
    One commenter argued that the agencies should state clearly that 
guidance can and will be used by supervisors to inform their 
assessments of banks' practices; that it may be cited as, and serve as 
the basis for, criticisms. According to the commenter, even under the 
``well-established law'' described in the proposal, it is quite 
permissible for guidance to be used as a set of standards that may 
indeed inform a criticism, provided that application of the guidance is 
used for corrective purposes, if not to support an enforcement action.
    According to one commenter, the proposal makes fine conceptual 
distinctions between, for example, issuing supervisory criticisms ``on 
the basis of'' guidance (which is apparently forbidden) and issuing 
supervisory criticisms that make ``reference'' to supervisory guidance 
(which continues to be permitted). The commenter suggested that is a 
distinction that it may be difficult for people to parse in practice. 
According to the commenter, a rule that makes such a distinction is 
likely to have a chilling effect on supervisors attempting to implement 
policy in the field. According to another commenter, the language 
allowing examiners to reference supervisory guidance to provide 
examples is too vague and threatens to marginalize the role of guidance 
to the point that it becomes almost useless in the process of issuing 
criticisms designed to correct deficient bank practices.
E. Legal Authority and Visitorial Powers
    One commenter questioned the agencies' reference in the proposal to 
visitorial powers as an additional authority for early identification 
of supervisory concerns that may not rise to a violation of law, unsafe 
or unsound banking practice, or breach of fiduciary.
F. Issuance and Management of Supervisory Guidance
    Several commenters made suggestions about how the agencies should 
issue and manage supervisory guidance. Some comments suggested that the 
agencies should clearly delineate between regulations and supervisory 
guidance. Commenters encouraged the agencies to regularly review, 
update, and potentially rescind outstanding guidance. One commenter 
suggested that the agencies rescind outstanding guidance that functions 
as a rule but has not gone through notice and comment. One commenter 
suggested that the agencies memorialize their intent to revisit and 
potentially rescind existing guidance, as well as limit multiple 
guidance documents on the same topic. Commenters suggested that 
supervisory guidance should be easy to find, readily available, online, 
and in a format that is user-friendly and searchable.
    One commenter encouraged the agencies to issue principles-based 
guidance that does not contain the kind of granularity that could be 
misconstrued as binding expectations. According to this commenter, the 
agencies can issue separate FAQs with more detailed information but 
should clearly identify these as non-binding illustrations. This 
commenter also encouraged the agencies to publish proposed guidance for 
comment when circumstances allow. One commenter expressed concern that 
the agencies will aim to reduce the issuances of multiple supervisory 
guidance documents and will thereby reduce the availability of guidance 
in circumstances where guidance would be valuable.

Responses to Comments

    As stated in the Proposed Rule, the 2018 Statement was intended to 
focus on the appropriate use of supervisory guidance in the supervisory 
process, rather than the standards for supervisory criticisms. The 
standards for issuing MRAs and other supervisory actions such as DORs 
were, therefore, outside the scope of this rulemaking. For this reason, 
and for reasons discussed earlier, the final rule does not address the 
standards for MRAs and other supervisory actions such as DORs. 
Similarly, because the NCUA is not addressing approaches to supervisory 
criticism in the final rule, including any criticism related to 
reputation risk, the final rule does not include standards for 
supervisory criticisms relating to ``reputation risk.''
    With respect to the comments on coverage of interpretive rules, the 
NCUA agrees with the commenter that interpretive rules do not, alone, 
``have the force and effect of law'' and must be rooted in, and derived 
from, a statute or regulation.\20\ While interpretive rules and 
supervisory guidance are similar in lacking the force and effect of 
law, interpretive rules and supervisory guidance are distinct under the 
APA and its jurisprudence and are generally issued for different 
purposes.\21\ Interpretive rules are typically issued by

[[Page 7955]]

an agency to advise the public of the agency's construction of the 
statutes and rules that it administers,\22\ whereas general statements 
of policy, such as supervisory guidance, advise the public of how an 
agency intends to exercise its discretionary powers.\23\ To this end, 
guidance generally reflects an agency's policy views, for example, on 
practices on safe and sound risk management. On the other hand, 
interpretive rules generally resolve ambiguities regarding what 
statutes and regulations require. Because supervisory guidance and 
interpretive rules have different characteristics and serve different 
purposes, the NCUA is adopting the proposed rule's coverage of 
supervisory guidance only.
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    \20\ See Mortgage Bankers Association, 575 U.S. at 96.
    \21\ Questions concerning the legal and supervisory nature of 
interpretive rules are case-specific and have engendered debate 
among courts and administrative law commentators. The NCUA takes no 
position in this rulemaking on those specific debates. See, e.g., R. 
Levin, Rulemaking and the Guidance Exemption, 70 Admin. L. Rev. 263 
(2018) (discussing the doctrinal differences concerning the status 
of interpretive rules under the APA); see also Nicholas R. Parillo, 
Federal Agency Guidance and the Powder to Bind: An Empirical Study 
of Agencies and Industries, 36 Yale J. Reg 165, 168 n.6 (2019) 
(``Whether interpretive rules are supposed to be nonbinding is a 
question subject to much confusion that is not fully settled''); see 
also ACUS, Recommendation 2019-1, Agency Guidance Through 
Interpretive Rules (Adopted June 13, 2019), available at https://www.acus.gov/recommendation/agency-guidance-through-interpretive-rules (noting that courts and commentators have different views on 
whether interpretive rules bind an agency and effectively bind the 
public through the deference given to agencies' interpretations of 
their own rules under Auer v. Robbins, 519 U.S. 452 (1997)).
    \22\ Mortgage Bankers Association, 575 U.S. at 97 (citing 
Shalala v. Guernsey Memorial Hospital, 514 U.S. 87, 99 (1995)); 
accord Attorney General's Manual at 30 n.3.
    \23\ See Chrysler v. Brown, 441 U.S. at 302 n.31 (quoting 
Attorney General's Manual at 30 n.3); see also, e.g., American 
Mining Congress v. Mine Safety & Health Administration, 995 F.2d 
1106, 1112 (D.C. Cir. 1993) (outlining tests in the D.C. Circuit for 
assessing whether an agency issuance is an interpretive rule).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to the question of whether to adopt ACUS's procedures 
for allowing the public to request reconsideration or revision of an 
interpretive rule, this rulemaking, again, does not address 
interpretive rules. As such, the NCUA is not adding procedures for 
challenges to interpretive rules through this rulemaking.
    In response to the comment that the agencies treat examples in 
guidance as ``safe harbors,'' the NCUA agrees that examples offered in 
guidance may provide reassurance about practices that, in general, may 
lead to safe and sound operation and compliance with regulations and 
statutes. The examples in guidance, however, are typically generalized. 
The question of whether the employment of the examples meets 
supervisory goals requires consideration of how an institution applies 
those examples under the facts and circumstances. In addition, the 
underlying legal principle of guidance is that it does not created 
binding legal obligation for either the public or an agency. As such, 
the NCUA does not intend to deem examples in guidance as categorically 
setting safe harbors.\24\
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    \24\ The question of whether an example in guidance can provide 
a safe harbor would also likely not be a logical outgrowth of the 
proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to the comment that the proposal may undermine the 
important role that supervisory guidance can play by informing 
supervisory criticism and by serving to address conditions before those 
conditions lead to enforcement actions, the NCUA agrees that the 
appropriate use of guidance supports a more collaborative and 
constructive regulatory process that supports the safety and soundness 
of institutions and diminishes the need for enforcement actions. In 
addition, as noted by ACUS, guidance can make agency decision-making 
more predictable and uniform and shield regulated parties from unequal 
treatment, unnecessary costs, and unnecessary risk, while promoting 
compliance with the law. The NCUA intends, therefore, to continue using 
guidance to bolster the supervisory process. The NCUA does not view the 
final rule as weakening the role of guidance in the supervisory 
process. Further, the NCUA will continue to use guidance in a robust 
way to support the safety and soundness of credit unions. In response 
to the related question from these commenters, which suggested there is 
no basis for the rule, the NCUA notes the question of the role of 
guidance has been one of interest to regulated parties and other 
stakeholders over the past few years. The Petition is evidence of this 
interest. As such, the NCUA believes it will serve the public interest 
to reaffirm the appropriate role of supervisory guidance.
    With respect to the comment that visitorial powers do not provide 
the authority to issue supervisory criticisms like DORs, the NCUA 
disagrees. The visitorial powers of financial regulators are well-
established. The Supreme Court's decision in Cuomo v. Clearing House 
Assn L.L.C. explained that the visitation included the ``exercise of 
supervisory power.'' \25\ The Court ruled that the ``power to enforce 
the law exists separate and apart from the power of visitation.'' \26\ 
While the Cuomo decision involved the question of which powers may be 
exercised by state governments (and ruled that states could exercise 
law enforcement powers but could not exercise visitorial powers), the 
decision did not dispute that the Federal agencies possess both these 
powers. The Court in Cuomo explained that visitorial powers entailed 
``oversight and supervision,'' while the Court's earlier decision in 
Watters v. Wachovia Bank, N.A. explained that visitorial powers 
entailed ``general supervision and control.'' \27\ Accordingly, 
visitorial powers include the power to issue supervisory criticisms 
independent of the agencies' authority to enforce applicable laws or 
ensure safety and soundness. For these reasons, the NCUA reaffirms the 
statement in the preamble to the Proposed Rule that such visitorial 
powers have been conferred through statutory examination and reporting 
authorities, which facilitate the NCUA's identification of supervisory 
concerns that may not rise to a violation of law, unsafe or unsound 
practice, or breach of fiduciary duty under 12 U.S.C. 1786. In the case 
of the federal banking agencies, such statutory examination and 
reporting authorities pre-existed 12 U.S.C. 1786, which neither 
superseded nor replaced such authorities. Each of the agencies has been 
vested with statutory examination and reporting authorities with 
respect to institutions under its supervision.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ 557 U.S. 519, 536 (2009).
    \26\ Id. at 533.
    \27\ 550 U.S. 1, 127 (2007).
    \28\ The commenter's reading of the agencies' examination and 
reporting authorities would assert that the agencies may examine 
supervised institutions and require reports, but not make findings 
based on such examinations and reporting, unless the finding is 
sufficient to warrant a formal enforcement action under the standard 
set out in 12 U.S.C. 1818 for banks. This reading is inconsistent 
with the history of federal financial supervision, including as 
described in the cases cited in the Proposed Rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to the commenter's request regarding guidance issued 
for public comment, the NCUA notes that it has made clear through the 
2018 Statement and in this final rule that supervisory guidance 
(including guidance that goes through public comment) does not create 
binding, enforceable legal obligations. Rather, the NCUA issues 
guidance for comment in order to improve its understanding of an issue, 
gather information, or seek ways to achieve a supervisory objective 
most effectively. Similarly, examples that are included in supervisory 
guidance are not binding on institutions. Rather, these examples are 
intended to be illustrative of ways a supervised institution may 
implement safe and sound practices, appropriate consumer protection, 
prudent risk management, or other actions to comply with laws or 
regulations.
    With respect to the commenter's request that the agencies affirm 
that they will apply statutory factors while processing applications, 
the NCUA affirms that the agency will continue to consider and apply 
all applicable statutory factors when processing applications.
    In response to the question raised by some commenters concerning 
potential confusion between guidance and interpretive rules, the NCUA 
notes that interpretive rules are outside the scope of the rulemaking. 
In addition, as stated earlier, while both guidance and interpretive 
rules serve different purposes, both lack the force and effect of law. 
Interpretive rules must be rooted

[[Page 7956]]

in the statutes and regulations those rules interpret. As for 
identification of these documents, the NCUA generally does, identify 
guidance and interpretive rules and will continue to do so going 
forward.
    In response to the two commenters opposing the Proposal, this final 
rule does not undermine any of the NCUA's safety and soundness 
authorities. Indeed, the final rule is designed to solidify the NCUA's 
ability to enforce the very matters of most importance. In addition, 
the NCUA notes the question of the role of guidance has been one of 
interest to regulated parties and other stakeholders over the past few 
years. The Petition is evidence of this interest. As such, the NCUA 
believes it will serve the public interest to reaffirm the appropriate 
role of supervisory guidance. Therefore, the NCUA is proceeding with 
the rule as proposed.
    One credit union commenter stated that examiners should only use 
regulatory requirements as the basis to assess credit union operations, 
and afford credit unions the opportunity to demonstrate that their 
practices, which may deviate from the examples provided in supervisory 
guidance, nonetheless constitute safe and sound practices that meet 
regulatory requirements. The NCUA notes that the final rule clearly 
indicates that examiners will not criticize a supervised financial 
institution for, and the NCUA will not issue an enforcement action on 
the basis of, a ``violation'' of or ``non-compliance'' with supervisory 
guidance. Nevertheless, examiners may reference supervisory guidance to 
provide examples of safe and sound practices, appropriate consumer 
protection and risk management practices, and other actions for 
addressing compliance with laws or regulations.
    Another commenter requested that all supervisory guidance be 
published for public comment before being issued. The commenter argued 
that this process would reinforce the nature of the guidance and 
provide credit unions a role in helping to achieve vetted guidance that 
is useful to their operations. The NCUA does not agree with this 
comment as publishing each supervisory guidance for public comment 
would prevent it from being issued timely to provide examples of safe 
and sound practices, appropriate consumer protection and risk 
management practices, and other actions for addressing compliance with 
laws or regulations where applicable. As stated in response to other 
comments, the NCUA's position is the underlying legal principal of 
guidance is that it does not create a binding legal obligation for 
either the public or an agency.
    One comment stated that the NCUA should include a notice in each 
supervisory guidance indicating that it is nonbinding. The NCUA 
believes such a notice is not necessary, given that the final rule 
reflects the NCUA's position that the underlying legal principal of 
supervisory guidance is that it does not created binding legal 
obligation for either the public or an agency.
    One comment recommended identifying existing and future issuances 
of NCUA Interpretive Rules and Policy Statements (IRPS) as either a 
covered supervisory guidance or an exempt interpretive rule to provide 
clarity for credit unions. The NCUA reiterates that interpretive rules 
are outside the scope of this rulemaking. However, as stated in the 
proposed rule, while both guidance and interpretive rules serve 
different purposes, both lack the force and effect of law. As for 
identification of NCUA IRPS issuances, the NCUA generally does identify 
guidance and interpretive rules and will continue to do so going 
forward.
Comments Beyond the Scope of the Rulemaking
    Most comments by credit union affiliated commenters were beyond the 
scope of the rulemaking, including the need for coordination with other 
Federal and State regulatory authorities, consistency in applying 
guidance, the examination cycle, the need for an appeals process, and 
the need for the Board to issue more guidance on various topics. Given 
that these comments addressed issues not relevant to the guidance 
rulemaking, the NCUA has determined that it is more appropriate to 
assess them outside the context of this rulemaking. Nevertheless, the 
Board agrees with the commenters that is important to enhance 
coordination with other regulatory authorities and apply guidance 
consistently.

III. The Final Rule

    For the reasons discussed above, the final rule adopts the Proposed 
Rule without change. However, the NCUA has decided to issue a final 
rule that is specifically addressed to the NCUA and NCUA-supervised 
institutions, rather than the joint version that the five agencies 
included in their joint Proposal. Although many of the comments were 
applicable to all of the agencies, some comments were specific to 
particular agencies or to groups of agencies. Having separate final 
rules has enabled agencies to better focus on explaining any agency-
specific issues to their respective audiences of supervised 
institutions and agency employees.

IV. Administrative Law Matters

A. Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 \29\ (PRA) states that no 
agency may conduct or sponsor, nor is the respondent required to 
respond to, an information collection unless it displays a currently 
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The NCUA 
has reviewed this final rule and determined that it does not contain 
any information collection requirements subject to the PRA. 
Accordingly, no submissions to OMB will be made with respect to this 
final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 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 by 
the NCUA for purposes of the RFA to include federally insured credit 
unions with assets less than $100 million) \30\ and publishes its 
certification and a short, explanatory statement in the Federal 
Register together with the rule. This rule will not impose any 
obligations on federally insured credit unions, and regulated entities 
will not need to take any action in response to this rule. The NCUA 
certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. The NCUA received no comments 
in response to its request for comments on this analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ NCUA Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 87-2, 
as amended by IRPS 03-2 and 15-1, available at https://www.ncua.gov/files/publications/irps/IRPS1987-2.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 rule will not have 
a substantial direct effect on the states, on the connection between 
the national government and the states, or on the

[[Page 7957]]

distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. The NCUA has determined this rule does not constitute a 
policy that has federalism implications for purposes of the executive 
order.

D. Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    The NCUA has determined that this proposed rule will not affect 
family well-being within the meaning of Section 654 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act, 1999.\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Congressional Review Act

    For purposes of Congressional Review Act, the OMB makes a 
determination as to whether a final rule constitutes a ``major'' 
rule.\32\ If a rule is deemed a ``major rule'' by the OMB, the 
Congressional Review Act generally provides that the rule may not take 
effect until at least 60 days following its publication.\33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.
    \33\ 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.\34\ As required by the Congressional Review Act, the 
NCUA will submit the final rule and other appropriate reports to 
Congress and the Government Accountability Office for review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 791

    Administrative practice and procedure, Credit unions, Sunshine Act.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on January 19, 
2021.
Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks,
Secretary of the Board.

National Credit Union Administration

12 CFR Chapter VII

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 12 CFR part 791 is amended 
as follows:

PART 791--RULES OF NCUA BOARD PROCEDURE; PROMULGATION OF NCUA RULES 
AND REGULATIONS; OBSERVANCE OF NCUA BOARD MEETINGS

0
1. The authority citation for part 791 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1766, 1781, 1786, 1787, 1789, and 5 U.S.C. 
552b.


0
2. Subpart D is added to part 791 to read as follows:
Subpart D--Use of Supervisory Guidance
Sec.
791.19 Purpose.
791.20 Implementation of the Interagency Statement.
791.21 Rule of construction.
Appendix A to Subpart D--Statement Clarifying the Role of 
Supervisory Guidance

Subpart D--Use of Supervisory Guidance


 Sec.  791.19  Purpose.

    The NCUA issues regulations and guidance as part of its supervisory 
function. This subpart reiterates the distinctions between regulations 
and guidance, as stated in the Interagency Statement Clarifying the 
Role of Supervisory Guidance (Interagency Statement) and provides that 
the Statement is binding on the NCUA.


Sec.  791.20.   Implementation of the Interagency Statement.

    The Statement describes the official policy of the NCUA with 
respect to the use of supervisory guidance in the supervisory process. 
The Statement is binding on the NCUA.


Sec.  791.21  Rule of construction.

    Appendix A to this subpart does not alter the legal status of 
guidance that is authorized by statute, including but not limited to 12 
U.S.C. 1781, 1786, and 1789, to create binding legal obligations.

Appendix A to Subpart D--Statement Clarifying the Role of Supervisory 
Guidance

Statement Clarifying the Role of Supervisory Guidance

    The National Credit Union Administration is responsible for 
promoting safety and soundness and effective consumer protection at 
Federal credit unions. The NCUA is issuing this statement to explain 
the role of supervisory guidance and to describe its approach to 
supervisory guidance.

Difference Between Supervisory Guidance and Laws or Regulations

    (1) The NCUA issue various types of supervisory guidance, 
including interagency statements, advisories, bulletins, policy 
statements, questions and answers, and frequently asked questions, 
to their respective supervised institutions. A law or regulation has 
the force and effect of law.\1\ Unlike a law or regulation, 
supervisory guidance does not have the force and effect of law, and 
the NCUA do not take enforcement actions based on supervisory 
guidance. Rather, supervisory guidance outlines the NCUA's 
supervisory expectations or priorities and articulates the agency's 
general views regarding appropriate practices for a given subject 
area. Supervisory guidance often provides examples of practices that 
the agency generally considers consistent with safety-and-soundness 
standards or other applicable laws and regulations, including those 
designed to protect consumers. Supervised institutions at times 
request supervisory guidance, and such guidance is important to 
provide insight to industry, as well as supervisory staff, in a 
transparent way that helps to ensure consistency in the supervisory 
approach.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Government agencies issue regulations that generally have 
the force and effect of law. Such regulations generally take effect 
only after the agency proposes the regulation to the public and 
responds to comments on the proposal in a final rulemaking document.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ongoing Agency Efforts To Clarify the Role of Supervisory Guidance

    (2) The NCUA is clarifying the following policies and practices 
related to supervisory guidance:
    (i) The NCUA intends to limit the use of numerical thresholds or 
other ``bright-lines'' in describing expectations in supervisory 
guidance. Where numerical thresholds are used, the NCUA intends to 
clarify that the thresholds are exemplary only and not suggestive of 
requirements. The agency will continue to use numerical thresholds 
to tailor, and otherwise make clear, the applicability of 
supervisory guidance or programs to supervised institutions, and as 
required by statute.
    (ii) Examiners will not criticize (through the issuance of 
matters requiring attention, matters requiring immediate attention, 
matters requiring board attention, documents of resolution, and 
supervisory recommendations) a supervised financial institution for, 
and the NCUA will not issue an enforcement action on the basis of, a 
``violation'' of or ``non-compliance'' with

[[Page 7958]]

supervisory guidance. In some situations, examiners may reference 
(including in writing) supervisory guidance to provide examples of 
safe and sound conduct, appropriate consumer protection and risk 
management practices, and other actions for addressing compliance 
with laws or regulations.
    (iii) Supervisory criticisms should continue to be specific as 
to practices, operations, financial conditions, or other matters 
that could have a negative effect on the safety and soundness of the 
financial institution, could cause consumer harm, or could cause 
violations of laws, regulations, final agency orders, or other 
legally enforceable conditions.
    (iv) The NCUA also has at times sought, and may continue to 
seek, public comment on supervisory guidance. Seeking public comment 
on supervisory guidance does not mean that the guidance is intended 
to be a regulation or have the force and effect of law. The comment 
process helps the agency to improve its understanding of an issue, 
to gather information on institutions' risk management practices, or 
to seek ways to achieve a supervisory objective most effectively and 
with the least burden on institutions.
    (v) The NCUA will aim to reduce the issuance of multiple 
supervisory guidance documents on the same topic and will generally 
limit such multiple issuances going forward.
    (3) The NCUA will continue efforts to make the role of 
supervisory guidance clear in their communications to examiners and 
to supervised financial institutions and encourage supervised 
institutions with questions about this statement or any applicable 
supervisory guidance to discuss the questions with their appropriate 
agency contact.

[FR Doc. 2021-01867 Filed 2-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P