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Financial Institution Letter

Regulatory Capital Rules: Regulatory Capital, Implementation of Basel III, Capital Adequacy, Transition Provisions, Prompt Corrective Action; Standardized Approach for Risk-Weighted Assets; Market Discipline and Disclosure Requirements

July 9, 2013
Notes
 
Summary: The FDIC has issued the attached interim final rule that revises the existing capital rules to incorporate certain revisions to the Basel capital framework, including Basel III and other elements. The interim final rule strengthens the definition of regulatory capital, increases risk-based capital requirements, and makes selected changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets. The interim final rule contains regulatory text that is identical to the common rule text adopted as a final rule by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. 

Statement of Applicability to Institutions with Total Assets Under $1 Billion: This Financial Institution Letter (FIL) is applicable to all banks. Attached to this FIL is a summary of the interim final rule for smaller, less complex community banking organizations. An informational video and an expanded summary on the interim final rule can be found on the FDIC’s Web site at www.fdic.gov/regulations/capital. 


 

Highlights: 
The interim final rule: 

  • Revises minimum capital requirements and adjusts Prompt Corrective Action thresholds.
  • Revises the regulatory capital elements, adds a new common equity tier 1 capital ratio, and increases the minimum tier 1 capital ratio requirement from 4 to 6 percent.
  • Retains the existing regulatory capital framework for 1-4 family residential mortgage exposures.
  • Permits banking organizations that are not subject to the advanced approaches rule to retain, through a one-time election, the existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income.
  • Implements a new capital conservation buffer.
  • Becomes effective January 1, 2015, for most banking organizations, subject to a transition period for several aspects of the rule, including the new minimum capital ratio requirements, the capital conservation buffer, and the regulatory capital adjustments and deductions.
  • Increases capital requirements for past-due loans, high volatility commercial real estate exposures, and certain short-term loan commitments.
  • Expands the recognition of collateral and guarantors in determining risk-weighted assets.
  • Removes references to credit ratings consistent with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and establishes due diligence requirements for securitization exposures.

Distribution: 
FDIC-Supervised Banks and Savings Associations 

Suggested Routing: 
Chief Executive Officer 
Chief Financial Officer 
Chief Risk Officer 

Note: 
FDIC Financial Institution Letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2013/index.html . 

To receive FILs electronically, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/fil.html . 

Paper copies may be obtained via the FDIC's Public Information Center, 3501 Fairfax Drive, E 1002, Arlington, VA 22226 (877-275-3342 or 703 562 2200). 
 

Additional Related Topics:

  • Risk-Based Capital Rules, 12 CFR Part 325, Basel III
FIL-31-2013
Attachments
Regulatory Capital Rules: Regulatory Capital, Implementation of Basel III, Capital Adequacy, Transition Provisions, Prompt Corrective Action; Standardized Approach for Risk-Weighted Assets; Market Discipline and Disclosure Requirements; Advanced Approa...
New Capital Rule – Interagency Community Bank Guide
Last Updated: July 9, 2013