82_FR_25644 82 FR 25539 - Availability of Funds and Collection of Checks

82 FR 25539 - Availability of Funds and Collection of Checks

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 105 (June 2, 2017)

Page Range25539-25542
FR Document2017-11380

The Board is proposing to amend Regulation CC to address situations where there is a dispute as to whether a check has been altered or is a forgery, and the original paper check is not available for inspection. The proposed rule would adopt a presumption of alteration for any dispute over whether the dollar amount or the payee on a substitute check or electronic check has been altered or whether the substitute check or electronic check is derived from an original check that is a forgery. This rule is intended to provide clarity as to the burden of proof in these situations.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 105 (Friday, June 2, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 105 (Friday, June 2, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25539-25542]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11380]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 105 / Friday, June 2, 2017 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 25539]]



FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

12 CFR Part 229

[Regulation CC; Docket No. R-1564]
RIN 7100 AE 78


Availability of Funds and Collection of Checks

AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

ACTION: Proposed rule, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Board is proposing to amend Regulation CC to address 
situations where there is a dispute as to whether a check has been 
altered or is a forgery, and the original paper check is not available 
for inspection. The proposed rule would adopt a presumption of 
alteration for any dispute over whether the dollar amount or the payee 
on a substitute check or electronic check has been altered or whether 
the substitute check or electronic check is derived from an original 
check that is a forgery. This rule is intended to provide clarity as to 
the burden of proof in these situations.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by August 1, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. R-1564 by 
any of the following methods:
     Agency Web site: http://www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments at http://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/foia/proposedregs.aspx.
     Email: [email protected]. Include the 
docket number in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 452-3819 or (202) 452-3102.
     Mail: Ann E. Misback, Secretary, Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20551.
    All public comments are available on the Board's Web site at http://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/foia/proposedregs.aspx as submitted, 
except as necessary for technical reasons. Accordingly, your comments 
will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. 
Public comments may also be viewed electronically or in paper in Room 
3515, 1801 K Street NW. (between 18th and 19th Street NW.), Washington, 
DC 20006 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clinton N. Chen, Attorney (202/452-
3952), Legal Division; or Ian C.B. Spear, Senior Financial Services 
Analyst (202/452-3959), Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment 
Systems; for users of Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD) 
only, contact 202/263-4869; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System, 20th and C Streets NW., Washington, DC 20551.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Statutory and Regulatory Background

    Congress enacted the Expedited Funds Availability Act of 1987 (EFA 
Act) to provide prompt funds availability for deposits in transaction 
accounts and to foster improvements in the check collection and return 
processes. Section 609(c) authorizes the Board to regulate any aspect 
of the payment system and any related function of the payment system 
with respect to checks in order to carry out the provisions of the EFA 
Act.\1\
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    \1\ EFA Act section 609(c)(1) states that ``[i]n order to carry 
out the provisions of this title, the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System shall have the responsibility to regulate--
(A) any aspect of the payment system, including the receipt, 
payment, collection, or clearing of checks; and (B) any related 
function of the payment system with respect to checks.'' 12 U.S.C. 
4008(c)(1).
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    Regulation CC implements the EFA Act. Subpart C of Regulation CC 
implements the EFA Act's provisions regarding forward collection and 
return of checks.

II. UCC Provisions Regarding Altered and Forged Checks

    Under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), an alteration is a change 
to the terms of a check that is made after the check is issued that 
modifies an obligation of a party by, for example, changing the payee's 
name or the amount of the check.\2\ By contrast, a forgery is a check 
on which the signature of the drawer (i.e., the account-holder at the 
paying bank) was made without authorization at the time of the check's 
issuance.\3\ In general, under UCC 4-401, the paying bank may charge 
the drawer's account only for checks that are properly payable.\4\ 
Neither altered checks nor forged checks are properly payable. In the 
case of an altered check under the UCC, the banks that received the 
check during forward collection, including the paying bank, have 
warranty claims against the banks that transferred the check (e.g., a 
collecting bank or the depositary bank). In the case of a forged check, 
however, the UCC places the responsibility on the paying bank for 
identifying the forgery.\5\ Therefore, the depositary bank typically 
bears the loss related to an altered check, whereas the paying bank 
bears the loss related to a forged check.
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    \2\ UCC 3-407. The UCC is a uniform body of laws promulgated by 
the American Law Institute and the Uniform Law Commission, which may 
be enacted by state legislatures. Article 3 addresses payment by 
check and other negotiable instruments while Article 4 addresses 
bank deposits.
    \3\ The term ``forgery'' is not defined in the UCC. However, the 
term ``unauthorized signature'' is defined as ``a signature made 
without actual, implied, or apparent authority'' and ``includes a 
forgery.'' UCC 1-201(41).
    \4\ The term ``bank'' as used in this notice and in Regulation 
CC (12 CFR 229.2(e)) includes a commercial bank, savings bank, 
savings and loan association, credit union, and a U.S. agency or 
branch of a foreign bank.
    \5\ The presenting bank warrants to the paying bank only that it 
has no knowledge of an unauthorized drawer's signature. See UCC 3-
417 and 4-208.
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    These provisions of the UCC reflect the long-standing rule set 
forth in Price v. Neal that the paying bank must bear the loss when a 
check it pays is not properly payable by virtue of the fact that the 
drawer did not authorize the item.\6\ The Price v. Neal rule reflects 
the assumption that the paying bank, rather than the depositary bank, 
is in the best position to judge whether the drawer's signature on a 
check is the authorized signature of the account-holder. By contrast, 
the depositary bank is arguably in a better position than the paying 
bank to inspect the check at the time of deposit and detect an 
alteration to the face of the check, to determine that the amount of 
the check is unusual for the depositary bank's customer, or to 
otherwise take responsibility for the items it accepts for deposit.
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    \6\ Price v. Neal, 97 Eng. Rep. 871 (K.B. 1762).

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[[Page 25540]]

III. Proposed Presumption of Alteration

    Regulation CC does not currently address whether a check should be 
presumed to be altered or forged in cases of doubt. For example, an 
unauthorized payee name could result from an alteration of the original 
check that the drawer issued, or from the creation of a forged check 
bearing the unauthorized payee name and an unauthorized/forged drawer's 
signature. Courts have reached opposite conclusions as to whether a 
paid, but fraudulent, check should be presumed to be altered or forged 
in the absence of evidence (such as the original check).\7\ Since the 
time of these decisions, the check collection system has become 
overwhelmingly electronic, and the number of instances in which the 
original paper check is available for inspection in such cases will be 
quite low.\8\ Unlike the 2006 court cases, where the paying bank 
received and destroyed the original check, in today's check environment 
the original check is typically truncated by the depositary bank or a 
collecting bank before it reaches the paying bank. In light of requests 
from members of the industry, the Board requested comment on the 
adoption of an evidentiary presumption in Regulation CC.\9\ 
Specifically, the Board requested comment on whether it should adopt an 
evidentiary presumption, and if yes, whether the check should be 
presumed to be altered or forged in cases of doubt.\10\ The Board also 
requested comment on whether banks are aware of or have information 
pertaining to whether forged checks are a more common method of 
committing fraud than altering the payee name or amount on the check.
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    \7\ See, e.g., Chevy Chase Bank v. Wachovia Bank, N.A., 208 Fed. 
App'x. 232, 235 (4th Cir. 2006) and Wachovia Bank, N.A. v. Foster 
Bancshares, Inc., 457 F.3d 619 (7th Cir. 2006).
    \8\ For example, by the beginning of 2017 the Federal Reserve 
Banks received over 99.99 percent of checks electronically from 
99.06 percent of routing numbers and presented over 99.99 percent of 
checks electronically to over 99.76 percent of routing numbers. As 
of the same time, the Federal Reserve Banks received 99.63 percent 
of returned checks electronically from over 99.37 percent of routing 
numbers and delivered 99.41 percent of returned checks 
electronically to 92.84 percent of routing numbers.
    \9\ Although the Board did not raise the issue, two commenters 
requested that the Board address the uncertainty caused by the 
divergent appellate court decisions in response to a 2011 proposed 
rulemaking. 76 FR 16862 (March 25, 2011). The Board describes these 
comments in greater detail as part of its 2014 proposal. 79 FR 6673, 
6703 (Feb. 4, 2014).
    \10\ The Board believes that the substance of the UCC's loss-
allocation framework for altered and forged checks, under which the 
depositary bank generally bears the loss for altered checks and the 
paying bank generally bears the loss for forged checks, continues to 
be appropriate in the current check-processing environment.
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    The Board received four comments concerning the adoption of an 
evidentiary presumption.\11\ All four, including a comment letter 
submitted by a group of institutions and trade associations, supported 
the adoption of an evidentiary presumption of alteration in the event 
that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether a particular 
check was altered or is a forged item. One commenter believed that a 
presumption of alteration (imposing the risk of loss on the depositary 
bank as described above) is appropriate in today's virtually all-
electronic environment. The commenter reasoned that in today's 
environment the vast majority of checks are truncated by the depositary 
banks or their customers, the depositary bank has the option of 
retaining the original check, and if the depositary bank presents a 
substitute check, the paying bank does not have the right to demand 
presentment of the original check.
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    \11\ The Board received an additional comment about the 
applicability of the UCC to alterations by persons other than the 
payee. The commenter did not address whether the Board should adopt 
an evidentiary presumption.
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    Based on these comments, the Board is proposing to adopt a 
presumption of alteration with respect to any dispute arising under 
federal or state law as to whether the dollar amount or the payee on a 
substitute check or electronic check has been altered or whether the 
substitute check or electronic check is derived from an original check 
that is a forgery. The Board requests comment on whether the 
presumption should also apply to a claim that the date was altered.
    Under the proposed rule, the presumption of alteration may be 
overcome by a preponderance of evidence that the substitute check or 
electronic check accurately represents the dollar amount and payee as 
authorized by the drawer, or that the substitute check or electronic 
check is derived from an original check that is a forgery. The proposed 
rule would also state that the presumption of alteration shall cease to 
apply if the original check is made available for examination by all 
parties involved in the dispute. The Board requests comment on whether 
the presumption of alteration should apply if the bank claiming the 
presumption received and destroyed the original check.
    The Board is also proposing accompanying commentary provisions to 
explain the operation of the rule, including clarification that the 
presumption does not alter the process by which a bank may seek to make 
a claim against another bank on a check that the bank alleges to be 
altered.

IV. Competitive Impact Analysis

    The Board conducts a competitive impact analysis when it considers 
an operational or legal change, if that change would have a direct and 
material adverse effect on the ability of other service providers to 
compete with the Federal Reserve in providing similar services due to 
legal differences or due to the Federal Reserve's dominant market 
position deriving from such legal differences. All operational or legal 
changes having a substantial effect on payments-system participants 
will be subject to a competitive-impact analysis, even if competitive 
effects are not apparent on the face of the proposal. If such legal 
differences exist, the Board will assess whether the same objectives 
could be achieved by a modified proposal with lesser competitive impact 
or, if not, whether the benefits of the proposal (such as contributing 
to payments-system efficiency or integrity or other Board objectives) 
outweigh the materially adverse effect on competition.\12\
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    \12\ Federal Reserve Regulatory Service, 7-145.2.
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    The Board does not believe that the proposed amendments to 
Regulation CC will have a direct and material adverse effect on the 
ability of other service providers to compete effectively with the 
Reserve Banks in providing similar services due to legal differences. 
The proposed amendments would apply to the Reserve Banks and private-
sector service providers alike and would not affect the competitive 
position of private-sector presenting banks vis-[agrave]-vis the 
Reserve Banks.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3506; 5 CFR part 1320 Appendix A.1), the Board may not conduct 
or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, an 
information collection unless it displays a valid Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) control number. The Board reviewed the proposed rule 
under the authority delegated to the Board by the OMB and determined 
that it contains no collections of information under the PRA.\13\ 
Accordingly, there is no paperwork burden associated with the rule.
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    \13\ See 44 U.S.C. 3502(3).
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VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (the ``RFA'') (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
requires

[[Page 25541]]

agencies either to provide an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
with a proposed rule or to certify that the proposed rule will not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. In accordance with section 3(a) of the RFA, the Board has 
reviewed the proposed regulation. In this case, the proposed rule would 
apply to all depository institutions. This Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis has been prepared in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603 
in order for the Board to solicit comment on the effect of the proposal 
on small entities. The Board will, if necessary, conduct a final 
regulatory flexibility analysis after consideration of comments 
received during the public comment period.

1. Statement of the Need for, Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, the 
Proposed Rule

    The Board is proposing the foregoing amendments to Regulation CC 
pursuant to its authority under the EFA Act. The proposal addresses 
situations where there is a dispute as to whether a check has been 
altered or is a forgery, and the original paper check is not available 
for inspection. The check collection system has become overwhelmingly 
electronic, and the number of instances in which the original paper 
check will be available for inspection in such cases will be quite low. 
Under the UCC, the depositary bank typically bears the loss related to 
an altered check, whereas the paying bank bears the loss related to a 
forged check. The proposed rule would adopt a presumption of alteration 
with respect to any dispute as to whether the dollar amount or the 
payee on a substitute check or electronic check has been altered or 
whether the substitute check or electronic check is derived from an 
original check that is a forgery.

2. Small Entities Affected by the Proposed Rule

    The proposed rule would apply to all depository institutions 
regardless of their size.\14\ Pursuant to regulations issued by the 
Small Business Administration (13 CFR 121.201), a ``small banking 
organization'' includes a depository institution with $550 million or 
less in total assets. Based on call report data as of December 2016, 
there are approximately 10,185 depository institutions that have total 
domestic assets of $550 million or less and thus are considered small 
entities for purposes of the RFA.
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    \14\ The proposed rule would not impose costs on any small 
entities other than depository institutions.
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3. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements

    A presumption of alteration shifts the burden to the bank that 
warrants that a check has not been altered, which could be a depositary 
bank or collecting bank. In order to overcome the proposed presumption 
of alteration, a depositary bank or collecting bank must prove by a 
preponderance of evidence that either the substitute check or 
electronic check accurately represents the dollar amount and payee as 
authorized by the drawer, or that the substitute check or electronic 
check is derived from an original check that is a forgery. Under the 
proposed rule, the presumption of alteration shall cease to apply if 
the original check is made available for examination by all parties 
involved in the dispute.
    A depositary bank or collecting bank that destroys all original 
checks after truncation may incur additional risk, as it may not be 
able to overcome the presumption of alteration. The Board expects 
depositary banks and collecting banks to weigh the costs and benefits 
of destroying or retaining original checks, such as for large dollar 
amounts, so that the presumption of alteration will not apply.

4. Identification of Duplicative, Overlapping, or Conflicting Federal 
Rules

    As mentioned above, courts have reached opposite conclusions as to 
whether, under the Uniform Commercial Code, a paid, but fraudulent, 
check should be presumed to be altered or forged in the absence of 
evidence, such as the original check. The proposal would resolve that 
discrepancy under the conditions described above. The Board knows of no 
other duplicative, overlapping, to conflicting Federal rules related to 
this proposal.

5. Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Rule

    As discussed above, the Board requested comment as part of its 2014 
Regulation CC proposal on whether it should adopt an evidentiary 
presumption, and if so, whether the check should be presumed to be 
altered or forged in cases of doubt.\15\ All comments received 
supported the adoption of an evidentiary presumption of alteration. The 
Board welcomes comment on the impact of the proposed rule on small 
entities and any approaches, other than the proposed alternatives, that 
would reduce the burden on all entities, including small issuers.
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    \15\ 79 FR 6673, 6703 (Feb. 4, 2014).
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List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 229

    Banks, Banking, Federal Reserve System, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board proposes to 
amend 12 CFR part 229 as follows:

PART 229--AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND COLLECTION OF CHECKS 
(REGULATION CC)

0
1. The authority citation for part 229 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 4001-4010, 12 U.S.C. 5001-5018.

0
2. In Sec.  229.38, paragraph (i) is added to read as follows:
* * * * *

Subpart C--Collection of Checks

* * * * *


Sec.  229.38  Liability.

* * * * *
    (i) Presumption of Alteration. (1) Presumption. Subject to 
paragraph (i)(2), the presumption in this paragraph applies with 
respect to any dispute arising under federal or state law as to 
whether--
    (i) The dollar amount or the payee on a substitute check or 
electronic check has been altered or
    (ii) The substitute check or electronic check is derived from an 
original check that is a forgery.
    When such a dispute arises, there is a rebuttable presumption that 
the substitute check or electronic check contains an alteration of the 
dollar amount or the payee. The presumption of alteration may be 
overcome by proving by a preponderance of evidence that either the 
substitute check or electronic check accurately represents the dollar 
amount and payee as authorized by the drawer, or that the substitute 
check or electronic check is derived from an original check that is a 
forgery.
    (2) Effect of producing original check. If the original check made 
available for examination by all parties involved in the dispute, the 
presumption in paragraph (i)(1) shall no longer apply.
* * * * *
0
3. In Appendix E to part 229, under ``XXIV. Section 229.38 
Liabilities,'' add paragraph ``I. 229.38(i) Presumption of Alteration''
    The addition reads as follows:

[[Page 25542]]

Appendix E to Part 229--Commentary

* * * * *

XXIV. Section 229.38 Liability

* * * * *

I. 229.38(i) Presumption of Alteration

    1. This paragraph establishes an evidentiary presumption of 
alteration of a check when the original check has been converted to 
an image and only an electronic check or a substitute check is 
available for inspection. This provision does not alter the transfer 
and presentment warranties under the UCC that allocate liability 
among the parties to a check transaction with respect to an altered 
or forged item. The UCC or other applicable check law continues to 
apply with respect to other rights, duties, and obligations related 
to altered or forged checks.
    2. The presumption of alteration applies when the original check 
is unavailable for review by the banks in context of the dispute. If 
the original check is produced, through discovery or other means, 
and is made available for examination by all the parties, the 
presumption no longer applies. There is no presumption of alteration 
as between two banks that exchange an original check.

    By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System, May 26, 2017.
Ann E. Misback,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2017-11380 Filed 6-1-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P



                                                                                                                                                                                                              25539

                                                 Proposed Rules                                                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                                  Vol. 82, No. 105

                                                                                                                                                                  Friday, June 2, 2017



                                                 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    proposedregs.aspx as submitted, except                   forgery is a check on which the
                                                 contains notices to the public of the proposed          as necessary for technical reasons.                      signature of the drawer (i.e., the
                                                 issuance of rules and regulations. The                  Accordingly, your comments will not be                   account-holder at the paying bank) was
                                                 purpose of these notices is to give interested          edited to remove any identifying or                      made without authorization at the time
                                                 persons an opportunity to participate in the            contact information. Public comments
                                                 rule making prior to the adoption of the final                                                                   of the check’s issuance.3 In general,
                                                 rules.
                                                                                                         may also be viewed electronically or in                  under UCC 4–401, the paying bank may
                                                                                                         paper in Room 3515, 1801 K Street NW.                    charge the drawer’s account only for
                                                                                                         (between 18th and 19th Street NW.),                      checks that are properly payable.4
                                                 FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM                                  Washington, DC 20006 between 9:00                        Neither altered checks nor forged checks
                                                                                                         a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.                          are properly payable. In the case of an
                                                 12 CFR Part 229                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         altered check under the UCC, the banks
                                                 [Regulation CC; Docket No. R–1564]                      Clinton N. Chen, Attorney (202/452–                      that received the check during forward
                                                                                                         3952), Legal Division; or Ian C.B. Spear,                collection, including the paying bank,
                                                 RIN 7100 AE 78                                          Senior Financial Services Analyst (202/                  have warranty claims against the banks
                                                                                                         452–3959), Division of Reserve Bank                      that transferred the check (e.g., a
                                                 Availability of Funds and Collection of
                                                                                                         Operations and Payment Systems; for                      collecting bank or the depositary bank).
                                                 Checks
                                                                                                         users of Telecommunication Devices for                   In the case of a forged check, however,
                                                 AGENCY:  Board of Governors of the                      the Deaf (TDD) only, contact 202/263–
                                                                                                                                                                  the UCC places the responsibility on the
                                                 Federal Reserve System.                                 4869; Board of Governors of the Federal
                                                                                                                                                                  paying bank for identifying the forgery.5
                                                 ACTION: Proposed rule, request for                      Reserve System, 20th and C Streets
                                                                                                         NW., Washington, DC 20551.                               Therefore, the depositary bank typically
                                                 comment.
                                                                                                                                                                  bears the loss related to an altered
                                                                                                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                 SUMMARY:    The Board is proposing to                                                                            check, whereas the paying bank bears
                                                 amend Regulation CC to address                          I. Statutory and Regulatory Background                   the loss related to a forged check.
                                                 situations where there is a dispute as to                 Congress enacted the Expedited                            These provisions of the UCC reflect
                                                 whether a check has been altered or is                  Funds Availability Act of 1987 (EFA                      the long-standing rule set forth in Price
                                                 a forgery, and the original paper check                 Act) to provide prompt funds                             v. Neal that the paying bank must bear
                                                 is not available for inspection. The                    availability for deposits in transaction                 the loss when a check it pays is not
                                                 proposed rule would adopt a                             accounts and to foster improvements in                   properly payable by virtue of the fact
                                                 presumption of alteration for any                       the check collection and return                          that the drawer did not authorize the
                                                 dispute over whether the dollar amount                  processes. Section 609(c) authorizes the                 item.6 The Price v. Neal rule reflects the
                                                 or the payee on a substitute check or                   Board to regulate any aspect of the                      assumption that the paying bank, rather
                                                 electronic check has been altered or                    payment system and any related                           than the depositary bank, is in the best
                                                 whether the substitute check or                         function of the payment system with                      position to judge whether the drawer’s
                                                 electronic check is derived from an                     respect to checks in order to carry out
                                                 original check that is a forgery. This rule                                                                      signature on a check is the authorized
                                                                                                         the provisions of the EFA Act.1                          signature of the account-holder. By
                                                 is intended to provide clarity as to the                  Regulation CC implements the EFA
                                                 burden of proof in these situations.                                                                             contrast, the depositary bank is arguably
                                                                                                         Act. Subpart C of Regulation CC                          in a better position than the paying bank
                                                 DATES: Comments must be submitted by                    implements the EFA Act’s provisions
                                                 August 1, 2017.                                                                                                  to inspect the check at the time of
                                                                                                         regarding forward collection and return
                                                                                                                                                                  deposit and detect an alteration to the
                                                 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,                     of checks.
                                                                                                                                                                  face of the check, to determine that the
                                                 identified by Docket No. R–1564 by any
                                                                                                         II. UCC Provisions Regarding Altered                     amount of the check is unusual for the
                                                 of the following methods:
                                                    • Agency Web site: http://                           and Forged Checks                                        depositary bank’s customer, or to
                                                 www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the                        Under the Uniform Commercial Code                      otherwise take responsibility for the
                                                 instructions for submitting comments at                 (UCC), an alteration is a change to the                  items it accepts for deposit.
                                                 http://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/                     terms of a check that is made after the
                                                 foia/proposedregs.aspx.                                 check is issued that modifies an                         check and other negotiable instruments while
                                                    • Email: regs.comments@                              obligation of a party by, for example,                   Article 4 addresses bank deposits.
                                                                                                                                                                    3 The term ‘‘forgery’’ is not defined in the UCC.
                                                 federalreserve.gov. Include the docket                  changing the payee’s name or the
                                                                                                                                                                  However, the term ‘‘unauthorized signature’’ is
                                                 number in the subject line of the                       amount of the check.2 By contrast, a                     defined as ‘‘a signature made without actual,
                                                 message.                                                                                                         implied, or apparent authority’’ and ‘‘includes a
                                                    • Fax: (202) 452–3819 or (202) 452–                    1 EFA Act section 609(c)(1) states that ‘‘[i]n order
                                                                                                                                                                  forgery.’’ UCC 1–201(41).
                                                 3102.                                                   to carry out the provisions of this title, the Board       4 The term ‘‘bank’’ as used in this notice and in
nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    • Mail: Ann E. Misback, Secretary,                   of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall
                                                                                                         have the responsibility to regulate—(A) any aspect
                                                                                                                                                                  Regulation CC (12 CFR 229.2(e)) includes a
                                                 Board of Governors of the Federal                       of the payment system, including the receipt,
                                                                                                                                                                  commercial bank, savings bank, savings and loan
                                                 Reserve System, 20th Street and                         payment, collection, or clearing of checks; and (B)      association, credit union, and a U.S. agency or
                                                                                                         any related function of the payment system with          branch of a foreign bank.
                                                 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,                                                                               5 The presenting bank warrants to the paying
                                                                                                         respect to checks.’’ 12 U.S.C. 4008(c)(1).
                                                 DC 20551.                                                 2 UCC 3–407. The UCC is a uniform body of laws         bank only that it has no knowledge of an
                                                    All public comments are available on                 promulgated by the American Law Institute and the        unauthorized drawer’s signature. See UCC 3–417
                                                 the Board’s Web site at http://                         Uniform Law Commission, which may be enacted             and 4–208.
                                                 www.federalreserve.gov/apps/foia/                       by state legislatures. Article 3 addresses payment by      6 Price v. Neal, 97 Eng. Rep. 871 (K.B. 1762).




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                                                 25540                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 105 / Friday, June 2, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                 III. Proposed Presumption of Alteration                 fraud than altering the payee name or                  by which a bank may seek to make a
                                                                                                         amount on the check.                                   claim against another bank on a check
                                                    Regulation CC does not currently                        The Board received four comments                    that the bank alleges to be altered.
                                                 address whether a check should be                       concerning the adoption of an
                                                 presumed to be altered or forged in                     evidentiary presumption.11 All four,                   IV. Competitive Impact Analysis
                                                 cases of doubt. For example, an                         including a comment letter submitted                      The Board conducts a competitive
                                                 unauthorized payee name could result                    by a group of institutions and trade                   impact analysis when it considers an
                                                 from an alteration of the original check                associations, supported the adoption of                operational or legal change, if that
                                                 that the drawer issued, or from the                     an evidentiary presumption of alteration               change would have a direct and material
                                                 creation of a forged check bearing the                  in the event that there is insufficient                adverse effect on the ability of other
                                                 unauthorized payee name and an                          evidence to determine whether a                        service providers to compete with the
                                                 unauthorized/forged drawer’s signature.                 particular check was altered or is a                   Federal Reserve in providing similar
                                                 Courts have reached opposite                            forged item. One commenter believed                    services due to legal differences or due
                                                 conclusions as to whether a paid, but                   that a presumption of alteration                       to the Federal Reserve’s dominant
                                                 fraudulent, check should be presumed                    (imposing the risk of loss on the                      market position deriving from such legal
                                                 to be altered or forged in the absence of               depositary bank as described above) is                 differences. All operational or legal
                                                 evidence (such as the original check).7                 appropriate in today’s virtually all-                  changes having a substantial effect on
                                                 Since the time of these decisions, the                  electronic environment. The commenter                  payments-system participants will be
                                                 check collection system has become                      reasoned that in today’s environment                   subject to a competitive-impact analysis,
                                                 overwhelmingly electronic, and the                      the vast majority of checks are truncated              even if competitive effects are not
                                                 number of instances in which the                        by the depositary banks or their                       apparent on the face of the proposal. If
                                                 original paper check is available for                   customers, the depositary bank has the                 such legal differences exist, the Board
                                                 inspection in such cases will be quite                  option of retaining the original check,                will assess whether the same objectives
                                                 low.8 Unlike the 2006 court cases,                      and if the depositary bank presents a                  could be achieved by a modified
                                                 where the paying bank received and                      substitute check, the paying bank does                 proposal with lesser competitive impact
                                                 destroyed the original check, in today’s                not have the right to demand                           or, if not, whether the benefits of the
                                                 check environment the original check is                 presentment of the original check.                     proposal (such as contributing to
                                                 typically truncated by the depositary                      Based on these comments, the Board                  payments-system efficiency or integrity
                                                 bank or a collecting bank before it                     is proposing to adopt a presumption of                 or other Board objectives) outweigh the
                                                 reaches the paying bank. In light of                    alteration with respect to any dispute                 materially adverse effect on
                                                 requests from members of the industry,                  arising under federal or state law as to               competition.12
                                                 the Board requested comment on the                      whether the dollar amount or the payee                    The Board does not believe that the
                                                 adoption of an evidentiary presumption                  on a substitute check or electronic check              proposed amendments to Regulation CC
                                                 in Regulation CC.9 Specifically, the                    has been altered or whether the                        will have a direct and material adverse
                                                 Board requested comment on whether it                   substitute check or electronic check is                effect on the ability of other service
                                                 should adopt an evidentiary                             derived from an original check that is a               providers to compete effectively with
                                                 presumption, and if yes, whether the                    forgery. The Board requests comment on                 the Reserve Banks in providing similar
                                                 check should be presumed to be altered                  whether the presumption should also                    services due to legal differences. The
                                                 or forged in cases of doubt.10 The Board                apply to a claim that the date was                     proposed amendments would apply to
                                                 also requested comment on whether                       altered.                                               the Reserve Banks and private-sector
                                                 banks are aware of or have information                     Under the proposed rule, the                        service providers alike and would not
                                                 pertaining to whether forged checks are                 presumption of alteration may be                       affect the competitive position of
                                                 a more common method of committing                      overcome by a preponderance of                         private-sector presenting banks vis-à-vis
                                                                                                         evidence that the substitute check or                  the Reserve Banks.
                                                    7 See, e.g., Chevy Chase Bank v. Wachovia Bank,      electronic check accurately represents
                                                 N.A., 208 Fed. App’x. 232, 235 (4th Cir. 2006) and      the dollar amount and payee as                         V. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                 Wachovia Bank, N.A. v. Foster Bancshares, Inc.,         authorized by the drawer, or that the                    In accordance with the Paperwork
                                                 457 F.3d 619 (7th Cir. 2006).                           substitute check or electronic check is
                                                    8 For example, by the beginning of 2017 the
                                                                                                                                                                Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
                                                                                                         derived from an original check that is a               3506; 5 CFR part 1320 Appendix A.1),
                                                 Federal Reserve Banks received over 99.99 percent
                                                 of checks electronically from 99.06 percent of          forgery. The proposed rule would also                  the Board may not conduct or sponsor,
                                                 routing numbers and presented over 99.99 percent        state that the presumption of alteration               and a respondent is not required to
                                                 of checks electronically to over 99.76 percent of       shall cease to apply if the original check             respond to, an information collection
                                                 routing numbers. As of the same time, the Federal       is made available for examination by all
                                                 Reserve Banks received 99.63 percent of returned                                                               unless it displays a valid Office of
                                                 checks electronically from over 99.37 percent of        parties involved in the dispute. The                   Management and Budget (OMB) control
                                                 routing numbers and delivered 99.41 percent of          Board requests comment on whether the                  number. The Board reviewed the
                                                 returned checks electronically to 92.84 percent of      presumption of alteration should apply                 proposed rule under the authority
                                                 routing numbers.                                        if the bank claiming the presumption
                                                    9 Although the Board did not raise the issue, two                                                           delegated to the Board by the OMB and
                                                                                                         received and destroyed the original                    determined that it contains no
                                                 commenters requested that the Board address the
                                                 uncertainty caused by the divergent appellate court     check.                                                 collections of information under the
                                                 decisions in response to a 2011 proposed                   The Board is also proposing                         PRA.13 Accordingly, there is no
                                                 rulemaking. 76 FR 16862 (March 25, 2011). The           accompanying commentary provisions                     paperwork burden associated with the
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                                                 Board describes these comments in greater detail as     to explain the operation of the rule,
                                                 part of its 2014 proposal. 79 FR 6673, 6703 (Feb.                                                              rule.
                                                 4, 2014).
                                                                                                         including clarification that the
                                                    10 The Board believes that the substance of the      presumption does not alter the process                 VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                 UCC’s loss-allocation framework for altered and                                                                   The Regulatory Flexibility Act (the
                                                 forged checks, under which the depositary bank            11 The Board received an additional comment

                                                 generally bears the loss for altered checks and the
                                                                                                                                                                ‘‘RFA’’) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires
                                                                                                         about the applicability of the UCC to alterations by
                                                 paying bank generally bears the loss for forged         persons other than the payee. The commenter did
                                                                                                                                                                  12 Federal   Reserve Regulatory Service, 7–145.2.
                                                 checks, continues to be appropriate in the current      not address whether the Board should adopt an
                                                 check-processing environment.                           evidentiary presumption.                                 13 See   44 U.S.C. 3502(3).



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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 105 / Friday, June 2, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                              25541

                                                 agencies either to provide an initial                   3. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping,                  burden on all entities, including small
                                                 regulatory flexibility analysis with a                  and Other Compliance Requirements                       issuers.
                                                 proposed rule or to certify that the
                                                                                                            A presumption of alteration shifts the               List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 229
                                                 proposed rule will not have a significant
                                                 economic impact on a substantial                        burden to the bank that warrants that a                   Banks, Banking, Federal Reserve
                                                 number of small entities. In accordance                 check has not been altered, which could                 System, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                 with section 3(a) of the RFA, the Board                 be a depositary bank or collecting bank.                requirements.
                                                 has reviewed the proposed regulation.                   In order to overcome the proposed
                                                                                                         presumption of alteration, a depositary                 Authority and Issuance
                                                 In this case, the proposed rule would
                                                 apply to all depository institutions. This              bank or collecting bank must prove by                     For the reasons set forth in the
                                                 Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                 a preponderance of evidence that either                 preamble, the Board proposes to amend
                                                 has been prepared in accordance with 5                  the substitute check or electronic check                12 CFR part 229 as follows:
                                                 U.S.C. 603 in order for the Board to                    accurately represents the dollar amount
                                                 solicit comment on the effect of the                    and payee as authorized by the drawer,                  PART 229—AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
                                                 proposal on small entities. The Board                   or that the substitute check or electronic              AND COLLECTION OF CHECKS
                                                 will, if necessary, conduct a final                     check is derived from an original check                 (REGULATION CC)
                                                 regulatory flexibility analysis after                   that is a forgery. Under the proposed
                                                 consideration of comments received                      rule, the presumption of alteration shall               ■ 1. The authority citation for part 229
                                                 during the public comment period.                       cease to apply if the original check is                 continues to read as follows:
                                                                                                         made available for examination by all                     Authority: 12 U.S.C. 4001–4010, 12 U.S.C.
                                                 1. Statement of the Need for, Objectives                parties involved in the dispute.                        5001–5018.
                                                 of, and Legal Basis for, the Proposed                      A depositary bank or collecting bank
                                                 Rule                                                                                                            ■ 2. In § 229.38, paragraph (i) is added
                                                                                                         that destroys all original checks after                 to read as follows:
                                                    The Board is proposing the foregoing                 truncation may incur additional risk, as
                                                                                                         it may not be able to overcome the                      *     *     *     *     *
                                                 amendments to Regulation CC pursuant
                                                 to its authority under the EFA Act. The                 presumption of alteration. The Board                    Subpart C—Collection of Checks
                                                 proposal addresses situations where                     expects depositary banks and collecting
                                                 there is a dispute as to whether a check                banks to weigh the costs and benefits of                *       *     *      *   *
                                                 has been altered or is a forgery, and the               destroying or retaining original checks,
                                                                                                                                                                 § 229.38    Liability.
                                                 original paper check is not available for               such as for large dollar amounts, so that
                                                                                                         the presumption of alteration will not                  *       *    *     *    *
                                                 inspection. The check collection system
                                                                                                         apply.                                                     (i) Presumption of Alteration. (1)
                                                 has become overwhelmingly electronic,
                                                                                                                                                                 Presumption. Subject to paragraph (i)(2),
                                                 and the number of instances in which                    4. Identification of Duplicative,                       the presumption in this paragraph
                                                 the original paper check will be                        Overlapping, or Conflicting Federal                     applies with respect to any dispute
                                                 available for inspection in such cases                  Rules                                                   arising under federal or state law as to
                                                 will be quite low. Under the UCC, the
                                                                                                            As mentioned above, courts have                      whether—
                                                 depositary bank typically bears the loss
                                                                                                         reached opposite conclusions as to                         (i) The dollar amount or the payee on
                                                 related to an altered check, whereas the
                                                                                                         whether, under the Uniform                              a substitute check or electronic check
                                                 paying bank bears the loss related to a
                                                                                                         Commercial Code, a paid, but                            has been altered or
                                                 forged check. The proposed rule would
                                                 adopt a presumption of alteration with                  fraudulent, check should be presumed                       (ii) The substitute check or electronic
                                                 respect to any dispute as to whether the                to be altered or forged in the absence of               check is derived from an original check
                                                 dollar amount or the payee on a                         evidence, such as the original check.                   that is a forgery.
                                                 substitute check or electronic check has                The proposal would resolve that                            When such a dispute arises, there is
                                                 been altered or whether the substitute                  discrepancy under the conditions                        a rebuttable presumption that the
                                                 check or electronic check is derived                    described above. The Board knows of no                  substitute check or electronic check
                                                 from an original check that is a forgery.               other duplicative, overlapping, to                      contains an alteration of the dollar
                                                                                                         conflicting Federal rules related to this               amount or the payee. The presumption
                                                 2. Small Entities Affected by the                       proposal.                                               of alteration may be overcome by
                                                 Proposed Rule                                                                                                   proving by a preponderance of evidence
                                                                                                         5. Significant Alternatives to the                      that either the substitute check or
                                                    The proposed rule would apply to all                 Proposed Rule                                           electronic check accurately represents
                                                 depository institutions regardless of                                                                           the dollar amount and payee as
                                                 their size.14 Pursuant to regulations                      As discussed above, the Board
                                                                                                         requested comment as part of its 2014                   authorized by the drawer, or that the
                                                 issued by the Small Business                                                                                    substitute check or electronic check is
                                                 Administration (13 CFR 121.201), a                      Regulation CC proposal on whether it
                                                                                                         should adopt an evidentiary                             derived from an original check that is a
                                                 ‘‘small banking organization’’ includes a                                                                       forgery.
                                                 depository institution with $550 million                presumption, and if so, whether the
                                                                                                         check should be presumed to be altered                     (2) Effect of producing original check.
                                                 or less in total assets. Based on call                                                                          If the original check made available for
                                                 report data as of December 2016, there                  or forged in cases of doubt.15 All
                                                                                                         comments received supported the                         examination by all parties involved in
                                                 are approximately 10,185 depository
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                                                                                                         adoption of an evidentiary presumption                  the dispute, the presumption in
                                                 institutions that have total domestic                                                                           paragraph (i)(1) shall no longer apply.
                                                 assets of $550 million or less and thus                 of alteration. The Board welcomes
                                                 are considered small entities for                       comment on the impact of the proposed                   *       *    *     *    *
                                                 purposes of the RFA.                                    rule on small entities and any                          ■ 3. In Appendix E to part 229, under
                                                                                                         approaches, other than the proposed                     ‘‘XXIV. Section 229.38 Liabilities,’’ add
                                                   14 The proposed rule would not impose costs on
                                                                                                         alternatives, that would reduce the                     paragraph ‘‘I. 229.38(i) Presumption of
                                                 any small entities other than depository                                                                        Alteration’’
                                                 institutions.                                             15 79   FR 6673, 6703 (Feb. 4, 2014).                    The addition reads as follows:


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                                                 25542                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 105 / Friday, June 2, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                 Appendix E to Part 229—Commentary                       the THSA. This proposed AD would                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                 *      *     *       *      *                           require repetitive detailed inspections of             Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
                                                                                                         certain THSAs, and related investigative               International Branch, ANM–116,
                                                 XXIV. Section 229.38       Liability                    and corrective actions if necessary. We                Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
                                                 *      *     *       *      *                           are proposing this AD to address the                   1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
                                                                                                         unsafe condition on these products.                    98057–3356; telephone 425–227–1405;
                                                 I. 229.38(i) Presumption of Alteration
                                                                                                         DATES: We must receive comments on                     fax 425–227–1149.
                                                    1. This paragraph establishes an
                                                                                                         this proposed AD by July 17, 2017.                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                 evidentiary presumption of alteration of a
                                                 check when the original check has been                  ADDRESSES: You may send comments,                      Comments Invited
                                                 converted to an image and only an electronic            using the procedures found in 14 CFR
                                                 check or a substitute check is available for                                                                     We invite you to send any written
                                                                                                         11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
                                                 inspection. This provision does not alter the                                                                  relevant data, views, or arguments about
                                                                                                         methods:
                                                 transfer and presentment warranties under                                                                      this proposed AD. Send your comments
                                                                                                           • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
                                                 the UCC that allocate liability among the                                                                      to an address listed under the
                                                                                                         http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                 parties to a check transaction with respect to                                                                 ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
                                                 an altered or forged item. The UCC or other             instructions for submitting comments.                  FAA–2017–0498; Directorate Identifier
                                                 applicable check law continues to apply with              • Fax: 202–493–2251.                                 2016–NM–175–AD’’ at the beginning of
                                                 respect to other rights, duties, and obligations          • Mail: U.S. Department of                           your comments. We specifically invite
                                                 related to altered or forged checks.                    Transportation, Docket Operations, M–                  comments on the overall regulatory,
                                                    2. The presumption of alteration applies             30, West Building Ground Floor, Room                   economic, environmental, and energy
                                                 when the original check is unavailable for              W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                                 review by the banks in context of the dispute.                                                                 aspects of this proposed AD. We will
                                                                                                         Washington, DC 20590.                                  consider all comments received by the
                                                 If the original check is produced, through                • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
                                                 discovery or other means, and is made                                                                          closing date and may amend this
                                                                                                         address above between 9 a.m. and 5                     proposed AD based on those comments.
                                                 available for examination by all the parties,
                                                 the presumption no longer applies. There is             p.m., Monday through Friday, except                      We will post all comments we
                                                 no presumption of alteration as between two             Federal holidays.                                      receive, without change, to http://
                                                 banks that exchange an original check.                    For Airbus service information                       www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                                                                         identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus,               personal information you provide. We
                                                   By order of the Board of Governors of the
                                                 Federal Reserve System, May 26, 2017.                   Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 1 Rond                      will also post a report summarizing each
                                                                                                         Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac                  substantive verbal contact we receive
                                                 Ann E. Misback,
                                                                                                         Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36                about this proposed AD.
                                                 Secretary of the Board.
                                                                                                         96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email
                                                 [FR Doc. 2017–11380 Filed 6–1–17; 8:45 am]              account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;                       Discussion
                                                 BILLING CODE P                                          Internet http://www.airbus.com.                           On July 12, 2015, we issued AD 2015–
                                                                                                           For United Technologies Corporation                  15–10, Amendment 39–18219 (80 FR
                                                                                                         Aerospace Systems (UTAS) service                       43928, July 24, 2015) (‘‘AD 2015–15–
                                                 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            information identified in this NPRM,                   10’’), for all Airbus Model A318, A319,
                                                                                                         contact Goodrich Corporation,                          A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD
                                                 Federal Aviation Administration                         Actuation Systems, Stafford Road,                      2015–15–10 was prompted by reports of
                                                                                                         Fordhouses, Wolverhampton WV10                         wear of the THSA. AD 2015–15–10
                                                 14 CFR Part 39                                          7EH, England; phone: +44 (0) 1902                      requires repetitive inspections of the
                                                 [Docket No. FAA–2017–0498; Directorate                  624938; fax: +44 (0) 1902 788100; email:               THSA for damage, and replacement if
                                                 Identifier 2016–NM–175–AD]                              techpubs.wolverhampton@                                necessary; and replacement of the THSA
                                                                                                         goodrich.com; Internet: http://                        after reaching a certain life limit. We
                                                 RIN 2120–AA64
                                                                                                         www.goodrich.com/TechPubs.                             issued AD 2015–15–10 to detect and
                                                 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus                          You may view this referenced service                 correct wear on the THSA, which would
                                                 Airplanes                                               information at the FAA, Transport                      reduce the remaining life of the THSA,
                                                                                                         Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue                 possibly resulting in premature failure
                                                 AGENCY: Federal Aviation                                SW., Renton, WA. For information on                    and consequent reduced controllability
                                                 Administration (FAA), DOT.                              the availability of this material at the               of the airplane.
                                                 ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking                   FAA, call 425–227–1221.                                   Since we issued AD 2015–15–10, an
                                                 (NPRM).                                                                                                        additional life limit for the THSA has
                                                                                                         Examining the AD Docket
                                                                                                                                                                been established, based on flight cycles.
                                                 SUMMARY:    We propose to supersede                        You may examine the AD docket on                    In addition, the THSA manufacturer has
                                                 Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015–15–                   the Internet at http://                                issued service information which, when
                                                 10, for all Airbus Model A318, A319,                    www.regulations.gov by searching for                   accomplished, increases the life limit of
                                                 A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD                     and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–                      the THSA.
                                                 2015–15–10 currently requires                           0498; or in person at the Docket                          The European Aviation Safety Agency
                                                 repetitive inspections of the trimmable                 Management Facility between 9 a.m.                     (EASA), which is the Technical Agent
                                                 horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) for               and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,                     for the Member States of the European
                                                 damage, and replacement if necessary;                   except Federal holidays. The AD docket                 Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness
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                                                 and replacement of the THSA after                       contains this proposed AD, the                         Directive 2016–0184, dated September
                                                 reaching a certain life limit. Since we                 regulatory evaluation, any comments                    13, 2016 (referred to after this as the
                                                 issued AD 2015–15–10, an additional                     received, and other information. The                   Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
                                                 life limit for the THSA has been                        street address for the Docket Operations               Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct
                                                 established, based on flight cycles. In                 office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in                  an unsafe condition for all Airbus
                                                 addition, the THSA manufacturer has                     the ADDRESSES section. Comments will                   Model A318 and A319 series airplanes;
                                                 issued service information which, when                  be available in the AD docket shortly                  Model A320–211, –212, –214, –231,
                                                 accomplished, increases the life limit of               after receipt.                                         –232, and –233 airplanes; and Model


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Document Created: 2017-06-02 00:38:23
Document Modified: 2017-06-02 00:38:23
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule, request for comment.
DatesComments must be submitted by August 1, 2017.
ContactClinton N. Chen, Attorney (202/452- 3952), Legal Division; or Ian C.B. Spear, Senior Financial Services Analyst (202/452-3959), Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems; for users of Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD) only, contact 202/263-4869; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets NW., Washington, DC 20551.
FR Citation82 FR 25539 
CFR AssociatedBanks; Banking; Federal Reserve System and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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