80_FR_57697 80 FR 57512 - Promulgation of NCUA Rules and Regulations

80 FR 57512 - Promulgation of NCUA Rules and Regulations

NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 185 (September 24, 2015)

Page Range57512-57517
FR Document2015-24165

The NCUA Board (Board) is issuing a final rule to amend Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 87-2, as amended by IRPS 03-2 and 13-1. The amended IRPS increases the asset threshold used to define the term ``small entity'' under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) from $50 million to $100 million and, thereby, provides transparent consideration of regulatory relief for a greater number of credit unions in future rulemakings. The final rule and IRPS also makes a technical change to NCUA's regulations in connection with procedures for developing regulations.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57512-57517]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24165]


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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 791

RIN 3133-AE45


Promulgation of NCUA Rules and Regulations

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Final rule and Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 15-1.

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SUMMARY: The NCUA Board (Board) is issuing a final rule to amend 
Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 87-2, as amended by 
IRPS 03-2 and 13-1. The amended IRPS increases the asset threshold used 
to define the term ``small entity'' under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA) from $50 million to $100 million and, thereby, provides 
transparent consideration of regulatory relief for a greater number of 
credit unions in future rulemakings. The final rule and IRPS also makes 
a technical change to NCUA's regulations in connection with procedures 
for developing regulations.

DATES: This rule and IRPS are effective November 23, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Tuininga, Lead Liquidations 
Counsel, Office of General Counsel, National Credit Union 
Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428 or 
telephone: (703) 518-6543.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background
II. Summary of Public Comments
III. The Final Rule and IRPS
IV. Regulatory Procedures

I. Background

A. What changes does this final rule and IRPS make?

    The RFA, as amended, generally requires federal agencies to 
determine and consider the impact of proposed and final rules on small 
entities. Since adopting IRPS 13-1 in 2013, the Board has defined 
``small entity'' in this context as a federally insured credit union 
(FICU) with less than $50 million in assets.\1\ This final rule and 
IRPS 15-1 redefines ``small entity'' as a FICU with less than $100 
million in assets. In addition, the final rule amends Sec.  791.8(a) of 
NCUA's regulations to reference IRPS 15-1. Section 791.8(a) governs 
NCUA's procedures for developing regulations and incorporates IRPS 87-2 
and each of its amendments.
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    \1\ IRPS 13-1, 78 FR 4032 (Jan. 18, 2013).
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B. What changes were proposed?

    On February 19, 2015, the Board issued a proposed rulemaking and 
IRPS with a 60-day comment period.\2\ In doing so, the Board proposed 
to increase from $50 million to $100 million the asset threshold used 
to define small entity under the RFA. In support of proposing to 
double, rather than incrementally increase, the RFA threshold, the 
Board weighed competitive disadvantages within the credit union 
industry, relative threats to the National Credit Union Share Insurance 
Fund (Insurance Fund), and the need for broader regulatory relief. The 
proposed increase would provide an additional 733 small FICUs with 
special consideration of the economic impact of proposed and final 
regulations, bringing the total number of FICUs covered by the RFA to 
approximately 4,690. The proposed rule and IRPS 15-1 retained the 
three-year review cycle the Board adopted in 2013. Finally, the 
proposal referenced IRPS 15-1 in Sec.  791.8(a) of NCUA's regulations 
governing regulatory procedures.
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    \2\ 80 FR 11954 (Mar. 5, 2015).
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C. What is the history and purpose of the RFA?

    Congress enacted the RFA in 1980, Public Law 96-354, and amended it 
with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.\3\ 
The RFA, in part, requires federal agencies to determine whether a 
proposed or final rule would have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.\4\ If so, the RFA requires 
agencies to engage in a small entity impact analysis, known as an 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) for proposed rules and a 
final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) for final rules.\5\ The 
IRFA and FRFA (or a summary of them) must be published in the Federal 
Register.\6\ If an agency determines that a proposed or final rule will 
not have a ``significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities,'' the agency may certify as much in the Federal 
Register and forego the IRFA and FRFA.\7\
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    \3\ Public Law 104-121. A principal purpose of the 1996 
amendment was to provide an opportunity for judicial review of 
agency compliance with the RFA. Id.
    \4\ 5 U.S.C. 603, 604, 605(b).
    \5\ 5 U.S.C. 603, 604.
    \6\ Id.
    \7\ 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
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    For an IRFA, the procedural requirements include, among other 
things, ``a description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the 
number of small entities to which the proposed rule will apply,'' a 
description of reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance burden, 
and an identification of any overlapping or conflicting federal 
rules.\8\ In addition, the IRFA must ``contain a description of any 
significant alternatives to the proposed rule which accomplish the 
stated objectives . . . and which minimize any significant economic 
impact of the proposed rule on small entities.'' \9\ This discussion 
must include alternatives such as allowing ``differing compliance or 
reporting requirements or timetables,'' ``the clarification, 
consolidation, or simplification of compliance and reporting 
requirements,'' ``the use of performance rather than design 
standards,'' and a full or partial exemption for small entities.\10\
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    \8\ 5 U.S.C. 603(b). The IRFA must also include a description of 
why the agency is considering action and ``a succinct statement of 
the objectives of, and legal basis for, the proposed rule. . . .'' 
Id.
    \9\ 5 U.S.C. 603(c).
    \10\ Id.
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    The FRFA must meet requirements similar to that of the IRFA, but 
must also discuss and respond to public comments and describe ``the 
steps the agency has taken to minimize the significant economic impact 
on small entities . . . , including a statement of factual, policy, and 
legal reasons for selecting the alternative adopted in the final rule 
and why each one of the other

[[Page 57513]]

significant alternatives to the rule . . . was rejected.'' \11\ These 
processes encourage federal agencies to give special consideration to 
the ability of smaller entities to absorb compliance burdens imposed by 
new rules.
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    \11\ 5 U.S.C. 604(a).
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    The RFA establishes terms for various subgroups that fall within 
the meaning of ``small entity,'' including ``small business,'' ``small 
organization,'' and ``small governmental jurisdiction.'' \12\ FICUs, as 
not-for-profit enterprises, are ``small organizations,'' within the 
broader meaning of ``small entity.'' The RFA permits a regulator, 
including NCUA, to establish one or more definitions of ``small 
organization,'' as appropriate to the activities of the agency.\13\ An 
agency's definition must be subjected to public comment and published 
in the Federal Register.\14\ The RFA provides a default definition of 
``small organization'' as ``a not-for-profit enterprise which is 
independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field. . . 
.'' \15\
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    \12\ 5 U.S.C. 601.
    \13\ 5 U.S.C. 601(4).
    \14\ Id.
    \15\ Id.
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    In 1981, the Board initially defined ``small entity'' in IRPS 81-4 
as any FICU with less than $1 million in assets.\16\ IRPS 87-2 
superseded IRPS 81-4, but retained the definition of ``small entity'' 
as a FICU with assets under $1 million.\17\ The Board updated the 
definition in 2003 to include FICUs with less than $10 million in 
assets with IRPS 03-2.\18\ The last update occurred in 2013, when the 
Board increased the defining threshold to include FICUs with less than 
$50 million in assets.\19\ In addition, the Board pledged to review the 
RFA threshold after two years and thereafter on a three-year cycle, 
similar to its regulatory review process.\20\ On February 19, 2015, the 
Board issued a proposed rule and IRPS with a 60-day comment period, 
proposing to increase the threshold used to define ``small entity'' 
from $50 million to $100 million.\21\
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    \16\ IRPS 81-4, 46 FR 29248 (June 1, 1981).
    \17\ 52 FR 35231 (Sept. 8, 1987).
    \18\ 68 FR 31949 (May 29, 2003).
    \19\ IRPS 13-1, 78 FR 4032 (Jan. 18, 2013).
    \20\ Id. IRPSs 87-2, 03-2, and 13-1 are referenced in NCUA's 
rule governing the promulgation of regulations. 12 CFR 791.8(a).
    \21\ 80 FR 11954 (Mar. 5, 2015).
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II. Summary of Public Comments

    The public comment period for the proposed rule and IRPS ended on 
May 4, 2015. NCUA received 16 comment letters from commenters that 
included credit union trade associations, state credit union leagues, 
federal credit unions, and a federally insured, state-chartered credit 
union.\22\ All commenters expressly supported the proposal at some 
level. One commenter supported the proposal without advocating any 
additional changes or expressing concerns. A number of commenters, 
however, made specific recommendations or expressed concerns about one 
or more aspects of the proposal.
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    \22\ The comments can be found on the Web at the following 
address: http://www.ncua.gov/Legal/Regs/Pages/PR20150219Promulgation.aspx.
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A. What were the general comments on the asset threshold?

    More than one-third of commenters either expressed some level of 
satisfaction with the $100 million threshold or did not directly 
advocate a specific threshold higher than $100 million. Two of these 
commenters observed that the proposed threshold ``sufficiently captures 
small [FICUs] that have unique challenges and particular sensitivity to 
even the smallest regulatory requirement.'' Another stated that the 
increase will benefit and account for the FICUs generally facing 
significant challenges based on the characteristics NCUA identified in 
the proposal. One commenter noted that increasing the RFA threshold to 
$100 million is consistent with NCUA's proposed definition of the term 
``complex'' credit union for risk-based capital purposes. This 
commenter also stated that $100 million seemed appropriate in 
comparison to the RFA threshold used for banks. One commenter praised 
NCUA for proposing to increase the threshold to $100 million only two 
years after approving an increase from $10 million to $50 million. 
Multiple commenters, including some that expressed satisfaction with 
the proposed threshold, alluded to compelling reasons to set the 
threshold higher than $100 million, but did not directly advocate a 
specific number or discuss the reasons for doing so.
    Approximately half of the commenters expressed concern about the 
proposed $100 million asset threshold and recommended a higher 
threshold for the final rule. Many from this group favored the $550 
million threshold set by the Small Business Administration (SBA), 
citing one or more of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office 
of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Reserve Board as 
examples of regulators that use the SBA asset threshold for purposes of 
the RFA. Some commenters also suggested a threshold of at least $250 
million, as an alternative to $550 million. One commenter suggested 
that $175 million would also be more appropriate than $100 million, 
noting that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau uses this 
threshold to assemble panels in complying with its obligations under 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. Another 
commenter suggested $300 million as the appropriate asset threshold.
    Two commenters posited that, if NCUA is willing to adopt a risk-
based capital rule with requirements on par with banking regulators, it 
should be willing to bring its RFA threshold into parity as well. One 
commenter maintained that even FICUs with $250 million in assets are 
not dominant in their field and did not present greater risk to the 
Insurance Fund, particularly because the RFA does not mandate specific 
changes to existing regulations.
    One commenter argued the RFA does not require use of a bright-line 
asset threshold, which risks ``bifurcating the industry'' when used to 
determine eligibility for regulatory relief. This commenter also 
expressed concern that some FICUs over $100 million in assets but with 
few employees and branches will not be taken into consideration when 
NCUA is studying the economic impact of rules on FICUs under the $100 
million threshold. A few commenters that advocated an asset threshold 
higher than $100 million contended that NCUA should consider the 
definition of ``small entity'' in the context of the entire group of 
financial institutions against which FICUs compete, including banks.
    At least eight commenters expressed concerns about the capacity of 
NCUA's Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives (OSCUI) to serve small 
credit unions under an increased asset threshold. Many of these 
commenters suggested that NCUA should separate the eligibility 
threshold OSCUI uses from the asset threshold set for RFA purposes, 
leaving the OSCUI threshold at $50 million or adjusting it to $75 
million. If NCUA increases OSCUI's eligibility threshold,\23\ some 
commenters encouraged NCUA to provide OSCUI with additional or adequate 
resources to help bolster and preserve small credit unions. One 
commenter recommended that NCUA establish a process to allocate OSCUI 
resources to various asset categories for

[[Page 57514]]

a more equitable distribution to the smallest credit unions.
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    \23\ The proposed rule and IRPS did not address the eligibility 
threshold for OSCUI assistance. While NCUA will consider the 
comments it received on the OSCUI threshold, that threshold is not 
addressed in this final rule and IRPS.
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B. What were the comments on the review period?

    Two commenters advocated, without elaboration, that NCUA adjust the 
threshold annually based on an index to capture a percentage of the 
smallest credit unions. One commenter asked for review every two years 
and another advocated an annual review. Anticipating additional future 
increases in the RFA threshold, one commenter suggested that NCUA 
increase efficiency and avoid more comment periods by effecting a 
larger increase in the final rule.

C. What other comments did NCUA receive?

    Several commenters commented generally on excessive regulatory 
burden, a lack of resources and employees to cope with the burden, and 
the continuing loss of small FICUs. One commenter asked that NCUA 
explain in the preamble to the final rule the circumstances under which 
it might make distinctions among small FICUs. Another commenter noted 
the RFA classification does not convey any immediate regulatory relief 
to FICUs in existing rules and recommended that NCUA revisit its 
current regulations to consider substituting the final rule's small 
entity threshold for existing size standards. This commenter also 
criticized the use of the term ``small credit union'' in both the Small 
Credit Union Exam Program and the RFA context, indicating that using 
the same term in reference to different thresholds could be confusing.
    The Board has carefully considered all the public comments it 
received in response to the proposed rule and IRPS. The final rule and 
IRPS and the Board's response to the public comments are discussed 
below.

III. The Final Rule and IRPS

    Based on the comment letters and economic analysis of FICUs in 
various asset ranges, the Board maintains $100 million is the most 
appropriate asset threshold for the final rule and IRPS. The proposed 
threshold received significant support in public comments, and the 
factors NCUA considered in the proposal continue to support $100 
million as the most suitable threshold at this time. Increasing the RFA 
threshold to $100 million will account for FICUs that generally face 
more significant challenges than their larger peers based on their 
relatively small asset base, membership, and economies of scale.
    Increasing the threshold to levels recommended by a minority of 
commenters would cover up to 93 percent of FICUs and risk dilution of 
the RFA's special consideration for the smallest FICUs.\24\ As 
explained below, the $100 million threshold results in a similar 
institution coverage ratio as the RFA threshold the FDIC uses in 
relation to banks. In addition, the $100 million threshold covers a 
significantly greater percentage of FICU assets, compared to the 
percentage of bank assets covered by the banking agencies' $550 million 
threshold.
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    \24\ An asset threshold of $175 million would cover 84 percent 
of all FICUs; $250 million would cover 87% of all FICUs; $550 
million would cover 93 percent of all FICUs.
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    Finally, the RFA threshold does not make larger FICUs ineligible 
for regulatory relief. The Board fully intends to continue to carefully 
consider the impact of all of its regulations on all FICUs.

A. What data supports the $100 million threshold?

    Data gathered for the period between 2001 and 2014 reflects the 
competitive disadvantages across multiple industry metrics for FICUs 
below $100 million in assets, including the following:
     Deposit growth rates;
     asset growth rates; membership growth rates;
     loan origination growth rates;
     inflation-adjusted average loan amounts;
     ratio of operating costs to assets;
     merger and liquidation trends;
     average year-to-date loan amounts;
     non-interest expenses per dollar loaned;
     average assets per full-time employee; and
     average non-interest expense per annual loan originations.
    Particularly, rates of deposit growth, rates of membership growth, 
rates of loan origination growth, and the ratio of operating costs to 
assets, each discussed more fully below, exemplify differentiations 
between FICUs both above and below the $100 million threshold.
(i) Slower Deposit Growth Rates
    Smaller FICUs have consistently demonstrated an inability to grow 
their deposit base at a rate that keeps pace with larger FICUs. This 
slower growth rate makes it difficult for smaller FICUs to cover fixed 
costs, which are increasing over time. FICUs with growing deposits and 
loans are able to spread out fixed costs and incrementally reduce 
operating costs.
    In general, deposit growth rates drop off significantly for FICUs 
with less than $100 million in assets. FICUs with less than $100 
million in assets as of the end of the year 2000 grew their deposits by 
an average of 3.9 percent annually over the next 14 years. In 
comparison, FICUs with greater than $100 million in assets as of the 
end of the year 2000 grew deposits at 7.1 percent annually, on average, 
over the same period. On an asset-weighted basis, the industry's 
average deposit growth rate from 2001 to 2014 was 6.8 percent per year.
(ii) Slower Membership Growth Rates
    FICUs with less than $100 million in assets also had significantly 
slower membership growth rates than larger FICUs. On average, FICUs 
with less than $100 million in assets as of the end of the year 2000 
had their membership shrink by 0.5 percent annually over the next 14 
years. In contrast, FICUs $100 million or more in assets as of the end 
of the year 2000 grew their membership by 2.3 percent annually over the 
same period. On an asset-weighted basis, the industry's membership 
growth rate was 1.8 percent per year from 2001 to 2014.
(iii) Slower Growth in Loan Originations
    FICUs with less than $100 million in assets also had significantly 
slower growth in loan originations than larger FICUs. On average, FICUs 
with less than $100 million in assets as of the end of the year 2000 
grew loan originations by 3.7 percent annually over the next 14 years. 
In contrast, FICUs with $100 million or more in assets as of the end of 
the year 2000 grew their loan originations by 9.6 percent annually over 
the same period. On an asset-weighted basis, the industry's loan 
origination growth was 6.6 percent per year from 2001 to 2014.
(iv) Higher Operating Expenses
    FICUs with less than $100 million in assets also had higher annual 
operating expenses per unit of assets and per dollar of loan 
originations compared to other asset groups. On average, FICUs with 
less than $100 million in assets as of the end of the year 2000 had 
annual operating expenses equal to 4.0 percent of assets over the next 
14 years. FICUs with $100 million or more in assets as of the end of 
the year 2000 had annual operating expenses of 3.5 percent of assets 
over the same period.
    The impact of these differences in operating expenses can be 
dramatic. Between 2001 and 2014, FICUs with less than $100 million in 
assets as of the end of the year 2000, had operating expenses, on 
average, equal to 18 cents for every dollar in loan originations.

[[Page 57515]]

This expense ratio was close to a third higher than FICUs with $100 
million or more in assets as of the end of the year 2000, which 
averaged annual operating expenses equal to 13 cents for every dollar 
in loan originations over the same period.
    The 55 basis point difference in operating expenses between FICUs 
above and below the $100 million asset threshold resulted in large and 
persistent differences in earnings between these FICUs. The earnings 
gap between FICUs above and below the threshold averaged 41 basis 
points over the 2001 to 2014 period. To put this in perspective, during 
that period, 25 percent of FICUs below the $100 million asset threshold 
had negative earnings. Only 2.8 percent of FICUs with $100 million or 
more in assets had negative earnings over the same period.
    FICUs with persistently weak or negative earnings are more likely 
to go out of business via failure or merger. Despite representing 83 
percent of all FICUs, FICUs with less than $100 million in assets 
experienced 93 percent of mergers and liquidations since 2004. The 
disappearance of these FICUs threatens to deprive the credit union 
industry of a critical constituency.
    Although the number of mergers and failures for FICUs below $100 
million is disproportionately high, these FICUs do not represent a 
correspondingly high risk exposure to the Insurance Fund. For FICUs 
with assets of $50 million to less than $100 million (those which this 
final rule and IRPS include in RFA coverage), losses have historically 
been relatively small. Nine FICUs between $50 million and $100 million 
in inflation-adjusted assets failed between the first quarter of 2001 
and fourth quarter of 2014. Resulting losses totaled less than $56 
million. In contrast, losses for FICUs between $100 million and $250 
million were $379 million, more than six times that amount over the 
same period. FICUs between $100 million and $550 million accounted for 
$790 million in inflation-adjusted losses.
    Rather than expanding the RFA threshold to $550 million or $250 
million, which would include FICUs responsible for significantly more 
losses and risk, the Board believes the $100 million threshold 
represents a reasonable additional share for RFA coverage. FICUs with 
assets of $50 million to less than $100 million hold 4.5 percent of 
system assets, bringing the total system assets within RFA coverage to 
10 percent. To the extent the increase to $100 million results in more 
FICU exemptions from rules governing safety and soundness, it will not 
present material risk to the Insurance Fund.
    For additional background, the table below shows the 
differentiation of the characteristics between the final rule's $100 
million threshold and the expanded RFA coverage thresholds that also 
received support from some commenters. Unless otherwise indicated, the 
table includes cumulative data from 2001 to 2014.

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                                                                   Inflation-adjusted assets at time of failure
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                      <$100M          <$250M          <$550M
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Share of Industry Losses........................................             32%             63%             97%
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                                                                              Assets as of year 2000
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                     <$100M %        <$250M %        <$550M %
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Asset Growth....................................................              77             104             125
Membership Growth...............................................             -12               0              10
Loan Growth.....................................................              49              78             104
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    The Board's task under the RFA is to designate as ``small'' a 
subset of institutions to which its regulations apply, rather than 
comparing FICUs to the array of competing institutions that are not 
subject to NCUA's regulations.\25\ A $100 million threshold covers a 
similar portion of FICUs and a significantly higher portion of FICU 
assets (76 percent and 10 percent, respectively) in comparison to the 
FDIC's $550 million RFA threshold for banks subject to its regulations 
(81 percent and 6 percent, respectively). In contrast, a $250 million 
or $550 million threshold for credit unions would cover a 
disproportionate percentage of FICUs and of total FICU assets, as 
reflected in the table below:
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    \25\ The Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis requires 
consideration of alternatives such as ``the establishment of 
differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that 
take into account the resources available to small entities. . . .'' 
5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1). Differing compliance and reporting requirements 
or timetables can only be considered within the group of 
institutions to which the regulations apply. Thus NCUA's definition 
of ``small entities'' does not factor in banks or other institutions 
outside NCUA's jurisdiction.

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                                                   Credit unions   Credit unions   Credit unions
                                                     <$100M %        <$250M %        <$550M %     Banks <$550M %
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Share of Industry Assets........................              10              20              32               6
Share of Institutions...........................              76              87              93              81
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although a bright line asset threshold arguably bifurcates groups 
of FICUs for purposes of the RFA, it also avoids diluting the pool of 
FICUs for which the RFA requires special consideration. The Board 
believes a threshold significantly higher than $100 million would 
divert focus from the FICUs that are most in need of the RFA process. 
Further, the $100 million threshold does not preclude the Board from 
considering regulatory impacts on larger FICUs. The Board fully intends 
to continue reviewing the impact of all of its regulations on all 
FICUs.

[[Page 57516]]

    The RFA requires a formal, published, analytical process during 
promulgation of a regulation whenever such regulation would impose 
significant economic burdens on a substantial number of small FICUs. It 
subjects this published consideration to the benefit of public 
comments. It does not, however, impose a substantive limit on the 
conclusions the Board may draw based on its analyses. On the contrary, 
the Board is still able to make distinctions in future rulemakings 
above or below the threshold designated in this final rule and IRPS. 
The Board can make these distinctions based on its RFA analysis and its 
broader consideration of regulatory impacts across all FICUs.
    The Board's rule governing liquidity and contingency funding 
demonstrates this possibility by imposing differing compliance 
requirements on three asset tiers of FICUs.\26\ The RFA threshold was 
$50 million at the time of the rule's adoption. While the Board 
exempted FICUs with assets under $50 million from most of the rule's 
compliance requirements, the Board also exempted a second tier ($50 
million to $250 million) from some requirements. Only the largest tier 
(over $250 million) is required to comply with the entire rule.
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    \26\ 12 CFR 741.12.
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    As the liquidity rule also demonstrates, asset thresholds remain a 
principal comparative tool used to determine a FICU's relative size. As 
such, an asset threshold, rather than an employee- or branch-based 
demarcation, continues to be the most transparent and administratively 
feasible as a framework for its RFA analyses. An asset threshold is 
consistent with size standards that appear in the FCU Act and other 
NCUA regulations.
    With respect to review, the Board continues to believe that the 
three-year period the proposed rule retained from 2013 provides a 
reasonable time within which to discern and interpret new trends in 
relevant data. Further, it is consistent with the longstanding review 
period NCUA uses for all its regulations. Rather than an annual or 
biannual adjustment, the three-year cycle avoids the uncertainty of 
continuous fluctuation that more frequent adjustments could create. 
Further, the scheduled opportunity to study trends and receive comments 
provides an advantage over automatically indexed adjustments.
    As discussed in the proposal, the Board will separately consider 
whether to align thresholds in existing rules, such as those applying 
interest rate risk and liquidity requirements, with the RFA threshold. 
The NCUA's regular three-year review cycle provides appropriate 
opportunities for these considerations. Individual reviews will 
facilitate transparent considerations of unique risks and compliance 
burdens specific to those rules, rather than encouraging a one-size-
fits-all approach.

B. How will the final rule and IRPS affect FICUs?

    By increasing the RFA threshold to $100 million in assets, the 
Board recognizes its role in ensuring additional scrutiny of regulatory 
costs for FICUs under that threshold. The increase requires the Board 
to engage in the RFA's public analytical process for the benefit of 
considerably more FICUs, whenever a regulation would impose significant 
economic burdens on a substantial number of them. Further, future rules 
are more likely to invoke an RFA analysis because of the greater number 
of FICUs for which the Board must consider substantial economic 
impacts.
    The $100 million threshold will cause NCUA to give special 
consideration to an additional 733 small FICUs. The total number of 
FICUs covered by the RFA will increase to approximately 4,690. This 
represents 75.6 percent of FICUs, which hold 10 percent of FICU assets. 
When an IRFA or FRFA is triggered, these additional FICUs will have the 
benefit of an opportunity to comment on a transparent and published 
analysis of impacts and alternatives. For all of these FICUs, future 
regulations will be thoroughly evaluated to determine whether an 
exemption or other separate consideration should apply. The $100 
million threshold ensures that regulatory relief will be consistently 
and robustly considered for significantly more FICUs.
    This final rule and IRPS retains the three-year review cycle that 
the Board adopted in 2013. The review period gives FICUs a regular 
opportunity to provide input on the Board's RFA threshold. Finally, the 
rule references IRPS 15-1 in Sec.  791.8(a) of NCUA's regulations 
governing regulatory procedures, replacing the reference to IRPS 13-1.

IV. Regulatory Procedures

A. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    For any final rule it adopts, the RFA requires NCUA to prepare a 
FRFA that, among other things, describes the steps the agency has taken 
to minimize economic impact on small entities (currently defined by 
NCUA as FICUs with under $50 million in assets), unless the NCUA 
certifies that the final rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. In this case, the 
final rule and IRPS expands the number of FICUs defined as small 
entities under the RFA. It, therefore, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of FICUs under $50 million in 
assets that are already covered by the RFA.
    With respect to additional FICUs that will now be covered, the 
principal component of the final rule and IRPS will provide prospective 
relief in the form of special and more robust consideration of FICUs' 
ability to handle compliance burdens. This prospective relief is not 
yet quantifiable. Further, the final rule and IRPS can only reduce, 
rather than increase, compliance burdens for these FICUs and, 
therefore, will not raise costs in a manner that requires a FRFA. 
Accordingly, NCUA has determined and certifies that the final rule and 
IRPS will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. No FRFA is required.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) applies to rulemakings in 
which an agency creates a new paperwork burden on regulated entities or 
modifies an existing burden.\27\ For purposes of the PRA, a paperwork 
burden may take the form of either a reporting or a recordkeeping 
requirement, both referred to as information collections. The changes 
to IRPS 87-2, as amended, will not create any new paperwork burden for 
FICUs. Thus, NCUA has determined that this final rule and IRPS does not 
increase the paperwork requirements under the PRA and regulations of 
the Office of Management and Budget.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to 
consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. 
NCUA, an independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), 
voluntarily complies with the executive order to adhere to fundamental 
federalism principles. This final rule and IRPS will not have a 
substantial direct effect on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government. NCUA has 
determined that this final rule and IRPS does not constitute a policy 
that has federalism implications for purposes of the executive order.

[[Page 57517]]

D. Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    NCUA has determined that this final rule and IRPS will not affect 
family well-being within the meaning of Section 654 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law 105-277, 112 
Stat. 2681 (1998).

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 791

    Administrative practice and procedure, Credit unions, Sunshine Act.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on September 
17, 2015.
Gerard Poliquin,
Secretary of the Board.

    For the reasons discussed above, the Board amends IRPS 87-2 (as 
amended by IRPS 03-2 and IRPS 13-1) by revising the second sentence of 
paragraph 2 of Section II and replacing the last two sentences of 
paragraph 2 of Section II to read as follows:

Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 87-2

* * * * *

II. Procedures for the Development of Regulations

* * * * *
    2. * * * NCUA will designate federally insured credit unions with 
less than $100 million in assets as small entities. * * * Every three 
years, the NCUA Board will review and consider adjusting the asset 
threshold it uses to define small entities for purposes of analyzing 
whether a regulation will have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
* * * * *
    For the reasons discussed above, the Board amends 12 CFR part 791 
as follows:

PART 791--RULES OF NCUA BOARD PROCEDURES; PROMULGATION OF NCUA 
RULES AND REGULATIONS; PUBLIC OBSERVATION OF NCUA BOARD MEETINGS

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

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


0
2. In Sec.  791.8, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  791.8  Promulgation of NCUA rules and regulations.

    (a) NCUA's procedures for developing regulations are governed by 
the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.), the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and NCUA's policies for the 
promulgation of rules and regulations as set forth in its Interpretive 
Ruling and Policy Statement 87-2, as amended by Interpretive Ruling and 
Policy Statements 03-2 and 15-1.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-24165 Filed 9-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P



                                            57512            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                            do not require, individually or in the                   Counsel, Office of General Counsel,                    with the Small Business Regulatory
                                            aggregate, a compliance audit;                           National Credit Union Administration,                  Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.3 The
                                            *     *      *    *     *                                1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia                 RFA, in part, requires federal agencies
                                            ■ 5. Section 910.507 is amended by:                      22314–3428 or telephone:                               to determine whether a proposed or
                                            ■ a. Revising the section heading;                       (703) 518–6543.                                        final rule would have a significant
                                            ■ b. Removing the second occurrence of                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                             economic impact on a substantial
                                            ‘‘program-specific audit’’ in the last                                                                          number of small entities.4 If so, the RFA
                                                                                                     I. Background
                                            sentence in paragraph (a) introductory                   II. Summary of Public Comments                         requires agencies to engage in a small
                                            text and adding in its place ‘‘compliance                III. The Final Rule and IRPS                           entity impact analysis, known as an
                                            audit’’;                                                 IV. Regulatory Procedures                              initial regulatory flexibility analysis
                                            ■ c. Removing ‘‘Program-specific                                                                                (IRFA) for proposed rules and a final
                                            audits’’ in the second sentence in                       I. Background                                          regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) for
                                            paragraph (b) introductory text and                                                                             final rules.5 The IRFA and FRFA (or a
                                                                                                     A. What changes does this final rule and
                                            adding in its place ‘‘Compliance                                                                                summary of them) must be published in
                                                                                                     IRPS make?                                             the Federal Register.6 If an agency
                                            audits’’.
                                               The revision reads as follows:                          The RFA, as amended, generally                       determines that a proposed or final rule
                                                                                                     requires federal agencies to determine                 will not have a ‘‘significant economic
                                            § 910.507   Compliance audits.                           and consider the impact of proposed                    impact on a substantial number of small
                                            *     *     *     *    *                                 and final rules on small entities. Since               entities,’’ the agency may certify as
                                            ■ 6. In § 910.502 introductory text,                     adopting IRPS 13–1 in 2013, the Board                  much in the Federal Register and forego
                                            revise the subject heading and the first                 has defined ‘‘small entity’’ in this                   the IRFA and FRFA.7
                                            sentence to read as follows:                             context as a federally insured credit                     For an IRFA, the procedural
                                                                                                     union (FICU) with less than $50 million                requirements include, among other
                                            § 910.502 Basis for determining DOE                      in assets.1 This final rule and IRPS                   things, ‘‘a description of and, where
                                            awards expended.                                         15–1 redefines ‘‘small entity’’ as a FICU              feasible, an estimate of the number of
                                              Determining Federal awards                             with less than $100 million in assets. In              small entities to which the proposed
                                            expended. The determination of when a                    addition, the final rule amends                        rule will apply,’’ a description of
                                            Federal award is expended must be                        § 791.8(a) of NCUA’s regulations to                    reporting, recordkeeping, and other
                                            based on when the activity related to the                reference IRPS 15–1. Section 791.8(a)                  compliance burden, and an
                                            DOE award occurs. * * *                                  governs NCUA’s procedures for                          identification of any overlapping or
                                            *    *    *     *    *                                   developing regulations and incorporates                conflicting federal rules.8 In addition,
                                            [FR Doc. 2015–24276 Filed 9–23–15; 8:45 am]              IRPS 87–2 and each of its amendments.                  the IRFA must ‘‘contain a description of
                                            BILLING CODE 6450–01–P                                                                                          any significant alternatives to the
                                                                                                     B. What changes were proposed?                         proposed rule which accomplish the
                                                                                                        On February 19, 2015, the Board                     stated objectives . . . and which
                                            NATIONAL CREDIT UNION                                    issued a proposed rulemaking and IRPS                  minimize any significant economic
                                            ADMINISTRATION                                           with a 60-day comment period.2 In                      impact of the proposed rule on small
                                                                                                     doing so, the Board proposed to increase               entities.’’ 9 This discussion must include
                                            12 CFR Part 791                                          from $50 million to $100 million the                   alternatives such as allowing ‘‘differing
                                            RIN 3133–AE45                                            asset threshold used to define small                   compliance or reporting requirements or
                                                                                                     entity under the RFA. In support of                    timetables,’’ ‘‘the clarification,
                                            Promulgation of NCUA Rules and                           proposing to double, rather than                       consolidation, or simplification of
                                            Regulations                                              incrementally increase, the RFA                        compliance and reporting
                                                                                                     threshold, the Board weighed                           requirements,’’ ‘‘the use of performance
                                            AGENCY:  National Credit Union                           competitive disadvantages within the                   rather than design standards,’’ and a full
                                            Administration (NCUA).                                   credit union industry, relative threats to             or partial exemption for small entities.10
                                            ACTION: Final rule and Interpretive                      the National Credit Union Share                           The FRFA must meet requirements
                                            Ruling and Policy Statement 15–1.                        Insurance Fund (Insurance Fund), and                   similar to that of the IRFA, but must
                                                                                                     the need for broader regulatory relief.                also discuss and respond to public
                                            SUMMARY:   The NCUA Board (Board) is                                                                            comments and describe ‘‘the steps the
                                            issuing a final rule to amend                            The proposed increase would provide
                                                                                                     an additional 733 small FICUs with                     agency has taken to minimize the
                                            Interpretive Ruling and Policy                                                                                  significant economic impact on small
                                            Statement (IRPS) 87–2, as amended by                     special consideration of the economic
                                                                                                     impact of proposed and final                           entities . . . , including a statement of
                                            IRPS 03–2 and 13–1. The amended IRPS                                                                            factual, policy, and legal reasons for
                                            increases the asset threshold used to                    regulations, bringing the total number of
                                                                                                     FICUs covered by the RFA to                            selecting the alternative adopted in the
                                            define the term ‘‘small entity’’ under the                                                                      final rule and why each one of the other
                                            Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) from                    approximately 4,690. The proposed rule
                                            $50 million to $100 million and,                         and IRPS 15–1 retained the three-year
                                                                                                                                                              3 Public Law 104–121. A principal purpose of the
                                            thereby, provides transparent                            review cycle the Board adopted in 2013.
                                                                                                                                                            1996 amendment was to provide an opportunity for
                                            consideration of regulatory relief for a                 Finally, the proposal referenced IRPS                  judicial review of agency compliance with the RFA.
                                            greater number of credit unions in                       15–1 in § 791.8(a) of NCUA’s regulations               Id.
                                            future rulemakings. The final rule and                   governing regulatory procedures.                         4 5 U.S.C. 603, 604, 605(b).
                                                                                                                                                              5 5 U.S.C. 603, 604.
                                            IRPS also makes a technical change to                    C. What is the history and purpose of                    6 Id.
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                                            NCUA’s regulations in connection with                    the RFA?                                                 7 5 U.S.C. 605(b).

                                            procedures for developing regulations.                     Congress enacted the RFA in 1980,
                                                                                                                                                              8 5 U.S.C. 603(b). The IRFA must also include a

                                            DATES: This rule and IRPS are effective                                                                         description of why the agency is considering action
                                                                                                     Public Law 96–354, and amended it                      and ‘‘a succinct statement of the objectives of, and
                                            November 23, 2015.                                                                                              legal basis for, the proposed rule. . . .’’ Id.
                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                           1 IRPS   13–1, 78 FR 4032 (Jan. 18, 2013).             9 5 U.S.C. 603(c).

                                            Kevin Tuininga, Lead Liquidations                          2 80   FR 11954 (Mar. 5, 2015).                        10 Id.




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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                              57513

                                            significant alternatives to the rule . . .               credit union leagues, federal credit                  suggested a threshold of at least $250
                                            was rejected.’’ 11 These processes                       unions, and a federally insured, state-               million, as an alternative to $550
                                            encourage federal agencies to give                       chartered credit union.22 All                         million. One commenter suggested that
                                            special consideration to the ability of                  commenters expressly supported the                    $175 million would also be more
                                            smaller entities to absorb compliance                    proposal at some level. One commenter                 appropriate than $100 million, noting
                                            burdens imposed by new rules.                            supported the proposal without                        that the Consumer Financial Protection
                                               The RFA establishes terms for various                 advocating any additional changes or                  Bureau uses this threshold to assemble
                                            subgroups that fall within the meaning                   expressing concerns. A number of                      panels in complying with its obligations
                                            of ‘‘small entity,’’ including ‘‘small                   commenters, however, made specific                    under the Small Business Regulatory
                                            business,’’ ‘‘small organization,’’ and                  recommendations or expressed concerns                 Enforcement Fairness Act. Another
                                            ‘‘small governmental jurisdiction.’’ 12                  about one or more aspects of the                      commenter suggested $300 million as
                                            FICUs, as not-for-profit enterprises, are                proposal.                                             the appropriate asset threshold.
                                            ‘‘small organizations,’’ within the                                                                               Two commenters posited that, if
                                                                                                     A. What were the general comments on
                                            broader meaning of ‘‘small entity.’’ The                                                                       NCUA is willing to adopt a risk-based
                                                                                                     the asset threshold?
                                            RFA permits a regulator, including                                                                             capital rule with requirements on par
                                            NCUA, to establish one or more                              More than one-third of commenters
                                                                                                     either expressed some level of                        with banking regulators, it should be
                                            definitions of ‘‘small organization,’’ as                                                                      willing to bring its RFA threshold into
                                            appropriate to the activities of the                     satisfaction with the $100 million
                                                                                                     threshold or did not directly advocate a              parity as well. One commenter
                                            agency.13 An agency’s definition must                                                                          maintained that even FICUs with $250
                                            be subjected to public comment and                       specific threshold higher than $100
                                                                                                     million. Two of these commenters                      million in assets are not dominant in
                                            published in the Federal Register.14 The                                                                       their field and did not present greater
                                            RFA provides a default definition of                     observed that the proposed threshold
                                                                                                     ‘‘sufficiently captures small [FICUs] that            risk to the Insurance Fund, particularly
                                            ‘‘small organization’’ as ‘‘a not-for-profit                                                                   because the RFA does not mandate
                                            enterprise which is independently                        have unique challenges and particular
                                                                                                     sensitivity to even the smallest                      specific changes to existing regulations.
                                            owned and operated and is not
                                            dominant in its field. . . .’’ 15                        regulatory requirement.’’ Another stated                 One commenter argued the RFA does
                                               In 1981, the Board initially defined                  that the increase will benefit and                    not require use of a bright-line asset
                                            ‘‘small entity’’ in IRPS 81–4 as any FICU                account for the FICUs generally facing                threshold, which risks ‘‘bifurcating the
                                            with less than $1 million in assets.16                   significant challenges based on the                   industry’’ when used to determine
                                            IRPS 87–2 superseded IRPS 81–4, but                      characteristics NCUA identified in the                eligibility for regulatory relief. This
                                            retained the definition of ‘‘small entity’’              proposal. One commenter noted that                    commenter also expressed concern that
                                            as a FICU with assets under $1                           increasing the RFA threshold to $100                  some FICUs over $100 million in assets
                                            million.17 The Board updated the                         million is consistent with NCUA’s                     but with few employees and branches
                                            definition in 2003 to include FICUs                      proposed definition of the term                       will not be taken into consideration
                                            with less than $10 million in assets with                ‘‘complex’’ credit union for risk-based               when NCUA is studying the economic
                                            IRPS 03–2.18 The last update occurred                    capital purposes. This commenter also                 impact of rules on FICUs under the $100
                                            in 2013, when the Board increased the                    stated that $100 million seemed                       million threshold. A few commenters
                                            defining threshold to include FICUs                      appropriate in comparison to the RFA                  that advocated an asset threshold higher
                                            with less than $50 million in assets.19 In               threshold used for banks. One                         than $100 million contended that NCUA
                                            addition, the Board pledged to review                    commenter praised NCUA for proposing                  should consider the definition of ‘‘small
                                            the RFA threshold after two years and                    to increase the threshold to $100 million             entity’’ in the context of the entire group
                                            thereafter on a three-year cycle, similar                only two years after approving an                     of financial institutions against which
                                            to its regulatory review process.20 On                   increase from $10 million to $50                      FICUs compete, including banks.
                                            February 19, 2015, the Board issued a                    million. Multiple commenters,                            At least eight commenters expressed
                                            proposed rule and IRPS with a 60-day                     including some that expressed                         concerns about the capacity of NCUA’s
                                            comment period, proposing to increase                    satisfaction with the proposed                        Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives
                                            the threshold used to define ‘‘small                     threshold, alluded to compelling                      (OSCUI) to serve small credit unions
                                            entity’’ from $50 million to $100                        reasons to set the threshold higher than              under an increased asset threshold.
                                            million.21                                               $100 million, but did not directly                    Many of these commenters suggested
                                                                                                     advocate a specific number or discuss                 that NCUA should separate the
                                            II. Summary of Public Comments                           the reasons for doing so.                             eligibility threshold OSCUI uses from
                                               The public comment period for the                        Approximately half of the                          the asset threshold set for RFA
                                            proposed rule and IRPS ended on May                      commenters expressed concern about                    purposes, leaving the OSCUI threshold
                                            4, 2015. NCUA received 16 comment                        the proposed $100 million asset                       at $50 million or adjusting it to $75
                                            letters from commenters that included                    threshold and recommended a higher                    million. If NCUA increases OSCUI’s
                                            credit union trade associations, state                   threshold for the final rule. Many from               eligibility threshold,23 some
                                                                                                     this group favored the $550 million                   commenters encouraged NCUA to
                                              11 5 U.S.C. 604(a).                                    threshold set by the Small Business                   provide OSCUI with additional or
                                              12 5 U.S.C. 601.                                       Administration (SBA), citing one or                   adequate resources to help bolster and
                                              13 5 U.S.C. 601(4).
                                                                                                     more of the Federal Deposit Insurance                 preserve small credit unions. One
                                              14 Id.
                                              15 Id.
                                                                                                     Corporation, Office of the Comptroller                commenter recommended that NCUA
                                              16 IRPS 81–4, 46 FR 29248 (June 1, 1981).
                                                                                                     of the Currency, and the Federal Reserve              establish a process to allocate OSCUI
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                                              17 52 FR 35231 (Sept. 8, 1987).                        Board as examples of regulators that use              resources to various asset categories for
                                              18 68 FR 31949 (May 29, 2003).                         the SBA asset threshold for purposes of
                                              19 IRPS 13–1, 78 FR 4032 (Jan. 18, 2013).              the RFA. Some commenters also                           23 The proposed rule and IRPS did not address
                                              20 Id. IRPSs 87–2, 03–2, and 13–1 are referenced
                                                                                                                                                           the eligibility threshold for OSCUI assistance.
                                            in NCUA’s rule governing the promulgation of               22 The comments can be found on the Web at the      While NCUA will consider the comments it
                                            regulations. 12 CFR 791.8(a).                            following address: http://www.ncua.gov/Legal/         received on the OSCUI threshold, that threshold is
                                              21 80 FR 11954 (Mar. 5, 2015).                         Regs/Pages/PR20150219Promulgation.aspx.               not addressed in this final rule and IRPS.



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                                            57514            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                            a more equitable distribution to the                       Increasing the threshold to levels                    In general, deposit growth rates drop
                                            smallest credit unions.                                  recommended by a minority of                          off significantly for FICUs with less than
                                                                                                     commenters would cover up to 93                       $100 million in assets. FICUs with less
                                            B. What were the comments on the
                                                                                                     percent of FICUs and risk dilution of the             than $100 million in assets as of the end
                                            review period?
                                                                                                     RFA’s special consideration for the                   of the year 2000 grew their deposits by
                                               Two commenters advocated, without                     smallest FICUs.24 As explained below,                 an average of 3.9 percent annually over
                                            elaboration, that NCUA adjust the                        the $100 million threshold results in a               the next 14 years. In comparison, FICUs
                                            threshold annually based on an index to                  similar institution coverage ratio as the             with greater than $100 million in assets
                                            capture a percentage of the smallest                     RFA threshold the FDIC uses in relation               as of the end of the year 2000 grew
                                            credit unions. One commenter asked for                   to banks. In addition, the $100 million               deposits at 7.1 percent annually, on
                                            review every two years and another                       threshold covers a significantly greater              average, over the same period. On an
                                            advocated an annual review.                              percentage of FICU assets, compared to                asset-weighted basis, the industry’s
                                            Anticipating additional future increases                 the percentage of bank assets covered by              average deposit growth rate from 2001
                                            in the RFA threshold, one commenter                      the banking agencies’ $550 million                    to 2014 was 6.8 percent per year.
                                            suggested that NCUA increase efficiency                  threshold.                                            (ii) Slower Membership Growth Rates
                                            and avoid more comment periods by                          Finally, the RFA threshold does not
                                            effecting a larger increase in the final                 make larger FICUs ineligible for                         FICUs with less than $100 million in
                                            rule.                                                    regulatory relief. The Board fully                    assets also had significantly slower
                                                                                                     intends to continue to carefully consider             membership growth rates than larger
                                            C. What other comments did NCUA                                                                                FICUs. On average, FICUs with less than
                                                                                                     the impact of all of its regulations on all
                                            receive?                                                                                                       $100 million in assets as of the end of
                                                                                                     FICUs.
                                               Several commenters commented                                                                                the year 2000 had their membership
                                                                                                     A. What data supports the $100 million                shrink by 0.5 percent annually over the
                                            generally on excessive regulatory                        threshold?
                                            burden, a lack of resources and                                                                                next 14 years. In contrast, FICUs $100
                                            employees to cope with the burden, and                     Data gathered for the period between                million or more in assets as of the end
                                            the continuing loss of small FICUs. One                  2001 and 2014 reflects the competitive                of the year 2000 grew their membership
                                            commenter asked that NCUA explain in                     disadvantages across multiple industry                by 2.3 percent annually over the same
                                            the preamble to the final rule the                       metrics for FICUs below $100 million in               period. On an asset-weighted basis, the
                                            circumstances under which it might                       assets, including the following:                      industry’s membership growth rate was
                                            make distinctions among small FICUs.                       • Deposit growth rates;                             1.8 percent per year from 2001 to 2014.
                                            Another commenter noted the RFA                            • asset growth rates; membership                    (iii) Slower Growth in Loan Originations
                                            classification does not convey any                       growth rates;
                                                                                                       • loan origination growth rates;                       FICUs with less than $100 million in
                                            immediate regulatory relief to FICUs in                                                                        assets also had significantly slower
                                            existing rules and recommended that                        • inflation-adjusted average loan
                                                                                                     amounts;                                              growth in loan originations than larger
                                            NCUA revisit its current regulations to                                                                        FICUs. On average, FICUs with less than
                                            consider substituting the final rule’s                     • ratio of operating costs to assets;
                                                                                                       • merger and liquidation trends;                    $100 million in assets as of the end of
                                            small entity threshold for existing size                                                                       the year 2000 grew loan originations by
                                            standards. This commenter also                             • average year-to-date loan amounts;
                                                                                                       • non-interest expenses per dollar                  3.7 percent annually over the next 14
                                            criticized the use of the term ‘‘small                                                                         years. In contrast, FICUs with $100
                                            credit union’’ in both the Small Credit                  loaned;
                                                                                                       • average assets per full-time                      million or more in assets as of the end
                                            Union Exam Program and the RFA                                                                                 of the year 2000 grew their loan
                                            context, indicating that using the same                  employee; and
                                                                                                       • average non-interest expense per                  originations by 9.6 percent annually
                                            term in reference to different thresholds                                                                      over the same period. On an asset-
                                            could be confusing.                                      annual loan originations.
                                                                                                       Particularly, rates of deposit growth,              weighted basis, the industry’s loan
                                               The Board has carefully considered                                                                          origination growth was 6.6 percent per
                                            all the public comments it received in                   rates of membership growth, rates of
                                                                                                     loan origination growth, and the ratio of             year from 2001 to 2014.
                                            response to the proposed rule and IRPS.
                                            The final rule and IRPS and the Board’s                  operating costs to assets, each discussed             (iv) Higher Operating Expenses
                                            response to the public comments are                      more fully below, exemplify                              FICUs with less than $100 million in
                                            discussed below.                                         differentiations between FICUs both                   assets also had higher annual operating
                                                                                                     above and below the $100 million                      expenses per unit of assets and per
                                            III. The Final Rule and IRPS                             threshold.                                            dollar of loan originations compared to
                                              Based on the comment letters and                       (i) Slower Deposit Growth Rates                       other asset groups. On average, FICUs
                                            economic analysis of FICUs in various                                                                          with less than $100 million in assets as
                                            asset ranges, the Board maintains $100                     Smaller FICUs have consistently
                                                                                                                                                           of the end of the year 2000 had annual
                                            million is the most appropriate asset                    demonstrated an inability to grow their
                                                                                                                                                           operating expenses equal to 4.0 percent
                                            threshold for the final rule and IRPS.                   deposit base at a rate that keeps pace
                                                                                                                                                           of assets over the next 14 years. FICUs
                                            The proposed threshold received                          with larger FICUs. This slower growth
                                                                                                                                                           with $100 million or more in assets as
                                            significant support in public comments,                  rate makes it difficult for smaller FICUs
                                                                                                                                                           of the end of the year 2000 had annual
                                            and the factors NCUA considered in the                   to cover fixed costs, which are
                                                                                                                                                           operating expenses of 3.5 percent of
                                            proposal continue to support $100                        increasing over time. FICUs with
                                                                                                                                                           assets over the same period.
                                            million as the most suitable threshold at                growing deposits and loans are able to                   The impact of these differences in
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                                            this time. Increasing the RFA threshold                  spread out fixed costs and incrementally              operating expenses can be dramatic.
                                            to $100 million will account for FICUs                   reduce operating costs.                               Between 2001 and 2014, FICUs with
                                            that generally face more significant                       24 An asset threshold of $175 million would cover
                                                                                                                                                           less than $100 million in assets as of the
                                            challenges than their larger peers based                 84 percent of all FICUs; $250 million would cover
                                                                                                                                                           end of the year 2000, had operating
                                            on their relatively small asset base,                    87% of all FICUs; $550 million would cover 93         expenses, on average, equal to 18 cents
                                            membership, and economies of scale.                      percent of all FICUs.                                 for every dollar in loan originations.


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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                                                                57515

                                            This expense ratio was close to a third                                  million in assets experienced 93 percent                                 Rather than expanding the RFA
                                            higher than FICUs with $100 million or                                   of mergers and liquidations since 2004.                                threshold to $550 million or $250
                                            more in assets as of the end of the year                                 The disappearance of these FICUs                                       million, which would include FICUs
                                            2000, which averaged annual operating                                    threatens to deprive the credit union                                  responsible for significantly more losses
                                            expenses equal to 13 cents for every                                     industry of a critical constituency.                                   and risk, the Board believes the $100
                                            dollar in loan originations over the same                                   Although the number of mergers and                                  million threshold represents a
                                            period.                                                                  failures for FICUs below $100 million is                               reasonable additional share for RFA
                                              The 55 basis point difference in                                       disproportionately high, these FICUs do                                coverage. FICUs with assets of $50
                                            operating expenses between FICUs                                         not represent a correspondingly high
                                                                                                                                                                                            million to less than $100 million hold
                                            above and below the $100 million asset                                   risk exposure to the Insurance Fund. For
                                                                                                                                                                                            4.5 percent of system assets, bringing
                                            threshold resulted in large and                                          FICUs with assets of $50 million to less
                                            persistent differences in earnings                                       than $100 million (those which this                                    the total system assets within RFA
                                            between these FICUs. The earnings gap                                    final rule and IRPS include in RFA                                     coverage to 10 percent. To the extent the
                                            between FICUs above and below the                                        coverage), losses have historically been                               increase to $100 million results in more
                                            threshold averaged 41 basis points over                                  relatively small. Nine FICUs between                                   FICU exemptions from rules governing
                                            the 2001 to 2014 period. To put this in                                  $50 million and $100 million in                                        safety and soundness, it will not present
                                            perspective, during that period, 25                                      inflation-adjusted assets failed between                               material risk to the Insurance Fund.
                                            percent of FICUs below the $100 million                                  the first quarter of 2001 and fourth                                     For additional background, the table
                                            asset threshold had negative earnings.                                   quarter of 2014. Resulting losses totaled                              below shows the differentiation of the
                                            Only 2.8 percent of FICUs with $100                                      less than $56 million. In contrast, losses                             characteristics between the final rule’s
                                            million or more in assets had negative                                   for FICUs between $100 million and                                     $100 million threshold and the
                                            earnings over the same period.                                           $250 million were $379 million, more                                   expanded RFA coverage thresholds that
                                              FICUs with persistently weak or                                        than six times that amount over the                                    also received support from some
                                            negative earnings are more likely to go                                  same period. FICUs between $100                                        commenters. Unless otherwise
                                            out of business via failure or merger.                                   million and $550 million accounted for                                 indicated, the table includes cumulative
                                            Despite representing 83 percent of all                                   $790 million in inflation-adjusted
                                                                                                                                                                                            data from 2001 to 2014.
                                            FICUs, FICUs with less than $100                                         losses.

                                                                                                                                                                                             Inflation-adjusted assets at time of failure

                                                                                                                                                                                             <$100M              <$250M               <$550M

                                            Share of Industry Losses .............................................................................................................                   32%                 63%                  97%


                                                                                                                                                                                                       Assets as of year 2000

                                                                                                                                                                                             <$100M              <$250M               <$550M
                                                                                                                                                                                               %                   %                    %

                                            Asset Growth ...............................................................................................................................             77                   104                  125
                                            Membership Growth ....................................................................................................................                  ¥12                     0                   10
                                            Loan Growth ................................................................................................................................             49                    78                  104



                                              The Board’s task under the RFA is to                                   similar portion of FICUs and a                                         contrast, a $250 million or $550 million
                                            designate as ‘‘small’’ a subset of                                       significantly higher portion of FICU                                   threshold for credit unions would cover
                                            institutions to which its regulations                                    assets (76 percent and 10 percent,                                     a disproportionate percentage of FICUs
                                            apply, rather than comparing FICUs to                                    respectively) in comparison to the                                     and of total FICU assets, as reflected in
                                            the array of competing institutions that                                 FDIC’s $550 million RFA threshold for                                  the table below:
                                            are not subject to NCUA’s regulations.25                                 banks subject to its regulations (81
                                            A $100 million threshold covers a                                        percent and 6 percent, respectively). In

                                                                                                                                                                  Credit unions            Credit unions      Credit unions            Banks
                                                                                                                                                                    <$100M                   <$250M             <$550M                <$550M
                                                                                                                                                                       %                        %                  %                    %

                                            Share of Industry Assets .................................................................................                              10                 20                   32                      6
                                            Share of Institutions .........................................................................................                         76                 87                   93                     81



                                              Although a bright line asset threshold                                 Board believes a threshold significantly                               preclude the Board from considering
                                            arguably bifurcates groups of FICUs for                                  higher than $100 million would divert                                  regulatory impacts on larger FICUs. The
                                            purposes of the RFA, it also avoids                                      focus from the FICUs that are most in                                  Board fully intends to continue
                                            diluting the pool of FICUs for which the                                 need of the RFA process. Further, the                                  reviewing the impact of all of its
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                                            RFA requires special consideration. The                                  $100 million threshold does not                                        regulations on all FICUs.

                                              25 The Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         the resources available to small entities. . . .’’ 5                   regulations apply. Thus NCUA’s definition of
                                            requires consideration of alternatives such as ‘‘the                     U.S.C. 603(c)(1). Differing compliance and reporting                   ‘‘small entities’’ does not factor in banks or other
                                            establishment of differing compliance or reporting                       requirements or timetables can only be considered                      institutions outside NCUA’s jurisdiction.
                                            requirements or timetables that take into account                        within the group of institutions to which the



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                                            57516            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                               The RFA requires a formal, published,                 three-year review cycle provides                      economic impact on a substantial
                                            analytical process during promulgation                   appropriate opportunities for these                   number of small entities. In this case,
                                            of a regulation whenever such                            considerations. Individual reviews will               the final rule and IRPS expands the
                                            regulation would impose significant                      facilitate transparent considerations of              number of FICUs defined as small
                                            economic burdens on a substantial                        unique risks and compliance burdens                   entities under the RFA. It, therefore,
                                            number of small FICUs. It subjects this                  specific to those rules, rather than                  will not have a significant economic
                                            published consideration to the benefit of                encouraging a one-size-fits-all approach.             impact on a substantial number of
                                            public comments. It does not, however,                                                                         FICUs under $50 million in assets that
                                            impose a substantive limit on the                        B. How will the final rule and IRPS                   are already covered by the RFA.
                                            conclusions the Board may draw based                     affect FICUs?                                            With respect to additional FICUs that
                                            on its analyses. On the contrary, the                       By increasing the RFA threshold to                 will now be covered, the principal
                                            Board is still able to make distinctions                 $100 million in assets, the Board                     component of the final rule and IRPS
                                            in future rulemakings above or below                     recognizes its role in ensuring                       will provide prospective relief in the
                                            the threshold designated in this final                   additional scrutiny of regulatory costs               form of special and more robust
                                            rule and IRPS. The Board can make                        for FICUs under that threshold. The                   consideration of FICUs’ ability to handle
                                            these distinctions based on its RFA                      increase requires the Board to engage in              compliance burdens. This prospective
                                            analysis and its broader consideration of                the RFA’s public analytical process for               relief is not yet quantifiable. Further, the
                                            regulatory impacts across all FICUs.                     the benefit of considerably more FICUs,               final rule and IRPS can only reduce,
                                               The Board’s rule governing liquidity                  whenever a regulation would impose                    rather than increase, compliance
                                            and contingency funding demonstrates                     significant economic burdens on a                     burdens for these FICUs and, therefore,
                                            this possibility by imposing differing                   substantial number of them. Further,                  will not raise costs in a manner that
                                            compliance requirements on three asset                   future rules are more likely to invoke an             requires a FRFA. Accordingly, NCUA
                                            tiers of FICUs.26 The RFA threshold was                  RFA analysis because of the greater                   has determined and certifies that the
                                            $50 million at the time of the rule’s                    number of FICUs for which the Board                   final rule and IRPS will not have a
                                            adoption. While the Board exempted                       must consider substantial economic                    significant economic impact on a
                                            FICUs with assets under $50 million                      impacts.                                              substantial number of small entities. No
                                            from most of the rule’s compliance                          The $100 million threshold will cause              FRFA is required.
                                            requirements, the Board also exempted                    NCUA to give special consideration to                 B. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                            a second tier ($50 million to $250                       an additional 733 small FICUs. The total
                                            million) from some requirements. Only                    number of FICUs covered by the RFA                      The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
                                            the largest tier (over $250 million) is                  will increase to approximately 4,690.                 (PRA) applies to rulemakings in which
                                            required to comply with the entire rule.                 This represents 75.6 percent of FICUs,                an agency creates a new paperwork
                                               As the liquidity rule also                            which hold 10 percent of FICU assets.                 burden on regulated entities or modifies
                                            demonstrates, asset thresholds remain a                  When an IRFA or FRFA is triggered,                    an existing burden.27 For purposes of
                                            principal comparative tool used to                       these additional FICUs will have the                  the PRA, a paperwork burden may take
                                            determine a FICU’s relative size. As                     benefit of an opportunity to comment on               the form of either a reporting or a
                                            such, an asset threshold, rather than an                 a transparent and published analysis of               recordkeeping requirement, both
                                            employee- or branch-based demarcation,                   impacts and alternatives. For all of these            referred to as information collections.
                                            continues to be the most transparent                     FICUs, future regulations will be                     The changes to IRPS 87–2, as amended,
                                            and administratively feasible as a                       thoroughly evaluated to determine                     will not create any new paperwork
                                            framework for its RFA analyses. An                       whether an exemption or other separate                burden for FICUs. Thus, NCUA has
                                            asset threshold is consistent with size                  consideration should apply. The $100                  determined that this final rule and IRPS
                                            standards that appear in the FCU Act                     million threshold ensures that                        does not increase the paperwork
                                            and other NCUA regulations.                              regulatory relief will be consistently and            requirements under the PRA and
                                               With respect to review, the Board                                                                           regulations of the Office of Management
                                                                                                     robustly considered for significantly
                                            continues to believe that the three-year                                                                       and Budget.
                                                                                                     more FICUs.
                                            period the proposed rule retained from
                                                                                                        This final rule and IRPS retains the               C. Executive Order 13132
                                            2013 provides a reasonable time within
                                                                                                     three-year review cycle that the Board                  Executive Order 13132 encourages
                                            which to discern and interpret new
                                                                                                     adopted in 2013. The review period                    independent regulatory agencies to
                                            trends in relevant data. Further, it is
                                                                                                     gives FICUs a regular opportunity to                  consider the impact of their actions on
                                            consistent with the longstanding review
                                                                                                     provide input on the Board’s RFA                      state and local interests. NCUA, an
                                            period NCUA uses for all its regulations.
                                                                                                     threshold. Finally, the rule references               independent regulatory agency as
                                            Rather than an annual or biannual
                                                                                                     IRPS 15–1 in § 791.8(a) of NCUA’s                     defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily
                                            adjustment, the three-year cycle avoids
                                                                                                     regulations governing regulatory                      complies with the executive order to
                                            the uncertainty of continuous
                                                                                                     procedures, replacing the reference to                adhere to fundamental federalism
                                            fluctuation that more frequent
                                                                                                     IRPS 13–1.                                            principles. This final rule and IRPS will
                                            adjustments could create. Further, the
                                            scheduled opportunity to study trends                    IV. Regulatory Procedures                             not have a substantial direct effect on
                                            and receive comments provides an                                                                               the states, on the relationship between
                                                                                                     A. Regulatory Flexibility Act                         the national government and the states,
                                            advantage over automatically indexed
                                            adjustments.                                               For any final rule it adopts, the RFA               or on the distribution of power and
                                               As discussed in the proposal, the                     requires NCUA to prepare a FRFA that,                 responsibilities among the various
                                            Board will separately consider whether                   among other things, describes the steps               levels of government. NCUA has
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                                            to align thresholds in existing rules,                   the agency has taken to minimize                      determined that this final rule and IRPS
                                            such as those applying interest rate risk                economic impact on small entities                     does not constitute a policy that has
                                            and liquidity requirements, with the                     (currently defined by NCUA as FICUs                   federalism implications for purposes of
                                            RFA threshold. The NCUA’s regular                        with under $50 million in assets),                    the executive order.
                                                                                                     unless the NCUA certifies that the final
                                              26 12   CFR 741.12.                                    rule will not have a significant                        27 44   U.S.C. 3507(d).



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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                       57517

                                            D. Assessment of Federal Regulations                     policies for the promulgation of rules                published yearly and effective on
                                            and Policies on Families                                 and regulations as set forth in its                   September 15.
                                              NCUA has determined that this final                    Interpretive Ruling and Policy                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                            rule and IRPS will not affect family                     Statement 87–2, as amended by                         Jason Stahl, Airspace Policy and
                                            well-being within the meaning of                         Interpretive Ruling and Policy                        Regulations Group, Office of Airspace
                                            Section 654 of the Treasury and General                  Statements 03–2 and 15–1.                             Services, Federal Aviation
                                            Government Appropriations Act, 1999,                     *     *     *     *    *                              Administration, 800 Independence
                                            Public Law 105–277, 112 Stat. 2681                       [FR Doc. 2015–24165 Filed 9–23–15; 8:45 am]           Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591;
                                            (1998).                                                  BILLING CODE 7535–01–P                                telephone: (202) 267–8783.
                                            List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 791                                                                            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                                              Administrative practice and                            DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          Authority for This Rulemaking
                                            procedure, Credit unions, Sunshine Act.                                                                          The FAA’s authority to issue rules
                                              By the National Credit Union                           Federal Aviation Administration                       regarding aviation safety is found in
                                            Administration Board on September 17,                                                                          Title 49 of the United States Code.
                                            2015.                                                    14 CFR Part 71                                        Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the
                                            Gerard Poliquin,                                         [Docket No. FAA–2015–2905; Airspace                   authority of the FAA Administrator.
                                            Secretary of the Board.                                  Docket No. 15–AWA–3]                                  Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
                                              For the reasons discussed above, the                                                                         describes in more detail the scope of the
                                                                                                     RIN 2120–AA66
                                            Board amends IRPS 87–2 (as amended                                                                             agency’s authority. This rulemaking is
                                            by IRPS 03–2 and IRPS 13–1) by                           Amendment of Class C Airspace;                        promulgated under the authority
                                            revising the second sentence of                          Portland International Airport, OR                    described in Subtitle VII, Part A,
                                            paragraph 2 of Section II and replacing                                                                        Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that
                                                                                                     AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                             section, the FAA is charged with
                                            the last two sentences of paragraph 2 of
                                                                                                     Administration (FAA), DOT.                            prescribing regulations to assign the use
                                            Section II to read as follows:
                                                                                                     ACTION: Final rule, technical                         of airspace necessary to ensure the
                                            Interpretive Ruling and Policy                           amendment.                                            safety of aircraft and the efficient use of
                                            Statement 87–2                                                                                                 airspace. This regulation is within the
                                                                                                     SUMMARY:    This action amends                        scope of that authority as it updates the
                                            *      *     *        *      *                           geographic coordinates of Portland                    geographic coordinates of Portland
                                            II. Procedures for the Development of                    International Airport, Portland, OR,                  International Airport, Portland, OR.
                                            Regulations                                              under Class C airspace, due to recent
                                                                                                     surveys of the airport. This action also              History
                                            *      *    *    *     *
                                               2. * * * NCUA will designate                          updates the name and geographic                          During a review of the airspace for
                                            federally insured credit unions with less                coordinates of satellite airports                     Portland International Airport, Portland,
                                            than $100 million in assets as small                     referenced in the Portland description.               OR, the FAA identified that the airport’s
                                            entities. * * * Every three years, the                   This action does not change the                       geographic coordinates were incorrect.
                                            NCUA Board will review and consider                      boundaries or operating requirements of               This action updates the geographic
                                            adjusting the asset threshold it uses to                 the airspace.                                         coordinates to coincide with the FAA’s
                                            define small entities for purposes of                    DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC,                       aeronautical database for the respective
                                            analyzing whether a regulation will                      December 10, 2015. The Director of the                Class C airspace area. Additionally, this
                                            have a significant economic impact on                    Federal Register approves this                        action updates the names and
                                            a substantial number of small entities.                  incorporation by reference action under               geographic coordinates of referenced
                                                                                                     title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part            airports within the Portland
                                            *      *    *    *     *
                                               For the reasons discussed above, the                  51, subject to the annual revision of                 International Airport’s Class C airspace
                                            Board amends 12 CFR part 791 as                          FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of                   description.
                                            follows:                                                 conforming amendments.                                   Class C airspace designations are
                                                                                                     ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z,                         published in paragraph 4000 of FAA
                                            PART 791—RULES OF NCUA BOARD                             Airspace Designations and Reporting                   Order 7400.9Z dated August 6, 2015,
                                            PROCEDURES; PROMULGATION OF                              Points and subsequent amendments can                  and effective September 15, 2015, which
                                            NCUA RULES AND REGULATIONS;                              be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/               is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR
                                            PUBLIC OBSERVATION OF NCUA                               airtraffic/publications/. For further                 71.1. The Class C airspace designations
                                            BOARD MEETINGS                                           information, you can contact the                      listed in this document will be
                                                                                                     Airspace Policy and Regulations Group,                published subsequently in the Order.
                                            ■ 1. The authority citation for part 791                 Federal Aviation Administration, 800
                                            continues to read as follows:                                                                                  Availability and Summary of
                                                                                                     Independence Avenue SW.,
                                                                                                                                                           Documents for Incorporation by
                                              Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1766, 1789 and 5                  Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202)
                                                                                                                                                           Reference
                                            U.S.C 552b.                                              267–8783.
                                            ■ 2. In § 791.8, revise paragraph (a) to                    The order is also available for                       This document amends FAA Order
                                            read as follows:                                         inspection at the National Archives and               7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and
                                                                                                     Records Administration (NARA). For                    Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015,
                                            § 791.8 Promulgation of NCUA rules and                   information on the availability of this               and effective September 15, 2015. FAA
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                                            regulations.                                             material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030,                Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as
                                              (a) NCUA’s procedures for developing                   or go to http://www.archives.gov/                     listed in the ADDRESSES section of this
                                            regulations are governed by the                          federal_register/code_of_federal_                     final rule. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists
                                            Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.                   regulations/ibr_locations.html.                       Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,
                                            551 et seq.), the Regulatory Flexibility                    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace                         air traffic service routes, and reporting
                                            Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and NCUA’s                   Designations and Reporting Points, is                 points.


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Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:18:00
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:18:00
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule and Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 15-1.
DatesThis rule and IRPS are effective November 23, 2015.
ContactKevin Tuininga, Lead Liquidations Counsel, Office of General Counsel, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428 or telephone: (703) 518-6543.
FR Citation80 FR 57512 
RIN Number3133-AE45
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedure; Credit Unions and Sunshine Act

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