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Federal Register Publications

FDIC Federal Register Citations



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FDIC Federal Register Citations

[Federal Register: August 4, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 149)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 42005-42016]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04au97-30]

[[Page 42005]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part III

Department of the Treasury

Office of Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Parts 3 and 6

Federal Reserve System

12 CFR Parts 208 and 225

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

12 CFR Part 325

Department of the Treasury

Office of Thrift Supervision

12 CFR Parts 565 and 567

_______________________________________________________________________

Capital; Risk-Based Capital Guidelines; Capital Adequacy Guidelines;

Capital Maintenance: Servicing Assets; Proposed Rule

[[Page 42006]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Parts 3 and 6

[Docket No. 97-15]

RIN 1557-AB14

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

12 CFR Parts 208 and 225

[Regulations H and Y; Docket No. R-0976]

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

12 CFR Part 325

RIN 3064-AC07

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of Thrift Supervision

12 CFR Parts 565 and 567

[Docket No. 97-67]

RIN 1550-AB11

 

Capital; Risk-Based Capital Guidelines; Capital Adequacy

Guidelines; Capital Maintenance: Servicing Assets

AGENCIES: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury; Board of

Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Federal Deposit Insurance

Corporation; and Office of Thrift Supervision, Treasury.

ACTION: Joint notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, (OCC), the

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), the Federal

Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of Thrift

Supervision, (OTS) (collectively, the Agencies) propose to amend their

capital adequacy standards for banks, bank holding companies, and

savings associations (banking organizations) to address the treatment

of servicing assets on both mortgage assets and financial assets other

than mortgages (non-mortgages). This proposed rule was developed in

response to a recent Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)

accounting standard that affects servicing assets; that is, Statement

of Financial Accounting Standards No. 125, ``Accounting for Transfers

and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities''

(FAS 125), issued in June 1996, which superseded Statement of Financial

Accounting Standards No. 122, ``Accounting for Mortgage Servicing

Rights'' (FAS 122), issued in May 1995. Under this proposed rule,

mortgage servicing assets included in regulatory capital would continue

to be subject to certain prudential limitations. However, the

limitation on the amount of mortgage servicing assets (and purchased

credit card relationships) that can be recognized as a percent of Tier

1 capital would be increased from 50 to 100 percent. Also, all non-

mortgage servicing assets would be fully deducted from Tier 1 capital.

The Agencies are requesting comment on the regulatory capital

limitations that are being proposed for servicing assets and on whether

any interest-only strips receivable should be subject to the same

regulatory capital limitations as servicing assets.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments to

any or all of the Agencies. All comments will be shared among the

Agencies.

OCC: Written comments should be submitted to Docket No. 97-15,

Communications Division, Ninth Floor, Office of the Comptroller of the

Currency, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219. Comments will be

available for inspection and photocopying at that address. In addition,

comments may be sent by facsimile transmission to FAX number (202) 874-

5274, or by electronic mail to regs.comments@occ.treas.gov.

Board: Comments should refer to Docket No. R-0976, and may be

mailed to William W. Wiles, Secretary, Board of Governors of the

Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.,

Washington, DC 20551. Comments also may be delivered to the Board's

mail room between 8:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. weekdays, and to the security

control room at all other times. The mail room and the security control

room are accessible from the courtyard entrance on 20th Street between

Constitution Avenue and C Street, NW. Comments received will be

available for inspection in Room MP-500 of the Martin Building between

9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays, except as provided in 12 CFR 261.8 of

the Board's Rules Regarding Availability of Information.

FDIC: Written comments shall be addressed to Robert E. Feldman,

Executive Secretary, Attention: Comments/OES, Federal Deposit Insurance

Corporation, 550 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20429. Comments may

be hand delivered to the guard station at the rear of the 17th Street

Building (located on F Street), on business days between 7:00 a.m. and

5:00 p.m. (Fax number: (202) 898-3838; Internet address:

comments@fdic.gov). Comments may be inspected and photocopied in the

FDIC Public Information Center, Room 100, 801 17th Street, NW.,

Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on business days.

OTS: Send comments to Chief, Dissemination Branch, Records

Management and Information Policy, Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G

Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20552, Attention Docket No. 97-67. These

submissions may be hand-delivered to 1700 G Street, N.W. between 9 a.m.

and 5 p.m. on business days; they may be sent by facsimile transmission

to FAX Number (202) 906-7755; or by e-mail to

public.info@ots.treas.gov. Those commenting by e-mail should include

their name and telephone number. Comments will be available for

inspection at 1700 G Street, N.W., from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on

business days.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

OCC: Gene Green, Deputy Chief Accountant (202/874-5180); Roger

Tufts, Senior Economic Adviser, or Tom Rollo, National Bank Examiner,

Capital Policy Division (202/874-5070); Mitchell Stengel, Senior

Financial Economist, Risk Analysis Division (202/874-5431); Saumya

Bhavsar, Attorney or Ronald Shimabukuro, Senior Attorney (202/874-

5090), Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, Office of the

Comptroller of the Currency.

Board: Arleen Lustig, Supervisory Financial Analyst (202/452-2987),

Arthur W. Lindo, Supervisory Financial Analyst, (202/452-2695) or

Thomas R. Boemio, Senior Supervisory Financial Analyst, (202/452-2982),

Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation. For the hearing

impaired only, Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD), Diane

Jenkins (202) 452-3544, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

System, 20th and C Streets, NW., Washington, DC 20551.

FDIC: For supervisory issues, Stephen G. Pfeifer, Examination

Specialist, (202/898-8904), Accounting Section, Division of

Supervision; for legal issues, Marc J. Goldstom, Counsel, (202/898-

8807), Legal Division.

OTS: John F. Connolly, Senior Program Manager for Capital Policy,

Supervision Policy Division (202/906-6465), Christine Smith, Capital

and Accounting Policy Analyst, (202/906-5740), Timothy J. Stier, Chief

Accountant, (202/906-5699),

[[Page 42007]]

Accounting Policy Division, or Vern McKinley, Attorney, Regulations and

Legislation Division (202/906-6241), Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700

G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Capital Treatment of Mortgage Servicing Rights Pre-FAS 122

Prior to the issuance of FAS 122, intangible assets generally were

deducted from capital in determining the amount of Tier 1 capital under

the Agencies' regulatory capital rules. 1 However, limited

amounts of purchased mortgage servicing rights (PMSRs) and purchased

credit card relationships (PCCRs) were allowed in Tier 1 capital.

2 The aggregate amount of PMSRs and PCCRs that could be

recognized for regulatory capital purposes could not exceed 50 percent

of Tier 1 capital, with PCCRs subject to a further sublimit of 25

percent of Tier 1 capital. In addition, PMSRs and PCCRs were each

subject to a 10 percent ``haircut'' that permitted only the lower of

book value or 90 percent of fair market value to be included in Tier 1

capital. This haircut is required for PMSRs under section 475 of the

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12

U.S.C. 1828 note) (December 19, 1991)).

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\1\ For OTS purposes, Tier 1 capital is the same as core

capital.

\2\ Servicing rights are the contractual obligations undertaken

by an institution to provide servicing for loans owned by others,

typically for a fee. PMSRs are mortgage servicing rights that have

been purchased from other parties. The purchaser is not the

originator of the mortgage. Originated mortgage servicing rights, on

the other hand, generally represent the servicing rights acquired

when an institution originates mortgage loans and subsequently sells

the loans but retains the servicing rights. Under the accounting

standards that were in effect prior to FAS 122, mortgage servicing

rights were characterized as intangible assets.

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The regulatory capital treatment of servicing rights prior to the

issuance of FAS 122 specified a treatment for PMSRs but not for

originated mortgage servicing rights (OMSRs) or servicing rights on

loans other than mortgages because generally accepted accounting

principles (GAAP), at that time, did not permit institutions to book

OMSRs nor did it generally allow institutions to book servicing rights

on other assets. Furthermore, GAAP based the accounting for servicing

rights on a distinction between normal servicing fees and excess

servicing fees. 3 Although GAAP permitted excess servicing

fees receivable (ESFRs) to be recognized as assets, for regulatory

reporting purposes, banks generally were allowed to book only ESFRs on

first lien, one-to four-family residential mortgages. The Agencies did

not allow banks to book ESFRs on any other loans and, thus, these ESFRs

were also effectively excluded from capital for regulatory reporting

and regulatory capital purposes. 4

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\3\ A normal servicing fee was defined as a servicing fee that

was representative of servicing fees most commonly used in

comparable servicing agreements covering similar types of loans.

Excess servicing fees arose only when a banking organization sold

loans but retained the servicing and received a servicing fee that

was in excess of a normal servicing fee. Excess servicing fees

receivable were the present value of the excess servicing fees and

were reported on the institution's balance sheet. GAAP continued to

differentiate between normal and excess servicing fees until FAS 125

was implemented in January 1997.

\4\ Bank holding companies and thrift institutions, however,

were allowed to report ESFRs for regulatory reporting purposes and

recognize all ESFRs in capital in accordance with existing GAAP.

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FAS 122 and the Interim Rule

In May 1995, FASB issued FAS 122, which eliminated the GAAP

distinction between OMSRs and PMSRs and required that these assets,

together known as mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), be treated as a

single asset for financial statement purposes, regardless of how the

servicing rights were acquired. Under FAS 122, OMSRs and PMSRs are

treated the same for reporting, valuation, and disclosure purposes.

5 The GAAP accounting treatment of ESFRs was not changed by

FAS 122.

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\5\ Among other things, FAS 122 imposed valuation and impairment

criteria, based on the stratification of MSRs by their predominant

risk characteristics. In addition, FAS 122 eliminated the intangible

asset reference that prior GAAP applied to MSRs and stated that the

characterization of MSRs as either intangible or tangible was

unnecessary because similar characterizations are not applied to

most other assets.

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The Agencies adopted the FAS 122 standard for regulatory reporting

purposes and then issued an interim rule on the regulatory capital

treatment of MSRs (60 FR 39226, August 1, 1995), with a request for

public comment. The interim rule, which became effective upon

publication, amended the Agencies' capital adequacy standards to treat

OMSRs in the same manner as PMSRs for regulatory capital purposes.

Under the interim rule, the total of all MSRs (i.e., PMSRs and OMSRs),

when combined with PCCRs, that can be included in regulatory capital

cannot exceed 50 percent of Tier 1 capital. In addition, the interim

rule extended the 10 percent haircut to all MSRs. The interim rule did

not amend any other elements of the Agencies' capital rules.

6

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\6\ Thus, PCCRs continued to be subject to the 25 percent of

Tier 1 capital sublimit.

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A majority of the commenters opposed the interim rule's capital

limitations. Several commenters stated that the capital limitations

ignored the increased marketability of MSRs, while others asserted that

FAS 122's valuation and impairment requirements for MSRs were

conservative, thereby providing safeguards against the risks associated

with these assets. They believed that FAS 122's stringent valuation and

impairment standards (lower of cost or market [LOCOM] on a stratum-by-

stratum basis) precluded the need for arbitrary regulatory capital

limits. In addition, while acknowledging that the 10 percent haircut is

required by statute for PMSRs, commenters advocated a legislative

change to eliminate it. If capital limitations on MSRs are retained,

most commenters agreed that disallowed MSRs, i.e., those that exceeded

50 percent of Tier 1 capital, should be deducted from Tier 1 capital on

a basis that is net of any associated deferred tax liability.

FAS 125

In June 1996, FASB issued FAS 125, which became effective for all

transfers and servicing of financial assets on or after January 1,

1997. FAS 125 requires the recording of servicing on all financial

assets that are serviced for others, including loans other than

mortgages. 7

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\7\ In a press release issued on December 18, 1996, the Federal

Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) issued interim

guidance for the regulatory capital treatment of servicing assets

under the Agencies' existing capital standards, which, after the

effective date of FAS 125, will remain in effect until the Agencies

issue a final rule on servicing assets.

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FAS 125 eliminates the distinction between normal servicing fees

and excess servicing fees and reclassifies these cash flows into two

new types of assets: (a) Servicing assets, which are measured based on

contractually specified servicing fees; and (b) interest-only (I/O)

strips receivable, which reflect rights to future interest income from

the serviced assets in excess of the contractually specified servicing

fees. In addition, FAS 125 requires I/O strips and other financial

assets that can be contractually prepaid or otherwise settled in such a

way that the holder would not recover substantially all of its recorded

investment (including loans, other receivables, and retained interests

in securitizations) to be measured at fair value like debt securities

that are classified as available-for-sale or trading securities under

FASB Statement No. 115, ``Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt

and Equity Securities'' (FAS 115).

[[Page 42008]]

Under FAS 125, organizations are required to recognize separate

servicing assets (or liabilities) for the contractual obligation to

service financial assets (e.g., mortgage loans, credit card

receivables) that the entity has either sold or securitized with

servicing retained. In addition, servicing assets (or liabilities) that

are purchased (or assumed) as part of a separate transaction must also

be recognized. However, no servicing asset (or liability) need be

recognized when an organization securitizes assets, retains all of the

resulting securities, and classifies the securities as held-to-maturity

in accordance with FAS 115.

Under FAS 125, the existence of a servicing asset (or liability) is

based on revenues a servicer would receive for performing the

servicing. A servicing asset is recorded for a contract to service

financial assets under which the estimated future revenues from

contractually specified servicing fees, late charges, and other

ancillary revenues (such as ``float'') are expected to more than

adequately compensate the servicer for performing the servicing.

8 However, amounts representing rights to future interest

income from serviced assets in excess of contractually specified

servicing fees are not treated as servicing assets under FAS 125 since

the right to this excess future interest income does not depend on the

servicing work being satisfactorily performed and remaining with the

servicer. Rather, these amounts are treated as financial assets,

effectively, I/O strips receivable.

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\8\ FAS 125 defines contractually specified servicing fees as

all amounts that, per contract, are due to the servicer in exchange

for servicing a financial asset and would no longer be received by a

servicer if the beneficial owners of the serviced assets or their

trustees or agents were to shift the servicing to another servicer.

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FAS 125 also adopts the valuation approach established by FAS 122

for determining the impairment of mortgage servicing assets (MSAs) and

extends this approach to all other servicing assets, i.e., servicing

assets on financial assets other than mortgages.

Proposed Amendments to the Capital Adequacy Standards

Overview

The Agencies are proposing to increase the amount of MSAs that can

be recognized for regulatory capital purposes.9 However,

under this proposal, servicing assets on financial assets other than

mortgages would continue to be deducted from Tier 1 capital. The

Agencies are also seeking comment on whether I/O strips receivable that

are not in the form of a security (whether held by the servicer or

purchased from another organization) should be subject to the capital

limitations imposed on servicing assets.

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\9\ For regulatory capital purposes, a mortgage servicing asset

is a servicing asset that results from a contract to service

mortgages (as defined in the Reports of Condition and Income for

commercial banks and FDIC-supervised savings banks, Thrift Financial

Report (TFR) for savings associations, and Consolidated Financial

Statements (FR Y-9C) for bank holding companies).

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In this proposal, consistent with the interim capital guidance

announced by the FFIEC in its December 1996 press release, the Agencies

have chosen to use FAS 125 terminology when referring to servicing

assets and financial assets in the belief that the adoption of the same

terms for regulatory purposes would reduce the burden of having to

maintain two sets of definitions--one for capital purposes and another

for financial reporting purposes. 10

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\10\ The Agencies' regulatory reports (Reports of Condition and

Income for commercial banks and FDIC-supervised savings banks,

Thrift Financial Report (TFR) for savings associations, and

Consolidated Financial Statements (FR Y-9C) for bank holding

companies) also reflect FAS 125 definitions for the reporting of

servicing assets beginning with the first quarter of 1997.

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Capital Limitation for Mortgage Servicing Assets

This proposal would subject all MSAs to a 100 percent of Tier 1

capital limitation and to a 10 percent of fair value

haircut.11 The 10 percent haircut applied to all MSAs

imposes some safeguards on the amount of MSAs that can be included in

Tier 1 capital calculations and, notwithstanding the valuation and

impairment standards in FAS 122 and FAS 125, provides a greater level

of supervisory comfort that addresses concerns about the risks (e.g.,

these assets are potentially volatile due to interest rate and

prepayment risk) involved in holding these assets.12

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\11\ PCCRs would also continue to be subject to the 10 percent

of fair value haircut.

\12\ For purposes of determining the amount of servicing assets

on financial assets (mortgage loans and other financial assets) that

would be deducted (or disallowed) under this proposal, organizations

may choose to reduce their otherwise disallowed servicing assets by

the amount of any associated deferred tax liability. Any deferred

tax liability used in this manner would not be available for the

organization to use in determining the amount of net deferred tax

assets that may be included for purposes of Tier 1 capital

calculations.

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The Agencies propose to retain a capital limitation on MSAs based

on a percentage of Tier 1 capital to minimize banking organizations'

reliance on these MSAs as part of the organizations' regulatory capital

base. Excessive concentrations in these assets could potentially have

an adverse impact on bank capital. The Agencies, however, propose to

increase the capital limitation so that the amount of MSAs, when

combined with PCCRs, that can be included in capital can equal no more

than 100 percent of Tier 1 capital. The Agencies believe that a higher

limit is more reasonable in light of the more specific accounting

guidance in FAS 125 for the valuation and impairment of servicing

assets. Moreover, the Agencies believe that some banking organizations

will exceed the current 50 percent of Tier 1 capital limitation due

only to changes in the accounting for servicing contracts brought about

by FAS 122 and FAS 125.

Capital Treatment of Servicing Assets on Financial Assets Other Than

Mortgages (Non-Mortgage Servicing Assets)

The Agencies propose to deduct from Tier 1 capital all non-mortgage

servicing assets. 13 Although the Agencies recognize that

the markets for servicing assets for some types of financial assets

other than mortgages are growing, these markets are not as developed as

the mortgage servicing market. Therefore, the Agencies propose to fully

deduct non-mortgage servicing assets from capital because of concerns

that the markets for these assets may not yet be of sufficient depth to

provide liquidity for these assets. In addition, the Agencies are

uncertain whether the fair values of these servicing assets can be

determined with a high degree of reliability and predictability.

Therefore, at this time, the Agencies propose to exclude these assets

from Tier 1 capital. 14

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\13\ Originated servicing rights on financial assets other than

mortgages were not booked as balance sheet assets under pre-FAS 125

GAAP. However, for regulatory reporting purposes, banks prior to

1997 were permitted to indirectly recognize ESFRs on certain

government-guaranteed small business loans, and thrifts and bank

holding companies booked ESFRs on financial assets other than

mortgages in accordance with GAAP. Under FAS 125, these ESFRs have

been reclassified as either servicing assets or I/O strips

receivable, depending on whether the assets are part of the

``contractually specified servicing fee,'' as that term is defined

in FAS 125.

\14\ See footnote 12.

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Summary of Proposed Capital Amendment

The Agencies are proposing two alternatives (alternative A and

alternative B), which are described below, to revise their capital

adequacy standards for servicing assets. These alternatives provide

different treatments of I/O strips receivable. Moreover, the proposed

alternatives do not reflect all deductions (e.g., the disallowed amount

of deferred tax assets and net unrealized losses on available-for-sale

equity

[[Page 42009]]

securities with readily determinable fair values) that are required

when organizations calculate their Tier 1 capital ratios. The

regulatory capital limitations under this proposal can be summarized as

follows:

(a) Servicing assets and PCCRs that are includable in capital are

each subject to a 90 percent of fair value limitation (also known as a

``10 percent haircut''). 15

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\15\ If some or all types of non-mortgage servicing assets are

includable in capital in the final rule, they would most likely be

subject to the 90 percent of fair value limitation.

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(b) MSAs and PCCRs must be less than or equal to 100% of Tier 1

capital 16

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\16\ Amounts of MSAs and PCCRs in excess of the amounts

allowable must be deducted from Tier 1 capital.

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(c) PCCRs must be less than or equal to 25% of Tier 1 capital.

(d) Non-mortgage servicing assets and all intangible assets (other

than qualifying PCCRs) must be deducted from Tier 1 capital.

Under alternative A, I/O strips (whether or not in the form of

securities) would not be subject to any regulatory capital limit. Under

alternative B, I/O strips receivable not in security form (whether held

by the servicer or purchased from another organization) would be

subject to the same capital limitation that is applied to the

corresponding type of servicing assets. That is, if the I/O strips

receivable are related to mortgages, they would be combined with MSAs

and the combined amount would be subject to the 100 percent of Tier 1

capital limitation; if the I/O strips are related to financial assets

other than mortgages, they would be deducted from Tier 1 capital.

17 Furthermore, the I/O strips receivable subject to the

Tier 1 capital limitation would also be subject to the 10 percent

haircut. In all other respects, alternatives A and B are identical. The

proposed rules attached to this document reflect alternative A.

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\17\ Under either alternative A or B, I/O strips that take the

form of mortgage-backed securities are subject to the provisions of

the Agencies' Supervisory Policy Statement on Securities Activities

(57 FR 4029, February 3, 1992). They are not, however, subject to

any Tier 1 capital limitations. I/O strips receivable that arise in

sales and securitizations of assets, which use this receivable as a

credit enhancement, are considered asset sales with recourse under

the Agencies' risk-based capital standards. Such I/O strips would be

treated like other recourse obligations under the Agencies' capital

rules and would not be subject to the capital limitations for

servicing assets.

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The Agencies are requesting public comment on whether to adopt

alternative A or B for regulatory capital purposes. The Agencies also

are seeking comment on whether to extend the capital limitation imposed

on servicing assets (mortgage and non-mortgage) to include certain

other non-security financial instruments, such as loans, other

receivables, or other retained interests in securitizations, that can

be contractually prepaid or otherwise settled in such a way that the

holder would not recover substantially all of its recorded investment.

Some reasons in support of amending the capital adequacy standards

to reflect alternative A, which would not subject I/O strips receivable

to a Tier 1 capital limitation, are:

(1) I/O strips receivable not in security form are similar in

economic substance to I/O strip securities. These I/O strips receivable

should be treated in a manner consistent with the manner in which the

Agencies treat I/O strip securities and not be subject to capital

limitations.18 Moreover, because there is insufficient data

on these new financial assets, the Agencies should not, at this time,

impose capital limits on these new financial assets. Rather, the

Agencies should let the market develop before assessing whether any

regulatory limitations are warranted.

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\18\ I/O strips from mortgage-backed securities that are

currently held by banks and thrifts are subject to the ``high-risk

test'' in the Agencies'' Supervisory Policy Statement on Securities

Activities (57 FR 4029, February 3, 1992). That policy statement

has, in the past, limited a depository institution's ability to hold

I/Os because they typically are ``high-risk'' mortgage securities.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) Certain I/O strips receivable on credit card receivables would

likely be subject to a risk-based capital charge under the recourse

rules established by the Agencies because these I/O strips receivable,

which generally act as credit enhancements for the credit card asset-

backed securities sold, would function as recourse. Thus, the risk-

based capital rules for ``assets sold with recourse'' would apply to

these I/O strips receivable.

(3) Under FAS 125, the cash flows underlying the I/O strips

receivable not in security form actually possess characteristics that

are more similar to I/O strip securities than to ESFRs because the

holder of a non-security I/O strip receivable retains the rights to the

I/O strip cash flows even if the underlying servicing (and the related

servicing asset) is shifted away from the servicer (if, for example,

the servicer fails to perform in accordance with the servicing

contract). Thus, I/O strips receivable not in security form should be

treated similarly to I/O strip securities, which are not subject to

regulatory capital limitations.

(4) The amount of I/O strips receivable recognized by banking

organizations may be limited. For example, the discipline imposed by

the well-developed mortgage markets may minimize the amounts retained

by the servicers above the contractually specified servicing fee

amount.

Some reasons in support of amending the capital adequacy standards

to reflect alternative B, which limits the amount of I/O strips

receivable not in security form that can be included in Tier 1 capital,

are:

(1) I/O strips receivable not in security form are not rated and

are not registered. Rather, they are relatively new financial assets,

which are recognized on the balance sheet in response to the recently

issued FAS 125, and for which an active, liquid market does not

currently exist. In contrast, I/O strips receivable that are registered

securities have an identifiable market and are readily salable. Since

the market for these newly-created I/O strips receivable is not

currently well-developed, accurate, dependable information on the fair

value of such assets may not be readily available or may be difficult

to ascertain.

(2) I/O strips receivable not in security form arising from

servicing activities should receive a no less restrictive capital

treatment than the treatment afforded to the servicing asset itself

because servicing assets and the I/O strips receivable both arise from

the same activity and are subject to similar prepayment risk.

(3) If I/O strips receivable retained by the servicer are not

subject to the same capital limitation as their related servicing

assets, banking organizations may be inclined to avoid capital

limitations by negotiating contracts that minimize contractually

specified servicing fees, thereby enabling them to classify more of the

cash flows as I/O strips receivable. This would understate the

servicing assets and, thus, minimize the effectiveness of any capital

limitation.

(4) The economic substance of servicing transactions remains

unchanged. Under FAS 125, the cash flows of these transactions have

simply been reclassified into new assets such as I/O strips receivable.

The risks associated with the servicing assets and the I/O strips

receivable have not changed.

Tangible Equity

The definition of tangible equity found in each Agency's regulation

for Prompt Corrective Action would be revised to conform to the changes

made in the proposed rule, i.e., the term ``mortgage servicing rights''

would be renamed ``mortgage servicing assets'' to reflect the FAS 125

conceptual changes for measuring servicing. No other

[[Page 42010]]

changes to the definition of tangible equity are proposed at this

time.19

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\19\ The OTS is proposing to make an additional technical

clarification to its definition of tangible equity in 12 CFR

565.2(f) that would conform the OTS rule to this proposal and

eliminate the double deduction of disallowed mortgage servicing

assets.

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Request for Public Comment

The Agencies invite comments on all aspects of these proposed

changes. In particular, the Agencies seek comments from interested

parties on the following:

1. How readily determinable are fair values of mortgage servicing

assets and non-mortgage servicing assets (e.g., credit card servicing

assets)? Please describe the existing methodologies and market

mechanisms used by your organization for determining fair values for

servicing assets.

2. Given the supervisory concerns regarding the reliability of the

valuation of servicing assets and the potential volatility in the fair

value of these assets, should limits be retained on the amount of

servicing assets that is recognized for regulatory capital purposes?

a. What aggregate limit, if any, should apply to the maximum amount

of mortgage servicing assets and PCCRs that may be recognized for

regulatory capital purposes?

b. To what extent should servicing assets on non-mortgage financial

assets be included in regulatory capital?

c. Should non-mortgage servicing assets and I/O strips receivable

(if treated similarly to non-mortgage servicing assets) be subject to

the same 25 percent sublimit and haircut as PCCRs?

3. What types of assets should be subject to regulatory capital

limitations under this rule?

a. Should I/O strips receivable not in security form be subject to

the same capital limitations as servicing assets?

b. If alternative B is adopted, should the definition of I/O strips

receivable that are subject to capital limitations be expanded to

include all financial assets not in security form that can be

contractually prepaid or otherwise settled in such a way that the

holder would not recover substantially all of its recorded investment

as described under FAS 125? These assets would include loans, other

receivables, and other retained interests in securitizations that meet

this condition. Please provide supporting information on the nature of

these non-security financial assets with significant prepayment risk.

4. For what types of financial assets (other than loans secured by

first liens on 1- to 4-family residential properties) does your

organization currently book servicing assets and/or I/O strips

receivable? How will this change in the future for your organization?

5. In light of FAS 125 and this proposal, what should be the

capital treatment for amounts previously designated as ESFRs for

financial reporting purposes (if your organization still maintains this

breakdown for income tax or other purposes) held by banking

organizations?

6. What effect, if any, should efforts to hedge the MSA portfolio

have on the MSA regulatory capital limitations?

7. Should servicing assets that are disallowed for regulatory

capital purposes be deducted on a basis that is net of any associated

deferred tax liability?

Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

OCC Regulatory Flexibility Act

Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the

Comptroller of the Currency certifies that this proposed rule would not

have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small

entities in accord with the spirit and purposes of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Accordingly, a regulatory

flexibility analysis is not required. The adoption of this proposal

would reduce the regulatory burden of small businesses by aligning the

terminology in the capital adequacy standards more closely to newly-

issued generally accepted accounting principles and by relaxing the

capital limitation on mortgage servicing assets. The economic impact of

this proposed rule on banks, regardless of size, is expected to be

minimal.

Board Regulatory Flexibility Act

Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the

Board does not believe that this proposed rule would have a significant

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities in accord

with the spirit and purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5

U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is

not required. The effect of this proposal would be to reduce the

regulatory burden of banks and bank holding companies by aligning the

terminology in the capital adequacy guidelines more closely to newly-

issued generally accepted accounting principles and by relaxing the

capital limitation on mortgage servicing assets. In addition, because

the risk-based and leverage capital guidelines generally do not apply

to bank holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $150

million, this proposal will not affect such companies.

FDIC Regulatory Flexibility Act

Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub.

L. 96-354, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), it is certified that this proposed

rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility

analysis is not required. The amendment concerns capital requirements

for servicing assets held by depository institutions of any size. The

effect of the proposal would be to reduce regulatory burden on

depository institutions (including small businesses) by aligning the

terminology used in the capital adequacy guidelines more closely to

newly-issued generally accepted accounting principles and by relaxing

the capital limitation on mortgage servicing assets. The economic

impact of this proposed rule on banks, regardless of size, is expected

to be minimal.

OTS Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the

OTS certifies that this proposed rule would not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The

amendment concerns capital requirements for servicing assets which may

be entered into by depository institutions of any size. The effect of

the proposal would be to reduce regulatory burden on depository

institutions by aligning the terminology used in the capital adequacy

standards more closely to newly-issued generally accepted accounting

principles and by relaxing the capital limitation on mortgage servicing

assets.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The Agencies have determined that this proposal would not increase

the regulatory paperwork of banking organizations pursuant to the

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

OCC and OTS Executive Order 12866 Statement

The Comptroller of the Currency and the Director of the OTS have

determined that this proposal is not a significant regulatory action

under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, a regulatory impact analysis

is not required.

OCC and OTS Unfunded Mandates Act Statement

Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, Pub. L.

104-4 (Unfunded Mandates Act)

[[Page 42011]]

requires that an agency prepare a budgetary impact statement before

promulgating a rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in

expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in the aggregate,

or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. If a

budgetary impact statement is required, section 205 of the Unfunded

Mandates Act also requires an agency to identify and consider a

reasonable number of regulatory alternatives before promulgating a

rule. As discussed in the preamble, this proposed amendment to the

capital adequacy standards would relax the capital limitation on

mortgage servicing assets and PCCRs. Further, the proposed amendment

moves toward greater consistency with FAS 125 in an effort to reduce

the burden of complying with two different standards. Thus, no

additional cost of $100 million or more, to State, local, or tribal

governments or to the private sector will result from this proposed

rule. Accordingly, the OCC and the OTS have not prepared a budgetary

impact statement nor specifically addressed any regulatory

alternatives.

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 3

Administrative practice and procedure, Capital, National banks,

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Risk.

12 CFR Part 6

National banks, Prompt corrective action.

12 CFR Part 208

Accounting, Agriculture, Banks, banking, Confidential business

information, Crime, Currency, Federal Reserve System, Mortgages,

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.

12 CFR Part 225

Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, banking, Federal

Reserve System, Holding companies, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Securities.

12 CFR Part 325

Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, banking, Capital

adequacy, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings

associations, State non-member banks.

12 CFR Part 565

Administrative practice and procedure, Capital, Savings

associations.

12 CFR Part 567

Capital, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Savings

associations.

Authority and Issuance

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Chapter I

For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, parts 3 and 6 of

chapter I of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations are proposed

to be amended as follows:

PART 3--MINIMUM CAPITAL RATIOS; ISSUANCE OF DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 3 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 93a, 161, 1818, 1828(n), 1828 note, 1831n

note, 1835, 3907, and 3909.

Sec. 3.3 [Amended]

2. Section 3.3 is amended by removing the words ``mortgage

servicing rights'' in the first sentence and adding ``mortgage

servicing assets'' in their place.

3. Section 3.100 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(2) and by

removing the words ``mortgage servicing rights'' in paragraphs (e)(7)

and (g)(2) and adding ``mortgage servicing assets'' in their place, to

read as follows:

Sec. 3.100 Capital and surplus.

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(2) Mortgage servicing assets;

* * * * *

4. In appendix A to part 3, paragraph (c)(14) of section 1 is

revised to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 3--Risk-Based Capital Guidelines

Section 1. Purpose, Applicability of Guidelines, and Definitions.

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(14) Intangible assets include mortgage servicing assets, purchased

credit card relationships (servicing rights), goodwill, favorable

leaseholds, and core deposit value.

* * * * *

5. In appendix A to part 3, in section 2, paragraphs (c)

introductory text, (c)(1), (c)(2), and the heading of paragraph

(c)(3)(i) are revised to read as follows:

* * * * *

Section 2. Components of Capital.

* * * * *

(c) Deductions From Capital. The following items are deducted

from the appropriate portion of a national bank's capital base when

calculating its risk-based capital ratio.

(1) Deductions from Tier 1 capital. The following items are

deducted from Tier 1 capital before the Tier 2 portion of the

calculation is made:

(i) All goodwill subject to the transition rules contained in

section 4(a)(1)(ii) of this appendix A;

(ii) Non-mortgage servicing assets;

(iii) Other intangible assets, except as provided in section

2(c)(2) of this appendix A; and

(iv) Deferred tax assets, except as provided in section 2(c)(3)

of this appendix A, that are dependent upon future taxable income,

which exceed the lesser of either:

(A) The amount of deferred tax assets that the bank could

reasonably expect to realize within one year of the quarter-end Call

Report, based on its estimate of future taxable income for that

year; or

(B) 10% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill and all intangible

assets other than mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships, and before any disallowed deferred tax assets

are deducted.

(2) Qualifying intangible assets. Subject to the following

conditions, mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card

relationships need not be deducted from Tier 1 capital:

(i) The total of all intangible assets included in Tier 1

capital is limited to 100 percent of Tier 1 capital, of which no

more than 25 percent of Tier 1 capital can consist of purchased

credit card relationships. Calculation of these limitations must be

based on Tier 1 capital net of goodwill and other disallowed

intangible assets.

(ii) Banks must value each intangible asset included in Tier 1

capital at least quarterly at the lesser of:

(A) 90 percent of the fair value of each asset, determined in

accordance with paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section; or

(B) 100 percent of the remaining unamortized book value.

(iii) The quarterly determination of the current fair value of

the intangible asset must include adjustments for any significant

changes in original valuation assumptions, including changes in

prepayment estimates.

(3) Deferred tax assets--(i) Net unrealized gains and losses on

available-for-sale securities. * * *

* * * * *

PART 6--PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION

1. The authority citation for part 6 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 93a, 1831o.

2. Section 6.2(g) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 6.2 Definitions

* * * * *

(g) Tangible equity means the amount of Tier 1 capital elements in

the OCC's Risk-Based Capital Guidelines (12 CFR part 3, appendix A)

plus the amount of outstanding cumulative perpetual preferred stock

(including related surplus) minus all intangible assets

[[Page 42012]]

except mortgage servicing assets to the extent permitted in Tier 1

capital under 12 CFR part 3, appendix A, section 2(c)(2).

* * * * *

Dated: July 17, 1997.

Eugene A. Ludwig,

Comptroller of the Currency.

Federal Reserve System

12 CFR CHAPTER II

For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, the Board of

Governors of the Federal Reserve System proposes to amend parts 208 and

225 of chapter II of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as

follows:

PART 208--MEMBERSHIP OF STATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL

RESERVE SYSTEM (REGULATION H)

1. The authority citation for part 208 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 36, 248(a), 248(c), 321-338a, 371d, 461,

481-486, 601, 611, 1814, 1823(j), 1828(o), 1831o, 1831p-1, 3105,

3310, 3331-3351, and 3906-3909; 15 U.S.C. 78b, 78l(b), 78l(g),

78l(i), 78o-4(c)(5), 78o-5, 78q, 78q-1, and 78w; 31 U.S.C. 5318; 42

U.S.C. 4012a, 4104a, 4104b, 4106, and 4128.

2. Section 208.41, as proposed to be renumbered from Sec. 208.31

and revised at 62 FR 15291, is further amended by revising paragraph

(f) to read as follows:

Sec. 208.41 Definitions for purposes of this subpart.

* * * * *

(f) Tangible equity means the amount of core capital elements as

defined in the Board's Capital Adequacy Guidelines for State Member

Banks: Risk-Based Measure (Appendix A to this part), plus the amount of

outstanding cumulative perpetual preferred stock (including related

surplus), minus all intangible assets except mortgage servicing assets

to the extent that the Board determines that mortgage servicing assets

may be included in calculating the bank's Tier 1 capital.

* * * * *

3. In Appendix A to part 208, sections II.B.1.b.i. through

II.B.1.b.v. are revised to read as follows:

Appendix a to Part 208--Capital Adequacy Guidelines for State

Member Banks: Risk-Based Measure

* * * * *

II. ***

B. ***

1. Goodwill and other intangible assets ***

b. Other intangible assets. i. All servicing assets, including

servicing assets on assets other than mortgages (i.e., non-mortgage

servicing assets) are included in this Appendix A as identifiable

intangible assets. The only types of identifiable intangible assets

that may be included in, that is, not deducted from, a bank's

capital are readily marketable mortgage servicing assets and

purchased credit card relationships. The total amount of these

assets included in capital, in the aggregate, can not exceed 100

percent of Tier 1 capital. Purchased credit card relationships are

subject to a separate sublimit of 25 percent of Tier 1 capital.

14

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\14\ Amounts of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships in excess of these limitations, as well as

identifiable intangible assets, including core deposit intangibles,

favorable leaseholds and non-mortgage servicing assets, are to be

deducted from a bank's core capital elements in determining Tier 1

capital. However, identifiable intangible assets (other than

mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships)

acquired on or before February 19, 1992, generally will not be

deducted from capital for supervisory purposes, although they will

continue to be deducted for applications purposes.

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ii. For purposes of calculating these limitations on mortgage

servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships, Tier 1

capital is defined as the sum of core capital elements, net of

goodwill, and net of all identifiable intangible assets other than

mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships,

regardless of the date acquired, but prior to the deduction of

deferred tax assets.

iii. Banks must review the book value of all intangible assets

at least quarterly and make adjustments to these values as

necessary. The fair value of mortgage servicing assets and purchased

credit card relationships also must be determined at least

quarterly. This determination shall include adjustments for any

significant changes in original valuation assumptions, including

changes in prepayment estimates or account attrition rates.

iv. Examiners will review both the book value and the fair value

assigned to these assets, together with supporting documentation,

during the examination process. In addition, the Federal Reserve may

require, on a case-by-case basis, an independent valuation of a

bank's intangible assets.

v. The amount of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships that a bank may include in capital shall be the

lesser of 90 percent of their fair value, as determined in

accordance with this section, or 100 percent of their book value, as

adjusted for capital purposes in accordance with the instructions in

the commercial bank Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income

(Call Reports). If both the application of the limits on mortgage

servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships and the

adjustment of the balance sheet amount for these assets would result

in an amount being deducted from capital, the bank would deduct only

the greater of the two amounts from its core capital elements in

determining Tier 1 capital.

* * * * *

4. In Appendix A to part 208, section II.B.4. is revised to read as

follows:

* * * * *

II. * * *

B. * * *

4. Deferred tax assets. The amount of deferred tax assets that

is dependent upon future taxable income, net of the valuation

allowance for deferred tax assets, that may be included in, that is,

not deducted from, a bank's capital may not exceed the lesser of (i)

the amount of these deferred tax assets that the bank is expected to

realize within one year of the calendar quarter-end date, based on

its projections of future taxable income for that year,20

or (ii) 10 percent of Tier 1 capital. The reported amount of

deferred tax assets, net of any valuation allowance for deferred tax

assets, in excess of the lesser of these two amounts is to be

deducted from a bank's core capital elements in determining Tier 1

capital. For purposes of calculating the 10 percent limitation, Tier

1 capital is defined as the sum of core capital elements, net of

goodwill, and net of all other identifiable intangible assets other

than mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card

relationships, before any disallowed deferred tax assets are

deducted. There generally is no limit in Tier 1 capital on the

amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized from taxes paid

in prior carry-back years or from future reversals of existing

taxable temporary differences, but, for banks that have a parent,

this may not exceed the amount the bank could reasonably expect its

parent to refund.

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\20\ To determine the amount of expected deferred-tax assets

realizable in the next 12 months, an institution should assume that

all existing temporary differences fully reverse as of the report

date. Projected future taxable income should not include net

operating-loss carry-forwards to be used during that year or the

amount of existing temporary differences a bank expects to reverse

within the year. Such projections should include the estimated

effect of tax-planning strategies that the organization expects to

implement to realize net operating losses or tax-credit carry-

forwards that would otherwise expire during the year. Institutions

do not have to prepare a new 12-month projection each quarter.

Rather, on interim report dates, institutions may use the future-

taxable-income projections for their current fiscal year, adjusted

for any significant changes that have occurred or are expected to

occur.

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* * * * *

5. In Appendix B to part 208, section II.b. is revised to read as

follows:

Appendix B to Part 208--Capital Adequacy Guidelines for State

Member Banks: Tier 1 Leverage Measure

* * * * *

II. * * *

b. A bank's Tier 1 leverage ratio is calculated by dividing its

Tier 1 capital (the numerator of the ratio) by its average total

consolidated assets (the denominator of the ratio). The ratio will

also be calculated using period-end assets whenever necessary, on a

case-by-case basis. For the purpose of this leverage ratio, the

definition of Tier 1 capital as set forth in the risk-based capital

guidelines contained in Appendix A of this part will be

used.2 As a general matter,

[[Page 42013]]

average total consolidated assets are defined as the quarterly

average total assets (defined net of the allowance for loan and

lease losses) reported on the bank's Reports of Condition and Income

(Call Reports), less goodwill; amounts of mortgage servicing assets

and purchased credit card relationships that, in the aggregate, are

in excess of 100 percent of Tier 1 capital; amounts of purchased

credit card relationships in excess of 25 percent of Tier 1 capital;

all other identifiable intangible assets; any investments in

subsidiaries or associated companies that the Federal Reserve

determines should be deducted from Tier 1 capital; and deferred tax

assets that are dependent upon future taxable income, net of their

valuation allowance, in excess of the limitation set forth in

section II.B.4 of Appendix A of this part.3

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\2\ Tier 1 capital for state member banks includes common

equity, minority interest in the equity accounts of consolidated

subsidiaries, and qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred

stock. In addition, as a general matter, Tier 1 capital excludes

goodwill; amounts of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships that, in the aggregate, exceed 100 percent of

Tier 1 capital; purchased credit card relationships that exceed 25

percent of Tier 1 capital; other identifiable intangible assets; and

deferred tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income,

net of their valuation allowance, in excess of certain limitations.

The Federal Reserve may exclude certain investments in subsidiaries

or associated companies as appropriate.

\3\ Deductions from Tier 1 capital and other adjustments are

discussed more fully in section II.B. in Appendix A of this part.

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* * * * *

PART 225--BANK HOLDING COMPANIES AND CHANGE IN BANK CONTROL

(REGULATION Y)

1. The authority citation for part 225 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(13), 1818, 1831i, 1831p-1,

1843(c)(8), 1844(b), 1972(l), 3106, 3108, 3310, 3331-3351, 3907, and

3909.

2. In Appendix A to part 225, sections II.B.1.b.i. through

II.B.1.b.v. are revised to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 225--Capital Adequacy Guidelines for Bank Holding

Companies: Risk-Based Measure

* * * * *

II. * * *

B. * * *

1. Goodwill and other intangible assets

b. Other intangible assets. i. All servicing assets, including

servicing assets on assets other than mortgages (i.e., non-mortgage

servicing assets) are included in this Appendix A as identifiable

intangible assets. The only types of identifiable intangible assets

that may be included in, that is, not deducted from, an

organization's capital are readily marketable mortgage servicing

assets and purchased credit card relationships. The total amount of

these assets included in capital, in the aggregate, can not exceed

100 percent of Tier 1 capital. Purchased credit card relationships

are subject to a separate sublimit of 25 percent of Tier 1

capital.15

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\15\ Amounts of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships in excess of these limitations, as well as

servicing assets on loans other than mortgages and all other

identifiable intangible assets, including core deposit intangibles

and favorable leaseholds, are to be deducted from an organization's

core capital elements in determining Tier 1 capital. However,

identifiable intangible assets (other than mortgage servicing assets

and purchased credit card relationships) acquired on or before

February 19, 1992, generally will not be deducted from capital for

supervisory purposes, although they will continue to be deducted for

applications purposes.

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ii. For purposes of calculating these limitations on mortgage

servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships, Tier 1

capital is defined as the sum of core capital elements, net of

goodwill, and net of all identifiable intangible assets and similar

assets other than mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships, regardless of the date acquired, but prior to

the deduction of deferred tax assets.

iii. Bank holding companies must review the book value of all

intangible assets at least quarterly and make adjustments to these

values as necessary. The fair value of mortgage servicing assets and

purchased credit card relationships also must be determined at least

quarterly. This determination shall include adjustments for any

significant changes in original valuation assumptions, including

changes in prepayment estimates or account attrition rates.

iv. Examiners will review both the book value and the fair value

assigned to these assets, together with supporting documentation,

during the inspection process. In addition, the Federal Reserve may

require, on a case-by-case basis, an independent valuation of an

organization's intangible assets or similar assets.

v. The amount of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships that a bank holding company may include in

capital shall be the lesser of 90 percent of their fair value, as

determined in accordance with this section, or 100 percent of their

book value, as adjusted for capital purposes in accordance with the

instructions to the Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank

Holding Companies (FR Y-9C Report). If both the application of the

limits on mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card

relationships and the adjustment of the balance sheet amount for

these intangibles would result in an amount being deducted from

capital, the bank holding company would deduct only the greater of

the two amounts from its core capital elements in determining Tier 1

capital.

* * * * *

3. In Appendix A to part 225, section II.B.4. is revised to read as

follows:

* * * * *

II. * * *

B. * * *

4. Deferred tax assets. The amount of deferred tax assets that

is dependent upon future taxable income, net of the valuation

allowance for deferred tax assets, that may be included in, that is,

not deducted from, a banking organization's capital may not exceed

the lesser of (i) the amount of these deferred tax assets that the

banking organization is expected to realize within one year of the

calendar quarter-end date, based on its projections of future

taxable income for that year,23 or (ii) 10 percent of

Tier 1 capital. The reported amount of deferred tax assets, net of

any valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, in excess of the

lesser of these two amounts is to be deducted from a banking

organization's core capital elements in determining Tier 1 capital.

For purposes of calculating the 10 percent limitation, Tier 1

capital is defined as the sum of core capital elements, net of

goodwill, and net of all identifiable intangible assets other than

mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships,

before any disallowed deferred tax assets are deducted. There

generally is no limit in Tier 1 capital on the amount of deferred

tax assets that can be realized from taxes paid in prior carryback

years or from future reversals of existing taxable temporary

differences.

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\23\ To determine the amount of expected deferred tax assets

realizable in the next 12 months, an institution should assume that

all existing temporary differences fully reverse as of the report

date. Projected future taxable income should not include net

operating loss carryforwards to be used during that year or the

amount of existing temporary differences a bank holding company

expects to reverse within the year. Such projections should include

the estimated effect of tax planning strategies that the

organization expects to implement to realize net operating losses or

tax credit carryforwards that would otherwise expire during the

year. Institutions do not have to prepare a new 12 month projection

each quarter. Rather, on interim report dates, institutions may use

the future taxable income projections for their current fiscal year,

adjusted for any significant changes that have occurred or are

expected to occur.

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* * * * *

4. In Appendix D to part 225, section II.b. is revised to read as

follows:

Appendix D to Part 225--Capital Adequacy Guidelines for Bank

Holding Companies: Tier 1 Leverage Measure

* * * * *

II. * * *

b. A banking organization's Tier 1 leverage ratio is calculated

by dividing its Tier 1 capital (the numerator of the ratio) by its

average total consolidated assets (the denominator of the ratio).

The ratio will also be calculated using period-end assets whenever

necessary, on a case-by-case basis. For the purpose of this leverage

ratio, the definition of Tier 1 capital as set forth in the risk-

based capital guidelines contained in Appendix A of this part will

be used.3 As a general matter, average total consolidated

[[Page 42014]]

assets are defined as the quarterly average total assets (defined net

of the allowance for loan and lease losses) reported on the

organization's Consolidated Financial Statements (FR Y-9C Report), less

goodwill; amounts of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships that, in the aggregate, are in excess of 100 percent

of Tier 1 capital; amounts of purchased credit card relationships in

excess of 25 percent of Tier 1 capital; all other identifiable

intangible assets (including non-mortgage servicing assets); any

investments in subsidiaries or associated companies that the Federal

Reserve determines should be deducted from Tier 1 capital; and deferred

tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income, net of their

valuation allowance, in excess of the limitation set forth in section

II.B.4 of Appendix A of this part.4

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\3\ Tier 1 capital for banking organizations includes common

equity, minority interest in the equity accounts of consolidated

subsidiaries, qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock,

and qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock. (Cumulative

perpetual preferred stock is limited to 25 percent of Tier 1

capital.) In addition, as a general matter, Tier 1 capital excludes

goodwill; amounts of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships that, in the aggregate, exceed 100 percent of

Tier 1 capital; purchased credit card relationships that exceed 25

percent of Tier 1 capital; all other identifiable intangible assets

(including non-mortgage servicing assets); and deferred tax assets

that are dependent upon future taxable income, net of their

valuation allowance, in excess of certain limitations. The Federal

Reserve may exclude certain investments in subsidiaries or

associated companies as appropriate.

\4\ Deductions from Tier 1 capital and other adjustments are

discussed more fully in section II.B. in Appendix A of this part.

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* * * * *

By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

System, July 28, 1997.

William W. Wiles,

Secretary of the Board.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 12 CFR Capter III

For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, part 325 of

chapter III of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed

to be amended as follows:

PART 325--CAPITAL MAINTENANCE

1. The authority citation for part 325 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1815(a), 1815(b), 1816, 1818(a), 1818(b),

1818(c), 1818(t), 1819(Tenth), 1828(c), 1828(d), 1828(i), 1828(n),

1828(o), 1831o, 1835, 3907, 3909, 4808; Pub. L. 102-233, 105 Stat.

1761, 1789, 1790 (12 U.S.C. 1831n note); Pub. L. 102-242, 105 Stat.

2236, 2355, 2386 (12 U.S.C. 1828 note).

2. In Sec. 325.2, paragraph (n) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 325.2 Definitions.

* * * * *

(n) Mortgage servicing assets means those balance sheet assets (net

of any related valuation allowances) that represent the rights to

perform the servicing function for mortgage loans that have been

securitized or are owned by others. Mortgage servicing assets must be

amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net

servicing income. For purposes of determining regulatory capital under

this part, mortgage servicing assets will be recognized only to the

extent that the rights meet the conditions, limitations, and

restrictions described in Sec. 325.5 (f).

* * * * *

Sec. 325.2 [Amended]

3. In Sec. 325.2, paragraphs (s), (t), and (v) are amended by

removing the words ``mortgage servicing rights'' and adding in their

place the words ``mortgage servicing assets'' each time they appear.

4. In Sec. 325.5, paragraph (f) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 325.5 Miscellaneous.

* * * * *

(f) Treatment of mortgage servicing assets and credit card

relationships. For purposes of determining Tier 1 capital under this

part, mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships

will be deducted from assets and from equity capital to the extent that

the mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships

do not meet the conditions, limitations, and restrictions described in

this section.

(1) Valuation. The fair value of mortgage servicing assets and

purchased credit card relationships shall be estimated at least

quarterly. The quarterly fair value estimate shall include adjustments

for any significant changes in the original valuation assumptions,

including changes in prepayment estimates or attrition rates. The FDIC

in its discretion may require independent fair value estimates on a

case-by-case basis where it is deemed appropriate for safety and

soundness purposes.

(2) Fair value limitation. For purposes of calculating Tier 1

capital under this part (but not for financial statement purposes), the

balance sheet assets for mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships will each be reduced to an amount equal to the

lesser of:

(i) 90 percent of the fair value of these assets, determined in

accordance with paragraph (f)(1) of this section; or

(ii) 100 percent of the remaining unamortized book value of these

assets (net of any related valuation allowances), determined in

accordance with the instructions for the preparation of the

Consolidated Reports of Income and Condition (Call Reports).

(3) Tier 1 capital limitation. The maximum allowable amount of

mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card relationships, in

the aggregate, will be limited to the lesser of:

(i) 100 percent of the amount of Tier 1 capital that exists before

the deduction of any disallowed mortgage servicing assets, any

disallowed purchased credit card relationships, and any disallowed

deferred tax assets; or

(ii) The amount of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships, determined in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of

this section.

(4) Tier 1 capital sublimit. In addition to the aggregate

limitation on mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card

relationships set forth in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, a sublimit

will apply to purchased credit card relationships. The maximum

allowable amount of purchased credit card relationships, in the

aggregate, will be limited to the lesser of:

(i) Twenty-five percent of the amount of Tier 1 capital that exists

before the deduction of any disallowed mortgage servicing assets, any

disallowed purchased credit card relationships, and any disallowed

deferred tax assets; or

(ii) The amount of purchased credit card relationships, determined

in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of this section.

* * * * *

Sec. 325.5 [Amended]

5. In Sec. 325.5, paragraphs (g)(2)(i)(B) and (g)(5) are amended by

removing the words ``mortgage servicing rights'' and adding in their

place the words ``mortgage servicing assets'' each time they appear.

Appendix A to Part 325 [Amended]

6. In appendix A to part 325, the words ``mortgage servicing

rights'' are removed and the words ``mortgage servicing assets'' are

added each time they appear in section I.A.1., section I.B.(1) and

footnote 8 to section I.B.(1), section II.C., and Table I--Definition

of Qualifying Capital and footnote 2 to Table I.

Appendix B to Part 325 [Amended]

7. In appendix B to part 325, section IV.A. and footnote 1 to

section IV. A. are amended by removing the words ``mortgage servicing

rights'' and adding in their place the words ``mortgage servicing

assets'' each time they appear.

By order of the Board of Directors.

Dated at Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of July, 1997.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Robert E. Feldman,

Executive Secretary.

Office of Thrift Supervision

12 CFR CHAPTER V

For the reasons outlined in the joint preamble, the Office of

Thrift Supervision hereby proposes to amend 12 CFR, Chapter V, as set

forth below:

PART 565--PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION

1. The authority citation for part 565 continues to read as

follows:

[[Page 42015]]

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1831o.

2. Section 565.2 is amended by revising paragraph (f) to read as

follows:

Sec. 565.2 Definitions.

* * * * *

(f) Tangible equity means the amount of a savings association's

core capital as computed in Sec. 567.5(a) of this chapter plus the

amount of its outstanding cumulative perpetual preferred stock

(including related surplus), minus intangible assets as defined in

Sec. 567.1(m) of this chapter that have not been previously deducted in

calculating core capital.

* * * * *

PART 567--CAPITAL

1. The authority citation for part 567 continues to read as follow:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1828

(note).

2. Section 567.1 is amended by revising paragraph (m) to read as

follows:

Sec. 567.1 Definitions

* * * * *

(m) Intangible assets. The term intangible assets means assets

considered to be intangible assets under generally accepted accounting

principles. These assets include, but are not limited to, goodwill,

favorable leaseholds, core deposit premiums, and purchased credit card

relationships. Servicing assets are not intangible assets under this

definition.

* * * * *

3. Section 567.5 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(2)(ii) to

read as follows:

Sec. 567.5 Components of capital.

(a) * * *

(2) * * *

(ii) Servicing assets that are not includable in tangible and core

capital pursuant to Sec. 567.12 of this part are deducted from assets

and capital in computing core capital.

* * * * *

4. Section 567.6 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1)(iv)(L)

and (a)(1)(iv)(M) to read as follows:

Sec. 567.6 Risk-based capital credit risk-weight categories.

(a) * * *

(1) * * *

(iv) * * *

(L) Mortgage servicing assets and intangible assets includable in

core capital pursuant to Sec. 567.12 of this part;

(M) Interest-only strips receivable;

* * * * *

5. Section 567.9 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(1) to read as

follows:

Sec. 567.9 Tangible capital requirement.

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(1) Intangible assets, as defined in Sec. 567.1(m) of this part,

and servicing assets not includable in core and tangible capital

pursuant to Sec. 567.12 of this part.

* * * * *

6. Section 567.12 is amended by revising the section heading and

paragraphs (a) through (c), paragraph (d) introductory text, and

paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows:

Sec. 567.12 Intangible assets and servicing assets.

(a) Scope. This section prescribes the maximum amount of intangible

assets and servicing assets that savings associations may include in

calculating tangible and core capital.

(b) Computation of core and tangible capital. (1) Purchased credit

card relationships may be included (that is, not deducted) in computing

core capital in accordance with the restrictions in this section, but

must be deducted in computing tangible capital.

(2) Mortgage servicing assets may be included in computing core and

tangible capital, in accordance with the restrictions in this section.

(3) Non mortgage-related servicing assets are deducted in computing

core and tangible capital.

(4) Intangible assets, as defined in Sec. 567.1(m) of this part,

other than purchased credit card relationships described in paragraph

(a)(1) of this section and core deposit intangibles described in

paragraph (g)(3) of this section, are deducted in computing tangible

and core capital.

(c) Market valuations. The OTS reserves the authority to require

any savings association to perform an independent market valuation of

assets subject to this section on a case-by-case basis or through the

issuance of policy guidance. An independent market valuation, if

required, shall be conducted in accordance with any policy guidance

issued by the OTS. A required valuation shall include adjustments for

any significant changes in original valuation assumptions, including

changes in prepayment estimates or attrition rates. The valuation shall

determine the current fair value of assets subject to this section.

This independent market valuation may be conducted by an independent

valuation expert evaluating the reasonableness of the internal

calculations and assumptions used by the association in conducting its

internal analysis. The association shall calculate an estimated fair

value for assets subject to this section at least quarterly regardless

of whether an independent valuation expert is required to perform an

independent market valuation.

(d) Value limitation. For purposes of calculating core capital

under this part (but not for financial statement purposes), purchased

credit card relationships and mortgage servicing assets must be valued

at the lesser of:

* * * * *

(e) Core capital limitation--(1) Aggregate limit. The maximum

aggregate amount of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit card

relationships that may be included in core capital shall be limited to

the lesser of:

(i) 100 percent of the amount of core capital computed before the

deduction of any disallowed mortgage servicing assets and purchased

credit card relationships; or

(ii) The amount of mortgage servicing assets and purchased credit

card relationships determined in accordance with paragraph (d) of this

section.

(2) Reduction by deferred tax liability. Associations may elect to

reduce the amount of their disallowed (i.e., not includable in capital)

mortgage servicing assets exceeding the 100 percent limit by the amount

of any associated deferred tax liability.

(3) Sublimit for purchased credit card relationships. In addition

to the aggregate limitation in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, a

sublimit shall apply to purchased credit card relationships. The

maximum allowable amount of such assets shall be limited to the lesser

of:

(i) 25 percent of the amount of core capital computed before the

deduction of any disallowed mortgage servicing assets and purchased

credit card relationships; or

[[Page 42016]]

(ii) The amount of purchased credit card relationships determined

in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

(f) Tangible capital limitation. The maximum amount of mortgage

servicing assets that may be included in tangible capital shall be the

same amount includable in core capital in accordance with the

limitations set by paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

* * * * *

Dated: July 7, 1997.

By the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Nicolas P. Retsinas,

Director.

[FR Doc. 97-20391 Filed 8-1-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODES: 4810-33-P, 6210-01-P, 6714-01-P, 6720-01-P

Last Updated 08/04/1997 regs@fdic.gov

Last Updated: August 4, 2024