80 FR 78689 - Acquired Member Assets
FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE BOARD
FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 242 (December 17, 2015)
FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 242 (December 17, 2015)
| Page Range | 78689-78699 | |
| FR Document | 2015-31660 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 2015)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 78689-78699] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-31660] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE BOARD 12 CFR Part 955 FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY 12 CFR Parts 1201 and 1268 RIN 2590-AA69 Acquired Member Assets AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance Board; Federal Housing Finance Agency. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is proposing amendments to the existing Acquired Member Assets (AMA) regulation, which applies to the Federal Home Loan Banks (Banks). In particular, FHFA proposes to remove from the regulation requirements based on ratings issued by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization (NRSRO), as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). Additionally, FHFA proposes to transfer the AMA regulation from the former Federal Housing Finance Board (Finance Board) regulations to FHFA's regulations. FHFA also proposes to reorganize the current regulation and to modify and clarify a number of provisions in the regulation. DATES: FHFA must receive written comments on or before April 15, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 2590-AA69, by any of the following methods:Agency Web site: www.fhfa.gov/open-for-comment-or-input. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. If you submit your comment to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, please also send it by email to FHFA at [email protected] to ensure timely receipt by the agency. Please include Comments/RIN 2590-AA69 in the subject line of the message. Courier/Hand Delivery: The hand delivery address is: Alfred M. Pollard, General Counsel, Attention: Comments/RIN 2590-AA69, Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW., Eighth Floor, Washington, DC 20219. Deliver the package to the Seventh Street entrance Guard Desk, First Floor, on business days between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. U.S. Mail, United Parcel Service, Federal Express or Other Mail Service: The mailing address for comments is: Alfred M. Pollard, General Counsel, Attention: Comments/RIN 2590-AA69, Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW., Eighth Floor, Washington, DC 20219. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Muradian, Principal Financial Analyst, [email protected], 202-649-3323, Division of Bank Regulation; or Thomas E. Joseph, Associate General Counsel, [email protected], 202-649-3076 (these are not toll-free numbers), Office of General Counsel, Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. The telephone number for the Telecommunications Device for the Hearing Impaired is 800-877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Comments FHFA invites comments on all aspects of the proposed regulation. After considering all comments, FHFA will develop a final regulation. FHFA will post without change copies of all comments received on the FHFA Web site at http://www.fhfa.gov, and will include any personal information you provide, such as your name, address, email address, and telephone number. FHFA will make copies of all comments timely received available for examination by the public on business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW., Eighth Floor, Washington, DC 20219. To make an appointment to inspect comments, please call the Office of General Counsel at 202-649-3804. II. Background A. Creation of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Effective July 30, 2008, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) \1\ created FHFA as a new independent agency of the federal government. HERA transferred to FHFA the supervisory and oversight responsibilities of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) over the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (collectively, Enterprises), and of the Finance Board over the Banks and the Bank System's Office of Finance. Under the legislation, the Enterprises, the Banks, and the Office of Finance continue to operate under regulations promulgated by OFHEO and the Finance Board until such regulations are superseded by regulations issued by FHFA.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Public Law 110-289, 122 Stat. 2654 \2\ See 12 U.S.C. 4511, note. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Dodd-Frank Act Provisions Section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Act requires federal agencies to: (i) Review regulations that require the use of an assessment of the creditworthiness of a security or money market instrument; and (ii) to the extent those regulations contain any references to, or requirements regarding credit ratings, remove such references or requirements.\3\ In place of such credit-rating based requirements, the Dodd-Frank Act instructs agencies to substitute appropriate standards for determining creditworthiness. The new law further provides that, to the extent feasible, an agency should adopt a uniform standard of creditworthiness for use in its regulations, taking into account the entities regulated by it and the purposes for which such regulated entities would rely on the creditworthiness standard. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ See 15 U.S.C. 78o-7 note. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On November 8, 2013, FHFA promulgated a final rule removing references to credit ratings in certain regulations governing the Banks; this rule became effective on May 7, 2014.\4\ That rulemaking removed references to credit ratings in FHFA regulations related to Bank investments, standby letters of credit, and liabilities.\5\ When those rule amendments were proposed, FHFA stated that it would undertake separate rulemakings to remove NRSRO references and requirements contained in the Banks' capital regulations and in the regulations governing the Banks' AMA programs.\6\ In this rulemaking, FHFA is proposing to remove the references to NRSRO credit ratings in [[Page 78690]] the current AMA regulation. FHFA will separately address removal of credit ratings from the capital regulation in a future rulemaking. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ See Final Rule, Removal of References to Credit Ratings in Certain Regulations Governing the Federal Home Loan Banks, 78 FR 67004 (Nov. 8, 2013). \5\ See 12 CFR parts 1267, 1269, and 1270. \6\ See Proposed Rule, Removal of References to Credit Ratings in Certain Regulations Governing the Federal Home Loan Banks, 78 FR 30784, 30786 (May 23, 2013). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. The Bank System The eleven Banks are wholesale financial institutions organized under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (Bank Act).\7\ The Banks are cooperatives; only members of a Bank may purchase the capital stock of a Bank, and only members or certain eligible housing associates (such as state housing finance agencies) may obtain access to secured loans, known as advances, or other products provided by a Bank.\8\ Each Bank is managed by its own board of directors and serves the public interest by enhancing the availability of residential credit through its member institutions.\9\ Any eligible institution (generally a federally insured depository institution or state-regulated insurance company) may become a member of a Bank if it satisfies certain criteria and purchases a specified amount of the Bank's capital stock.\10\ As government-sponsored enterprises, federal law grants the Banks certain privileges. In light of those privileges, the Banks typically can borrow funds at spreads over the rates on U.S. Treasury securities of comparable maturity that are narrower than those available to most other entities. The Banks pass along a portion of their funding advantage to their members and housing associates--and ultimately to consumers--by providing advances and other financial services at rates that would not otherwise be available to their members. Among those financial services are the Banks' AMA programs, under which the Banks provide financing for members' housing activities by purchasing mortgage loans that meet the requirements of the AMA regulation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ See 12 U.S.C. 1423, 1432(a). \8\ See 12 U.S.C. 1426(a)(4), 1430(a), 1430b. \9\ See 12 U.S.C. 1427. \10\ See 12 U.S.C. 1424; 12 CFR part 1263. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- D. Acquired Member Assets On July 17, 2000, the Finance Board adopted a final AMA regulation, which remains in effect.\11\ Neither the Finance Board nor FHFA has amended the regulation since its adoption. The current rule authorizes the Banks to acquire certain loans (principally conforming residential mortgage loans) from their members and housing associates as a means of advancing their housing finance mission, and prescribes the parameters within which the Banks may do so. In adopting the rule, the Finance Board noted that AMA was functionally equivalent to the business of making advances. It allowed members and housing associates to use eligible assets to access liquidity for further mission-related lending, while the member or housing associate maintained its exposure to all or a material portion of the credit risk associated with the AMA loans sold to a Bank.\12\ The members or housing associates of a Bank, or members or housing associates of another Bank (pursuant to an arrangement between the Bank acquiring the AMA and the Bank in which the participating financial institution is a member), that are authorized to sell mortgage loans to the Bank through its AMA program generally are referred to as participating financial institutions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ See Final Rule, Federal Home Loan Bank Acquired Member Assets, Core Mission Activities, Investment and Advances, 65 FR 43969 (July 17, 2000) (hereinafter ``Final AMA Rule''). \12\ Id. at 43974. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The core of the current AMA rule, which remains unchanged in the proposed rule, establishes a three-part test for a loan to qualify as AMA. First, the asset requirement establishes that assets must be conforming whole mortgage loans, certain interests in such loans, whole loans secured by manufactured housing, certain state or federal housing finance agency (HFA) bonds, and certain other assets enumerated in the rule. Second, assets must meet a member-nexus requirement whereby a Bank must acquire the AMA assets from a participating financial institution or another Bank. In either case, the assets acquired by a Bank must be originated or held for a valid business purpose by a participating financial institution (or an affiliate thereof). Finally, to meet the credit risk-sharing requirement, a Bank must structure its AMA products such that a substantial portion of the associated credit risk is borne by a participating financial institution. Specifically, participating financial institutions must provide sufficient credit enhancement on the assets sold so that the AMA purchased by a Bank is equivalent to an asset rated at least investment grade by an NRSRO or such higher rating as required by the Bank. Banks currently offer two AMA programs--Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) and Mortgage Purchase Program (MPP). FHFA has authorized other mortgage products outside of the AMA rule that are not subject to the requirements of the rule. These products, as structured by the Bank, generally are conduit programs that allow eligible members to access the secondary mortgage markets but do not result in a Bank holding the mortgages on its balance sheet. Non-AMA products currently offered by some Banks are MPF Xtra and MPF Direct. III. The Proposed Rule A. Highlights of the Proposed Rule The proposed rule would re-organize current 12 CFR part 955 and re- adopt it as part 1268 of FHFA's regulations. More significantly, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act, it would remove and replace references to, or requirements based on, ratings issued by an NRSRO. It would provide Banks greater flexibility in choosing the models they can use to estimate the credit enhancement required for AMA loans. Additionally, the proposed rule would add a provision allowing a Bank to authorize the transfer of mortgage servicing rights to any institution, including a non-member of the Bank System. The proposal would remove provisions allowing the use of private supplemental mortgage insurance (SMI) in the required member credit enhancement structure. Finally, the proposal would delete some obsolete provisions from the current rule, and clarify certain other provisions. B. Proposed Changes As already noted, Section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Act requires federal agencies to review regulations that require an NRSRO assessment of the creditworthiness of a security or money market instrument, or that includes any references to or requirements related to credit ratings issued by NRSROs. The Dodd-Frank Act further requires the removal of such references or requirements. The AMA rule currently establishes a number of requirements based on NRSRO ratings, which the proposed rule would remove or amend consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act mandate. In addition to the proposed changes related to credit ratings, FHFA is proposing other changes that would re-organize, modify, and clarify certain provisions of the current regulation. 1. Definitions Section Proposed Sec. 1268.1 In the definitions section (current Sec. 955.1 and proposed Sec. 1268.1), FHFA proposes to modify the definition of ``expected losses'' to remove a reference to NRSROs. As discussed more fully below, FHFA would also make other changes to the definition of ``expected losses'' to account for the fact that a Bank would have more modelling options under the proposed rule for calculating the required credit enhancement. Also, as discussed more [[Page 78691]] fully below, FHFA would add to the rule a definition for ``investment quality'' to implement changes needed to remove references in the current rule to specific NRSRO credit ratings. FHFA proposes to add to new Sec. 1268.1 definitions for the terms ``AMA product,'' ``AMA program,'' ``participating financial institution,'' and ``pool.'' FHFA intends for these newly defined terms to help simplify and clarify other provisions in the rule and avoid use of repetitive, descriptive language in those provisions. It also proposes to amend slightly the definition of ``AMA'' in Sec. 1201.1 to mean ``assets acquired in accordance with, and satisfying the applicable requirements of, part 1268 of this chapter [XII], or any successor thereto.'' 2. Authorization for Acquired Member Assets Section Proposed Sec. 1268.2 FHFA is proposing to amend the language in the current authorization provision (current 12 CFR 955.2) and to reorganize it into separate sections as proposed Sec. Sec. 1268.2 through 1268.5. Under the proposed rule, Sec. 1268.2 generally would authorize a Bank to invest in AMA subject to the requirements of parts 1268 and 1272 of FHFA's regulations. FHFA is also proposing to include in this new authorization section a ``grandfather'' provision that would allow a Bank to continue to hold any AMA loans that the Finance Board or FHFA previously authorized for purchase, even if the loan would not meet the requirements of the proposed rule. This proposed provision, set forth at Sec. 1268.2(b), would cover loans that were authorized for purchase by rule, order, or other agency action such as waiver of particular requirements so a Bank to purchase the loan.\13\ It would assure that a Bank could continue to hold any legacy loans, including those that no longer meet the credit enhancement or other requirements in the proposed rule. It would replace the current provision that allows a Bank to continue to purchase and hold loans that had been authorized under the Finance Board's and FHFA's former Financial Management Policy even if the credit enhancement structure did not meet the current AMA rule.\14\ While the proposed grandfather provision would not authorize continued purchase of AMA that do not comply with the proposed rule, FHFA believes that all currently active AMA products would meet the requirements in proposed part 1268. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \13\ For example, on August 5, 2011, FHFA waived the ratings requirement for SMI providers in the current regulation to allow Banks to continue to buy loans that used SMI as part of the credit enhancement structure, even though no SMI provider met the ratings requirement. This grandfather provision would allow the Banks that bought loans pursuant to that waiver to continue to hold those loans even if FHFA changes the credit enhancement provision to no longer allow SMI, as it proposed to do in this rulemaking. \14\ FHFA terminated the Financial Management Policy on June 20, 2012, when its revised investment rule (12 CFR part 1267) took effect. See Final Rule: Federal Home Loan Bank Investments, 76 FR 29147, 29151 (May 20, 2011). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FHFA proposes to move the loan type, member nexus, and credit enhancement requirements found in current 12 CFR 955.2 to Sec. Sec. 1268.3, 1268.4, and 1268.5. As discussed below, FHFA is also proposing to make other changes to these provisions. 3. Asset Requirement Section Proposed Sec. 1268.3 a. Renaming Section FHFA is proposing to rename this section from the current ``loan type requirement'' to ``asset requirement'' because not all of the interests this section authorizes for purchase are technically loans. Specifically, HFA bonds and certificates representing interests in whole loans, which the current rule authorizes, are better classified as securities. b. Asset Types Current 12 CFR 955.2(a) sets forth the types of assets that are permissible as AMA. Proposed Sec. 1268.3(a)(1) and (2) are substantively unchanged from the existing rule and set forth the asset types that are eligible for purchase as AMA. The proposed rule, as does the current regulation, allows the acquisition of whole loans that are eligible to secure advances to members under FHFA's advances regulation (part 1266). These assets include: (1) Fully disbursed, whole first mortgage loans on improved residential real property not more than 90 days delinquent; (2) mortgages or other loans, regardless of delinquency status, to the extent that the mortgage or loan is insured or guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof, or otherwise is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and such insurance, guarantee, or other backing is for the direct benefit of the holder of the mortgage or loan; (3) other real estate-related collateral provided that such collateral has a readily ascertainable value, can be reliably discounted to account for liquidation and other risks, can be liquidated in due course, and that the Bank can perfect a security interest in such collateral; and (4) when acquired from community financial institution (CFI) members or their affiliates, small business loans, small farm loans, small agri-business loans, or community development loans, in each case fully secured by collateral other than real estate, or securities representing a whole interest in such secured loans, provided that such collateral has a readily ascertainable value, can be reliably discounted to account for liquidation and other risks, and can be liquidated in due course. c. Restrictions on Certain Loans FHFA is proposing to adopt as Sec. 1268.3(a)(1) the current regulation provision that excludes from AMA those single-family mortgages where the loan amount exceeds the conforming loan limits established pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2). This limit is consistent with the limits imposed on the Enterprises. As noted when the Finance Board first adopted the AMA rule, it intended this provision to prohibit purchase of jumbo loans and to create a level playing field with the Enterprises concerning the types of loans that a Bank can purchase.\15\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \15\ See Final AMA Rule, 65 FR at 43974. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a point of clarification, FHFA confirms that under the amended rule, loans on properties located in designated ``high-cost areas,'' where the conforming loan limit is adjusted in accordance with the criteria established in 12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2), would remain eligible for purchase as AMA as long as the loan value is within the adjusted conforming loan limit. The criteria in 12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2), as currently enacted, allows that the conforming loan limits: may be increased by not to exceed 50 per centum with respect to properties located in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands. Such foregoing limitations shall also be increased, with respect to properties of a particular size located in any area for which 115 percent of the median house price for such size residence exceeds the foregoing limitation for such size residence, to the lesser of 150 percent of such limitation for such size residence or the amount that is equal to 115 percent of the median house price in such area for such size residence. FHFA specifically requests comments as to any issues regarding a Bank's purchase of loans as AMA in designated high-cost areas as well as any issues related to whether the rule should continue to limit AMA loans to those that meet the conforming loan limits more generally. FHFA is proposing to add language to Sec. 1268.3(a)(3) and (b) to restrict a Bank from purchasing as AMA any home mortgage loans made to any directors, [[Page 78692]] officers, employees, attorneys, or agents of a Bank or of the selling institution unless the board of directors of the Bank has specifically approved such purchase by resolution.\16\ This restriction is statutory with regard to home mortgages used as collateral for advances.\17\ The proposed change would extend the restriction to AMA purchases. Loans made to such persons pose the same or greater risk when purchased by a Bank as when taken as collateral for advances. The restriction would be implemented by citing to 12 CFR 1266.7(f) of the FHFA regulations, which is the provision that implements the statutory restriction with regard to advances.\18\ FHFA does not propose to apply the restriction to HFA bonds, given that FHFA does not apply the restriction to securities allowed as collateral for advances under part 1266 of this chapter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \16\ This restriction would also apply with regard to an interest in whole loans under proposed Sec. 1263.3(d), given that such interest must be in loans that otherwise meet the requirements of proposed Sec. 1263.3(a) or (b) for the interest to qualify as AMA. \17\ 12 U.S.C. 1430(b). \18\ 12 CFR 1266.7(f) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- d. Manufactured Housing Loans The current AMA regulation allows the purchase of manufactured housing loans regardless of whether such housing constitutes real property under state law, and FHFA is not proposing changes to this provision (proposed as Sec. 1268.3(b)). FHFA recognizes that the Enterprises also may purchase manufactured housing loans that are chattel loans under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act. In addition, under its advances regulation, FHFA considers chattel loans on manufactured housing to be residential housing finance assets for purposes of the long-term advances proxy test, and allows Banks to extend long-term advances to members for the purchase or funding of such loans.\19\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \19\ See 12 CFR 1266.1 and 1266.3. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other FHFA regulations, however, treat chattel loans on manufactured housing differently from loans on real property. For example, in 2010, FHFA adopted a change to the definition of ``mortgage'' as used in the Enterprise housing goals regulations with the result that purchases of chattel loans on manufactured housing would not qualify for credit under the housing goals.\20\ FHFA adopted the same definition of ``mortgage'' in the Bank housing goals regulations so chattel loans on manufactured housing also do not qualify for credit under Bank housing goals.\21\ In its proposed Enterprise duty to serve regulations, FHFA similarly proposed that it would consider only manufactured housing loans titled as real property toward the Enterprises' duty to serve underserved markets.\22\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \20\ See Final Rule: Enterprise Housing Goals; Enterprise Book- entry Procedures, 75 FR 55892, 55896-895 (Sept. 14, 2010). FHFA continued this exclusion in its most recently adopted Enterprise housing goals rule. See 12 CFR 1282.1 (definition of ``mortgage''). \21\ See Final Rule: Federal Home Loan Bank Housing Goals, 75 FR 81096, 81100 (Dec. 27, 2010). \22\ See Proposed Rule: Enterprise Duty to Serve Underserved Markets, 75 FR 32099, 32101-105 (June 7, 2010). FHFA has not yet adopted this proposed rule as a final rule. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FHFA is also concerned that chattel loans display a higher level of default risk, and present greater credit and operational risks, than other mortgage loans authorized for purchase under the AMA regulation. Given these concerns and the differences in how some current FHFA regulations treat chattel loans, FHFA specifically requests comment as to whether it should continue to authorize the purchase of manufactured housing loans as AMA if relevant state law considers the loans as chattel loans. e. Certificates Representing Interests in Whole Loans Proposed Sec. 1268.3(d) is a new provision. It would bring into the rule text the authority for Banks to acquire as AMA certain certificates representing interests in whole loans. When the Finance Board adopted the current AMA rule, it noted, in response to comments, that the rule allowed the Banks to buy structured products as AMA, provided the products met certain identified conditions. The proposed language would adopt in the rule text the conditions that were set forth in this discussion. Currently, this authority is set forth in a discussion in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of the Federal Register release adopting the current regulation.\23\ The Finance Board approved one AMA product under this authority (in December 2002), which is now inactive. By moving the preamble language to the rule text, FHFA would clarify that such programs are possible under the amended regulation and bring all relevant authority into the rule text. FHFA continues to believe that under the circumstances in proposed Sec. 1268.3(d), the use of a third party to securitize the whole loans would merely represent a vehicle to invest in certain types of AMA under more favorable terms and should, therefore, be permitted under the rule. However, if the certificates have been created as a security initially available to investors generally, they will not be considered to qualify as AMA under Sec. 1268.3(d).\24\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \23\ Final AMA Rule, 65 FR at 43974, 43977. \24\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Member or Housing Associate Nexus Requirement Section Proposed Sec. 1268.4 FHFA is proposing to reorganize as Sec. 1268.4(a) and (b) the member nexus requirements currently found at 12 CFR 955.2(b). The proposed rule would continue to impose the requirement that for a loan to be eligible for purchase as AMA, the participating financial institution would have either to originate or issue the assets or have held them for a valid business purpose. The ``valid business purpose requirement'' in the current regulation accounts for the fact that a member may acquire loans from a non-member during the normal course of business and then sell those loans to the Bank. It excludes any loans that merely pass from a non-member through a member to a Bank, with the intent of extending the benefits of membership to the non-member.\25\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \25\ See Proposed Rule: Federal Home Loan Bank Acquired Member Assets, Core Mission Activities, Investments and Advances, 65 FR 25676, 25681 (May 3, 2000) (hereinafter 2000 Proposed AMA Rule). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The reference in the proposed rule to assets issued ``through, or on behalf of the participating financial institution'' also carries over from the current regulation. As under the current regulation, the provision would allow HFA bonds issued by an underwriter for the participating financial institution to qualify as AMA.\26\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \26\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposed Sec. 1268.4(b) would adopt without substantive change current special requirements in 12 CFR 955.2(b)(2)(ii) that apply when a Bank purchases HFA bonds as AMA from a housing associate of another Bank. Under this provision, a Bank may acquire initial-offering taxable HFA bonds from out-of-district associates, provided the Bank in whose district the HFA is located (local Bank) has a right of first refusal to purchase, or negotiate the terms of, a particular bond issue. If the local Bank refuses, or does not respond within three days, the HFA may then offer the bonds to an out-of-district Bank. The Finance Board adopted this approach to preserve the integrity of the Bank Districts, while at the same time preventing any one Bank from denying an HFA in its District from financing that another Bank is willing to provide.\27\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \27\ See Final AMA Rule, 65 FR at 43975. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 78693]] 5. Credit Risk-Sharing Requirement Section Proposed Sec. 1268.5 a. General Requirement FHFA is proposing to reorganize as Sec. 1268.5 the credit risk- sharing requirements currently found at 12 CFR 955.2(c) and 955.3. FHFA proposes to re-adopt several of the credit risk-sharing provisions without substantive changes, including the requirement that all AMA loans carry a credit enhancement. Proposed Sec. 1268.5(c) also generally would maintain the design requirement for the credit enhancement structure that helps ensure that the participating financial institution retains an economic incentive to reduce actual losses that is both material in amount and early enough in the structure to be meaningful.\28\ Thus, the proposed rule would continue to prohibit any AMA product that removes the participating financial institution's incentive to reduce actual credit losses. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \28\ Id. at 43967- 98. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As discussed below, the proposed rule also would change some of the credit risk-sharing provisions to remove references to NRSRO ratings, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Proposed Sec. 1268.5(e) would set forth the requirements for the Bank's use of a methodology and model for calculating the credit enhancement obligation that is not necessarily tied to one used by an NRSRO. Additionally, FHFA is not proposing to re-adopt current provisions that allow the use of private SMI or pool insurance as part of the credit enhancement structure. Consequently, FHFA is proposing to remove provisions from the current regulation requiring eligible SMI providers to maintain specific NRSRO ratings. b. Determining Credit Enhancements on AMA Pools The proposed rule would modify 12 CFR 955.3(a) of the current regulation, and re-adopt it as proposed Sec. 1268.5(b)(1). FHFA's proposed modification to this provision would remove current requirements based on NRSRO ratings and methodologies in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act. Otherwise, FHFA continues to believe the credit risk-sharing approach in the current regulation is valid. The principles underlying the AMA regulation establish that risks are borne by those entities best suited to manage them. Therefore, the credit risk-sharing requirements provide that participating financial institutions selling mortgages must retain a substantial portion of the credit risk, given their expertise in underwriting mortgages. In requiring the participating financial institution to have ``skin in the game,'' the rule provides them an incentive to sell high-quality loans to the Banks and the opportunity to benefit financially from good underwriting practices. To ensure that participating financial institutions bear a material portion of the credit risk, existing Sec. 955.3(a) currently requires a participating financial institution that sells AMA loans to a Bank to enhance the pool to be equivalent to an asset rated at least the fourth highest credit grade rating from an NRSRO (i.e., to be at least investment grade) or to a higher rating required by the Bank. The provision also requires the Bank to make a determination of the amount of the required credit enhancement using a methodology that is confirmed in writing by an NRSRO to be equivalent to one used by the NRSRO in rating a comparable pool of assets. Proposed Sec. 1268.5(a)(1) would amend the current provision to remove the requirement that AMA loans be enhanced to a specific rating that is equivalent to one issued by an NRSRO. Under the proposed amendment, a participating financial institution must credit enhance AMA loans to at least ``investment quality.'' FHFA proposes to define the term ``investment quality'' in the AMA regulation by reference to the definition of that term adopted by FHFA in the Bank investment regulation (12 CFR part 1267). That definition reads: Investment quality means a determination made by the Bank with respect to a security or obligation that, based on documented analysis, including consideration of the sources for repayment on the security or obligation: (1) There is adequate financial backing so that full and timely payment of principal and interest on such security or obligation is expected; and (2) There is minimal risk that the timely payment of principal or interest would not occur because of adverse changes in economic and financial conditions during the projected life of the security or obligation.\29\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \29\ 12 CFR 1267.1 (defining ``investment quality''). Under proposed Sec. 1268.5(b)(1), the Bank could specify as part of the terms and conditions for a particular AMA product that a participating financial institution provide a credit enhancement greater than that needed to enhance the loan or pool to investment quality. The enhancement would need to be defined in relation to a model and methodology of the Bank's choosing, subject to conditions established in Sec. 1268.5(e) of the proposed rule. If a Bank chooses to continue to use the same NRSRO model it currently uses, it would not necessarily need to alter the credit enhancement levels it currently requires, unless FHFA directs it to do so or its estimated enhancement levels otherwise would not comply with the rule. For example, a Bank would need to increase credit enhancement levels if it determined that the credit enhancement currently estimated by its NRSRO model was not sufficient for an asset or pool of assets to be ``investment quality'' under the proposed definition of that term. In addition, the proposed rule carries over requirements in the current regulation that a Bank's authority to hold AMA assets is specifically contingent on the Bank complying with FHFA's New business activity (NBA) regulation (12 CFR part 1272).\30\ If the terms and conditions for a Bank's new AMA product or a modification to an existing AMA product triggered the requirements of the NBA rule, the Bank would need to file an NBA notice. FHFA would expect the Bank to provide a clear explanation in the notice of how the new or modified product's credit risk-sharing structure meets the AMA credit enhancement requirements, and how the Bank would calculate that obligation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \30\ See Proposed Sec. 1268.2. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As now is the case under the current regulation, proposed Sec. 1268.5(c), at least with respect to loans that would not be insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, would continue to require the participating financial institution providing the credit enhancement to bear the direct economic consequences of actual credit losses on the assets from the first dollar of loss up to expected losses or immediately following expected losses but in an amount equal to or exceeding expected losses.\31\ Consistent with previous Finance Board statements, the participating financial institution itself would be required to bear the economic responsibility of the expected credit losses, as required by proposed Sec. 1268.5(c), to ensure participating financial institution involvement and to ensure that the participating financial institution bears the consequences of the credit quality of the asset or pool. The participating financial institution could not transfer [[Page 78694]] this responsibility to an affiliate or non-member entity.\32\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \31\ As is discussed below, FHFA is proposing to change requirements in the current regulation for government insured or guaranteed loans so that members or housing associates would no longer have to bear responsibility for unreimbursed servicing expenses up to the amount of expected losses for the loan to qualify as AMA. \32\ See 2000 Proposed AMA Rule, 65 FR at 25683; see also, Final AMA Rule, 65 FR 43976. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- While the current regulation defines ``expected losses'' as the base loss scenario in the methodology of an NRSRO applicable to a particular AMA asset, the proposed definition would refer to the loss given the expected future economic and market conditions in the model or methodology used by the Bank to calculate the credit enhancement for an AMA product under proposed Sec. 1268.5. This change accounts for the fact that the proposed rule would no longer require a Bank to use an NRSRO model and would accommodate the potential for a Bank to adopt a model that applies a methodology that differs from that used in the Banks' current models. Otherwise, FHFA believes that this proposed change would not alter what is currently required by the AMA rule; nor is this change intended to alter how a Bank would calculate ``expected losses'' if it continued to use its current model. Therefore, as under the current regulation, the proposed rule would require a member to provide a credit enhancement against losses for all non-government insured or guaranteed loans at least equal to the expected losses calculated by the credit enhancement model used by the Bank whether this enhancement is positioned in the first loss position or immediately following the first loss. The proposed rule at Sec. 1268.5(c)(1)(ii) would also continue to require the participating financial institution to secure fully its credit enhancement obligation in parallel with the requirement for advances to members under part 1266 of this chapter. This provision addresses the concern that a Bank might be exposed to credit risk if the member were not able to comply with its contractual credit enhancement obligation. The proposed rule would not change the requirement that a Bank determine the necessary credit enhancement on a pool at the earlier of 270 days from the date of the Bank's acquisition of the first loan in a pool or the date at which the pool reaches $100 million in assets. This provision continues to be relevant in that it addresses safety and soundness concerns that could arise if a Bank did not timely perform the credit enhancement determination on large pools formed over extended periods. This provision ensures the Bank uses its model early enough in the process to determine that the contracted amount of the credit enhancement is sufficient to credit enhance the pool to the level consistent with the terms and conditions of the specific AMA product.\33\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \33\ See Final AMA Rule, 65 FR at 43975. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The proposed rule would also continue to require that the credit enhancement must be for the life of the asset or pool. This requirement would exclude, for example, structures that would comply with the credit rating requirement in the first year, but would then scale back the amount of the member's credit enhancement in future years so the pool is no longer credit enhanced to the level consistent with the terms and conditions of the AMA product.\34\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \34\ See id. at 43976. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The current regulation at 12 CFR 955.3(b) and (c) set forth specific requirements for a Bank to obtain the NRSRO verifications with regard to the adequacy of the credit enhancement structure and Bank's use of the NRSRO model for estimating the required enhancement in each AMA product. Given that under the proposed rule FHFA would no longer require a Bank to use NRSRO models, these requirements would become obsolete, and FHFA is proposing to remove them. In their place, FHFA is proposing Sec. 1268.5(b)(2), which would require a Bank to document the basis for its conclusion that the contractual credit enhancement required for a particular pool is sufficient to meet the required credit enhancement obligation for a particular AMA product, given the Bank's chosen model's relevant stress scenarios. This information will help FHFA monitor the Banks' use of their models and the adequacy of the specific credit enhancement structures used in each AMA product. c. Transfer of Credit Enhancement Obligation The proposed rule would modify current 12 CFR 955.3(b)(1) and re- adopt it as Sec. 1268.5(c)(2). This section would establish the acceptable forms a member may use to provide the credit enhancement for AMA loans, subject to certain limitations. The proposed rule would clarify that a participating financial institution, ``with the approval of the Bank,'' may choose to transfer its credit enhancement obligation to its insurance affiliate (but only where the insurance is positioned after the participating financial institution bears losses in an amount at least equal to expected losses) or to another participating financial institution. The Bank could give this permission either by establishing the required form of credit enhancement in the terms of a particular AMA product, or by providing specific approval for the transfer. The proposed change is consistent with how the AMA regulations are currently applied, and with current Bank practice with regard to AMA product structures and permissible transfers of the credit enhancement obligations. d. Credit Quality of Mortgage Insurers--Supplementary Mortgage Insurance Current 12 CFR 955.3(b) of the AMA regulation allows a member to meet part of its credit enhancement obligation through the purchase of SMI, provided that the insurer is rated not lower than the second highest credit rating category. The proposed rule would remove the option to use SMI as part of the credit enhancement structure. While the current AMA regulation addresses use of SMI as part of the credit enhancement structure and minimum criteria for providers of such insurance, it does not address borrower-funded primary mortgage insurance (PMI) or set minimum criteria for providers of PMI. Instead, the rule allows a Bank to set the minimum criteria for PMI providers. Nothing in the proposed rule alters this approach with respect to PMI. FHFA will continue to review the Banks' assessments of PMI providers through the annual examination process. The main reason for proposing to remove the option to use SMI in the credit enhancement structure is the fact that during the recent financial crisis, no private insurance company maintained the second highest credit rating as required by the current AMA regulation. FHFA had to waive the rule requirement for the products that relied on SMI for existing business and required the Banks with only products that relied on SMI to develop alternate structures for new business in their programs. Given that the Banks have alternate AMA structures and products that do not rely on SMI and that private mono-line insurers could face similar problems if another financial crisis were to arise, FHFA is proposing to remove these provisions. FHFA also believes that eliminating the use of SMI from authorized credit enhancement structures remains consistent with the intent of the AMA regulation to require participating financial institutions to bear the direct economic consequences of the credit risk associated with AMA loans and not transfer such risk to third parties. For similar reasons, FHFA also proposes to eliminate the provision in 12 CFR 955.3(b) that authorizes the use of pool level insurance as part of the [[Page 78695]] credit enhancement structure where such insurance covers that portion of the credit enhancement obligation related to geographic concentration or pool size. As discussed in more detail below, however, the proposed rule would still allow a participating financial institution to use U.S. government insurance or guarantees to meet credit enhancement requirements. FHFA specifically requests comments regarding the use and importance of SMI or private pool insurance as part of an allowable credit enhancement structure. In particular, FHFA solicits comments on what type of requirement could replace the specific credit rating requirement for private insurance providers if it were to retain these insurance options as part of the credit enhancement structure. Additionally, FHFA requests comments on how a Bank might evaluate the claims-paying ability of an insurer in the absence of a specific credit rating requirement. Finally, FHFA requests comment on whether, if it were to adopt in the AMA regulation specific minimum requirements for providers of SMI and pool insurance, such requirements also should apply to PMI providers. e. U.S. Government Insurance or Guarantee The proposed rule would modify current 12 CFR 955.3(b)(1)(ii)(A) and (B) with regard to the use of U.S. government insurance or guarantees as part of the credit enhancement and re-adopt the provision as Sec. 1268.5(d). The proposed provision would clarify that a participating financial institution may provide all or a portion of the required credit enhancement by having the loan insured or guaranteed by an agency or department of the U.S. government. Unlike the current regulation, however, the new, proposed language would not require government insured or guaranteed loans to meet the specific credit enhancement structure requirements (wherein the member bears the first dollar of losses for a loan or pool up to the amount of expected losses or bears losses immediately following expected losses in an amount that equals or exceeds expected losses).\35\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \35\ See 12 CFR 955.3(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As already noted, the purpose of the credit enhancement structure requirement was to ensure that participating financial institutions, ``when responsible for such losses, [had] incentive to seek ways to achieve better than expected performance [for the loans sold as AMA].'' \36\ As the Finance Board explained, in order for a participating financial institution to meet this structure requirement with respect to government insured or guaranteed loans, given that losses eventually would be covered by the government insurance or guarantee, the participating financial institution would have to bear the economic responsibility of all unreimbursed servicing expenses, up to the amount of expected losses.\37\ As a result, the member's credit enhancement obligation for AMA government loans is tied closely to its servicing obligations. This link limits a participating financial institution's ability to transfer mortgage-servicing rights for the AMA government loans to non-participating financial institutions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \36\ Final AMA Rule, 65 FR at 43977. \37\ Id. (explaining how government insured loans meet the credit enhancement requirements of the AMA rule). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition, FHFA does not believe that requiring a member to retain an obligation to cover unreimbursed servicing rights for AMA government loans provides an additional incentive to improve underwriting in order to achieve better than expected loan performance. To qualify for government insurance or guarantee, members will already be underwriting loans to standards imposed by the relevant government agency or department. Further, government insurance and guarantee will usually cover any losses experienced on the loan. Therefore, this requirement does not necessarily provide additional protection to the Bank beyond that provided by the government insurance or guarantee. Thus, FHFA is proposing in Sec. 1268.5(d) to remove the requirement that U.S. government insured or guaranteed loans meet the specific structure requirement now set forth in proposed Sec. 1268.5(c). Proposed Sec. 1268.5(d) would continue to require the credit enhancement provided by government insurance or guarantee be maintained for the entire period a Bank owns the AMA government loan. The proposed rule would not necessarily require that a Bank member maintain the insurance or guarantee. Instead, the Bank would have to ensure that the participating financial institution or another entity maintains the insurance or guarantee for as long as the Bank owns the loan. For example, a Bank might require any entity that acquires the mortgage servicing rights to a loan to maintain the insurance. FHFA believes increasing the flexibility allowed in transferring mortgage- servicing rights under this proposed change would prove beneficial for many smaller or medium sized members. These members, in particular, might wish to sell their AMA government loans into AMA government products but may lack the ability to perform the servicing obligations now required by the AMA regulation. In addition, given changes in the mortgage industry, Banks may find it increasingly difficult to find member institutions to meet the servicing obligations for AMA government loans. Banks may need the flexibility to transfer such obligations to non-member institutions in order to continue to offer the product to a wide cross section of its members. The current regulation does not allow such flexibility with respect to government insured or guaranteed loans. f. Model and Methodology Validation Proposed Sec. 1268.5(e) would set forth the specific requirements applicable to a Bank's use of a model and methodology for estimating the required member credit enhancements for AMA loans that a participating financial institution sells to a Bank. Specifically, it would require a Bank to: (1) Validate its model and methodology at least annually and make the results available upon request by FHFA (proposed Sec. 1268.5(e)(1)); (2) institute and maintain a process for monitoring model performance that would include tracking, back-testing, benchmarking, and stress testing a model and its results (proposed Sec. 1268.5(e)(2)) and be otherwise consistent with applicable FHFA model guidance; (3) inform FHFA prior to making any material changes to the model and methodology (proposed Sec. 1268.5(e)(3)); and (4) promptly change its model and methodology as directed by FHFA (proposed Sec. 1268.5(e)(4)). The requirements of proposed Sec. 1268.5(e) are generally consistent with the requirements governing the Bank's market risk capital models (12 CFR 932.5(c)) and have been added here for safety and soundness reasons. FHFA also expects a Bank to have policies and procedures commensurate with the complexity of the model and methodology, including, but not limited to, a governance structure, oversight by its board of directors, as well as formal controls. Effective model risk management should entail a comprehensive approach in identifying risk throughout the model lifecycle and should be consistent with any applicable FHFA guidance. As proposed, the rule would allow a Bank to institute changes in its model immediately upon notifying FHFA. FHFA, however, would review a Bank's model and methodology for estimating credit enhancements as part of the annual examination process, as well as [[Page 78696]] through its on-going off-site monitoring program. If FHFA found that the model or the Bank's use of the model were inadequate or did not result in a credit enhancement that would reasonably protect a Bank against risk of loss as required under the proposed rule, FHFA would use authority in the proposed rule to direct the Bank to make changes to the model. FHFA could also use other authorities, such as its authority to issue cease-and-desist orders, to require the Bank to make necessary changes to its model, or AMA products, to address any violations of the regulation or unsafe or unsound practices. FHFA believes that this proposed approach would allow a Bank sufficient flexibility to make timely changes to its credit enhancement model in response to technological or market developments while still allowing FHFA adequate oversight of the Bank's use of its credit enhancement model. While the proposed new provisions would no longer require a Bank to use an NRSRO model for estimating the required credit enhancement, nothing in the proposed rule would prohibit a Bank from continuing to use its existing NRSRO model. However, use of all models, including a currently used model, would be subject to the requirements of proposed Sec. 1268.5(e). 6. Servicing Section Proposed Sec. 1268.6 FHFA proposes to add new Sec. 1268.6 to address the servicing of AMA loans. This provision incorporates current FHFA positions, as set forth in a recent regulatory interpretation, on the rights of the Banks to allow for transfer of mortgage servicing rights from the participating financial institution that originally sold the AMA loans at issue.\38\ Thus, proposed Sec. 1268.6 would clarify that a Bank can allow for a transfer of servicing rights to any institution, including a non-Bank System member. However, any transfer of mortgage servicing rights may only occur as long as it does not result in the AMA loan failing to meet any requirements of the rule, including the credit enhancement requirement. In particular, because proposed Sec. 1268.5(c) would require that the credit enhancement on an AMA loan not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government continue to be held by a participating financial institution for the life of the loan, the transfer of servicing cannot result in the transfer of any portion of the credit enhancement obligation to a non-Bank System member. However, as already discussed, changes proposed in Sec. 1268.5(d) would, if adopted, allow the Banks to transfer servicing of government insured or guaranteed AMA loans to non-member institutions, an action that is not necessarily allowed under current regulations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \38\ See Regulatory Interpretation, 2015-RI-01 (June 23, 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposed Sec. 1268.6 also would require the approval of the Banks that have any ownership interest in the loans prior to the transfer of the servicing obligation. Finally, the proposed provision would provide that the Banks have in place policies and procedures that ensure the transfer of servicing would not negatively affect the credit enhancement on the loans in question or substantially increase the Bank's exposure to risk. FHFA would expect such policies and procedures specifically to address transfers to non-Bank System member servicers given that in the case of default on an obligation to the Bank, a Bank may enjoy more rights against a member than it would against a non- member. For example, the Bank Act provides enhanced status with regard to a Bank's lien on member assets, and the Bank's membership agreement may allow the Bank to take certain actions against a member in the case of a breach of an obligation that would not be available against a non- member.\39\ In addition, FHFA would expect policies and procedures to include contingency plans to address a case in which a large servicer fails or is otherwise unable to continue to service a Bank's AMA portfolio. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \39\ See, e.g., 12 U.S.C. 1430(c) and (e). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Risk-Based Capital Requirements The current regulation at 12 CFR 955.6 established the risk-based capital requirements for AMA, based on NRSRO ratings. These risk-based capital requirements, however, applied only so long as a Bank had not converted to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act capital structure and was not yet subject to the risk-based capital requirements in 12 CFR part 932.\40\ Given that all Banks have converted their capital structures and are now subject to the AMA credit and market risk charges established by 12 CFR part 932 of the current capital regulations, this section has no continuing applicability, and FHFA proposes to remove it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \40\ In adopting the current AMA regulations, the Finance Board noted that the AMA capital requirements in Sec. 955.6 were ``interim risk based capital requirements'' and when the Finance Board's new Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act capital requirements became effective with respect to a Bank, the Bank would need to hold capital for AMA based on those new requirements. Final AMA Rule, 65 FR at 43979 (July 17, 2000). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Other Sections--Sec. Sec. 1268.7 and 1268.8 Proposed Sec. Sec. 1268.7 and 1268.8 would adopt without substantive change 12 CFR 955.4 and 955.5 of the current regulation. These provisions address, respectively, reporting requirements for AMA and administrative transactions and agreements between Banks involving AMA. IV. Consideration of Differences Between the Banks and the Enterprises When promulgating regulations relating to the Banks, section 1313(f) of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (Safety and Soundness Act) requires the Director of FHFA (Director) to consider the differences between the Banks and the Enterprises with respect to the Banks' cooperative ownership structure, mission of providing liquidity to members, affordable housing and community development mission, capital structure, and joint and several liability.\41\ The Director also may consider any other differences that FHFA deems appropriate. The changes proposed in this rulemaking apply only to the Banks. Many of the proposed amendments are necessary to implement requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act; a number of others are technical or conforming in nature. FHFA, in preparing this proposed rule, considered the differences between the Banks and the Enterprises as they relate to the above factors and requests comments from the public about whether these differences should result in any revisions to the proposed rule. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \41\ See 12 U.S.C. 4513. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. Paperwork Reduction Act The information collection, entitled ``Federal Home Loan Bank Acquired Member Assets, Core Mission Activities, Investments and Advances'' contained in current 12 CFR part 955 of the regulations that would be transferred to 12 CFR part 1268 by this proposed rule has been assigned control number 2590-0008 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The proposed rule if adopted as a final rule would not substantively or materially modify the current, approved information collection. VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires that a regulation that has a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, small businesses, or small organizations must include an initial regulatory flexibility analysis describing the regulation's [[Page 78697]] impact on small entities. FHFA need not undertake such an analysis if the agency has certified the regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 5 U.S.C. 605(b). FHFA has considered the impact of the proposed rule under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. FHFA certifies that the proposed rule, if adopted as a final rule, is not likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because the regulation is applicable only to the Banks, which are not small entities for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. List of Subjects 12 CFR Part 955 Community development, Credit, Federal home loan banks, Housing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 12 CFR Part 1201 Administrative practice and procedure, Federal home loan banks, Government-sponsored enterprises, Office of Finance, Regulated entities. 12 CFR Part 1268 Acquired member assets, Credit, Federal home loan bank, Housing, Nationally recognized statistical rating agency. Authority and Issuance For reasons stated in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, and under the authority of 12 U.S.C. 1430, 1430b, 1431, 4511, 4513, 4526, FHFA proposes to amend subchapter G of chapter IX and subchapters A and D of chapter XII of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: CHAPTER IX--FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE BOARD Subchapter G--[Removed and Reserved] 0 1. Subchapter G, consisting of part 955 is removed and reserved. CHAPTER XII--FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY Subchapter A--Organization and Operations PART 1201--GENERAL DEFINITIONS APPYING TO ALL FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY REGULATIONS 0 2. The authority citation for part 1201 continues to read: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 4511(b), 4513(a), 4513(b). 0 3. Amend Sec. 1201.1 by revising the definition of ``Acquired member assets or AMA'' to read as follows: Sec. 1201.1 Definitions. * * * * * Acquired member assets or AMA means assets acquired in accordance with, and satisfying the applicable requirements of, part 1268 of this chapter, or any successor thereto. * * * * * Subchapter D--Federal Home Loan Banks 0 4. Part 1268 is added to subchapter D to read as follows: PART 1268--ACQUIRED MEMBER ASSETS Sec. 1268.1 Definitions. 1268.2 Authorization for acquired member assets. 1268.3 Asset requirement. 1268.4 Member or housing associate nexus requirement. 1268.5 Credit risk-sharing requirement. 1268.6 Servicing. 1268.7 Reporting requirements for acquired member assets. 1268.8 Administrative transactions and agreements between Banks. Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1430, 1430b, 1431, 4511, 4513, 4526. Sec. 1268.1 Definitions. As used in this part: Affiliate means any business entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, a member. AMA product means an AMA structure defined by a specific set of terms and conditions that comply with this part. AMA program means a Bank-established program to buy mortgage loans that meet the requirements of this part, which may comprise multiple AMA products. Expected losses means the loss given the expected future economic and market conditions in the model or methodology used by the Bank under Sec. 1268.5 and applicable to an AMA product. Investment quality has the meaning set forth in Sec. 1267.1 of this chapter. Participating financial institution means a member or housing associate of a Bank that is authorized to sell mortgage loans to its own Bank through an AMA program, or a member or housing associate of another Bank that has been authorized to sell mortgage loans to the Bank pursuant to an agreement between the Bank acquiring the AMA product and the Bank of which the selling institution is a member or housing associate. Pool means a group of assets acquired under a given master commitment or similar agreement. Residential real property has the meaning set forth in Sec. 1266.1 of this chapter. Sec. 1268.2 Authorization for acquired member assets. (a) General. Each Bank is authorized to invest in assets that qualify as AMA, subject to the requirements of this part and part 1272 of this chapter. (b) Grandfathered transactions. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, a Bank may continue to hold as AMA assets that were previously authorized by the Federal Housing Finance Board or FHFA for purchase as AMA, provided that the assets were purchased, and continue to be held, in compliance with that authorization. Sec. 1268.3 Asset requirement. Assets that qualify as AMA shall be limited to the following: (a) Whole loans that are eligible to secure advances under Sec. 1266.7(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(ii), (a)(4), or (b)(1) of this chapter, excluding: (1) Single-family mortgage loans where the loan amount exceeds the limits established pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2); (2) Loans made to an entity, or secured by property, not located in a state; and (3) Loans that would not be eligible to serve as collateral for an advance under Sec. 1266.7(f) of this chapter; (b) Whole loans secured by manufactured housing, regardless of whether such housing qualifies as residential real property, unless such loan would not be eligible to serve as collateral for an advance under Sec. 1266.7(f) of this chapter; (c) State and local housing finance agency bonds; or (d) Certificates representing interests in whole loans if: (1) The loans qualify as AMA under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section and meet the nexus requirements of Sec. 1268.4; and (2) The certificates: (i) Meet the credit enhancement requirements of Sec. 1268.5; (ii) Are issued pursuant to an agreement between the Bank and a participating financial institution to share risks consistent with the requirements of this part; and (iii) Are acquired substantially by the initiating Bank or Banks. Sec. 1268.4 Member or housing associate nexus requirement. (a) General provision. To qualify as AMA, any assets described in Sec. 1268.3 must be acquired in a purchase or funding transaction only from: [[Page 78698]] (1) A participating financial institution, provided that the asset was: (i) Originated or issued by, through, or on behalf of the participating financial institution, or an affiliate thereof; or (ii) Held for a valid business purpose by the participating financial institution, or an affiliate thereof, prior to acquisition by the Bank; or (2) Another Bank, provided that the asset was originally acquired by the selling Bank consistent with this section. (b) Special provision for housing finance agency bonds. In the case of housing finance agency bonds acquired by a Bank from a housing associate located in the district of another Bank (local Bank), the arrangement required by the definition of ``participating financial institution'' in Sec. 1268.1 between the acquiring Bank and the local Bank may be reached in accordance with the following process: (1) The housing finance agency shall first offer the local Bank right of first refusal to purchase, or negotiate the terms of, its proposed bond offering; (2) If the local Bank indicates, within a three-day period, it will negotiate in good faith to purchase the bonds, the housing finance agency may not offer to sell or negotiate the terms of a purchase with another Bank; and (3) If the local Bank declines the offer, or has failed to respond within the three-day period, the acquiring Bank will be considered to have an arrangement with the local Bank for purposes of this section and may offer to buy or negotiate the terms of a bond sale with the housing finance agency. Sec. 1268.5 Credit risk-sharing requirement. (a) General credit risk-sharing requirement. For each AMA product, the Bank shall implement and have in place at all times, a credit risk- sharing structure that: (1) Requires a participating financial institution to provide the credit enhancement necessary to enhance an eligible asset or pool to the credit quality specified by the terms and conditions of the AMA product, provided, however, that such credit enhancement results in the eligible asset or pool being at least investment quality, as defined in Sec. 1268.1; and (2) Meets the requirements of this section. (b) Determination of necessary credit enhancement. (1) At the earlier of 270 days from the date of the Bank's acquisition of the first loan in a pool, or the date at which the pool reaches $100 million in assets, the Bank shall determine the total credit enhancement necessary to enhance the asset or pool to at least investment quality and to be consistent with the terms and conditions of a specific AMA product. The enhancement shall be for the life of the asset or pool. The Bank shall make this determination for each AMA product using a model and methodology that the Bank deems appropriate, provided, however, that the Bank's use of the model and methodology complies with to the requirements and conditions of paragraph (e) of this section. (2) A Bank shall document its basis for concluding that the contractual credit enhancement required from each participating financial institution with regard to a particular asset or pool will equal or exceed the credit enhancement level specified in the terms and conditions of the AMA product and determined in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section. (c) Credit risk-sharing structure. Under any credit risk-sharing structure, the credit enhancement provided by the participating financial institution shall meet the following requirements: (1) The participating financial institution that is providing the credit enhancement required under this this paragraph (c) shall in all cases: (i) Bear the direct economic consequences of actual credit losses on the asset or pool: (A) From the first dollar of loss up to the amount of expected losses; or (B) Immediately following expected losses, but in an amount equal to or exceeding the amount of expected losses; and (ii) Fully secure its credit enhancement obligation subject to Sec. 1266.7 of this chapter; and (2) The participating financial institution also may provide all or a portion of the credit enhancement, with the approval of the Bank, by: (i) Contracting with an insurance affiliate of that participating financial institution to provide an enhancement, but only where such insurance is positioned in the credit risk-sharing structure so as to cover only losses remaining after the participating financial institution has borne losses as required under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section; (ii) Contracting with another participating financial institution in the Bank's district to provide a credit enhancement consistent with this section, in return for compensation; or (iii) Contracting with a participating financial institution in another Bank's district, pursuant to an arrangement between the two Banks, to provide a credit enhancement consistent with this section, in return for compensation. (d) U.S. government insured or guaranteed loans. Instead of the structure set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, a participating financial institution also may provide the required credit enhancement by purchasing loan-level insurance that is issued by an agency or department of the U.S. government or is a guarantee from an agency or department of the U.S. government, provided that the government insurance or guarantee remains in place for as long as the Bank owns the loan. (e) Appropriate methodology for calculating credit enhancement. A Bank shall use a model and methodology for estimating the amount of credit enhancement for a pool of AMA subject to the following requirements and conditions: (1) The Bank shall validate its model and methodology for calculating the credit enhancement for AMA pools at least annually, or more often if necessary, and make the results of such validation available to FHFA upon request; (2) The Bank shall institute and maintain a process to monitor the performance of its model to include tracking, back-testing, bench- marking, and stress testing the model and the results it produces, and the Bank shall make information gathered from monitoring the model available to FHFA upon request; (3) The Bank shall inform FHFA prior to making any material changes to an approved model and methodology, providing a description of the changes that the Bank intends to make and its reasons for doing so; and (4) The Bank promptly shall make any FHFA-directed changes to its model and methodology. Sec. 1268.6 Servicing. (a) Servicing of AMA loans may be transferred to and performed by any institution, including an institution that is not a member of the Bank System, provided that the loans, after such transfer, continue to meet all requirements to qualify as AMA under Sec. Sec. 1268.3, 1268.4 and 1268.5. (b) The transfer of mortgage servicing rights and responsibilities must be approved by the Bank or Banks that own the loan or a participation interest in the loan. (c) A Bank shall have in place policies and procedures to ensure that the transfer of mortgage servicing rights does not negatively affect the credit enhancement on the loans in question or substantially increase the Bank's exposure to risk. [[Page 78699]] Sec. 1268.7 Reporting requirements for acquired member assets. Each Bank shall report information related to AMA in accordance with the instructions provided in the Data Reporting Manual issued by FHFA, as amended from time to time. Sec. 1268.8 Administrative transactions and agreements between Banks. (a) Delegation of administrative duties. A Bank may delegate the administration of an AMA program to another Bank whose administrative office has been examined and approved by FHFA, or previously examined and approved by the Federal Housing Finance Board, to process AMA transactions. The existence of such a delegation, or the possibility that such a delegation may be made, must be disclosed to any potential participating financial institution as part of any AMA-related agreements signed with that participating financial institution. (b) Termination of Agreements. Any agreement made between two or more Banks in connection with any AMA program may be terminated by any party after a reasonable notice period. (c) Delegation of Pricing Authority. A Bank that has delegated its AMA pricing function to another Bank shall retain a right to refuse to acquire AMA at prices it does not consider appropriate. Dated: December 10, 2015. Melvin L. Watt, Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency. [FR Doc. 2015-31660 Filed 12-16-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8070-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 242 / Thursday, December 17, 2015 / Proposed Rules 78689
committee of the board of directors of a include Comments/RIN 2590–AA69 in the supervisory and oversight
covered bank should review and the subject line of the message. responsibilities of the Office of Federal
approve the recovery plan at least • Courier/Hand Delivery: The hand Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO)
annually and as needed to address any delivery address is: Alfred M. Pollard, over the Federal National Mortgage
changes made by management. General Counsel, Attention: Comments/ Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal
Dated: December 10, 2015. RIN 2590–AA69, Federal Housing Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street (Freddie Mac) (collectively,
Thomas J. Curry,
SW., Eighth Floor, Washington, DC Enterprises), and of the Finance Board
Comptroller of the Currency.
20219. Deliver the package to the over the Banks and the Bank System’s
[FR Doc. 2015–31658 Filed 12–16–15; 8:45 am] Seventh Street entrance Guard Desk, Office of Finance. Under the legislation,
BILLING CODE 4810–33–P First Floor, on business days between 9 the Enterprises, the Banks, and the
a.m. and 5 p.m. Office of Finance continue to operate
• U.S. Mail, United Parcel Service, under regulations promulgated by
FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE BOARD Federal Express or Other Mail Service: OFHEO and the Finance Board until
The mailing address for comments is: such regulations are superseded by
12 CFR Part 955 Alfred M. Pollard, General Counsel, regulations issued by FHFA.2
Attention: Comments/RIN 2590–AA69,
FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 B. Dodd-Frank Act Provisions
AGENCY Seventh Street SW., Eighth Floor, Section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Act
Washington, DC 20219. requires federal agencies to: (i) Review
12 CFR Parts 1201 and 1268 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: regulations that require the use of an
RIN 2590–AA69 Christina Muradian, Principal Financial assessment of the creditworthiness of a
Analyst, Christina.Muradian@fhfa.gov, security or money market instrument;
Acquired Member Assets 202–649–3323, Division of Bank and (ii) to the extent those regulations
Regulation; or Thomas E. Joseph, contain any references to, or
AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance Associate General Counsel, requirements regarding credit ratings,
Board; Federal Housing Finance Thomas.Joseph@fhfa.gov, 202–649– remove such references or
Agency. 3076 (these are not toll-free numbers), requirements.3 In place of such credit-
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; Office of General Counsel, Federal rating based requirements, the Dodd-
request for comment. Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Frank Act instructs agencies to
Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. The substitute appropriate standards for
SUMMARY: The Federal Housing Finance telephone number for the determining creditworthiness. The new
Agency (FHFA) is proposing Telecommunications Device for the law further provides that, to the extent
amendments to the existing Acquired Hearing Impaired is 800–877–8339. feasible, an agency should adopt a
Member Assets (AMA) regulation, uniform standard of creditworthiness
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
which applies to the Federal Home Loan for use in its regulations, taking into
Banks (Banks). In particular, FHFA I. Comments account the entities regulated by it and
proposes to remove from the regulation FHFA invites comments on all aspects the purposes for which such regulated
requirements based on ratings issued by of the proposed regulation. After entities would rely on the
a Nationally Recognized Statistical considering all comments, FHFA will creditworthiness standard.
Ratings Organization (NRSRO), as develop a final regulation. FHFA will On November 8, 2013, FHFA
required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street post without change copies of all promulgated a final rule removing
Reform and Consumer Protection Act comments received on the FHFA Web references to credit ratings in certain
(Dodd-Frank Act). Additionally, FHFA site at http://www.fhfa.gov, and will regulations governing the Banks; this
proposes to transfer the AMA regulation include any personal information you rule became effective on May 7, 2014.4
from the former Federal Housing provide, such as your name, address, That rulemaking removed references to
Finance Board (Finance Board) email address, and telephone number. credit ratings in FHFA regulations
regulations to FHFA’s regulations. FHFA will make copies of all comments related to Bank investments, standby
FHFA also proposes to reorganize the timely received available for letters of credit, and liabilities.5 When
current regulation and to modify and examination by the public on business those rule amendments were proposed,
clarify a number of provisions in the days between the hours of 10 a.m. and FHFA stated that it would undertake
regulation. 3 p.m., at the Federal Housing Finance separate rulemakings to remove NRSRO
DATES: FHFA must receive written Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW., Eighth references and requirements contained
comments on or before April 15, 2016. Floor, Washington, DC 20219. To make in the Banks’ capital regulations and in
ADDRESSES: You may submit your an appointment to inspect comments, the regulations governing the Banks’
comments, identified by Regulatory please call the Office of General Counsel AMA programs.6 In this rulemaking,
Information Number (RIN) 2590–AA69, at 202–649–3804. FHFA is proposing to remove the
by any of the following methods: references to NRSRO credit ratings in
II. Background
• Agency Web site: www.fhfa.gov/
open-for-comment-or-input. A. Creation of the Federal Housing 2 See 12 U.S.C. 4511, note.
3 See 15 U.S.C. 78o–7 note.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// Finance Agency
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
4 See Final Rule, Removal of References to Credit
www.regulations.gov. Follow the Effective July 30, 2008, the Housing Ratings in Certain Regulations Governing the
instructions for submitting comments. If and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 Federal Home Loan Banks, 78 FR 67004 (Nov. 8,
you submit your comment to the (HERA) 1 created FHFA as a new 2013).
5 See 12 CFR parts 1267, 1269, and 1270.
Federal eRulemaking Portal, please also independent agency of the federal 6 See Proposed Rule, Removal of References to
send it by email to FHFA at government. HERA transferred to FHFA Credit Ratings in Certain Regulations Governing the
RegComments@fhfa.gov to ensure Federal Home Loan Banks, 78 FR 30784, 30786
timely receipt by the agency. Please 1 Public Law 110–289, 122 Stat. 2654 (May 23, 2013).
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Dec 16, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\17DEP1.SGM 17DEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_78931/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 242 / Thursday, December 17, 2015 / Proposed Rules 78691
fully below, FHFA would add to the did not meet the current AMA rule.14 from community financial institution
rule a definition for ‘‘investment While the proposed grandfather (CFI) members or their affiliates, small
quality’’ to implement changes needed provision would not authorize business loans, small farm loans, small
to remove references in the current rule continued purchase of AMA that do not agri-business loans, or community
to specific NRSRO credit ratings. comply with the proposed rule, FHFA development loans, in each case fully
FHFA proposes to add to new believes that all currently active AMA secured by collateral other than real
§ 1268.1 definitions for the terms ‘‘AMA products would meet the requirements estate, or securities representing a whole
product,’’ ‘‘AMA program,’’ in proposed part 1268. interest in such secured loans, provided
‘‘participating financial institution,’’ FHFA proposes to move the loan type, that such collateral has a readily
and ‘‘pool.’’ FHFA intends for these member nexus, and credit enhancement ascertainable value, can be reliably
requirements found in current 12 CFR discounted to account for liquidation
newly defined terms to help simplify
955.2 to §§ 1268.3, 1268.4, and 1268.5. and other risks, and can be liquidated in
and clarify other provisions in the rule
As discussed below, FHFA is also due course.
and avoid use of repetitive, descriptive
proposing to make other changes to
language in those provisions. It also c. Restrictions on Certain Loans
these provisions.
proposes to amend slightly the FHFA is proposing to adopt as
definition of ‘‘AMA’’ in § 1201.1 to 3. Asset Requirement Section Proposed § 1268.3(a)(1) the current regulation
mean ‘‘assets acquired in accordance § 1268.3 provision that excludes from AMA
with, and satisfying the applicable a. Renaming Section those single-family mortgages where the
requirements of, part 1268 of this loan amount exceeds the conforming
chapter [XII], or any successor thereto.’’ FHFA is proposing to rename this
section from the current ‘‘loan type loan limits established pursuant to 12
2. Authorization for Acquired Member requirement’’ to ‘‘asset requirement’’ U.S.C. 1717(b)(2). This limit is
Assets Section Proposed § 1268.2 because not all of the interests this consistent with the limits imposed on
section authorizes for purchase are the Enterprises. As noted when the
FHFA is proposing to amend the technically loans. Specifically, HFA Finance Board first adopted the AMA
language in the current authorization bonds and certificates representing rule, it intended this provision to
provision (current 12 CFR 955.2) and to interests in whole loans, which the prohibit purchase of jumbo loans and to
reorganize it into separate sections as current rule authorizes, are better create a level playing field with the
proposed §§ 1268.2 through 1268.5. classified as securities. Enterprises concerning the types of
Under the proposed rule, § 1268.2 loans that a Bank can purchase.15
generally would authorize a Bank to b. Asset Types As a point of clarification, FHFA
invest in AMA subject to the Current 12 CFR 955.2(a) sets forth the confirms that under the amended rule,
requirements of parts 1268 and 1272 of types of assets that are permissible as loans on properties located in
FHFA’s regulations. FHFA is also AMA. Proposed § 1268.3(a)(1) and (2) designated ‘‘high-cost areas,’’ where the
proposing to include in this new are substantively unchanged from the conforming loan limit is adjusted in
authorization section a ‘‘grandfather’’ existing rule and set forth the asset accordance with the criteria established
provision that would allow a Bank to types that are eligible for purchase as in 12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2), would remain
continue to hold any AMA loans that AMA. The proposed rule, as does the eligible for purchase as AMA as long as
the Finance Board or FHFA previously current regulation, allows the the loan value is within the adjusted
authorized for purchase, even if the loan acquisition of whole loans that are conforming loan limit. The criteria in 12
would not meet the requirements of the eligible to secure advances to members U.S.C. 1717(b)(2), as currently enacted,
proposed rule. This proposed provision, under FHFA’s advances regulation (part allows that the conforming loan limits:
set forth at § 1268.2(b), would cover 1266). These assets include: (1) Fully may be increased by not to exceed 50 per
loans that were authorized for purchase disbursed, whole first mortgage loans on centum with respect to properties located in
by rule, order, or other agency action improved residential real property not Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin
such as waiver of particular more than 90 days delinquent; (2) Islands. Such foregoing limitations shall also
requirements so a Bank to purchase the mortgages or other loans, regardless of be increased, with respect to properties of a
particular size located in any area for which
loan.13 It would assure that a Bank delinquency status, to the extent that
115 percent of the median house price for
could continue to hold any legacy loans, the mortgage or loan is insured or such size residence exceeds the foregoing
including those that no longer meet the guaranteed by the United States or any limitation for such size residence, to the
credit enhancement or other agency thereof, or otherwise is backed lesser of 150 percent of such limitation for
requirements in the proposed rule. It by the full faith and credit of the United such size residence or the amount that is
would replace the current provision that States, and such insurance, guarantee, equal to 115 percent of the median house
allows a Bank to continue to purchase or other backing is for the direct benefit price in such area for such size residence.
and hold loans that had been authorized of the holder of the mortgage or loan; (3) FHFA specifically requests comments
under the Finance Board’s and FHFA’s other real estate-related collateral as to any issues regarding a Bank’s
former Financial Management Policy provided that such collateral has a purchase of loans as AMA in designated
even if the credit enhancement structure readily ascertainable value, can be high-cost areas as well as any issues
reliably discounted to account for related to whether the rule should
13 For example, on August 5, 2011, FHFA waived liquidation and other risks, can be continue to limit AMA loans to those
liquidated in due course, and that the
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
the ratings requirement for SMI providers in the that meet the conforming loan limits
current regulation to allow Banks to continue to buy Bank can perfect a security interest in
loans that used SMI as part of the credit more generally.
enhancement structure, even though no SMI such collateral; and (4) when acquired FHFA is proposing to add language to
provider met the ratings requirement. This § 1268.3(a)(3) and (b) to restrict a Bank
grandfather provision would allow the Banks that 14 FHFA terminated the Financial Management
from purchasing as AMA any home
bought loans pursuant to that waiver to continue to Policy on June 20, 2012, when its revised
hold those loans even if FHFA changes the credit investment rule (12 CFR part 1267) took effect. See mortgage loans made to any directors,
enhancement provision to no longer allow SMI, as Final Rule: Federal Home Loan Bank Investments,
it proposed to do in this rulemaking. 76 FR 29147, 29151 (May 20, 2011). 15 See Final AMA Rule, 65 FR at 43974.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Dec 16, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\17DEP1.SGM 17DEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_78931/page/3.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 242 / Thursday, December 17, 2015 / Proposed Rules 78695
credit enhancement structure where Board explained, in order for a These members, in particular, might
such insurance covers that portion of participating financial institution to wish to sell their AMA government
the credit enhancement obligation meet this structure requirement with loans into AMA government products
related to geographic concentration or respect to government insured or but may lack the ability to perform the
pool size. As discussed in more detail guaranteed loans, given that losses servicing obligations now required by
below, however, the proposed rule eventually would be covered by the the AMA regulation. In addition, given
would still allow a participating government insurance or guarantee, the changes in the mortgage industry, Banks
financial institution to use U.S. participating financial institution would may find it increasingly difficult to find
government insurance or guarantees to have to bear the economic responsibility member institutions to meet the
meet credit enhancement requirements. of all unreimbursed servicing expenses, servicing obligations for AMA
FHFA specifically requests comments up to the amount of expected losses.37 government loans. Banks may need the
regarding the use and importance of As a result, the member’s credit flexibility to transfer such obligations to
SMI or private pool insurance as part of enhancement obligation for AMA non-member institutions in order to
an allowable credit enhancement government loans is tied closely to its continue to offer the product to a wide
structure. In particular, FHFA solicits servicing obligations. This link limits a cross section of its members. The
comments on what type of requirement participating financial institution’s current regulation does not allow such
could replace the specific credit rating ability to transfer mortgage-servicing flexibility with respect to government
requirement for private insurance rights for the AMA government loans to insured or guaranteed loans.
providers if it were to retain these non-participating financial institutions.
insurance options as part of the credit In addition, FHFA does not believe f. Model and Methodology Validation
enhancement structure. Additionally, that requiring a member to retain an Proposed § 1268.5(e) would set forth
FHFA requests comments on how a obligation to cover unreimbursed the specific requirements applicable to
Bank might evaluate the claims-paying servicing rights for AMA government a Bank’s use of a model and
ability of an insurer in the absence of a loans provides an additional incentive methodology for estimating the required
specific credit rating requirement. to improve underwriting in order to member credit enhancements for AMA
Finally, FHFA requests comment on achieve better than expected loan loans that a participating financial
whether, if it were to adopt in the AMA performance. To qualify for government institution sells to a Bank. Specifically,
regulation specific minimum insurance or guarantee, members will it would require a Bank to: (1) Validate
requirements for providers of SMI and already be underwriting loans to its model and methodology at least
pool insurance, such requirements also standards imposed by the relevant annually and make the results available
should apply to PMI providers. government agency or department. upon request by FHFA (proposed
Further, government insurance and § 1268.5(e)(1)); (2) institute and
e. U.S. Government Insurance or maintain a process for monitoring
Guarantee guarantee will usually cover any losses
experienced on the loan. Therefore, this model performance that would include
The proposed rule would modify requirement does not necessarily tracking, back-testing, benchmarking,
current 12 CFR 955.3(b)(1)(ii)(A) and (B) provide additional protection to the and stress testing a model and its results
with regard to the use of U.S. Bank beyond that provided by the (proposed § 1268.5(e)(2)) and be
government insurance or guarantees as government insurance or guarantee. otherwise consistent with applicable
part of the credit enhancement and re- Thus, FHFA is proposing in FHFA model guidance; (3) inform FHFA
adopt the provision as § 1268.5(d). The § 1268.5(d) to remove the requirement prior to making any material changes to
proposed provision would clarify that a that U.S. government insured or the model and methodology (proposed
participating financial institution may guaranteed loans meet the specific § 1268.5(e)(3)); and (4) promptly change
provide all or a portion of the required structure requirement now set forth in its model and methodology as directed
credit enhancement by having the loan proposed § 1268.5(c). Proposed by FHFA (proposed § 1268.5(e)(4)).
insured or guaranteed by an agency or § 1268.5(d) would continue to require The requirements of proposed
department of the U.S. government. the credit enhancement provided by § 1268.5(e) are generally consistent with
Unlike the current regulation, however, government insurance or guarantee be the requirements governing the Bank’s
the new, proposed language would not maintained for the entire period a Bank market risk capital models (12 CFR
require government insured or owns the AMA government loan. The 932.5(c)) and have been added here for
guaranteed loans to meet the specific proposed rule would not necessarily safety and soundness reasons. FHFA
credit enhancement structure require that a Bank member maintain also expects a Bank to have policies and
requirements (wherein the member the insurance or guarantee. Instead, the procedures commensurate with the
bears the first dollar of losses for a loan Bank would have to ensure that the complexity of the model and
or pool up to the amount of expected participating financial institution or methodology, including, but not limited
losses or bears losses immediately another entity maintains the insurance to, a governance structure, oversight by
following expected losses in an amount or guarantee for as long as the Bank its board of directors, as well as formal
that equals or exceeds expected owns the loan. For example, a Bank controls. Effective model risk
losses).35 might require any entity that acquires management should entail a
As already noted, the purpose of the the mortgage servicing rights to a loan comprehensive approach in identifying
credit enhancement structure to maintain the insurance. FHFA risk throughout the model lifecycle and
requirement was to ensure that believes increasing the flexibility should be consistent with any
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
participating financial institutions, allowed in transferring mortgage- applicable FHFA guidance.
‘‘when responsible for such losses, [had] As proposed, the rule would allow a
servicing rights under this proposed
incentive to seek ways to achieve better Bank to institute changes in its model
change would prove beneficial for many
than expected performance [for the immediately upon notifying FHFA.
smaller or medium sized members.
loans sold as AMA].’’ 36 As the Finance FHFA, however, would review a Bank’s
37 Id. (explaining how government insured loans model and methodology for estimating
35 See 12 CFR 955.3(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2). meet the credit enhancement requirements of the credit enhancements as part of the
36 Final AMA Rule, 65 FR at 43977. AMA rule). annual examination process, as well as
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Dec 16, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\17DEP1.SGM 17DEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_78931/page/7.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 242 / Thursday, December 17, 2015 / Proposed Rules 78697
impact on small entities. FHFA need not § 1201.1 Definitions. Residential real property has the
undertake such an analysis if the agency * * * * * meaning set forth in § 1266.1 of this
has certified the regulation will not have Acquired member assets or AMA chapter.
a significant economic impact on a means assets acquired in accordance
substantial number of small entities. 5 § 1268.2 Authorization for acquired
with, and satisfying the applicable member assets.
U.S.C. 605(b). FHFA has considered the requirements of, part 1268 of this
impact of the proposed rule under the (a) General. Each Bank is authorized
chapter, or any successor thereto.
Regulatory Flexibility Act. to invest in assets that qualify as AMA,
* * * * * subject to the requirements of this part
FHFA certifies that the proposed rule,
if adopted as a final rule, is not likely Subchapter D—Federal Home Loan Banks and part 1272 of this chapter.
to have a significant economic impact ■ 4. Part 1268 is added to subchapter D (b) Grandfathered transactions.
on a substantial number of small entities to read as follows: Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this
because the regulation is applicable section, a Bank may continue to hold as
only to the Banks, which are not small PART 1268—ACQUIRED MEMBER AMA assets that were previously
entities for purposes of the Regulatory ASSETS authorized by the Federal Housing
Flexibility Act. Finance Board or FHFA for purchase as
Sec. AMA, provided that the assets were
List of Subjects 1268.1 Definitions. purchased, and continue to be held, in
1268.2 Authorization for acquired member
12 CFR Part 955 assets.
compliance with that authorization.
1268.3 Asset requirement. § 1268.3 Asset requirement.
Community development, Credit, 1268.4 Member or housing associate nexus
Federal home loan banks, Housing, requirement. Assets that qualify as AMA shall be
Reporting and recordkeeping 1268.5 Credit risk-sharing requirement. limited to the following:
requirements. 1268.6 Servicing. (a) Whole loans that are eligible to
1268.7 Reporting requirements for acquired secure advances under § 1266.7(a)(1)(i),
12 CFR Part 1201 member assets. (a)(2)(ii), (a)(4), or (b)(1) of this chapter,
Administrative practice and 1268.8 Administrative transactions and excluding:
procedure, Federal home loan banks, agreements between Banks. (1) Single-family mortgage loans
Government-sponsored enterprises, Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1430, 1430b, 1431, where the loan amount exceeds the
Office of Finance, Regulated entities. 4511, 4513, 4526. limits established pursuant to 12 U.S.C.
1717(b)(2);
12 CFR Part 1268
§ 1268.1 Definitions. (2) Loans made to an entity, or
Acquired member assets, Credit, As used in this part: secured by property, not located in a
Federal home loan bank, Housing, Affiliate means any business entity state; and
Nationally recognized statistical rating that controls, is controlled by, or is (3) Loans that would not be eligible to
agency. under common control with, a member. serve as collateral for an advance under
Authority and Issuance AMA product means an AMA § 1266.7(f) of this chapter;
structure defined by a specific set of (b) Whole loans secured by
For reasons stated in the manufactured housing, regardless of
terms and conditions that comply with
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, and under whether such housing qualifies as
this part.
the authority of 12 U.S.C. 1430, 1430b, residential real property, unless such
1431, 4511, 4513, 4526, FHFA proposes AMA program means a Bank-
established program to buy mortgage loan would not be eligible to serve as
to amend subchapter G of chapter IX collateral for an advance under
and subchapters A and D of chapter XII loans that meet the requirements of this
part, which may comprise multiple § 1266.7(f) of this chapter;
of title 12 of the Code of Federal (c) State and local housing finance
Regulations as follows: AMA products.
agency bonds; or
Expected losses means the loss given
CHAPTER IX—FEDERAL HOUSING (d) Certificates representing interests
the expected future economic and
FINANCE BOARD in whole loans if:
market conditions in the model or
(1) The loans qualify as AMA under
Subchapter G—[Removed and Reserved] methodology used by the Bank under
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section and
§ 1268.5 and applicable to an AMA
■ 1. Subchapter G, consisting of part meet the nexus requirements of
product.
955 is removed and reserved. § 1268.4; and
Investment quality has the meaning (2) The certificates:
CHAPTER XII—FEDERAL HOUSING set forth in § 1267.1 of this chapter.
FINANCE AGENCY (i) Meet the credit enhancement
Participating financial institution requirements of § 1268.5;
Subchapter A—Organization and means a member or housing associate of (ii) Are issued pursuant to an
Operations a Bank that is authorized to sell agreement between the Bank and a
mortgage loans to its own Bank through participating financial institution to
PART 1201—GENERAL DEFINITIONS an AMA program, or a member or
APPYING TO ALL FEDERAL HOUSING share risks consistent with the
housing associate of another Bank that requirements of this part; and
FINANCE AGENCY REGULATIONS has been authorized to sell mortgage (iii) Are acquired substantially by the
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
■ 2. The authority citation for part 1201 loans to the Bank pursuant to an initiating Bank or Banks.
continues to read: agreement between the Bank acquiring
the AMA product and the Bank of § 1268.4 Member or housing associate
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 4511(b), 4513(a), which the selling institution is a nexus requirement.
4513(b). member or housing associate. (a) General provision. To qualify as
■ 3. Amend § 1201.1 by revising the Pool means a group of assets acquired AMA, any assets described in § 1268.3
definition of ‘‘Acquired member assets under a given master commitment or must be acquired in a purchase or
or AMA’’ to read as follows: similar agreement. funding transaction only from:
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Dec 16, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\17DEP1.SGM 17DEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_78931/page/9.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 242 / Thursday, December 17, 2015 / Proposed Rules 78699
§ 1268.7 Reporting requirements for replacing the stall warning computer street address for the Docket Operations
acquired member assets. (SWC) with a new SWC, which provides office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in
Each Bank shall report information an artificial stall warning in icing the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
related to AMA in accordance with the conditions, and modifying the airplane be available in the AD docket shortly
instructions provided in the Data for the replacement of the SWC. Since after receipt.
Reporting Manual issued by FHFA, as we issued AD 2012–24–06, a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
amended from time to time. determination was made that airplanes Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
with certain modifications were Engineer, International Branch, ANM–
§ 1268.8 Administrative transactions and
excluded from the AD applicability and 116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
agreements between Banks.
are affected by the identified unsafe FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
(a) Delegation of administrative condition and the SWC required by AD
duties. A Bank may delegate the WA 98057–3356; telephone 425–227–
2012–24–06 contained erroneous logic. 1112; fax 425–227–1149.
administration of an AMA program to This proposed AD would add airplanes
another Bank whose administrative SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
to the applicability, and would add
office has been examined and approved requirements to replace the existing Comments Invited
by FHFA, or previously examined and SWCs with new, improved SWCs and
approved by the Federal Housing We invite you to send any written
modify the airplane for the new relevant data, views, or arguments about
Finance Board, to process AMA replacement of the SWC. We are
transactions. The existence of such a this proposed AD. Send your comments
proposing this AD to prevent natural to an address listed under the
delegation, or the possibility that such stall events during operation in icing
a delegation may be made, must be ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
conditions, which could result in loss of FAA–2015–6544; Directorate Identifier
disclosed to any potential participating control of the airplane.
financial institution as part of any 2014–NM–198–AD’’ at the beginning of
DATES: We must receive comments on your comments. We specifically invite
AMA-related agreements signed with
this proposed AD by February 1, 2016. comments on the overall regulatory,
that participating financial institution.
(b) Termination of Agreements. Any ADDRESSES: You may send comments by economic, environmental, and energy
agreement made between two or more any of the following methods: aspects of this proposed AD. We will
Banks in connection with any AMA • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to consider all comments received by the
program may be terminated by any party http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the closing date and may amend this
after a reasonable notice period. instructions for submitting comments. proposed AD based on those comments.
(c) Delegation of Pricing Authority. A • Fax: 202–493–2251. We will post all comments we
Bank that has delegated its AMA pricing • Mail: U.S. Department of receive, without change, to http://
function to another Bank shall retain a Transportation, Docket Operations, M– www.regulations.gov, including any
right to refuse to acquire AMA at prices 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room personal information you provide. We
it does not consider appropriate. W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., will also post a report summarizing each
Washington, DC 20590. substantive verbal contact we receive
Dated: December 10, 2015.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of about this proposed AD.
Melvin L. Watt, Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency. Discussion
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
[FR Doc. 2015–31660 Filed 12–16–15; 8:45 am] W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., On November 21, 2012, we issued AD
BILLING CODE 8070–01–P Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 2012–24–06, Amendment 39–17276 (77
p.m., Monday through Friday, except FR 73279, December 10, 2012). AD
Federal holidays. 2012–24–06 applies to certain Saab AB,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION For service information identified in Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/
this proposed rule, contact Saab AB, SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. AD
Federal Aviation Administration Saab Aeronautics, SE–581 88, 2012–24–06 was prompted by reports of
Linköping, Sweden; telephone +46 13 stall events during icing conditions
14 CFR Part 39 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email where the natural stall warning (buffet)
[Docket No. FAA–2015–6544; Directorate saab2000.techsupport@saabgroup.com; was not identified. AD 2012–24–06
Identifier 2014–NM–198–AD] Internet http://www.saabgroup.com. requires replacing the stall warning
You may view this referenced service computer (SWC) with a new SWC,
RIN 2120–AA64 information at the FAA, Transport which provides an artificial stall
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue warning in icing conditions, and
Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, modifying the airplane for the
Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as SW., Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the replacement of the SWC. We issued AD
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) 2012–24–06 to prevent natural stall
Airplanes FAA, call 425–227–1221.
events during operation in icing
Examining the AD Docket conditions, which, if not corrected,
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT. You may examine the AD docket on could result in loss of control of the
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking the Internet at http:// airplane.
(NPRM). www.regulations.gov by searching for Airplanes with certain modifications
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015– were excluded from the applicability of
SUMMARY: We propose to supersede 6544; or in person at the Docket AD 2012–24–06, Amendment 39–17276
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012–24– Management Facility between 9 a.m. (77 FR 73279, December 10, 2012).
06 for certain Saab AB, Saab and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Since we issued AD 2012–24–06, we
Aeronautics (formerly known as Saab except Federal holidays. The AD docket have determined that those
AB, Saab Aerosystems) Model 340A contains this proposed AD, the modifications for airplanes identified in
(SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B regulatory evaluation, any comments the applicability of AD 2012–24–06 are
airplanes. AD 2012–24–06 requires received, and other information. The now subject to the identified unsafe
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Dec 16, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\17DEP1.SGM 17DEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_78931/page/11.svg)
Document Created: 2018-03-02 09:18:32
Document Modified: 2018-03-02 09:18:32
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comment. | |
| Dates | FHFA must receive written comments on or before April 15, 2016. | |
| Contact | Christina Muradian, Principal Financial Analyst, [email protected], 202-649-3323, Division of Bank Regulation; or Thomas E. Joseph, Associate General Counsel, [email protected], 202-649-3076 (these are not toll-free numbers), Office of General Counsel, Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. The telephone number for the Telecommunications Device for the Hearing Impaired is 800-877-8339. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 78689 | |
| RIN Number | 2590-AA69 | |
| CFR Citation | 12
CFR
1201 12 CFR 1268 12 CFR 955 | |
| CFR Associated | Administrative Practice and Procedure; Government-Sponsored Enterprises; Office of Finance; Regulated Entities; Acquired Member Assets; Federal Home Loan Bank; Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agency; Community Development; Credit; Federal Home Loan Banks; Housing and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR