Regulatory Updates

FHFA: 2021 Affordable Housing Goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Announced

Also publishing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking input on future housing goals rulemaking Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced its 2021 affordable housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). Due to the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 national pandemic, FHFA is announcing the benchmarks for calendar year…

FDIC: Final Rule on Brokered Deposits and Interest Rate Restrictions Approved

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors today approved a final rule to establish a new framework for analyzing whether deposits made through deposit arrangements qualify as brokered deposits, including those between insured depository institutions (IDIs) and third parties, such as financial technology companies.  The final rule also amends the methodology for calculating…

CFPB: Two Final Rules Issued to Promote Access to Responsible, Affordable Mortgage Credit

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued final rules related to qualified mortgage (QM) loans. Lenders are required under the law to determine that consumers have the ability to repay mortgage loans before lenders make those loans. Loans that meet legal standards for QM loans are presumed to be loans for which consumers have…

SBA: Small Business Size Standard Revisions in Five Industrial Sectors Proposed

Change Aimed at Increasing Eligibility for Contracting and Loan Programs. Public Comments Due by Jan. 26, 2021 The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking public comments on a proposed rule that would revise the small business size standards for businesses in five North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors to increase small business eligibility for SBA’s loan and contracting…

OCC: Proposed Rule Issued Regarding the CRA General Performance Standards

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today invited comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the Community Reinvestment Act’s (CRA) general performance standards. The OCC published a final rule in June 2020 to strengthen and modernize the agency’s regulations under the CRA to encourage banks to engage in more activities to serve the…

OCC: Proposed Rule Would Ensure Fair Access to Bank Services, Capital and Credit

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today proposed a rule to ensure fair access to banking services provided by national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign bank organizations. The proposal would codify more than a decade of OCC guidance stating that banks should provide access to services,…

Interim Final Rule Provides Temporary Relief to Community Banking Organizations Due to Coronavirus Response

The federal bank regulatory agencies on Friday announced an interim final rule that provides temporary relief for certain community banking organizations related to certain regulations and reporting requirements as a result, in large part, of their growth in size from the coronavirus response.  Community banking organizations are subject to different rules and requirements based on…

FHFA: Final Capital Rule Announced for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent to the Federal Register for publication a final rule that establishes a new regulatory capital framework for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). The final rule makes certain changes to the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2020 (proposed rule).[1] ​That proposed rule…

SBA: Small Business Size Standard Revisions Proposed in Three Industrial Sectors

Public Comments Due January 12; Change Targeted at Increasing Eligiblity for Contracting and Loan Programs The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking public comments on a proposed rule that would revise the small business size standards for businesses in three North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors to increase small business eligibility for SBA’s loan and contracting…

OCC: Key Provisions of the June 2020 CRA Rule and Frequently Asked Questions

Summary The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2020, a final rule1 (June 2020 rule) that strengthens and modernizes the agency’s regulations under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). This bulletin summarizes key provisions of the June 2020 rule, which became effective October 1, 2020. This bulletin provides responses…