OCC Proposed Rule on CRA Evaluation Measure Benchmarks
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78258 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 234 / Friday, December 4, 2020 / Proposed Rules (iii) In the case of a law graduate, he eRulemaking Portal, if possible. Please rulemaking action by the following or she has filed a statement that he or use the title ‘‘Community Reinvestment method: she is appearing under the supervision Act Regulations’’ to facilitate the • Viewing Comments Electronically— of a licensed attorney or accredited organization and distribution of the Regulations.gov Classic or representative and that he or she is comments. You may submit comments Regulations.gov Beta: appearing without direct or indirect by any of the following methods: Regulations.gov Classic: Go to https:// remuneration from the alien he or she • Federal eRulemaking Portal— www.regulations.gov/. 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ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. Washington, DC 20219. The docket may be viewed after the • Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th close of the comment period in the same SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller Street SW, Suite 3E–218, Washington, manner as during the comment period. of the Currency (OCC) is issuing a notice DC 20219. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ioan of proposed rulemaking to request Instructions: You must include Voicu, Director, Compliance Risk comment on the OCC’s proposed ‘‘OCC’’ as the agency name and ‘‘Docket Analysis Division, at (202) 649–5550; or approach to determine the Community ID OCC–2020–0025’’ in your comment. Daniel Borman, Senior Attorney, Daniel Reinvestment Act (CRA) evaluation In general, the OCC will enter all Sufranski, Attorney, or Jean Xiao, measure benchmarks, retail lending comments received into the docket and Attorney, Chief Counsel’s Office, (202) distribution test thresholds, and publish the comments on the 649–5490, Office of the Comptroller of community development minimums Regulations.gov website without the Currency, 400 7th Street SW, under the general performance change, including any business or Washington, DC 20219. standards. The proposal further explains personal information provided such as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: how the OCC would assess significant name and address information, email declines in CRA activities levels in addresses, or phone numbers. I. Introduction connection with performance context Comments received, including following the initial establishment of On June 5, 2020, the OCC published attachments and other supporting a final rule in the Federal Register (2020 the benchmarks, thresholds, and materials, are part of the public record minimums. Finally, the proposed rule final rule) to update the regulatory and subject to public disclosure. Do not framework implementing the would make clarifying and technical include any information in your amendments to the CRA final rule. Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 comment or supporting materials that (CRA) 1 for national banks and savings DATES: Comments must be received on you consider confidential or or before February 2, 2021. inappropriate for public disclosure. 1 Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, Public ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged You may review comments and other Law 95–128, 91 Stat. 1147 (1977), codified at 12 to submit comments through the Federal related materials that pertain to this U.S.C. 2901 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Dec 03, 2020 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\04DEP1.SGM 04DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 234 / Friday, December 4, 2020 / Proposed Rules 78259 associations (collectively, banks).2 The banks’ CRA activities by creating analyzes the public comments on this 2020 final rule was the culmination of uncertainty about which activities proposal and the data it receives, the a multi-year process of engagement with would qualify and how much those OCC plans to issue a final rule that will various stakeholders to ensure that the activities would contribute to banks’ adopt an approach for setting the CRA remains a relevant and powerful CRA ratings. Through hearings, benchmark, threshold, and minimum tool for encouraging insured depository outreach, and public comments during values that correspond to the institutions to serve the needs of their the rulemaking process, the OCC presumptive ratings 6 (i.e., outstanding, entire communities, including low- and learned that many banks engaged only satisfactory, needs to improve, and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods. in CRA activities for which they substantial noncompliance) for banks The 2020 final rule strengthened and previously received CRA consideration assessed under the general performance modernized the implementation of the and committed capital and credit only standards. In addition, once the OCC CRA by making the regulatory to activities for which they were has determined the specific framework more objective, transparent, confident that they would receive benchmarks, thresholds, and minimums consistent in application, and reflective consideration—at the cost of innovation according to the selected approach, the of changes in the banking industry and and responsiveness. In addition, the agency will take the appropriate steps to how consumers bank. The OCC’s goal in historical framework lacked consistent publicize the standards and engage implementing the 2020 final rule was to and objective evaluations and timely stakeholders regarding the specific make the CRA framework a better tool and transparent reporting, which benchmarks, thresholds, and to encourage banks to engage in more inhibited the public’s ability to minimums. Once finalized, the OCC activities to serve the needs of their understand how and to what extent expects to periodically review and communities, particularly in LMI and banks were meeting community credit adjust these benchmarks, thresholds, other historically underserved needs. and minimums, as necessary, to ensure communities. These goals are consistent By moving to a system that is that these measures are incentivizing with the statutory purpose of the CRA primarily objective and transparent banks to engage in appropriate