82_FR_39207 82 FR 39049 - Large Financial Institution Rating System; Regulations K and LL

82 FR 39049 - Large Financial Institution Rating System; Regulations K and LL

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 158 (August 17, 2017)

Page Range39049-39062
FR Document2017-16736

The Board is seeking comment on a proposed new rating system for its supervision of large financial institutions. The proposed ``Large Financial Institution Rating System'' is closely aligned with the Federal Reserve's new supervisory program for large financial institutions. The proposed rating system would apply to all bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more; all non-insurance, non-commercial savings and loan holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more; and U.S. intermediate holding companies of foreign banking organizations established pursuant to the Federal Reserve's Regulation YY. The proposed rating system includes a new rating scale under which component ratings would be assigned for capital planning and positions, liquidity risk management and positions, and governance and controls; however, a standalone composite rating would not be assigned. The Federal Reserve proposes to assign initial ratings under the new rating system during 2018. The Federal Reserve is also seeking comment on proposed revisions to existing provisions in Regulations K and LL so they would remain consistent with certain features of the proposed rating system.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 158 (Thursday, August 17, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 158 (Thursday, August 17, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39049-39062]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16736]


========================================================================
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. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 39049]]



FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

12 CFR Parts 211 and 238

[Docket No. R-1569]
RIN 7100-AE82


Large Financial Institution Rating System; Regulations K and LL

AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Board is seeking comment on a proposed new rating system 
for its supervision of large financial institutions. The proposed 
``Large Financial Institution Rating System'' is closely aligned with 
the Federal Reserve's new supervisory program for large financial 
institutions. The proposed rating system would apply to all bank 
holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or 
more; all non-insurance, non-commercial savings and loan holding 
companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more; and 
U.S. intermediate holding companies of foreign banking organizations 
established pursuant to the Federal Reserve's Regulation YY. The 
proposed rating system includes a new rating scale under which 
component ratings would be assigned for capital planning and positions, 
liquidity risk management and positions, and governance and controls; 
however, a standalone composite rating would not be assigned. The 
Federal Reserve proposes to assign initial ratings under the new rating 
system during 2018. The Federal Reserve is also seeking comment on 
proposed revisions to existing provisions in Regulations K and LL so 
they would remain consistent with certain features of the proposed 
rating system.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than October 16, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments by 
following the instructions for submitting comments at http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Include the 
docket number in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 452-3819 or (202) 452-3102.
     Mail: Address to Ann E. Misback, Secretary, Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20551.
    All public comments will be made available on the Board's Web site 
at http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as 
submitted, unless modified for technical reasons. Accordingly, 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: Richard Naylor, Associate Director, 
(202) 728-5854, Vaishali Sack, Manager, (202) 452-5221, April Snyder, 
Manager, (202) 452-3099, Bill Charwat, Senior Project Manager, (202) 
452-3006, Division of Supervision and Regulation, Scott Tkacz, Senior 
Counsel, (202) 452-2744, or Christopher Callanan, Senior Attorney, 
(202) 452-3594, Legal Division, Board of Governors of the Federal 
Reserve System, 20th and C Streets NW., Washington, DC 20551. 
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) users may contact (202-
263-4869).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Overview of the Proposed LFI Rating System
    A. LFI Rating Components
    B. LFI Rating Scale
III. Transition from the RFI Rating System to the LFI Rating System
IV. Consequences of LFI Ratings
V. Applicability
VI. Timing and Implementation
VII. Related Proposed Guidance
    A. Management of Core Business Lines and Independent Risk 
Management and Controls
    1. Senior Management
    2. Management of Core Business Lines
    3. Independent Risk Management and Controls
    B. Board Effectiveness
VIII. Other Related Developments
IX. Proposed Changes to Existing Regulations
X. Comparison of the RFI and LFI Rating Systems
XI. Request for Comments
XII. Regulatory Analysis
    A. Paperwork Reduction Act
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
    C. Solicitation of Comments on Use of Plain Language
Appendix A. Text of Proposed Large Financial Institution Rating 
System

I. Background

    The 2007-2009 financial crisis demonstrated the risks that large 
financial institutions (LFIs) pose to U.S. financial stability. As a 
group, these institutions were overleveraged, had insufficient capital 
to support their risks, and relied heavily on short-term wholesale 
funding that was susceptible to runs. This excessive risk-taking, 
combined with similar behavior outside the regulated financial sector, 
left the U.S. economy vulnerable. The ensuing financial crisis led to a 
deep recession and the loss of nearly nine million jobs.
    In response, since the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve has 
placed materially heightened supervisory expectations on LFIs. The 
Federal Reserve has developed a supervisory program specifically 
designed to address the risks posed by such firms to U.S. financial 
stability. The Federal Reserve established the Large Institution 
Supervision Coordinating Committee (LISCC) in 2010 to coordinate its 
supervisory oversight for the systemically important firms that pose 
the greatest risk to U.S. financial stability.\1\ The LISCC supervisory 
program conducts annual horizontal reviews of LISCC firms and firm-
specific examination work focused on evaluating a firm's (i) capital 
adequacy under normal and stressed conditions; (ii) liquidity positions 
and risk management practices; (iii) recovery and resolution 
preparedness; and (iv) governance and controls. For LFIs that are not 
LISCC firms, the Federal Reserve performs horizontal reviews and firm-
specific supervisory work focused on capital,

[[Page 39050]]

liquidity, and governance and control practices, which are tailored to 
reflect the risk characteristics of these institutions.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See the list of firms included in the LISCC supervisory 
program at https://www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/large-institution-supervision.htm.
    \2\ Several LFIs which are not LISCC firms are subject to the 
Federal Reserve's Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2012, the Federal Reserve implemented a new consolidated 
supervisory program for LFIs (referred to as the ``LFI supervision 
framework'') described in SR letter 12-17.\3\ The LFI supervision 
framework is intended to (i) enhance each LFI's financial and 
operational strength and resilience to reduce the likelihood of an 
LFI's failure or material financial or operational distress, and (ii) 
reduce the risk to U.S. financial stability overall if an LFI were to 
fail.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See SR letter 12-17/CA letter 12-14, ``Consolidated 
Supervision Framework for Large Financial Institutions,'' (referred 
to as ``SR letter 12-17'' in this notice) at http://www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/sr1217.htm.
    \4\ ``Financial strength and resilience'' is defined as 
maintaining effective capital and liquidity governance and planning 
processes, and sufficiency of related positions, to provide for 
continuity of the consolidated organization and its core business 
lines, critical operations, and banking offices through a range of 
conditions.
    ``Operational strength and resilience'' is defined as 
maintaining effective governance and controls to provide for 
continuity of the consolidated organization and its core business 
lines, critical operations, and banking offices, and promote 
compliance with laws and regulations, including those related to 
consumer protection, through a range of conditions.
    ``Critical operations'' are a firm's operations, including 
associated services, functions and support, the failure or 
discontinuance of which, in the view of the firm or the Federal 
Reserve would pose a threat to the financial stability of the United 
States.
    Under SR letter 12-17, ``banking offices'' are defined as U.S. 
depository institution subsidiaries and the U.S. branches and 
agencies of foreign banking organizations (FBOs). The Federal 
Reserve expects to use the LFI rating system to inform future 
revisions to other supervisory rating systems used to assess the 
U.S. operations of FBOs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The LFI supervision framework includes heightened expectations 
regarding capital and liquidity, including both the amount of capital 
and liquidity and the related planning and risk management practices. 
The LFI supervision framework also outlined expectations for a firm's 
maintenance of operational strength and resilience and its compliance 
with laws and regulations, as provided by effective governance and 
control practices.
    The Federal Reserve has not modified its supervisory rating system 
for bank holding companies since the 2007-2009 financial crisis. Since 
2004, the Federal Reserve has used the ``RFI/C(D)'' rating system 
(referred to as the ``RFI rating system'') to communicate its 
supervisory assessment of every bank holding company (BHC) regardless 
of its asset size, complexity, or systemic importance.\5\ The RFI 
rating system focuses on the risk management practices (R component) 
and financial condition (F component) of the consolidated organization, 
and assesses the potential impact (I component) of a BHC's 
nondepository entities on its subsidiary depository institution(s).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See SR letter 04-18, ``Bank Holding Company Rating System,'' 
69 FR 70444 (December 6, 2004), at https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2004/sr0418.htm.
    The Federal Reserve has only applied the RFI rating system to 
saving and loan holding companies (SLHCs) on an indicative basis 
since assuming supervisory responsibility for those firms from the 
Office of Thrift Supervision in 2011. The Federal Reserve has 
proposed to apply the RFI rating system to SLHCs on a fully 
implemented basis, excluding SLHCs engaged in significant insurance 
or commercial activities. See 81 FR 89941 (December 13, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Given the systemic risks posed by LFIs and the corresponding 
changes to the Federal Reserve's supervisory expectations and oversight 
of those firms, the Federal Reserve believes that a new rating system 
would be more effective than the RFI rating system for evaluating LFIs. 
The RFI rating system remains a relevant and effective tool for 
developing and communicating supervisory assessments for community and 
regional holding companies. Therefore, the RFI rating system will 
continue to be used in the supervision of these organizations.

II. Overview of the Proposed LFI Rating System

    The proposed LFI rating system provides a supervisory evaluation of 
whether a firm possesses sufficient financial and operational strength 
and resilience to maintain safe and sound operations through a range of 
conditions. The proposed LFI rating system is designed to:
     Fully align with the Federal Reserve's current supervisory 
programs and practices, which are based upon the LFI supervision 
framework's core objectives of reducing the probability of LFIs failing 
or experiencing material distress and reducing the risk to U.S. 
financial stability;
     Enhance the clarity and consistency of supervisory 
assessments and communications of supervisory findings and 
implications; and
     Provide appropriate incentives for LFIs to maintain 
financial and operational strength and resilience, including compliance 
with laws and regulations, by more clearly defining the supervisory 
consequences of a given rating.

A. LFI Rating Components

    Under the proposed LFI rating system, the Federal Reserve would 
evaluate and assign ratings for the following three components: \6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The proposed LFI rating system does not include subcomponent 
ratings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Capital Planning and Positions
     Liquidity Risk Management and Positions
     Governance and Controls
    The Capital Planning and Positions component rating would encompass 
assessments of (i) the effectiveness of the governance and planning 
processes used by a firm to determine the amount of capital necessary 
to cover risks and exposures, and to support activities through a range 
of conditions; and (ii) the sufficiency of a firm's capital positions 
to comply with applicable regulatory requirements and to support the 
firm's ability to continue to serve as a financial intermediary through 
a range of conditions. Findings from CCAR for LISCC firms and certain 
other large and complex LFIs,\7\ and from similar supervisory 
activities for other LFIs,\8\ represent a material portion of the work 
that would be conducted to determine the Capital Planning and Positions 
component rating.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See SR letter 15-18, ``Federal Reserve Supervisory 
Assessment of Capital Planning and Positions for LISCC Firms and 
Large and Complex Firms,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1518.htm.
    Under SR letter 15-18, a ``large and complex firm'' is defined 
as any domestic BHC or intermediate holding company (IHC) that is 
not a LISCC firm and that has total consolidated assets of $250 
billion or more or consolidated total on-balance sheet foreign 
exposure of $10 billion or more.
    \8\ See SR letter 15-19, ``Federal Reserve Supervisory 
Assessment of Capital Planning and Positions for Large and 
Noncomplex Firms,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1519.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Liquidity Risk Management and Positions component rating would 
encompass assessments of (i) the effectiveness of a firm's governance 
and risk management processes used to determine the amount of liquidity 
necessary to cover risks and exposures, and to support activities 
through a range of conditions; and (ii) the sufficiency of a firm's 
liquidity positions to comply with applicable regulatory requirements 
and to support the firm's ongoing obligations through a range of 
conditions.\9\ The Liquidity Risk Management and Positions component 
rating would be based on findings of coordinated examinations of 
liquidity positions and risk management

[[Page 39051]]

practices conducted across several firms (horizontal examinations), as 
well as ongoing assessments of an individual firm's liquidity positions 
and risk management practices conducted through the supervisory 
process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ These requirements include the Board's Liquidity Coverage 
Ratio (LCR) rule in Regulation WW and the liquidity risk management 
and stress testing requirements in Regulation YY. See 12 CFR part 
249 and 12 CFR 252.34-35 and 252.156-157.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Horizontal examinations help to ensure that the liquidity positions 
and risk management practices of firms with similar liquidity risk 
profiles are evaluated in a consistent manner. LISCC firms are subject 
to the Comprehensive Liquidity Analysis and Review (CLAR), which is an 
annual horizontal exercise that assesses both liquidity positions and 
risk management. Other LFI firms are subject to more narrow horizontal 
examinations depending on their risk profile. The Federal Reserve also 
conducts targeted examinations of specific areas that are of high risk 
to an individual firm or have not been covered by a recent horizontal 
examination.
    The Federal Reserve evaluates each firm's risk management practices 
by reviewing the processes that firms use to identify, measure, 
monitor, and manage liquidity risk and make funding decisions. The 
Federal Reserve evaluates a firm's liquidity positions against 
applicable regulatory requirements, and assesses the firm's ability to 
support its obligations through other means, such as its funding 
concentrations.
    The Governance and Controls component rating would evaluate the 
effectiveness of a firm's (i) board of directors, (ii) management of 
core business lines and independent risk management and controls, and 
(iii) recovery planning (for domestic LISCC firms only).\10\ This 
rating would assess a firm's effectiveness in aligning strategic 
business objectives with the firm's risk tolerance \11\ and risk 
management capabilities; maintaining strong, effective, and independent 
risk management and control functions, including internal audit; 
promoting compliance with laws and regulations, including those related 
to consumer protection; and otherwise providing for the ongoing 
resiliency of the firm. Firm-specific and horizontal examination work 
focused on a firm's corporate governance, independent risk management, 
controls, and lines of business, among other areas, would provide the 
basis for determining the Governance and Controls component rating.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ ``Board'' or ``board of directors'' also refers to 
committees of the board of directors, as appropriate.
    At this time, recovery planning expectations only apply to 
domestic BHCs subject to the Federal Reserve's LISCC supervisory 
framework. See SR letter 14-8, ``Consolidated Recovery Planning for 
Certain Large Domestic Bank Holding Companies.'' Should the Federal 
Reserve expand the scope of recovery planning expectations to 
encompass additional firms, this rating will reflect such 
expectations for the broader set of firms.
    There are eight domestic firms in the LISCC portfolio: (1) Bank 
of America Corporation; (2) Bank of New York Mellon Corporation; (3) 
Citigroup, Inc.; (4) Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.; (5) JP Morgan Chase 
& Co.; (6) Morgan Stanley; (7) State Street Corporation; and (8) 
Wells Fargo & Company. In this guidance, these eight firms may 
collectively be referred to as ``domestic LISCC firms.''
    \11\ ``Risk tolerance'' is defined as the aggregate level and 
types of risk the board and senior management are willing to assume 
to achieve the firm's strategic business objectives, consistent with 
applicable capital, liquidity, and other requirements and 
constraints.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Unlike other supervisory rating systems, including the RFI rating 
system, the Federal Reserve would not assign a standalone composite 
rating under the proposed LFI rating system. The Federal Reserve 
believes assigning a standalone composite rating is not necessary 
because the three proposed LFI component ratings are designed to 
clearly communicate supervisory assessments and associated consequences 
for each of the core areas (capital, liquidity, and governance and 
controls) considered critical to a firm's strength and resilience. It 
is unlikely that the assignment of a standalone composite rating would 
convey new or additional information regarding supervisory assessments, 
and a standalone composite rating could dilute the clarity and impact 
of the component ratings.

B. LFI Rating Scale

    Each LFI component rating would be assigned using a multi-level 
scale (Satisfactory/Satisfactory Watch, Deficient-1, and Deficient-2). 
A ``Satisfactory'' rating indicates that the firm is considered safe 
and sound and broadly meets supervisory expectations.\12\ A 
``Satisfactory Watch'' rating is a conditional ``Satisfactory'' rating, 
and is discussed in greater detail below. A ``Deficient-1'' rating 
indicates that although the firm's current condition is not considered 
to be materially threatened, there are financial and/or operational 
deficiencies that put its prospects for remaining safe and sound 
through a range of conditions at significant risk. A ``Deficient-2'' 
rating indicates that financial and/or operational deficiencies 
materially threaten the firm's safety and soundness, or have already 
put the firm in an unsafe and unsound condition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ References to ``safe and sound'' or ``safety and 
soundness'' in the proposed LFI rating system also refer to a firm's 
consolidated organization and its critical operations and banking 
offices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Supervisors may assign a ``Satisfactory Watch'' component rating 
which indicates that the firm is generally considered safe and sound; 
however certain issues are sufficiently material that, if not resolved 
in a timely manner in the normal course of business, would put the 
firm's prospects for remaining safe and sound through a range of 
conditions at risk. This would be consistent with existing supervisory 
practice where supervisors generally indicate to a firm that a rating 
downgrade is a strong possibility if the firm fails to resolve 
identified weaknesses in a timely manner. The ``Satisfactory Watch'' 
rating may also be used for firms previously rated ``Deficient'' when 
circumstances warrant.
    In considering whether supervisory issues are likely to be resolved 
in the normal course of business, the Federal Reserve will assess the 
firm's ability to remediate or mitigate these issues (through 
compensating controls and/or a reduced risk profile) in a timely manner 
without material changes to, or investments in, a firm's governance, 
risk management or internal control structures, practices, or 
capabilities.
    A ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating is not intended to be used for a 
prolonged period. Firms that receive a ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating 
would have a specified timeframe to fully resolve issues leading to 
that rating (as is the case with all supervisory issues), generally no 
longer than 18 months.\13\ If the firm successfully resolved the issues 
leading to the ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating, the firm would typically 
be upgraded to ``Satisfactory'' as it has demonstrated an ability to 
successfully remediate or mitigate these issues in a timely manner in 
the normal course of business. However, if the firm failed to timely 
remediate or mitigate those issues, that failure would generally be 
viewed as evidence that the firm lacked sufficient financial and/or 
operational capabilities to remain safe and sound

[[Page 39052]]

through a range of conditions. In these instances, the firm would 
typically be downgraded to a ``Deficient'' rating.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ The timeframe initially specified by the Federal Reserve 
for resolving issues will become more precise over time, and may be 
extended as circumstances warrant. As noted in current guidance, 
defined timeframes for resolving supervisory issues are communicated 
within either ``Matters Requiring Attention'' (MRAs) or ``Matters 
Requiring Immediate Attention'' (MRIAs). See SR letter 13-13/CA 
letter 13-10, ``Supervisory Considerations for the Communication of 
Supervisory Findings,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1313.htm (referred to as ``SR letter 13-
13'' in this notice). Proposed guidance which would replace SR 
letter 13-13 has been released for public comment concurrent with 
this proposal and is discussed below in Section VII, ``Related 
Proposed Guidance.'' An enforcement action will also specify the 
timeframe for a firm to resolve deficiencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When a firm is rated ``Satisfactory Watch,'' supervisors would 
focus on determining whether a firm's issues are related to each other, 
similar in nature or root cause, or constitute a pattern reflecting 
deeper governance or risk management weaknesses, warranting a downgrade 
to a ``Deficient'' rating.

III. Transition From the RFI Rating System to the LFI Rating System

    As noted above, the LFI supervision framework--as described in SR 
12-17 and accompanied by the issuance of enhanced regulatory 
requirements, supervisory expectations and practices--has been 
established over recent years to enhance the ability of large 
systemically important firms to sustain operations through a range of 
stressful conditions and events. Introduction of a new rating system 
that is comprehensively aligned with the LFI supervision framework 
represents the natural next step in the build-out of this program. As 
such, transition to the proposed LFI rating system is intended to be 
evolutionary and expected to be routine in most respects for affected 
firms.
    Approaches to assessing an LFI's financial strength and resilience 
via effective capital and liquidity governance and planning, and 
sufficiency of related positions, are more prominent in the proposed 
LFI rating system versus the RFI rating system, and are fully 
reflective of current supervisory practices and expectations. Key 
conclusions of LFI supervision activities, including CCAR and CLAR, 
will be directly reflected within the Capital and Liquidity component 
rating assignments. By contrast, the RFI rating system was not designed 
to readily accommodate the results of these activities.
    Similarly, the key elements within the Governance and Controls 
component rating, which underlie a firm's operational resilience and 
overall risk management, are also consistent with current practices. 
Most of these elements can be traced to supervisory expectations for 
risk management and internal controls first introduced in 1995, and 
subsequently carried forth into the RFI rating system in 2004.\14\ 
These foundational aspects of a firm's governance and control 
framework, including expectations relating to the effectiveness of 
boards of directors and emphasis on sound risk management, remain 
present in the proposed LFI rating system, albeit with some changes in 
emphasis and nomenclature.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See SR letter 95-51, ``Rating the Adequacy of Risk 
Management Processes and Internal Controls at State Member Banks and 
Bank Holding Companies,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/1995/sr9551.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Governance and Controls component rating also provides an 
updated approach to assessing the effectiveness of risk management and 
control activities as conducted (i) directly within a firm's business 
line operations (where risk-taking activities are initiated and 
implemented), and (ii) throughout a firm's independent risk management 
and controls. More recently, key expectations regarding the alignment 
of a firm's strategy with its risk tolerance and risk management 
capabilities were included in SR letter 12-17, and are also reflected 
within capital planning guidance issued in 2015.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See SR letter 15-18 and SR letter 15-19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The chart included below in Section X, ``Comparison of the RFI and 
LFI Rating Systems,'' broadly compares and illustrates the structural 
differences between the two rating systems.

IV. Consequences of LFI Ratings

    Statutes and regulations applicable to LFIs grant a number of 
privileges to well managed firms.\16\ Under the RFI rating system, a 
firm's composite rating and Risk Management rating determine whether a 
holding company is considered to be ``well managed'' for purposes of 
these privileges.\17\ Under the proposed LFI rating system, a firm must 
be rated ``Satisfactory'' or ``Satisfactory Watch'' for each of its 
three component ratings in order to be considered ``well managed.'' 
\18\ A rating of ``Deficient-1'' or lower for any component would 
result in the firm not being deemed ``well managed.'' This reflects the 
judgment that an LFI is not in satisfactory condition overall unless it 
is considered sound in each of the key areas of capital, liquidity, and 
governance and controls.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 12 U.S.C. 1841 et. seq. and 12 U.S.C. 1461 et seq. See, 
e.g., 12 CFR 225.4(b)(6), 225.14, 225.22(a), 225.23, 225.85, and 
225.86; 12 CFR 211.9(b), 211.10(a)(14), and 211.34; and 12 CFR 
223.41.
    \17\ 12 U.S.C. 1841(o)(9)(A).
    \18\ For purposes of determining whether a firm is considered to 
be ``well managed'' under section 2(o)(9) of the BHC Act, the 
Federal Reserve considers the three component ratings, taken 
together, to be equivalent to assigning a standalone composite 
rating. In addition, the RFI rating system designates the ``Risk 
Management'' rating as the ``management'' rating when making ``well 
managed'' determinations under section 2(o)(9)(A)(ii) of the BHC 
Act. See SR letter 04-8. In contrast, the proposed LFI rating system 
would not designate any of the three component ratings as a 
``management'' rating, because each component evaluates different 
areas of the firm's management.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A ``Deficient-1'' component rating could be a barrier for a firm 
seeking the Federal Reserve's approval to engage in new or expansionary 
activities, unless the firm can demonstrate that (i) it is making 
meaningful, sustained progress in resolving identified deficiencies and 
issues; (ii) the proposed new or expansionary activities would not 
present a risk of exacerbating current deficiencies or issues or lead 
to new concerns; and (iii) the proposed activities would not distract 
the board or senior management from remediating current deficiencies or 
issues.
    The Federal Reserve would be extremely unlikely to approve any 
proposal seeking to engage in new or expansionary activities from a 
firm with a ``Deficient-2'' component rating.
    Under the Bank Holding Company Act (BHC Act) and the Home Owners' 
Loan Act,\19\ companies that have elected to be treated as financial 
holding companies (FHCs) and that do not remain well managed face 
restrictions on commencement or expansion of certain activities. In 
addition, a firm with less than satisfactory ratings may be subject to 
restrictions or higher charges in attempting to access the Federal 
Reserve's discount window or in gaining access to intraday credit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 12 U.S.C. 1843(l) and 12 U.S.C. 1467a(c)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A ``Deficient-1'' component rating would often be an indication 
that the firm should be subject to either an informal or formal 
enforcement action, and may also result in the designation of the firm 
as being in ``troubled condition.'' \20\ A firm with a ``Deficient-2'' 
component rating should expect to be subject to a formal enforcement 
action and deemed to be in ``troubled condition.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ See 12 CFR 225.71(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Applicability

    The Federal Reserve would use the proposed LFI rating system to 
evaluate and communicate the supervisory condition of all bank holding 
companies that have total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more; 
all non-insurance, non-commercial savings and loan holding companies 
that have total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more; and all 
U.S. intermediate holding companies (IHCs) of foreign banking 
organizations established pursuant to section 252.153 of the Federal 
Reserve's Regulation YY.\21\ In the future, the

[[Page 39053]]

Federal Reserve plans to use the LFI rating system to assess 
systemically important nonbank financial companies designated by the 
Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) for supervision by the 
Federal Reserve; however, this would be done through a separate 
rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ See SR letter 12-17 and 12 CFR 252.153.
    The Federal Reserve has only applied the RFI rating system to 
saving and loan holding companies (SLHCs) on an indicative basis 
since assuming supervisory responsibility for those firms from the 
Office of Thrift Supervision in 2011. The Federal Reserve has 
proposed to apply the RFI rating system to SLHCs on a fully 
implemented basis, excluding SLHCs engaged in significant insurance 
or commercial activities. See 81 FR 89941 (December 13, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Until final adoption of a LFI rating system, the Federal Reserve 
will continue to evaluate firms using the existing RFI rating system. 
Holding companies with less than $50 billion in total consolidated 
assets would continue to be evaluated using the RFI rating system.

VI. Timing and Implementation

    The Federal Reserve proposes to assign initial LFI ratings to all 
applicable firms during 2018. Due to differences in the timing of 
supervisory cycles across the portfolios that comprise the LFI 
supervisory program, firms in one portfolio may receive their initial 
LFI ratings at different times during the year than firms in another 
portfolio.
    During the initial LFI rating supervisory cycle, each applicable 
firm would receive all three component ratings under the LFI rating 
system concurrently. Consistent with current Federal Reserve practice 
on the assignment and communication of supervisory ratings by 
examiners, ratings under the proposed LFI rating system would be 
assigned and communicated to firms on at an annual basis, and more 
frequently as warranted. After the initial LFI rating supervisory 
cycle, examiners may assign and communicate individual component 
ratings on a rolling basis to the firms. Under the proposed LFI rating 
system, the Federal Reserve would continue to generally rely to the 
fullest extent possible on the information and assessments developed by 
other relevant supervisors and functional regulators. In accordance 
with the Federal Reserve's regulations governing confidential 
supervisory information,\22\ ratings assigned under the LFI rating 
system would be communicated by the Federal Reserve to the firm but not 
disclosed publicly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See 12 CFR 261.20.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed LFI rating system would apply if a firm reports total 
consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, calculated based on the 
average of the firm's total consolidated assets in the four (4) most 
recent quarters as reported on the firm's quarterly financial reports 
filed with the Federal Reserve. A firm that meets this criteria would 
generally receive the three LFI component ratings within one year of 
becoming subject to the LFI rating system. A firm would continue to be 
rated under the LFI rating system until it has less than $45 billion in 
total consolidated assets, based on the average total consolidated 
assets as reported on the firm's four (4) most recent quarterly 
financial reports filed with the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve 
may determine to apply the RFI rating system or another applicable 
rating system in certain limited circumstances.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ For example, if a firm rated under the proposed LFI rating 
system substantially reduces its total consolidated assets 
substantially below $45 billion through a sale or divestiture (but 
remains subject to Federal Reserve supervision), the Federal Reserve 
may immediately begin to apply the RFI rating system, rather than 
waiting for the firm's four-quarter average to fall below the $45 
billion threshold described above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VII. Related Proposed Guidance

    Concurrent with issuing this proposal, the Board is issuing another 
proposal for public comment addressing supervisory expectations for 
boards of directors of all Federal Reserve-supervised institutions.\24\ 
That proposal includes proposed guidance concerning the effectiveness 
of boards of directors of large financial institutions, which is an 
element of the Governance and Controls component rating. The Board also 
plans to separately release additional proposed guidance seeking 
comment on supervisory expectations relating to a firm's management of 
core business lines and independent risk management and controls, which 
is also an element of the Governance and Controls component rating. The 
Federal Reserve expects to release this additional guidance in the near 
future. However, if the LFI rating system is finalized before the 
additional governance and controls guidance is finalized, firms would 
be evaluated using existing supervisory guidance until such time that 
the additional governance and controls guidance is finalized.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ ``Federal Reserve-supervised institutions'' includes bank 
holding companies, savings and loan holding companies, state member 
banks, U.S. operations of foreign banking organizations, and 
systemically important financial institutions designated by FSOC for 
supervision by the Federal Reserve.
    \25\ The above section III, ``Transition from the RFI Rating 
System to the LFI Rating System,'' lists prominent examples of 
existing supervisory guidance currently utilized to assess the 
effectiveness of an LFI's governance and controls, including SR 
letters 95-51, 12-17, 15-18, and 15-19. Other recent examples of 
related guidance include SR letter 13-19/CA letter 13-21, ``Guidance 
on Managing Outsourcing Risk,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1319.htm and SR letter 13-1/CA letter 13-
1, ``Supplemental Policy Statement on the Internal Audit Function 
and Its Outsourcing,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1301.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following section provides a summary of the planned guidance 
relating to a firm's management of core business lines and independent 
risk management and controls, as well as a summary of the proposed 
guidance relating to the effectiveness of a firm's board of 
directors.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ The discussion below relating to a firm's management of 
core business lines and independent risk management and controls 
would only be applicable to domestic LFIs. Adjustments to extend 
applicability of this guidance to the U.S. operations of FBOs may be 
made prior to issuing the guidance for public comment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Management of Core Business Lines and Independent Risk Management 
and Controls

    The supervisory assessment of a firm's management of core business 
lines and independent risk management and controls would have three 
components: (1) Expectations for senior management with respect to both 
core business lines and independent risk management and controls; (2) 
expectations for the management of core business lines (CBLs); and (3) 
expectations for independent risk management (IRM) and controls.
1. Senior Management
    Senior management oversees both the management of core business 
lines and independent risk management and controls. The supervisory 
assessment of the effectiveness of senior management would include 
senior management's role in managing the firm's day-to-day operations, 
promoting safety and soundness and compliance with internal policies 
and procedures, laws, and regulations, including those related to 
consumer protection.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ Hereinafter, when reference is made to ``compliance with 
laws and regulations'' in this guidance, this includes laws and 
regulations related to banking as well as to consumer protection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Senior management is responsible for implementing the firm's 
strategy and risk tolerance as approved by the firm's board. Senior 
management should implement the strategic and risk objectives across 
the firm such that they support the firm's long-term resiliency and 
safety and soundness, including the firm's resilience to a range of 
stressed conditions. Senior management should ensure that the firm's 
infrastructure, staffing, and resources are sufficient to carry out the 
firm's strategic objectives.
    Senior management should maintain and implement an effective risk 
management framework and ensure the firm can appropriately manage risk 
consistent with its strategy and risk

[[Page 39054]]

tolerance. This should include establishing clear responsibilities and 
accountability for the identification, management, and control of risk. 
Senior management should also develop and maintain the firm's policies 
and procedures and system of internal controls to ensure compliance 
with laws and regulations.
    Senior management is responsible for ensuring the resolution of key 
issues and effective firm-wide communication, including to and from the 
board of directors. Senior management should have in place robust 
mechanisms for keeping apprised of, among other things, current and 
emerging risks to the firm and other material issues, including by 
maintaining robust management information systems.
    Senior management should have in place succession and contingency 
staffing plans for key positions and have compensation and performance 
management programs that promote and enforce prudent risk-taking 
behaviors and business practices.
2. Management of Core Business Lines
    The Federal Reserve would consider the effectiveness of the 
management of core business lines in meeting its supervisory 
expectations.\28\ For LISCC firms, all business lines would be 
considered CBLs. For other firms, CBLs would be defined as those 
business lines where a significant control disruption, failure, or loss 
event would result in a material loss of revenue, profit, or franchise 
value, or result in significant consumer harm.\29\ The Federal Reserve 
is reserving discretion to identify other business lines or functions 
as core business lines, based on their size, risk profile, or other 
supervisory considerations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ All of the expectations for the management of CBLs 
described herein also apply to critical operations, which are 
central to the Federal Reserve's supervisory focus.
    \29\ For large financial institutions that are not LISCC firms, 
a firm's CBLs should comprise at least 80 percent of total revenue 
in aggregate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CBL management should establish for each core business line 
specific business and risk objectives that align with the firm-wide 
strategy and risk tolerance.\30\ CBL management should inform senior 
management when the risk management capabilities are insufficient to 
align those business and risk objectives. CBL management should also 
clearly present to senior management the risks emanating from the 
business line's activities and explain how those risks are managed and 
align with the firm's risk tolerance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ ``CBL management'' refers to the core group of individuals 
responsible for prudent day-to-day management of a core business 
line and accountable to senior management for that responsibility. 
Depending on a firm's organizational structure, CBL management may 
or may not be members of senior management.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CBL management should identify, measure, and manage current and 
emerging risks that stem from CBL activities and external factors. CBL 
management should also incorporate appropriate feedback from 
independent risk management (IRM) on business line risk positions, 
implementation of the risk tolerance, and risk management practices, 
including risk mitigation.
    CBL management should manage the CBL's activities so they remain 
within risk limits established by IRM, consult with senior management 
before permitting any breaches of the limits, and follow appropriate 
procedures for obtaining exceptions to limits. CBL management should 
also adhere to the firm's policies and procedures for vetting new 
business products and initiatives, and escalate to senior management 
any required changes or modifications to risk management systems or 
internal control policies and procedures arising from the adoption of a 
new business or initiative.
    CBL management should provide a CBL with sufficient resources and 
infrastructure to meet financial goals and strategic objectives while 
maintaining operational and financial resilience in a range of 
operating conditions, including stressful ones. Resources and 
infrastructure include sufficient personnel with appropriate training 
and expertise and management information systems.
    CBL management should develop and maintain an effective system of 
sound and appropriate internal controls for its CBL that ensures 
compliance with laws and regulations.\31\ CBL management should 
regularly test to ensure the effectiveness of controls within the 
business lines and ensure that deficiencies are remediated, and should 
escalate material deficiencies and systematic control violations to 
senior management, as well as provide periodic reports. Finally, CBL 
management should reassess controls periodically to ensure relevancy 
and alignment with current approved policies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ For example, a CBL's system of controls should include 
access controls, change controls, and data integrity controls, 
including data reconciliations, variance analysis and data quality 
logic check.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CBL management should establish policies and guidelines that 
delineate accountability, set forth clear lines of management authority 
within the CBL, and align desired behavior with the firm's performance 
management incentives. CBL management should hold employees accountable 
for conduct that is inconsistent with the firm's policies or board and 
senior management directives or that could result in violations of law. 
CBL management should inform senior management of improper conduct when 
appropriate, including individual instances and when there are 
identified patterns of misconduct. CBL management should have ongoing 
and effective means to prevent, detect, and remediate risk management 
and compliance failures.
3. Independent Risk Management and Controls
    The Federal Reserve would assess whether the firm's independent 
risk management and controls meet supervisory expectations. This 
assessment would focus on three related areas: The independent risk 
management function, internal controls, and internal audit.
a. Independent Risk Management (IRM) Function
i. Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
    A CRO must have sufficient capability and experience in 
identifying, assessing, and managing risk exposures of large, complex 
financial institutions.\32\ The CRO should guide IRM to establish and 
monitor compliance with enterprise-wide risk limits, identify and 
aggregate the firm's risks, assess the firm's risk positions relative 
to the parameters of the firm's risk tolerance, and provide relevant 
risk information to senior management and the board of directors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See 12 CFR 252.33.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CRO should inform the board of directors if his or her stature, 
independence, or authority is not sufficient or is at risk of being 
insufficient to provide unbiased and independent assessments of the 
firm's risks, risk management activities, and system of internal 
controls.\33\ Further, the CRO should be included in discussions with 
other senior management and the board related to key decisions, such as 
strategic planning and capital and liquidity planning, and provide 
input to the board on incentive compensation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ Other officers of the firm may oversee portions of 
functions involved in risk management and control activities. See SR 
letter 08-08/CA letter 08-11, ``Compliance Risk Management Programs 
and Oversight at Large Banking Organizations with Complex Compliance 
Profiles,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2008/SR0808.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CRO should notify senior management and the board of directors 
when activities or practices at the firm-

[[Page 39055]]

wide, risk-specific, or CBL level do not align with the firm's overall 
risk tolerance. As appropriate, the CRO should recommend constraints on 
risk taking and enhancements to risk management practices to senior 
management and the board of directors.
    The CRO should support the independence of IRM from the business 
lines by establishing clearly defined roles and responsibilities and 
reporting lines.
ii. Chief Audit Executive (CAE)
    The firm should have a CAE, appointed by the board, with sufficient 
capability, experience, independence, and stature to manage the 
internal audit function's responsibilities.\34\ Under the direction of 
the CAE, the internal audit function performs an independent assessment 
of the effectiveness of the firm's system of internal controls and the 
risk management framework. The CAE should manage effectively all 
aspects of internal audit work on an ongoing basis, including any 
internal audit work that is outsourced. The CAE should have the 
authority to oversee all internal audit activities and to hire internal 
audit staff with sufficient capability and stature. The CAE should 
report findings, issues, and concerns to the board's audit committee 
and senior management.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See SR letter 13-1/CA letter 13-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

iii. Risk Tolerance and Limits
    IRM should evaluate whether the firm's risk tolerance appropriately 
captures the firm's material risks, whether it aligns with the firm's 
strategic plan and the corresponding business activities, and whether 
it is consistent with the capacity of the risk management framework. 
IRM, including through the CRO, should provide input to both senior 
management and the board to assist in the development, evaluation, and 
approval of the firm's risk tolerance. IRM should also determine 
whether the firm's risk profile is consistent with the firm's risk 
tolerance and assess whether the firm's risk management framework has 
the capacity to manage the risks outlined in the risk tolerance.
    Under direction of the CRO, IRM should establish enterprise-wide 
risk limits as well as more granular risk limits, as appropriate, that 
are consistent with the firm's risk tolerance for the firm's full set 
of risks. IRM should monitor and update risk limits as appropriate, 
especially as the firm's risk tolerance, risk profile, or external 
conditions change. IRM should identify significant trends in risk 
levels to evaluate whether risk-taking and risk management practices 
are consistent with the firm's strategic objectives. IRM should 
escalate to senior management material breaches to the firm's risk 
tolerance and enterprise-wide risk limits, as well as instances where 
IRM's conclusions differ from those of CBLs.
    IRM should identify and measure under both normal and stressful 
operating conditions, where possible, current and emerging risks within 
and across business lines and risk types, as well as any other relevant 
perspective. Common risk types include credit, market, operational, 
liquidity, interest rate, legal, and compliance (such as consumer 
protection and Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering).
    IRM should aggregate risks across the entire firm and assess those 
risks relative to the firm's risk tolerance. IRM should identify 
material or critical concentrations of risks and assess the likelihood 
and potential impact of those risks on the firm. IRM should identify 
information gaps, uncertainties, or limitations in risk assessments for 
the board of directors and senior management, as appropriate.
    Risk reporting should cover current and emerging risk, risk 
exposure and adherence to risk limits and risk concentrations as well 
as the firm's ongoing strategic, capital, and liquidity planning 
processes. Risk reporting should enable prompt escalation and 
remediation of material problems; enhance appropriate and timely 
responses to identified problems; provide current and forward-looking 
perspectives; and support or influence strategic decision-making.
b. Internal Controls
    Developing and maintaining effective internal controls are the 
responsibility of senior management, IRM, and CBL management. 
Accordingly, a firm should appropriately assign management 
responsibilities for the establishment and maintenance of internal 
controls. To foster an appropriate control culture within the firm, 
adequate control activities should be integrated into the daily 
functions of all relevant personnel.
    A firm should have mechanisms to monitor and test internal controls 
and to identify and escalate issues that appear to compromise the 
effectiveness of internal controls. The scope, frequency, and depth of 
testing should consider the complexity of the firm, the results of risk 
assessments, and the number and significance of the deficiencies 
identified during prior testing. A firm should test and monitor 
internal controls using a risk-based approach, prioritizing efforts on 
controls in areas of highest risk and less effective controls.
    A firm should evaluate and communicate internal control 
deficiencies in a timely manner to those parties responsible for taking 
corrective action, including senior management.
c. Internal Audit
    The internal audit function should examine, evaluate, and perform 
an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the firm's risk 
management framework and internal control systems and report findings 
to senior management and the firm's audit committee. The Federal 
Reserve would assess the extent to which a firm complies with existing 
guidance on internal audit.\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ The Federal Reserve issued guidance outlining the key 
components of an effective internal audit function in SR letter 03-
5, ``Amended Interagency Guidance on the Internal Audit Function and 
its Outsourcing,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2003/sr0305.htm and followed that with supplemental 
guidance in SR letter 13-1/CA letter 13-1. The supplemental guidance 
builds upon the 2003 interagency guidance of SR letter 03-5 and 
further addresses the characteristics, governance, and operational 
effectiveness of a firm's internal audit function.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Board Effectiveness

    Concurrent with this proposal, the Board is issuing a related 
proposal for public comment addressing supervisory expectations for 
boards of directors of all Federal Reserve-supervised institutions. The 
Federal Reserve conducted a multi-year review of the practices of 
boards of directors, particularly at the largest financial 
institutions, which considered the factors that make boards effective, 
the challenges boards face, how boards influence the safety and 
soundness of their firms, and the impact of the Federal Reserve's 
expectations for boards of directors in existing supervisory guidance. 
The proposed guidance relating to boards of directors and its 
accompanying notice published in the Federal Register constitute the 
results of the review. The review identified three key issues that 
could potentially reduce a board's ability to be effective. First, 
supervisory expectations for boards of directors and senior management 
have become increasingly difficult to distinguish. Second, boards 
typically spend a significant amount of time focused on supervisory 
expectations that do not directly relate to the board's core 
responsibilities, which include guiding the development of the firm's 
strategy and risk tolerance, overseeing senior management and holding 
them accountable, supporting

[[Page 39056]]

the stature and independence of the firm's independent risk management 
and internal audit functions, and adopting effective governance 
practices. Third, boards of large financial institutions often face 
significant challenges managing the overwhelming quantity of 
information provided by senior management in advance of board meetings.
    The proposal would refocus existing supervisory expectations on a 
board's core responsibilities by more clearly distinguishing the roles 
and responsibilities of the board from those of senior management; 
eliminating redundant, outdated, or irrelevant supervisory expectations 
for boards; and ensuring that supervisory guidance is more closely 
aligned.
    The proposal contains three parts, the first of which includes 
proposed supervisory guidance addressing effective boards of directors 
(proposed BE guidance), which would apply to the largest depository 
institution holding companies supervised by the Federal Reserve. The 
proposed BE guidance identifies five key attributes of effective boards 
of directors and would provide the framework the Federal Reserve would 
use to assess a firm's board of directors. The proposed BE guidance 
also would clarify supervisory expectations for boards as distinct from 
expectations for senior management.
    The second part of the proposal would revise certain supervisory 
expectations for boards to ensure they are aligned with the Federal 
Reserve's supervisory framework, and would eliminate redundant, 
outdated, or irrelevant supervisory expectations. These changes reflect 
the Federal Reserve's review of approximately 170 existing supervisory 
expectations contained in 27 Supervision and Regulation letters (SR 
letters), and would apply to bank and savings and loan holding 
companies of all sizes.
    The third part of the proposal includes proposed supervisory 
guidance that would replace Federal Reserve SR letter 13-13 \36\ and 
clarify expectations for communicating supervisory findings to an 
institution's board of directors and senior management. This proposed 
guidance, like the existing guidance, would apply to all financial 
institutions supervised by the Federal Reserve. The proposed guidance 
would facilitate the execution of boards' core responsibilities by 
clarifying expectations for communicating supervisory findings to an 
institution's board of directors and senior management. The proposed 
guidance would indicate that Federal Reserve examiners and supervisory 
staff would direct most Matters Requiring Immediate Attention (MRIAs) 
and Matters Requiring Attention (MRAs) to senior management for 
corrective action. MRIAs and MRAs would only be directed to the board 
for corrective action when the board needs to address its corporate 
governance responsibilities or when senior management fails to take 
appropriate remedial action. The board would remain responsible for 
holding senior management accountable for remediating supervisory 
findings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ See SR letter 13-13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIII. Other Related Developments

    Upon finalizing the LFI rating system, the Federal Reserve expects 
to issue supervisory guidance to update and align the consolidated 
supervisory framework, including SR letter 12-17, to be fully 
consistent with any modifications made through the final adoption of 
the LFI rating system as well as supervisory guidance relating to 
governance and controls.
    In the future, the Federal Reserve may propose to revise the LFI 
rating system to include an additional rating component to assess the 
sufficiency of resolution planning efforts undertaken by LISCC firms 
(and perhaps other select LFIs) to reduce the impact on the U.S. 
financial system in the event of the firm's failure. This proposed 
revision to the LFI rating system would be issued for notice and 
comment.

IX. Proposed Changes to Existing Regulations

    References to holding company ratings are included in a number of 
the Federal Reserve's existing regulations. In certain cases, the 
regulations are narrowly constructed such that they contemplate only 
the assignment of a standalone composite rating using a numerical 
rating scale. This is consistent with the current RFI rating system but 
is not compatible with the proposed LFI rating system. Three provisions 
in the Federal Reserve's existing regulations are written in this 
manner, including two in Regulation K and one in Regulation LL. In 
Regulation K, section 211.2(z) of Regulation K includes a definition of 
``well managed'' which in part requires a bank holding company to have 
received a composite rating of 1 or 2 at its most recent examination or 
review; and section 211.9(a)(2) requires an investor (which by 
definition can be a bank holding company) to have received a composite 
rating of at least 2 at its most recent examination in order to make 
investments under the general consent or limited general consent 
procedures contained in sections 211.9(b) and (c). In Regulation LL, 
section 238.54(a)(1) restricts savings and loan holding companies from 
commencing certain activities without the Federal Reserve's prior 
approval unless the company received a composite rating of 1 or 2 at 
its most recent examination.
    To ensure that the Federal Reserve's regulations are consistent and 
compatible with all aspects of both the RFI rating system as well as 
the proposed LFI rating system, the Federal Reserve proposes to amend 
those three regulatory provisions so they would apply to entities which 
receive numerical composite ratings as well as to entities which do not 
receive numerical composite ratings (including firms subject to the 
proposed LFI rating system).\37\ To satisfy the requirements of those 
provisions, firms that do not receive numerical composite ratings would 
have to be considered satisfactory under the proposed LFI rating 
system. To be considered satisfactory, a firm would have to be rated 
``Satisfactory'' or ``Satisfactory Watch'' for each component of the 
proposed LFI rating system; a firm which is rated ``Deficient-1'' or 
lower for any component would not be considered satisfactory. This 
standard would apply to any provision contained in the Federal 
Reserve's regulations which requires or refers to a firm having a 
satisfactory composite rating.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ The Board may propose additional necessary revisions to its 
regulations resulting from the adoption of a final LFI rating 
system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

X. Comparison of the RFI and LFI Rating Systems

    The proposed LFI rating system includes several structural changes 
from the RFI rating system. The following table provides a broad 
comparison between the two rating systems.

[[Page 39057]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           RFI rating system                Proposed LFI rating system
------------------------------------------------------------------------
R--Risk Management.....................  Assessment of the effectiveness
An evaluation of the ability of the       of a firm's governance and
 BHC's board of directors and senior      risk management practices is
 management to identify, measure,         central to the Governance and
 monitor, and control risk.               Controls component rating. The
The rating is supported by four           Governance and Controls rating
 subcomponent ratings:.                   evaluates a firm's
 Board and Senior Management      effectiveness in aligning
 Oversight.                               strategic business objectives
 Policies, Procedures, and        with risk management
 Limits.                                  capabilities; maintaining
 Risk Monitoring and Management   strong and independent risk
 Information Systems.                     management and control
 Internal Controls.............   functions, including internal
                                          audit; promoting compliance
                                          with laws and regulations,
                                          including those related to
                                          consumer protection; and
                                          otherwise providing for the
                                          ongoing resiliency of the
                                          firm.
                                         Governance and risk management
                                          practices specifically related
                                          to maintaining financial
                                          strength and resilience are
                                          also incorporated into the
                                          Capital Planning and Positions
                                          and Liquidity Risk Management
                                          and Positions component
                                          ratings.
F--Financial Condition.................  Assessment of a firm's
An evaluation of the consolidated         financial strength and
 organization's financial strength.       resilience is specifically
The rating is supported by four           evaluated through the Capital
 subcomponent ratings:.                   Planning and Positions and
 Capital Adequacy..............   Liquidity Risk Management and
 Asset Quality.................   Positions component ratings.
 Earnings......................   These component ratings assess
 Liquidity.....................   the effectiveness of
                                          associated planning and risk
                                          management processes, and the
                                          sufficiency of related
                                          positions.
                                         Although asset quality and
                                          earnings are not rated
                                          separately, they continue to
                                          be important elements in
                                          assessing a firm's safety and
                                          soundness and resiliency, and
                                          are important considerations
                                          within each of the LFI
                                          component ratings.
I--Impact..............................  Although a separate ``Impact''
An assessment of the potential impact     rating would not be assigned,
 of the firm's nondepository entities     the LFI rating system would
 on its subsidiary depository             assess a firm's ability to
 institution(s).                          protect the safety and
                                          soundness of its subsidiary
                                          depository institutions,
                                          including whether the firm can
                                          provide financial and
                                          managerial strength to its
                                          subsidiary depository
                                          institutions.\38\
D--Depository Institutions.............  A separate rating for a firm's
Generally reflects the composite CAMELS   depository institution
 rating assigned by the primary           subsidiaries would not be
 supervisor of the subsidiary             assigned. The Federal Reserve
 depository institution(s).\39\.          will continue to rely to the
                                          fullest extent possible on
                                          supervisory assessments
                                          developed by the primary
                                          supervisor of the subsidiary
                                          depository institution(s).
C--Composite Rating....................  A standalone composite rating
The overall composite assessment of the   would not be assigned. The
 BHC as reflected by the R, F, and I      three LFI component ratings
 ratings, and supported by examiner       are designed to clearly
 judgment with respect to the relative    communicate supervisory
 importance of each component to the      assessments and associated
 safe and sound operation of the BHC.     consequences for each of the
                                          core areas (capital, liquidity
                                          and governance and controls)
                                          considered critical to an
                                          LFI's strength and resilience.
                                         For purposes of determining
                                          whether a firm is ``well
                                          managed,'' the three component
                                          ratings taken together would
                                          be treated as equivalent to a
                                          standalone composite rating.
                                          Each component must be rated
                                          either ``Satisfactory'' or
                                          ``Satisfactory Watch'' in
                                          order for a firm to be deemed
                                          ``well managed.''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

XI. Request for Comments

    The Board invites comments on all aspects of the proposed LFI 
rating system, including responses to the following questions:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ See Sections 616 of DFA (financial strength), 12 CFR 225.4 
of the Board's Regulation Y, and 12 CFR 238.8 of the Board's 
Regulation LL.
    \39\ See SR letter 96-38, ``Uniform Financial Institutions 
Rating System,'' at http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/1996/sr9638.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Are there specific considerations beyond those outlined in this 
proposal that should be considered in the Federal Reserve's assessment 
of whether an LFI has sufficient financial and operational strength and 
resilience to maintain safe and sound operations?
    (2) Does the proposal clearly describe the firms that would be 
subject to the LFI rating system, and those firms that would continue 
to be subject to the RFI rating system?
    (3) Does the proposal clearly describe the supervisory expectations 
for senior management in the evaluation of a firm's governance and 
controls under the proposed LFI rating system?
    (4) Does the proposal clearly describe how and under what 
circumstances a ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating would or would not be 
assigned? Does that rating provide appropriate messaging and incentives 
to firms to correct identified deficiencies?
    (5) Should the LFI rating system be revised at a future date to 
assess the sufficiency of a firm's resolution planning efforts 
undertaken to reduce the impact on the financial system in the event of 
the firm's failure? If yes, what should the Federal Reserve 
specifically consider in conducting that assessment?
    (6) Are there options that should be considered to enhance the 
transparency of LFI ratings in order to incent more timely and 
comprehensive remediation of supervisory deficiencies or issues?
    (7) What specific issues should the Federal Reserve consider when 
using the LFI rating system to inform future revisions to other 
supervisory rating systems used to assess the U.S. operations of 
foreign banking organizations?

XII. Regulatory Analysis

A. Paperwork Reduction Act

    There is no collection of information required by this proposal 
that would be subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    The Board is providing an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
with respect to this proposed rule. The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq. (RFA), generally requires an agency to assess the 
impact a rule is expected to have on small entities. The RFA requires 
an agency either to provide an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
with a proposed rule for which a general notice of proposed rulemaking 
is required or to certify that the proposed rule will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Based on 
the Board's analysis

[[Page 39058]]

and for the reasons stated below, the Board believes that neither the 
proposed LFI rating system nor the proposed rule will have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
A final regulatory flexibility analysis will be conducted after 
comments received during the public comment period have been 
considered.
    Under regulations issued by the Small Business Administration, a 
small entity includes a depository institution, bank holding company, 
or savings and loan holding company with assets of $550 million or less 
(small banking organizations). As of June 1, 2017, there were 
approximately 3,539 small banking organizations. As described above, 
the proposed LFI rating system would apply only to all bank holding 
companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more; all 
non-insurance, non-commercial savings and loan holding companies with 
total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more; and U.S. intermediate 
holding companies of foreign banking organizations established pursuant 
to section 252.153 of the Federal Reserve's Regulation YY. Small 
banking organizations would therefore not be subject to the proposed 
LFI rating system. Similarly, the proposed rule would make conforming 
changes to several regulations to reflect certain aspects of the 
proposed LFI rating system, but would not change the operation of those 
regulations for any entity that would not be subject to the proposed 
LFI rating system. As a result, neither the proposed LFI rating system 
nor the proposed rule should have any impact on small banking 
organizations. In light of the foregoing, the Board believes that the 
proposed LFI rating system will not have a significant economic impact 
on small banking organizations supervised by the Board.

C. Solicitation of Comments on Use of Plain Language

    Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires the Board to use 
plain language in all proposed and final rules published after January 
1, 2000. The Board invites comment on how to make this proposed rule 
easier to understand. For example:
     Has the Board organized the material to suit your needs? 
If not, how could the proposal be more clearly stated?
     Does the proposal contain technical language or jargon 
that is not clear? If so, what language requires clarification?
     Would a different format (grouping and order of sections, 
use of headings, paragraphing) make the proposal easier to understand? 
If so, what changes would make the proposal easier to understand?
     Would more, but shorter, sections be better? If so, what 
sections should be changed?
     What else could the Board do to make the proposal easier 
to understand?

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 211

    Exports, Federal Reserve System, Foreign banking, Holding 
companies, Investments, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

12 CFR Part 238

    Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, Banking, Federal 
Reserve System, Holding companies, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Board proposes to amend 
12 CFR parts 211 and 238 as follows:

PART 211--INTERNATIONAL BANKING OPERATIONS (REGULATION K)

0
1. The authority citations for part 211 continues to read as follows: 
12 U.S.C. 221 et seq., 1818, 1835a, 1841 et seq., 3101 et seq., 3901 et 
seq., and 5101 et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 1681s, 1681w, 6801 and 6805.
0
2. Section 211.2 is amended by revising paragraph (z) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  211.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (z) Well managed means that the Edge or agreement corporation, any 
parent insured bank, and the bank holding company either received a 
composite rating of 1 or 2 or is considered satisfactory under the 
applicable rating system, and has at least a satisfactory rating for 
management if such a rating is given, at their most recent examination 
or review.
0
3. Section 211.9 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  211.9  Investment Procedures.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) Composite rating. Except as the Board may otherwise determine, 
in order for an investor to make investments under the general consent 
or limited general consent procedures of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section, at the most recent examination the investor and any parent 
insured bank must have either received a composite rating of at least 2 
or be considered satisfactory under the applicable rating system.

PART 238--SAVINGS AND LOAN HOLDING COMPANIES (REGULATION LL)

0
1. The authority citations for part 211 continues to read as follows:


    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552, 559; 12 U.S.C. 1462, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 
1467, 1467a, 1468, 1813, 1817, 1829e, 1831i, 1972; 15 U.S.C. 78l.

0
2. Section 238.54 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  238.54  Permissible bank holding company activities of savings 
and loan holding companies.

    (a) * * *
    (1) The holding company received a rating of satisfactory or above 
prior to January 1, 2008, or thereafter, either received a composite 
rating of ``1'' or ``2'' or be considered satisfactory under the 
applicable rating system in its most recent examination, and is not in 
a troubled condition as defined in Sec.  238.72, and the holding 
company does not propose to commence the activity by an acquisition (in 
whole or in part) of a going concern; or
* * * * *

Appendix A

Note: This Appendix A will not be published in the Code of Federal 
Regulations.

 Text of Proposed Large Financial Institution Rating System

A. Overview of LFI Rating System

    The Federal Reserve will use the large financial institution 
(LFI) rating system to evaluate and communicate the condition and 
prospects of domestic bank holding companies with total consolidated 
assets of $50 billion or more, certain savings and loan holding 
companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, and 
U.S. intermediate holding companies of foreign banking 
organizations.\1\ The LFI rating system will replace the existing 
RFI/C(D) rating system that is presently used by the Federal Reserve 
to assign ratings to applicable holding companies.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The LFI rating system will apply to non-insurance, non-
commercial savings and loan holding companies with total 
consolidated assets of $50 billion or more. With respect to U.S. 
intermediate holding companies (IHCs) of foreign banking 
organizations (FBOs), the LFI rating system applies only to IHCs 
established under Regulation YY as required for FBOs with U.S. non-
branch assets of $50 billion or more. Plans are for systemically 
important nonbank financial companies designated by the Financial 
Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) for supervision by the Federal 
Reserve to be subject to the LFI rating system at a future date 
through a separate rulemaking.
    \2\ Refer to SR letter 04-18, ``Bank Holding Company Rating 
System,'' 69 FR 70444 (December 6, 2004), at https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2004/sr0418.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The LFI rating system draws from the supervisory objectives set 
forth in the

[[Page 39059]]

Consolidated Supervisory Framework for Large Financial Institutions 
for enhanced financial and operational strength and resilience for 
the largest and most systemically important firms.\3\ The LFI rating 
system is designed to:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Refer to SR letter 12-17/CA letter 12-14, ``Consolidated 
Supervisory Framework for Large Financial Institutions,'' at http://www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/sr1217.htm. This 
supervisory framework will be updated to more closely align with the 
LFI rating system when the rating system is released in its final 
form.
    ``Financial strength and resilience'' is defined as maintaining 
effective capital and liquidity governance and planning processes, 
and sufficiency of related positions, to provide for continuity of 
the consolidated organization and its core business lines, critical 
operations, and banking offices through a range of conditions.
    ``Operational strength and resilience'' is defined as 
maintaining effective governance and controls to provide for 
continuity of the consolidated organization and its core business 
lines, critical operations, and banking offices, and promote 
compliance with laws and regulations, including those related to 
consumer protection, through a range of conditions.
    ``Critical operations'' are a firm's operations, including 
associated services, functions and support, the failure or 
discontinuance of which, in the view of the firm or the Federal 
Reserve would pose a threat to the financial stability of the United 
States.
    Under SR letter 12-17, ``banking offices'' are defined as U.S. 
depository institution subsidiaries and the U.S. branches and 
agencies of FBOs. The Federal Reserve expects to use the LFI rating 
system to inform future revisions to other rating systems used to 
assess the U.S. operations of FBOs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Fully align with the Federal Reserve's current 
supervisory programs and practices, which are based upon the LFI 
supervision framework's core objectives of reducing the probability 
of LFIs failing or experiencing material distress and reducing the 
risk to U.S. financial stability;
     Enhance the clarity and consistency of supervisory 
assessments and communications of supervisory findings and 
implications; and
     Provide appropriate incentives for LFIs to maintain 
financial and operational strength and resilience, including 
compliance with laws and regulations, by more clearly defining the 
consequences of a given rating.
    Consistent with current practice, LFI ratings will be assigned 
and communicated to firms on at least an annual basis, and more 
frequently as warranted to reflect the conclusions of supervisory 
activities performed by the Federal Reserve. In determining the LFI 
rating and identifying supervisory issues requiring corrective 
action by a firm, the Federal Reserve will generally rely to the 
fullest extent possible on the information and assessments developed 
by other relevant supervisors and functional regulators.

B. LFI Rating Framework

    The LFI rating framework provides a supervisory evaluation of 
whether a firm possesses sufficient financial and operational 
strength and resilience to maintain safe and sound operations 
through a range of conditions.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Hereinafter, when ``safe and sound'' or ``safety and 
soundness'' is used in this framework, related expectations apply to 
the consolidated organization and a firm's critical operations and 
banking offices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The LFI rating system is comprised of three components, 
described below:
     Capital Planning and Positions: An evaluation of (i) 
the effectiveness of a firm's governance and planning processes used 
to determine the amount of capital necessary to cover risks and 
exposures, and to support activities through a range of conditions; 
and (ii) the sufficiency of a firm's capital positions to comply 
with applicable regulatory requirements and to support the firm's 
ability to continue to serve as a financial intermediary through a 
range of conditions.
     Liquidity Risk Management and Positions: An evaluation 
of (i) the effectiveness of a firm's governance and risk management 
processes used to determine the amount of liquidity necessary to 
cover risks and exposures, and to support activities through a range 
of conditions; and (ii) the sufficiency of a firm's liquidity 
positions to comply with applicable regulatory requirements and to 
support the firm's ongoing obligations through a range of 
conditions.
     Governance and Controls: An evaluation of the 
effectiveness of a firm's (i) board of directors, (ii) management of 
core business lines and independent risk management and controls, 
and (iii) recovery planning (for domestic LISCC firms only).\5\ This 
rating assesses a firm's effectiveness in aligning strategic 
business objectives with the firm's risk tolerance and risk 
management capabilities; maintaining strong, effective, and 
independent risk management and control functions, including 
internal audit; promoting compliance with laws and regulations, 
including those related to consumer protection; and otherwise 
planning for the ongoing resiliency of the firm.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ References to ``board'' or ``board of directors'' in this 
framework includes the equivalent to a board of directors, as 
appropriate, as well as committees of the board of directors or the 
equivalent thereof, as appropriate.
    A ``business line'' is a defined unit or function of a financial 
institution, including associated operations and support, that 
provides related products or services to meet the firm's business 
needs and those of its customers. ``Core business lines'' are 
defined as those business lines in which a significant control 
disruption, failure or loss event would result in a material loss of 
revenue, profit, franchise value, or result in significant consumer 
harm. Supervisory expectations applicable to management of core 
business lines apply equally to the management of critical 
operations. Additionally, critical operations are to be sufficiently 
resilient to be maintained, continued, and funded even in the event 
of a firm's material financial distress or failure.
    At this time, recovery planning expectations only apply to 
domestic BHCs subject to the Federal Reserve's LISCC supervisory 
framework. Should the Federal Reserve expand the scope of recovery 
planning expectations to encompass additional firms, this rating 
will reflect such expectations for the broader set of firms.
    There are eight domestic firms in the LISCC portfolio: (1) Bank 
of America Corporation; (2) Bank of New York Mellon Corporation; (3) 
Citigroup, Inc.; (4) Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.; (5) JP Morgan Chase 
& Co.; (6) Morgan Stanley; (7) State Street Corporation; and (8) 
Wells Fargo & Company. In this guidance, these eight firms may 
collectively be referred to as ``domestic LISCC firms.''
    \6\ ``Risk tolerance'' is defined as the aggregate level and 
types of risk the board and senior management are willing to assume 
to achieve the firm's strategic business objectives, consistent with 
applicable capital, liquidity, and other requirements and 
constraints.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assignment of the LFI Component Ratings

    Each LFI component rating is assigned along a multi-level scale 
(Satisfactory/Satisfactory Watch, Deficient-1, and Deficient-2). A 
``Satisfactory'' rating indicates that the firm is considered safe 
and sound and broadly meets supervisory expectations. A 
``Satisfactory Watch'' rating is a conditional ``Satisfactory'' 
rating and is discussed in greater detail below. A ``Deficient-1'' 
rating indicates that although the firm's current condition is not 
considered to be materially threatened, there are financial and/or 
operational deficiencies that put its prospects for remaining safe 
and sound through a range of conditions at significant risk. A 
``Deficient-2'' rating indicates that financial and/or operational 
deficiencies materially threaten the firm's safety and soundness, or 
have already put the firm in an unsafe and unsound condition.
    Supervisors may assign a ``Satisfactory Watch'' component rating 
which indicates that the firm is generally considered safe and 
sound; however certain issues are sufficiently material that, if not 
resolved in a timely manner in the normal course of business, would 
put the firm's prospects for remaining safe and sound through a 
range of conditions at risk.\7\ Use of the ``Satisfactory Watch'' 
rating is consistent with existing supervisory practice of giving 
notice that the Federal Reserve is likely to downgrade a firm to a 
less-than-satisfactory rating if identified weaknesses are not 
resolved in a timely manner. The ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating may 
also be used for firms previously rated ``Deficient'' when 
circumstances warrant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ For purposes of the LFI rating system, ``during the normal 
course of business'' is when the Federal Reserve believes that 
supervisory issues can be resolved via remediation or mitigation 
(through compensating controls and/or a reduced risk profile) in a 
timely manner without material changes to, or investments in, a 
firm's governance, risk management or internal control structures, 
practices, or capabilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating is not intended to be used for a 
prolonged period. Firms that receive a ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating 
will have a specified timeframe to fully resolve issues leading to 
that rating (as is the case with all supervisory issues), generally 
no longer than 18 months.\8\ If the firm

[[Page 39060]]

successfully resolves the issues leading to the ``Satisfactory 
Watch'' rating, the firm would typically be upgraded to 
``Satisfactory'' as it has demonstrated an ability to successfully 
remediate or mitigate these issues in a timely manner in the normal 
course of business. However, if the firm fails to timely remediate 
or mitigate those issues, this failure would generally be viewed as 
evidence that the firm lacks sufficient financial and/or operational 
capabilities to remain safe and sound through a range of conditions. 
In these instances the firm would typically be downgraded to a 
``Deficient'' rating.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The timeframe initially specified by the Federal Reserve for 
resolving issues will become more precise over time, and may be 
extended as circumstances warrant. As noted in current guidance, 
defined timeframes for resolving supervisory issues are communicated 
within either ``Matters Requiring Attention'' (MRAs) or ``Matters 
Requiring Immediate Attention'' (MRIAs). See SR letter 13-13/CA 
letter 13-10, ``Supervisory Considerations for the Communication of 
Supervisory Findings,'' at https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1313.htm. Proposed guidance which would 
replace SR letter 13-13 has been released for public comment. An 
enforcement action will also specify the timeframe for a firm to 
resolve deficiencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When a firm is rated ``Satisfactory Watch,'' supervisors would 
focus on determining whether a firm's issues are related to each 
other, similar in nature or root cause, or constitute a pattern 
reflecting deeper governance or risk management weaknesses, 
warranting a downgrade to a ``Deficient'' rating.
    The weighting of individual elements within each LFI component 
rating will depend on their relative contribution to the rating 
definitions outlined below. For example, a limited number of 
significant deficiencies--or even just one significant deficiency--
noted for management of a single core business line could be viewed 
as sufficiently important to warrant a ``Deficient'' Governance and 
Controls component rating, even if the firm meets supervisory 
expectations under the Governance and Controls component in all 
other respects.
    A standalone composite rating is not assigned under the LFI 
rating system. The three LFI component ratings are designed to 
clearly communicate supervisory assessments and associated 
consequences to a firm for the core areas (capital, liquidity, and 
governance and controls) considered critical to an LFI's strength 
and resilience.
    Under the LFI rating system, a firm must be rated 
``Satisfactory'' or ``Satisfactory Watch'' for each of its component 
ratings to be considered ``well managed'' in accordance with various 
statutes and regulations.\9\ A ``well managed'' firm has sufficient 
financial and operational strength and resilience to maintain safe 
and sound operations through a range of conditions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 12 U.S.C. 1841 et. seq. and 12 U.S.C. 1461 et seq. See, 
e.g., 12 CFR 225.4(b)(6), 225.14, 225.22(a), 225.23, 225.85, and 
225.86; 12 CFR 211.9(b), 211.10(a)(14), and 211.34; and 12 CFR 
223.41.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. LFI Rating Components

    The LFI rating system is comprised of three component ratings: 
\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ There may be instances where deficiencies or supervisory 
issues may be relevant to the Federal Reserve's assessment of more 
than one component area. As such, the LFI rating will reflect these 
deficiencies or issues within multiple rating components when 
necessary to provide a comprehensive supervisory assessment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Capital Planning and Positions Component Rating

    The Capital Planning and Positions component rating evaluates 
(i) the effectiveness of a firm's governance and planning processes 
used to determine the amount of capital necessary to cover risks and 
exposures, and to support activities through a range of conditions; 
and (ii) the sufficiency of a firm's capital positions to comply 
with applicable regulatory requirements and to support the firm's 
ability to continue to serve as a financial intermediary through a 
range of conditions.
    In developing this rating, the Federal Reserve will evaluate:
     Capital Planning: The extent to which a firm maintains 
sound capital planning practices though strong governance and 
oversight; strong risk management and controls; maintenance of 
updated capital policies and contingency plans for addressing 
potential shortfalls; and incorporation of appropriately stressful 
conditions and events into capital planning and projections of 
capital positions; and
     Capital Positions: The extent to which a firm's capital 
is sufficient to comply with regulatory requirements, and to support 
its ability to meet its obligations to depositors, creditors, and 
other counterparties and continue to serve as a financial 
intermediary through a range of conditions.

Definitions for the Capital Planning and Positions Component Rating

Satisfactory

    A firm's capital planning and positions are considered sound and 
broadly meet supervisory expectations. Specifically:
     A firm is capable of producing sound assessments of 
capital adequacy through a range of conditions; and
     A firm's current and projected capital positions comply 
with regulatory requirements, and support its ability to absorb 
current and potential losses, to meet obligations, and to continue 
to serve as a financial intermediary through a range of conditions.
    Although a firm rated ``Satisfactory'' may have supervisory 
issues requiring corrective action, the firm is effectively 
mitigating the issues or the Federal Reserve has deemed the issues 
as unlikely to present a threat to the firm's ability to maintain 
safe and sound operations.

Satisfactory Watch

    In select circumstances, a ``Satisfactory Watch'' component 
rating may be assigned. In these instances a firm's capital planning 
and positions are generally considered sound; however certain 
supervisory issues are sufficiently material that, if not resolved 
by the firm in a timely manner during the normal course of business, 
would put the firm's prospects for remaining safe and sound through 
a range of conditions at risk.
    A ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating may be assigned to a firm that 
meets these characteristics regardless of its prior rating (that is, 
it may be assigned to a firm previously rated ``Satisfactory'' or 
``Deficient''). In either instance, the Federal Reserve will not use 
the ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating for a prolonged period. In most 
instances, the firm will either (i) resolve the issues in a timely 
manner and be assigned a ``Satisfactory'' rating, or (ii) fail to 
resolve the issues and be downgraded to a ``Deficient'' rating, as 
its inability to resolve those issues in a timely manner would 
indicate that the firm does not possess sufficient financial and 
operational capabilities to maintain its safety and soundness 
through a range of conditions.
    The Federal Reserve will provide an expected timeframe for the 
firm to remediate or mitigate each issue leading to the 
``Satisfactory Watch'' rating, and will closely monitor the firm's 
progress.

Deficient-1

    Although a firm's current condition is not considered to be 
materially threatened, there are deficiencies in capital planning or 
positions that put its prospects for remaining safe and sound 
through a range of conditions at significant risk. Its practices and 
capabilities do not meet supervisory expectations, as:
     Deficiencies in a firm's capital planning processes are 
not effectively mitigated. These deficiencies limit the firm's 
ability to effectively assess capital adequacy through a range of 
conditions; and/or
     A firm's projected capital positions may be 
insufficient to absorb potential losses, and to support its ability 
to meet prospective obligations and serve as a financial 
intermediary through a range of conditions.
    These deficiencies require timely corrective action focused on 
restoring and maintaining capital planning capabilities and capital 
positions consistent with assignment of a ``Satisfactory'' component 
rating. To support supervisory efforts--and ensure the immediate 
attention of the firm's board and senior management towards 
restoring financial and operational strength and resilience as 
necessary to maintain the firm's safety and soundness through a 
range of conditions--there is a strong presumption that the firm 
will be subject to an informal or formal enforcement action by the 
Federal Reserve.
    A ``Deficient-1'' component rating could be a barrier for a firm 
seeking the Federal Reserve's approval of a proposal to engage in 
new or expansionary activities, unless the firm can demonstrate that 
(i) it is making meaningful, sustained progress in resolving 
identified deficiencies and issues; (ii) the proposed new or 
expansionary activities would not present a risk of exacerbating 
current deficiencies or issues or lead to new concerns; and (iii) 
the proposed activities would not distract the board or senior 
management from remediating current deficiencies or issues.

Deficient-2

    Deficiencies in a firm's capital planning or positions present a 
material threat to its safety and soundness, or have already put the 
firm in an unsafe and unsound condition. Its practices and 
capabilities fall well short of supervisory expectations, as:
     A firm's capital planning processes are insufficient to 
effectively assess capital adequacy through a range of conditions; 
and/or
     A firm's current and projected capital positions are 
insufficient to absorb current or potential losses, and to support 
its ability to meet current and prospective obligations and serve as 
a financial intermediary through a range of conditions.

[[Page 39061]]

    To address these deficiencies, a firm is required to (i) 
implement comprehensive corrective measures sufficient to restore 
and maintain satisfactory capital planning capabilities and adequate 
capital positions; and (ii) demonstrate the sufficiency, 
credibility, and readiness of contingency planning and options in 
the event of further escalation of financial or operational 
deficiencies. To support supervisory efforts and ensure the 
immediate attention of the firm's board and senior management in 
addressing threats to safety and soundness, there is a strong 
presumption that the firm will be subject to a formal enforcement 
action.
    The Federal Reserve would be extremely unlikely to approve any 
proposal from a firm with a ``Deficient-2'' rating to engage in new 
or expansionary activities.

2. Liquidity Risk Management and Positions Component Rating

    The Liquidity Risk Management and Positions component rating 
evaluates (i) the effectiveness of a firm's governance and risk 
management processes used to determine the amount of liquidity 
necessary to cover risks and exposures, and to support activities 
through a range of conditions; and (ii) the sufficiency of a firm's 
liquidity positions to comply with applicable regulatory 
requirements and to support the firm's ongoing obligations through a 
range of conditions.
    In developing this rating, the Federal Reserve will evaluate:
     Liquidity Risk Management: The extent to which a firm 
maintains sound liquidity risk management practices though strong 
governance and oversight; strong risk management and controls; 
maintenance of updated liquidity policies and contingency plans for 
addressing potential shortfalls; and incorporation of appropriately 
stressful conditions and events into liquidity planning and 
projections of liquidity positions; and
     Liquidity Positions: The extent to which a firm's 
liquidity is sufficient to comply with regulatory requirements, and 
to support its ability to meet current and prospective obligations 
to depositors, creditors and other counterparties through a range of 
conditions.

Definitions for the Liquidity Risk Management and Positions Component 
Rating

Satisfactory

    A firm's liquidity risk management and positions are considered 
sound and broadly meet supervisory expectations. Specifically:
     A firm is capable of producing sound assessments of 
liquidity adequacy through a range of conditions; and
     A firm's current and projected liquidity positions 
comply with regulatory requirements, and support its ability to meet 
current and prospective obligations and to continue to serve as a 
financial intermediary through a range of conditions.
    Although a firm rated ``Satisfactory'' may have supervisory 
issues requiring corrective action, the firm is effectively 
mitigating the issues or the Federal Reserve has deemed the issues 
as unlikely to present a threat to the firm's ability to maintain 
safe and sound operations.

Satisfactory Watch

    In select circumstances, a ``Satisfactory Watch'' component 
rating may be assigned. In these instances a firm's liquidity risk 
management and positions are generally considered sound; however 
certain supervisory issues are sufficiently material that, if not 
resolved by the firm in a timely manner during the normal course of 
business, would put the firm's prospects for remaining safe and 
sound through a range of conditions at risk.
    A ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating may be assigned to a firm that 
meets these characteristics regardless of its prior rating (that is, 
it may be assigned to a firm previously rated ``Satisfactory'' or 
``Deficient''). In either instance, the Federal Reserve will not use 
the ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating for a prolonged period. In most 
instances, the firm will either (i) resolve the issues in a timely 
manner and be assigned a ``Satisfactory'' rating, or (ii) fail to 
resolve the issues and be downgraded to a ``Deficient'' rating, as 
its inability to resolve those issues in a timely manner would 
indicate that the firm does not possess sufficient financial and 
operational capabilities to maintain its safety and soundness 
through a range of conditions.
    The Federal Reserve will provide an expected timeframe for the 
firm to remediate or mitigate each issue leading to the 
``Satisfactory Watch'' rating, and will closely monitor the firm's 
progress.

Deficient-1

    Although a firm's current condition is not considered to be 
materially threatened, there are deficiencies in liquidity risk 
management or positions that put its prospects for remaining safe 
and sound through a range of conditions at significant risk. Its 
practices and capabilities do not meet supervisory expectations, as:
     Deficiencies in a firm's liquidity risk management 
processes are not effectively mitigated. These deficiencies limit 
the firm's ability to effectively assess liquidity adequacy through 
a range of conditions; and/or
     A firm's projected liquidity positions may be 
insufficient to support its ability to meet prospective obligations 
and serve as a financial intermediary through a range of conditions.
    These deficiencies require timely corrective action, focused on 
restoration and maintenance of liquidity risk management 
capabilities and liquidity positions consistent with assignment of a 
``Satisfactory'' component rating. To support supervisory efforts--
and ensure the immediate attention of the firm's board and senior 
management towards restoring financial and operational strength and 
resilience as necessary to maintain the firm's safety and soundness 
through a range of conditions--there is a strong presumption that 
the firm will be subject to an informal or formal enforcement action 
by the Federal Reserve.
    A ``Deficient-1'' component rating could be a barrier for a firm 
seeking the Federal Reserve's approval of a proposal to engage in 
new or expansionary activities, unless the firm can demonstrate that 
(i) it is making meaningful, sustained progress in resolving 
identified deficiencies and issues; (ii) the proposed new or 
expansionary activities would not present a risk of exacerbating 
current deficiencies or issues or lead to new concerns; and (iii) 
the proposed activities would not distract the board or senior 
management from remediating current deficiencies or issues.

Deficient-2

    Deficiencies in a firm's liquidity risk management or positions 
present a material threat to its safety and soundness, or have 
already put the firm in an unsafe and unsound condition. Its 
practices and capabilities fall well short of supervisory 
expectations, as:
     A firm's liquidity risk management processes are 
insufficient to perform an effective assessment of liquidity 
adequacy through a range of conditions; and/or
     A firm's current and projected liquidity positions are 
insufficient to support its ability to meet current and prospective 
obligations and serve as a financial intermediary through a range of 
conditions.
    To address these material deficiencies, a firm is required to 
immediately (i) implement comprehensive corrective measures 
sufficient to provide for the restoration and continued maintenance 
of satisfactory liquidity risk management capabilities and adequate 
liquidity positions; and (ii) demonstrate the sufficiency, 
credibility and readiness of contingency planning and options in the 
event of further escalation of financial or operational 
deficiencies. To support supervisory efforts and ensure the 
immediate attention of the firm's board and senior management in 
addressing threats to safety and soundness, there is a strong 
presumption that the firm will be subject to a formal enforcement 
action.
    The Federal Reserve would be extremely unlikely to approve any 
proposal from a firm with a ``Deficient-2'' rating to engage in new 
or expansionary activities.

3. Governance and Controls Component Rating

    The Governance and Controls component rating evaluates the 
effectiveness of a firm's (i) board of directors, (ii) management of 
core business lines and independent risk management and controls, 
and (iii) recovery planning (for domestic LISCC firms only). This 
rating assesses a firm's effectiveness in aligning strategic 
business objectives with the firm's risk tolerance and risk 
management capabilities; maintaining strong, effective, and 
independent risk management and control functions, including 
internal audit; promoting compliance with laws and regulations, 
including those related to consumer protection; and otherwise 
providing for the ongoing resiliency of the firm.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Hereinafter, references to ``compliance with laws and 
regulations'' include laws and regulations related to banking and 
consumer protection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In developing this rating, the Federal Reserve will evaluate:
     Effectiveness of the Board of Directors: The extent to 
which the board exhibits attributes consistent with those of 
effective boards in carrying out its core roles and

[[Page 39062]]

responsibilities, including setting a clear strategy for the firm 
that aligns with the firm's risk tolerance; actively managing 
information flow and board discussions; holding senior management 
accountable for implementing the firm's strategy and risk tolerance 
in an effective manner, and for maintaining the firm's risk 
management and control framework; supporting the independence and 
stature of the firm's independent risk management and internal audit 
functions; and maintaining its effectiveness by adapting its 
composition, governance structure and practices to changes that 
occur over time.
     Management of Core Business Lines and Independent Risk 
Management and Controls
    The extent to which:
    [cir] Senior management effectively and prudently manages the 
day-to-day operations of the firm and provides for ongoing 
resiliency; implements the firm's strategy and risk tolerance; 
maintains an effective risk management framework and system of 
internal controls; and promotes prudent risk taking behaviors and 
business practices, including compliance with laws and regulations.
    [cir] Core business line management executes business line 
activities consistent with the firm's strategy and risk tolerance; 
identifies and manages risks; and ensures an effective system of 
internal controls for its operations.
    [cir] Independent risk management effectively evaluates whether 
the firm's risk tolerance appropriately captures material risks and 
is consistent with the firm's risk management capacity; establishes 
and monitors risk limits that are consistent with the firm's risk 
tolerance; identifies and measures the firm's risks; and aggregates, 
assesses and reports on the firm's risk profile and positions. 
Additionally, the firm demonstrates that its system of internal 
controls is appropriate and tested for effectiveness. Finally, 
internal audit effectively and independently assesses the firm's 
risk management framework and internal control systems, and reports 
findings to senior management and the firm's audit committee.
     Recovery Planning (domestic LISCC firms only): The 
extent to which recovery planning processes effectively identify 
options that provide a reasonable chance of a firm being able to 
remedy financial weakness and restore market confidence without 
extraordinary official sector support.

Definitions for the Governance and Controls Component Rating

Satisfactory

    A firm's governance and control practices are considered sound 
and broadly meet supervisory expectations. Specifically, a firm's 
practices and capabilities are sufficient to align strategic 
business objectives with the firm's risk tolerance and risk 
management capabilities; maintain strong and independent risk 
management and control functions, including internal audit; promote 
compliance with laws and regulations; and otherwise provide for the 
firm's ongoing resiliency through a range of conditions.
    Although a firm rated ``Satisfactory'' may have supervisory 
issues requiring corrective action, the firm is effectively 
mitigating the issues or the Federal Reserve has deemed the issues 
as unlikely to present a threat to the firm's ability to maintain 
safe and sound operations.

Satisfactory Watch

    Supervisors may assign a ``Satisfactory Watch'' component 
rating, which indicates that governance and controls are generally 
considered sound; however certain supervisory issues are 
sufficiently material that, if not resolved by the firm in a timely 
manner during the normal course of business, would put the firm's 
prospects for remaining safe and sound through a range of conditions 
at risk.
    A ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating may be assigned to a firm which 
meets these characteristics regardless of its prior rating (that is, 
it may be assigned to a firm previously rated ``Satisfactory'' or 
``Deficient''). In either instance, the Federal Reserve will not use 
the ``Satisfactory Watch'' rating for a prolonged period. In most 
instances, the firm will either (i) resolve the issues in a timely 
manner and be assigned a ``Satisfactory'' rating, or (ii) fail to 
resolve the issues and be downgraded to a ``Deficient'' rating, as 
its inability to resolve those issues in a timely manner would 
indicate that the firm does not possess sufficient financial and 
operational capabilities to maintain its safety and soundness 
through a range of conditions.
    The Federal Reserve will provide an expected timeframe for the 
firm to remediate or mitigate each issue leading to the 
``Satisfactory Watch'' rating, and will closely monitor the firm's 
progress.

Deficient-1

    Although a firm's current condition is not considered to be 
materially threatened, there are deficiencies in a firm's governance 
or controls that put its prospects for remaining safe and sound 
through a range of conditions at significant risk.
    The firm's practices and capabilities do not meet supervisory 
expectations, and deficiencies limit its ability to align strategic 
business objectives with the firm's risk tolerance and risk 
management capabilities; maintain strong and independent risk 
management and control functions, including internal audit; promote 
compliance with laws and regulations; and/or otherwise provide for 
the firm's ongoing resiliency through a range of conditions.
    These deficiencies require timely corrective action by the firm, 
focused on restoring and maintaining its governance and control 
capabilities consistent with a ``Satisfactory'' component rating. To 
support supervisory efforts--and ensure the immediate attention of 
the firm's board and senior management towards restoring financial 
and operational strength and resilience as necessary to maintain the 
firm's safety and soundness through a range of conditions--there is 
a strong presumption that the firm will be subject to an informal or 
formal enforcement action by the Federal Reserve.
    A ``Deficient-1'' component rating could be a barrier for a firm 
seeking the Federal Reserve's approval of a proposal to engage in 
new or expansionary activities, unless the firm can demonstrate that 
(i) it is making meaningful, sustained progress in resolving 
identified deficiencies and issues; (ii) the proposed new or 
expansionary activities would not present a risk of exacerbating 
current deficiencies or issues or lead to new concerns; and (iii) 
the proposed activities would not distract the board or senior 
management from remediating current deficiencies or issues.

Deficient-2

    Deficiencies in a firm's governance or controls present a 
material threat to its safety and soundness, or have already put the 
firm in an unsafe and unsound condition.
    Its practices and capabilities fall well short of supervisory 
expectations, and are insufficient to align strategic business 
objectives with the firm's risk tolerance and risk management 
capabilities; maintain strong and independent risk management and 
control functions, including internal audit; promote compliance with 
laws and regulations; and/or otherwise provide for the firm's 
ongoing resiliency.
    To address these material deficiencies, a firm is required to 
(i) implement comprehensive corrective measures sufficient to 
restore and maintain appropriate governance and control 
capabilities; and (ii) demonstrate the sufficiency, credibility and 
readiness of contingency planning and options in the event of 
further escalation of financial or operational deficiencies. To 
support supervisory efforts and ensure the immediate attention of 
the firm's board and senior management in addressing threats to 
safety and soundness, there is a strong presumption that the firm 
will be subject to a formal enforcement action.
    The Federal Reserve would be extremely unlikely to approve any 
proposal from a firm with a ``Deficient-2'' rating to engage in new 
or expansionary activities.

    By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System, August 3, 2017.
Margaret McCloskey Shanks,
Deputy Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2017-16736 Filed 8-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6210-01-P



                                                                                                                                                                                                            39049

                                                  Proposed Rules                                                                                                Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                                Vol. 82, No. 158

                                                                                                                                                                Thursday, August 17, 2017



                                                  This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    reserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/Proposed                   1. Senior Management
                                                  contains notices to the public of the proposed          Regs.cfm.                                               2. Management of Core Business Lines
                                                  issuance of rules and regulations. The                    • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://                 3. Independent Risk Management and
                                                  purpose of these notices is to give interested                                                                     Controls
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                  persons an opportunity to participate in the                                                                    B. Board Effectiveness
                                                                                                          instructions for submitting comments.                 VIII. Other Related Developments
                                                  rule making prior to the adoption of the final
                                                                                                            • Email: regs.comments@                             IX. Proposed Changes to Existing Regulations
                                                  rules.
                                                                                                          federalreserve.gov. Include the docket                X. Comparison of the RFI and LFI Rating
                                                                                                          number in the subject line of the                          Systems
                                                  FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM                                  message.                                              XI. Request for Comments
                                                                                                            • Fax: (202) 452–3819 or (202) 452–                 XII. Regulatory Analysis
                                                                                                          3102.                                                   A. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                  12 CFR Parts 211 and 238
                                                                                                                                                                  B. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                            • Mail: Address to Ann E. Misback,
                                                  [Docket No. R–1569]                                                                                             C. Solicitation of Comments on Use of
                                                                                                          Secretary, Board of Governors of the                       Plain Language
                                                  RIN 7100–AE82                                           Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and               Appendix A. Text of Proposed Large
                                                                                                          Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,                       Financial Institution Rating System
                                                  Large Financial Institution Rating                      DC 20551.
                                                  System; Regulations K and LL                              All public comments will be made                    I. Background
                                                  AGENCY: Board of Governors of the                       available on the Board’s Web site at                     The 2007–2009 financial crisis
                                                  Federal Reserve System (Board).                         http://www.federalreserve.gov/general                 demonstrated the risks that large
                                                                                                          info/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as                         financial institutions (LFIs) pose to U.S.
                                                  ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
                                                                                                          submitted, unless modified for technical              financial stability. As a group, these
                                                  SUMMARY:   The Board is seeking                         reasons. Accordingly, comments will                   institutions were overleveraged, had
                                                  comment on a proposed new rating                        not be edited to remove any identifying               insufficient capital to support their
                                                  system for its supervision of large                     or contact information. Public                        risks, and relied heavily on short-term
                                                  financial institutions. The proposed                    comments may also be viewed                           wholesale funding that was susceptible
                                                  ‘‘Large Financial Institution Rating                    electronically or in paper in Room 3515,              to runs. This excessive risk-taking,
                                                  System’’ is closely aligned with the                    1801 K Street NW. (between 18th and                   combined with similar behavior outside
                                                  Federal Reserve’s new supervisory                       19th Street NW.), Washington, DC                      the regulated financial sector, left the
                                                  program for large financial institutions.               20006 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.                 U.S. economy vulnerable. The ensuing
                                                  The proposed rating system would                        on weekdays.                                          financial crisis led to a deep recession
                                                  apply to all bank holding companies                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      and the loss of nearly nine million jobs.
                                                  with total consolidated assets of $50                   Richard Naylor, Associate Director,                      In response, since the financial crisis,
                                                  billion or more; all non-insurance, non-                (202) 728–5854, Vaishali Sack, Manager,               the Federal Reserve has placed
                                                  commercial savings and loan holding                     (202) 452–5221, April Snyder, Manager,                materially heightened supervisory
                                                  companies with total consolidated                       (202) 452–3099, Bill Charwat, Senior                  expectations on LFIs. The Federal
                                                  assets of $50 billion or more; and U.S.                 Project Manager, (202) 452–3006,                      Reserve has developed a supervisory
                                                  intermediate holding companies of                       Division of Supervision and Regulation,               program specifically designed to
                                                  foreign banking organizations                           Scott Tkacz, Senior Counsel, (202) 452–               address the risks posed by such firms to
                                                  established pursuant to the Federal                     2744, or Christopher Callanan, Senior                 U.S. financial stability. The Federal
                                                  Reserve’s Regulation YY. The proposed                   Attorney, (202) 452–3594, Legal                       Reserve established the Large Institution
                                                  rating system includes a new rating                     Division, Board of Governors of the                   Supervision Coordinating Committee
                                                  scale under which component ratings                     Federal Reserve System, 20th and C                    (LISCC) in 2010 to coordinate its
                                                  would be assigned for capital planning                  Streets NW., Washington, DC 20551.                    supervisory oversight for the
                                                  and positions, liquidity risk                           Telecommunications Device for the Deaf                systemically important firms that pose
                                                  management and positions, and                           (TDD) users may contact (202–263–                     the greatest risk to U.S. financial
                                                  governance and controls; however, a                     4869).                                                stability.1 The LISCC supervisory
                                                  standalone composite rating would not                                                                         program conducts annual horizontal
                                                  be assigned. The Federal Reserve                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            reviews of LISCC firms and firm-specific
                                                  proposes to assign initial ratings under                Table of Contents                                     examination work focused on evaluating
                                                  the new rating system during 2018. The                                                                        a firm’s (i) capital adequacy under
                                                                                                          I. Background                                         normal and stressed conditions; (ii)
                                                  Federal Reserve is also seeking                         II. Overview of the Proposed LFI Rating
                                                  comment on proposed revisions to                                                                              liquidity positions and risk management
                                                                                                                System
                                                  existing provisions in Regulations K and                   A. LFI Rating Components                           practices; (iii) recovery and resolution
                                                  LL so they would remain consistent                         B. LFI Rating Scale                                preparedness; and (iv) governance and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  with certain features of the proposed                   III. Transition from the RFI Rating System to         controls. For LFIs that are not LISCC
                                                  rating system.                                                the LFI Rating System                           firms, the Federal Reserve performs
                                                  DATES: Comments must be received no                     IV. Consequences of LFI Ratings                       horizontal reviews and firm-specific
                                                  later than October 16, 2017.                            V. Applicability                                      supervisory work focused on capital,
                                                                                                          VI. Timing and Implementation
                                                  ADDRESSES: Interested parties are                       VII. Related Proposed Guidance                          1 See the list of firms included in the LISCC
                                                  invited to submit written comments by                      A. Management of Core Business Lines and           supervisory program at https://www.federal
                                                  following the instructions for submitting                     Independent Risk Management and                 reserve.gov/bankinforeg/large-institution-
                                                  comments at http://www.federal                                Controls                                        supervision.htm.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                  39050                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  liquidity, and governance and control                      asset size, complexity, or systemic                   A. LFI Rating Components
                                                  practices, which are tailored to reflect                   importance.5 The RFI rating system                       Under the proposed LFI rating system,
                                                  the risk characteristics of these                          focuses on the risk management                        the Federal Reserve would evaluate and
                                                  institutions.2                                             practices (R component) and financial                 assign ratings for the following three
                                                     In 2012, the Federal Reserve                            condition (F component) of the                        components: 6
                                                  implemented a new consolidated                             consolidated organization, and assesses                  • Capital Planning and Positions
                                                  supervisory program for LFIs (referred                     the potential impact (I component) of a                  • Liquidity Risk Management and
                                                  to as the ‘‘LFI supervision framework’’)                   BHC’s nondepository entities on its                   Positions
                                                  described in SR letter 12–17.3 The LFI                     subsidiary depository institution(s).                    • Governance and Controls
                                                  supervision framework is intended to (i)                      Given the systemic risks posed by                     The Capital Planning and Positions
                                                  enhance each LFI’s financial and                           LFIs and the corresponding changes to                 component rating would encompass
                                                  operational strength and resilience to                     the Federal Reserve’s supervisory                     assessments of (i) the effectiveness of
                                                  reduce the likelihood of an LFI’s failure                  expectations and oversight of those                   the governance and planning processes
                                                  or material financial or operational                       firms, the Federal Reserve believes that              used by a firm to determine the amount
                                                  distress, and (ii) reduce the risk to U.S.                 a new rating system would be more                     of capital necessary to cover risks and
                                                  financial stability overall if an LFI were                 effective than the RFI rating system for              exposures, and to support activities
                                                  to fail.4                                                  evaluating LFIs. The RFI rating system                through a range of conditions; and (ii)
                                                     The LFI supervision framework                                                                                 the sufficiency of a firm’s capital
                                                                                                             remains a relevant and effective tool for
                                                  includes heightened expectations                                                                                 positions to comply with applicable
                                                                                                             developing and communicating
                                                  regarding capital and liquidity,                                                                                 regulatory requirements and to support
                                                                                                             supervisory assessments for community
                                                  including both the amount of capital                                                                             the firm’s ability to continue to serve as
                                                                                                             and regional holding companies.
                                                  and liquidity and the related planning                                                                           a financial intermediary through a range
                                                                                                             Therefore, the RFI rating system will
                                                  and risk management practices. The LFI                                                                           of conditions. Findings from CCAR for
                                                                                                             continue to be used in the supervision
                                                  supervision framework also outlined                                                                              LISCC firms and certain other large and
                                                                                                             of these organizations.
                                                  expectations for a firm’s maintenance of                                                                         complex LFIs,7 and from similar
                                                  operational strength and resilience and                    II. Overview of the Proposed LFI Rating               supervisory activities for other LFIs,8
                                                  its compliance with laws and                               System                                                represent a material portion of the work
                                                  regulations, as provided by effective                                                                            that would be conducted to determine
                                                  governance and control practices.                             The proposed LFI rating system                     the Capital Planning and Positions
                                                     The Federal Reserve has not modified                    provides a supervisory evaluation of                  component rating.
                                                  its supervisory rating system for bank                     whether a firm possesses sufficient                      The Liquidity Risk Management and
                                                  holding companies since the 2007–2009                      financial and operational strength and                Positions component rating would
                                                  financial crisis. Since 2004, the Federal                  resilience to maintain safe and sound                 encompass assessments of (i) the
                                                  Reserve has used the ‘‘RFI/C(D)’’ rating                   operations through a range of                         effectiveness of a firm’s governance and
                                                  system (referred to as the ‘‘RFI rating                    conditions. The proposed LFI rating                   risk management processes used to
                                                  system’’) to communicate its                               system is designed to:                                determine the amount of liquidity
                                                  supervisory assessment of every bank                          • Fully align with the Federal                     necessary to cover risks and exposures,
                                                  holding company (BHC) regardless of its                    Reserve’s current supervisory programs                and to support activities through a range
                                                                                                             and practices, which are based upon the               of conditions; and (ii) the sufficiency of
                                                     2 Several LFIs which are not LISCC firms are
                                                                                                             LFI supervision framework’s core                      a firm’s liquidity positions to comply
                                                  subject to the Federal Reserve’s Comprehensive
                                                                                                             objectives of reducing the probability of             with applicable regulatory requirements
                                                  Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR).                                                                              and to support the firm’s ongoing
                                                     3 See SR letter 12–17/CA letter 12–14,                  LFIs failing or experiencing material
                                                  ‘‘Consolidated Supervision Framework for Large             distress and reducing the risk to U.S.                obligations through a range of
                                                  Financial Institutions,’’ (referred to as ‘‘SR letter      financial stability;                                  conditions.9 The Liquidity Risk
                                                  12–17’’ in this notice) at http://www.federal                                                                    Management and Positions component
                                                  reserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/sr1217.htm.                 • Enhance the clarity and consistency              rating would be based on findings of
                                                     4 ‘‘Financial strength and resilience’’ is defined as   of supervisory assessments and                        coordinated examinations of liquidity
                                                  maintaining effective capital and liquidity                communications of supervisory findings
                                                  governance and planning processes, and sufficiency
                                                                                                                                                                   positions and risk management
                                                  of related positions, to provide for continuity of the
                                                                                                             and implications; and
                                                  consolidated organization and its core business               • Provide appropriate incentives for                  6 The proposed LFI rating system does not

                                                  lines, critical operations, and banking offices                                                                  include subcomponent ratings.
                                                                                                             LFIs to maintain financial and
                                                  through a range of conditions.                                                                                      7 See SR letter 15–18, ‘‘Federal Reserve

                                                     ‘‘Operational strength and resilience’’ is defined
                                                                                                             operational strength and resilience,                  Supervisory Assessment of Capital Planning and
                                                  as maintaining effective governance and controls to        including compliance with laws and                    Positions for LISCC Firms and Large and Complex
                                                  provide for continuity of the consolidated                 regulations, by more clearly defining the             Firms,’’ at https://www.federalreserve.gov/
                                                  organization and its core business lines, critical         supervisory consequences of a given                   supervisionreg/srletters/sr1518.htm.
                                                  operations, and banking offices, and promote                                                                        Under SR letter 15–18, a ‘‘large and complex
                                                  compliance with laws and regulations, including
                                                                                                             rating.                                               firm’’ is defined as any domestic BHC or
                                                  those related to consumer protection, through a                                                                  intermediate holding company (IHC) that is not a
                                                  range of conditions.                                          5 See SR letter 04–18, ‘‘Bank Holding Company      LISCC firm and that has total consolidated assets of
                                                     ‘‘Critical operations’’ are a firm’s operations,        Rating System,’’ 69 FR 70444 (December 6, 2004),      $250 billion or more or consolidated total on-
                                                  including associated services, functions and               at https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/          balance sheet foreign exposure of $10 billion or
                                                  support, the failure or discontinuance of which, in        srletters/2004/sr0418.htm.                            more.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  the view of the firm or the Federal Reserve would                                                                   8 See SR letter 15–19, ‘‘Federal Reserve
                                                                                                                The Federal Reserve has only applied the RFI
                                                  pose a threat to the financial stability of the United     rating system to saving and loan holding companies    Supervisory Assessment of Capital Planning and
                                                  States.                                                    (SLHCs) on an indicative basis since assuming         Positions for Large and Noncomplex Firms,’’ at
                                                     Under SR letter 12–17, ‘‘banking offices’’ are          supervisory responsibility for those firms from the   https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/
                                                  defined as U.S. depository institution subsidiaries        Office of Thrift Supervision in 2011. The Federal     srletters/sr1519.htm.
                                                  and the U.S. branches and agencies of foreign              Reserve has proposed to apply the RFI rating system      9 These requirements include the Board’s

                                                  banking organizations (FBOs). The Federal Reserve          to SLHCs on a fully implemented basis, excluding      Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) rule in Regulation
                                                  expects to use the LFI rating system to inform future      SLHCs engaged in significant insurance or             WW and the liquidity risk management and stress
                                                  revisions to other supervisory rating systems used         commercial activities. See 81 FR 89941 (December      testing requirements in Regulation YY. See 12 CFR
                                                  to assess the U.S. operations of FBOs.                     13, 2016).                                            part 249 and 12 CFR 252.34–35 and 252.156–157.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014    17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000    Frm 00002   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                       39051

                                                  practices conducted across several firms                   management capabilities; maintaining                       Supervisors may assign a
                                                  (horizontal examinations), as well as                      strong, effective, and independent risk                 ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ component rating
                                                  ongoing assessments of an individual                       management and control functions,                       which indicates that the firm is
                                                  firm’s liquidity positions and risk                        including internal audit; promoting                     generally considered safe and sound;
                                                  management practices conducted                             compliance with laws and regulations,                   however certain issues are sufficiently
                                                  through the supervisory process.                           including those related to consumer                     material that, if not resolved in a timely
                                                     Horizontal examinations help to                         protection; and otherwise providing for                 manner in the normal course of
                                                  ensure that the liquidity positions and                    the ongoing resiliency of the firm. Firm-               business, would put the firm’s prospects
                                                  risk management practices of firms with                    specific and horizontal examination                     for remaining safe and sound through a
                                                  similar liquidity risk profiles are                        work focused on a firm’s corporate                      range of conditions at risk. This would
                                                  evaluated in a consistent manner. LISCC                    governance, independent risk                            be consistent with existing supervisory
                                                  firms are subject to the Comprehensive                     management, controls, and lines of                      practice where supervisors generally
                                                  Liquidity Analysis and Review (CLAR),                      business, among other areas, would                      indicate to a firm that a rating
                                                  which is an annual horizontal exercise                     provide the basis for determining the                   downgrade is a strong possibility if the
                                                  that assesses both liquidity positions                     Governance and Controls component                       firm fails to resolve identified
                                                  and risk management. Other LFI firms                       rating.                                                 weaknesses in a timely manner. The
                                                  are subject to more narrow horizontal                                                                              ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating may also be
                                                                                                                Unlike other supervisory rating
                                                  examinations depending on their risk                                                                               used for firms previously rated
                                                                                                             systems, including the RFI rating
                                                  profile. The Federal Reserve also                                                                                  ‘‘Deficient’’ when circumstances
                                                                                                             system, the Federal Reserve would not
                                                  conducts targeted examinations of                                                                                  warrant.
                                                                                                             assign a standalone composite rating
                                                  specific areas that are of high risk to an                                                                            In considering whether supervisory
                                                                                                             under the proposed LFI rating system.
                                                  individual firm or have not been                                                                                   issues are likely to be resolved in the
                                                                                                             The Federal Reserve believes assigning
                                                  covered by a recent horizontal                                                                                     normal course of business, the Federal
                                                                                                             a standalone composite rating is not
                                                  examination.                                                                                                       Reserve will assess the firm’s ability to
                                                     The Federal Reserve evaluates each                      necessary because the three proposed
                                                                                                                                                                     remediate or mitigate these issues
                                                  firm’s risk management practices by                        LFI component ratings are designed to
                                                                                                                                                                     (through compensating controls and/or
                                                  reviewing the processes that firms use to                  clearly communicate supervisory
                                                                                                                                                                     a reduced risk profile) in a timely
                                                  identify, measure, monitor, and manage                     assessments and associated
                                                                                                                                                                     manner without material changes to, or
                                                  liquidity risk and make funding                            consequences for each of the core areas
                                                                                                                                                                     investments in, a firm’s governance, risk
                                                  decisions. The Federal Reserve                             (capital, liquidity, and governance and
                                                                                                                                                                     management or internal control
                                                  evaluates a firm’s liquidity positions                     controls) considered critical to a firm’s
                                                                                                                                                                     structures, practices, or capabilities.
                                                  against applicable regulatory                              strength and resilience. It is unlikely                    A ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating is not
                                                  requirements, and assesses the firm’s                      that the assignment of a standalone                     intended to be used for a prolonged
                                                  ability to support its obligations through                 composite rating would convey new or                    period. Firms that receive a
                                                  other means, such as its funding                           additional information regarding                        ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating would have
                                                  concentrations.                                            supervisory assessments, and a                          a specified timeframe to fully resolve
                                                     The Governance and Controls                             standalone composite rating could                       issues leading to that rating (as is the
                                                  component rating would evaluate the                        dilute the clarity and impact of the                    case with all supervisory issues),
                                                  effectiveness of a firm’s (i) board of                     component ratings.                                      generally no longer than 18 months.13 If
                                                  directors, (ii) management of core                         B. LFI Rating Scale                                     the firm successfully resolved the issues
                                                  business lines and independent risk                                                                                leading to the ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’
                                                  management and controls, and (iii)                            Each LFI component rating would be                   rating, the firm would typically be
                                                  recovery planning (for domestic LISCC                      assigned using a multi-level scale                      upgraded to ‘‘Satisfactory’’ as it has
                                                  firms only).10 This rating would assess                    (Satisfactory/Satisfactory Watch,                       demonstrated an ability to successfully
                                                  a firm’s effectiveness in aligning                         Deficient-1, and Deficient-2). A                        remediate or mitigate these issues in a
                                                  strategic business objectives with the                     ‘‘Satisfactory’’ rating indicates that the              timely manner in the normal course of
                                                  firm’s risk tolerance 11 and risk                          firm is considered safe and sound and                   business. However, if the firm failed to
                                                                                                             broadly meets supervisory                               timely remediate or mitigate those
                                                     10 ‘‘Board’’ or ‘‘board of directors’’ also refers to   expectations.12 A ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’                issues, that failure would generally be
                                                  committees of the board of directors, as appropriate.      rating is a conditional ‘‘Satisfactory’’                viewed as evidence that the firm lacked
                                                     At this time, recovery planning expectations only       rating, and is discussed in greater detail
                                                  apply to domestic BHCs subject to the Federal                                                                      sufficient financial and/or operational
                                                  Reserve’s LISCC supervisory framework. See SR              below. A ‘‘Deficient-1’’ rating indicates               capabilities to remain safe and sound
                                                  letter 14–8, ‘‘Consolidated Recovery Planning for          that although the firm’s current
                                                  Certain Large Domestic Bank Holding Companies.’’           condition is not considered to be                          13 The timeframe initially specified by the Federal
                                                  Should the Federal Reserve expand the scope of             materially threatened, there are                        Reserve for resolving issues will become more
                                                  recovery planning expectations to encompass                                                                        precise over time, and may be extended as
                                                  additional firms, this rating will reflect such            financial and/or operational deficiencies
                                                                                                                                                                     circumstances warrant. As noted in current
                                                  expectations for the broader set of firms.                 that put its prospects for remaining safe               guidance, defined timeframes for resolving
                                                     There are eight domestic firms in the LISCC             and sound through a range of conditions                 supervisory issues are communicated within either
                                                  portfolio: (1) Bank of America Corporation; (2) Bank       at significant risk. A ‘‘Deficient-2’’ rating           ‘‘Matters Requiring Attention’’ (MRAs) or ‘‘Matters
                                                  of New York Mellon Corporation; (3) Citigroup,                                                                     Requiring Immediate Attention’’ (MRIAs). See SR
                                                  Inc.; (4) Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.; (5) JP Morgan
                                                                                                             indicates that financial and/or
                                                                                                                                                                     letter 13–13/CA letter 13–10, ‘‘Supervisory
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  Chase & Co.; (6) Morgan Stanley; (7) State Street          operational deficiencies materially                     Considerations for the Communication of
                                                  Corporation; and (8) Wells Fargo & Company. In             threaten the firm’s safety and                          Supervisory Findings,’’ at https://www.federal
                                                  this guidance, these eight firms may collectively be       soundness, or have already put the firm                 reserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1313.htm
                                                  referred to as ‘‘domestic LISCC firms.’’                                                                           (referred to as ‘‘SR letter 13–13’’ in this notice).
                                                     11 ‘‘Risk tolerance’’ is defined as the aggregate
                                                                                                             in an unsafe and unsound condition.
                                                                                                                                                                     Proposed guidance which would replace SR letter
                                                  level and types of risk the board and senior                                                                       13–13 has been released for public comment
                                                  management are willing to assume to achieve the              12 References to ‘‘safe and sound’’ or ‘‘safety and   concurrent with this proposal and is discussed
                                                  firm’s strategic business objectives, consistent with      soundness’’ in the proposed LFI rating system also      below in Section VII, ‘‘Related Proposed Guidance.’’
                                                  applicable capital, liquidity, and other requirements      refer to a firm’s consolidated organization and its     An enforcement action will also specify the
                                                  and constraints.                                           critical operations and banking offices.                timeframe for a firm to resolve deficiencies.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014    17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000    Frm 00003    Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM    17AUP1


                                                  39052                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  through a range of conditions. In these                 effectiveness of boards of directors and                 Federal Reserve’s approval to engage in
                                                  instances, the firm would typically be                  emphasis on sound risk management,                       new or expansionary activities, unless
                                                  downgraded to a ‘‘Deficient’’ rating.                   remain present in the proposed LFI                       the firm can demonstrate that (i) it is
                                                    When a firm is rated ‘‘Satisfactory                   rating system, albeit with some changes                  making meaningful, sustained progress
                                                  Watch,’’ supervisors would focus on                     in emphasis and nomenclature.                            in resolving identified deficiencies and
                                                  determining whether a firm’s issues are                    The Governance and Controls                           issues; (ii) the proposed new or
                                                  related to each other, similar in nature                component rating also provides an                        expansionary activities would not
                                                  or root cause, or constitute a pattern                  updated approach to assessing the                        present a risk of exacerbating current
                                                  reflecting deeper governance or risk                    effectiveness of risk management and                     deficiencies or issues or lead to new
                                                  management weaknesses, warranting a                     control activities as conducted (i)                      concerns; and (iii) the proposed
                                                  downgrade to a ‘‘Deficient’’ rating.                    directly within a firm’s business line                   activities would not distract the board
                                                                                                          operations (where risk-taking activities                 or senior management from remediating
                                                  III. Transition From the RFI Rating
                                                                                                          are initiated and implemented), and (ii)                 current deficiencies or issues.
                                                  System to the LFI Rating System
                                                                                                          throughout a firm’s independent risk                        The Federal Reserve would be
                                                     As noted above, the LFI supervision                  management and controls. More                            extremely unlikely to approve any
                                                  framework—as described in SR 12–17                      recently, key expectations regarding the                 proposal seeking to engage in new or
                                                  and accompanied by the issuance of                      alignment of a firm’s strategy with its                  expansionary activities from a firm with
                                                  enhanced regulatory requirements,                       risk tolerance and risk management                       a ‘‘Deficient-2’’ component rating.
                                                  supervisory expectations and                            capabilities were included in SR letter                     Under the Bank Holding Company
                                                  practices—has been established over                     12–17, and are also reflected within                     Act (BHC Act) and the Home Owners’
                                                  recent years to enhance the ability of                  capital planning guidance issued in                      Loan Act,19 companies that have elected
                                                  large systemically important firms to                   2015.15                                                  to be treated as financial holding
                                                  sustain operations through a range of                      The chart included below in Section                   companies (FHCs) and that do not
                                                  stressful conditions and events.                        X, ‘‘Comparison of the RFI and LFI                       remain well managed face restrictions
                                                  Introduction of a new rating system that                Rating Systems,’’ broadly compares and                   on commencement or expansion of
                                                  is comprehensively aligned with the LFI                 illustrates the structural differences
                                                  supervision framework represents the                                                                             certain activities. In addition, a firm
                                                                                                          between the two rating systems.
                                                  natural next step in the build-out of this                                                                       with less than satisfactory ratings may
                                                  program. As such, transition to the                     IV. Consequences of LFI Ratings                          be subject to restrictions or higher
                                                  proposed LFI rating system is intended                     Statutes and regulations applicable to                charges in attempting to access the
                                                  to be evolutionary and expected to be                   LFIs grant a number of privileges to well                Federal Reserve’s discount window or
                                                  routine in most respects for affected                   managed firms.16 Under the RFI rating                    in gaining access to intraday credit.
                                                  firms.                                                  system, a firm’s composite rating and                       A ‘‘Deficient-1’’ component rating
                                                     Approaches to assessing an LFI’s                     Risk Management rating determine                         would often be an indication that the
                                                  financial strength and resilience via                   whether a holding company is                             firm should be subject to either an
                                                  effective capital and liquidity                         considered to be ‘‘well managed’’ for                    informal or formal enforcement action,
                                                  governance and planning, and                            purposes of these privileges.17 Under                    and may also result in the designation
                                                  sufficiency of related positions, are                   the proposed LFI rating system, a firm                   of the firm as being in ‘‘troubled
                                                  more prominent in the proposed LFI                      must be rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or                        condition.’’ 20 A firm with a ‘‘Deficient-
                                                  rating system versus the RFI rating                     ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ for each of its                   2’’ component rating should expect to
                                                  system, and are fully reflective of                     three component ratings in order to be                   be subject to a formal enforcement
                                                  current supervisory practices and                       considered ‘‘well managed.’’ 18 A rating                 action and deemed to be in ‘‘troubled
                                                  expectations. Key conclusions of LFI                    of ‘‘Deficient-1’’ or lower for any                      condition.’’
                                                  supervision activities, including CCAR                  component would result in the firm not                   V. Applicability
                                                  and CLAR, will be directly reflected                    being deemed ‘‘well managed.’’ This
                                                  within the Capital and Liquidity                        reflects the judgment that an LFI is not                   The Federal Reserve would use the
                                                  component rating assignments. By                        in satisfactory condition overall unless                 proposed LFI rating system to evaluate
                                                  contrast, the RFI rating system was not                 it is considered sound in each of the key                and communicate the supervisory
                                                  designed to readily accommodate the                     areas of capital, liquidity, and                         condition of all bank holding companies
                                                  results of these activities.                            governance and controls.                                 that have total consolidated assets of
                                                     Similarly, the key elements within the                  A ‘‘Deficient-1’’ component rating                    $50 billion or more; all non-insurance,
                                                  Governance and Controls component                       could be a barrier for a firm seeking the                non-commercial savings and loan
                                                  rating, which underlie a firm’s                                                                                  holding companies that have total
                                                  operational resilience and overall risk                   15 See SR letter 15–18 and SR letter 15–19.            consolidated assets of $50 billion or
                                                  management, are also consistent with                      16 12 U.S.C. 1841 et. seq. and 12 U.S.C. 1461 et       more; and all U.S. intermediate holding
                                                                                                          seq. See, e.g., 12 CFR 225.4(b)(6), 225.14, 225.22(a),   companies (IHCs) of foreign banking
                                                  current practices. Most of these                        225.23, 225.85, and 225.86; 12 CFR 211.9(b),
                                                  elements can be traced to supervisory                   211.10(a)(14), and 211.34; and 12 CFR 223.41.            organizations established pursuant to
                                                  expectations for risk management and                      17 12 U.S.C. 1841(o)(9)(A).                            section 252.153 of the Federal Reserve’s
                                                  internal controls first introduced in                     18 For purposes of determining whether a firm is       Regulation YY.21 In the future, the
                                                  1995, and subsequently carried forth                    considered to be ‘‘well managed’’ under section
                                                                                                          2(o)(9) of the BHC Act, the Federal Reserve                19 12 U.S.C. 1843(l) and 12 U.S.C. 1467a(c)(2).
                                                  into the RFI rating system in 2004.14
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                          considers the three component ratings, taken               20 See
                                                  These foundational aspects of a firm’s                                                                                    12 CFR 225.71(d).
                                                                                                          together, to be equivalent to assigning a standalone
                                                                                                                                                                     21 See SR letter 12–17 and 12 CFR 252.153.
                                                  governance and control framework,                       composite rating. In addition, the RFI rating system
                                                                                                          designates the ‘‘Risk Management’’ rating as the           The Federal Reserve has only applied the RFI
                                                  including expectations relating to the                  ‘‘management’’ rating when making ‘‘well                 rating system to saving and loan holding companies
                                                                                                          managed’’ determinations under section                   (SLHCs) on an indicative basis since assuming
                                                    14 See SR letter 95–51, ‘‘Rating the Adequacy of                                                               supervisory responsibility for those firms from the
                                                                                                          2(o)(9)(A)(ii) of the BHC Act. See SR letter 04–8. In
                                                  Risk Management Processes and Internal Controls at      contrast, the proposed LFI rating system would not       Office of Thrift Supervision in 2011. The Federal
                                                  State Member Banks and Bank Holding                     designate any of the three component ratings as a        Reserve has proposed to apply the RFI rating system
                                                  Companies,’’ at https://www.federalreserve.gov/         ‘‘management’’ rating, because each component            to SLHCs on a fully implemented basis, excluding
                                                  boarddocs/srletters/1995/sr9551.htm.                    evaluates different areas of the firm’s management.      SLHCs engaged in significant insurance or



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00004   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM        17AUP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                     39053

                                                  Federal Reserve plans to use the LFI                    Reserve. A firm that meets this criteria                   The following section provides a
                                                  rating system to assess systemically                    would generally receive the three LFI                    summary of the planned guidance
                                                  important nonbank financial companies                   component ratings within one year of                     relating to a firm’s management of core
                                                  designated by the Financial Stability                   becoming subject to the LFI rating                       business lines and independent risk
                                                  Oversight Council (FSOC) for                            system. A firm would continue to be                      management and controls, as well as a
                                                  supervision by the Federal Reserve;                     rated under the LFI rating system until                  summary of the proposed guidance
                                                  however, this would be done through a                   it has less than $45 billion in total                    relating to the effectiveness of a firm’s
                                                  separate rulemaking.                                    consolidated assets, based on the                        board of directors.26
                                                    Until final adoption of a LFI rating                  average total consolidated assets as
                                                                                                                                                                   A. Management of Core Business Lines
                                                  system, the Federal Reserve will                        reported on the firm’s four (4) most
                                                                                                                                                                   and Independent Risk Management and
                                                  continue to evaluate firms using the                    recent quarterly financial reports filed
                                                                                                                                                                   Controls
                                                  existing RFI rating system. Holding                     with the Federal Reserve. The Federal
                                                  companies with less than $50 billion in                 Reserve may determine to apply the RFI                      The supervisory assessment of a
                                                  total consolidated assets would                         rating system or another applicable                      firm’s management of core business
                                                  continue to be evaluated using the RFI                  rating system in certain limited                         lines and independent risk management
                                                  rating system.                                          circumstances.23                                         and controls would have three
                                                                                                                                                                   components: (1) Expectations for senior
                                                  VI. Timing and Implementation                           VII. Related Proposed Guidance                           management with respect to both core
                                                     The Federal Reserve proposes to                         Concurrent with issuing this proposal,                business lines and independent risk
                                                  assign initial LFI ratings to all                       the Board is issuing another proposal for                management and controls; (2)
                                                  applicable firms during 2018. Due to                    public comment addressing supervisory                    expectations for the management of core
                                                  differences in the timing of supervisory                expectations for boards of directors of                  business lines (CBLs); and (3)
                                                  cycles across the portfolios that                       all Federal Reserve-supervised                           expectations for independent risk
                                                  comprise the LFI supervisory program,                   institutions.24 That proposal includes                   management (IRM) and controls.
                                                  firms in one portfolio may receive their                proposed guidance concerning the
                                                                                                                                                                   1. Senior Management
                                                  initial LFI ratings at different times                  effectiveness of boards of directors of
                                                  during the year than firms in another                   large financial institutions, which is an                   Senior management oversees both the
                                                  portfolio.                                              element of the Governance and Controls                   management of core business lines and
                                                     During the initial LFI rating                        component rating. The Board also plans                   independent risk management and
                                                  supervisory cycle, each applicable firm                 to separately release additional                         controls. The supervisory assessment of
                                                  would receive all three component                       proposed guidance seeking comment on                     the effectiveness of senior management
                                                  ratings under the LFI rating system                     supervisory expectations relating to a                   would include senior management’s
                                                  concurrently. Consistent with current                   firm’s management of core business                       role in managing the firm’s day-to-day
                                                  Federal Reserve practice on the                         lines and independent risk management                    operations, promoting safety and
                                                  assignment and communication of                         and controls, which is also an element                   soundness and compliance with
                                                  supervisory ratings by examiners,                       of the Governance and Controls                           internal policies and procedures, laws,
                                                  ratings under the proposed LFI rating                   component rating. The Federal Reserve                    and regulations, including those related
                                                  system would be assigned and                            expects to release this additional                       to consumer protection.27
                                                  communicated to firms on at an annual                   guidance in the near future. However, if                    Senior management is responsible for
                                                  basis, and more frequently as warranted.                the LFI rating system is finalized before                implementing the firm’s strategy and
                                                  After the initial LFI rating supervisory                the additional governance and controls                   risk tolerance as approved by the firm’s
                                                  cycle, examiners may assign and                         guidance is finalized, firms would be                    board. Senior management should
                                                                                                          evaluated using existing supervisory                     implement the strategic and risk
                                                  communicate individual component
                                                                                                          guidance until such time that the                        objectives across the firm such that they
                                                  ratings on a rolling basis to the firms.
                                                                                                          additional governance and controls                       support the firm’s long-term resiliency
                                                  Under the proposed LFI rating system,
                                                                                                          guidance is finalized.25                                 and safety and soundness, including the
                                                  the Federal Reserve would continue to
                                                                                                                                                                   firm’s resilience to a range of stressed
                                                  generally rely to the fullest extent
                                                                                                             23 For example, if a firm rated under the proposed    conditions. Senior management should
                                                  possible on the information and
                                                                                                          LFI rating system substantially reduces its total        ensure that the firm’s infrastructure,
                                                  assessments developed by other relevant                 consolidated assets substantially below $45 billion      staffing, and resources are sufficient to
                                                  supervisors and functional regulators. In               through a sale or divestiture (but remains subject to
                                                                                                                                                                   carry out the firm’s strategic objectives.
                                                  accordance with the Federal Reserve’s                   Federal Reserve supervision), the Federal Reserve
                                                                                                                                                                      Senior management should maintain
                                                                                                          may immediately begin to apply the RFI rating
                                                  regulations governing confidential                      system, rather than waiting for the firm’s four-         and implement an effective risk
                                                  supervisory information,22 ratings                      quarter average to fall below the $45 billion            management framework and ensure the
                                                  assigned under the LFI rating system                    threshold described above.                               firm can appropriately manage risk
                                                  would be communicated by the Federal                       24 ‘‘Federal Reserve-supervised institutions’’
                                                                                                                                                                   consistent with its strategy and risk
                                                  Reserve to the firm but not disclosed                   includes bank holding companies, savings and loan
                                                                                                          holding companies, state member banks, U.S.
                                                  publicly.                                               operations of foreign banking organizations, and         ‘‘Supplemental Policy Statement on the Internal
                                                     The proposed LFI rating system                       systemically important financial institutions            Audit Function and Its Outsourcing,’’ at https://
                                                  would apply if a firm reports total                     designated by FSOC for supervision by the Federal        www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/
                                                  consolidated assets of $50 billion or                   Reserve.                                                 sr1301.htm.
                                                                                                             25 The above section III, ‘‘Transition from the RFI      26 The discussion below relating to a firm’s
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  more, calculated based on the average of                Rating System to the LFI Rating System,’’ lists          management of core business lines and
                                                  the firm’s total consolidated assets in                 prominent examples of existing supervisory               independent risk management and controls would
                                                  the four (4) most recent quarters as                    guidance currently utilized to assess the                only be applicable to domestic LFIs. Adjustments
                                                  reported on the firm’s quarterly                        effectiveness of an LFI’s governance and controls,       to extend applicability of this guidance to the U.S.
                                                                                                          including SR letters 95–51, 12–17, 15–18, and 15–        operations of FBOs may be made prior to issuing
                                                  financial reports filed with the Federal                19. Other recent examples of related guidance            the guidance for public comment.
                                                                                                          include SR letter 13–19/CA letter 13–21, ‘‘Guidance         27 Hereinafter, when reference is made to
                                                  commercial activities. See 81 FR 89941 (December        on Managing Outsourcing Risk,’’ at https://              ‘‘compliance with laws and regulations’’ in this
                                                  13, 2016).                                              www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/         guidance, this includes laws and regulations related
                                                    22 See 12 CFR 261.20.                                 sr1319.htm and SR letter 13–1/CA letter 13–1,            to banking as well as to consumer protection.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00005   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM     17AUP1


                                                  39054                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  tolerance. This should include                          emanating from the business line’s                    incentives. CBL management should
                                                  establishing clear responsibilities and                 activities and explain how those risks                hold employees accountable for conduct
                                                  accountability for the identification,                  are managed and align with the firm’s                 that is inconsistent with the firm’s
                                                  management, and control of risk. Senior                 risk tolerance.                                       policies or board and senior
                                                  management should also develop and                         CBL management should identify,                    management directives or that could
                                                  maintain the firm’s policies and                        measure, and manage current and                       result in violations of law. CBL
                                                  procedures and system of internal                       emerging risks that stem from CBL                     management should inform senior
                                                  controls to ensure compliance with laws                 activities and external factors. CBL                  management of improper conduct when
                                                  and regulations.                                        management should also incorporate                    appropriate, including individual
                                                     Senior management is responsible for                 appropriate feedback from independent                 instances and when there are identified
                                                  ensuring the resolution of key issues                   risk management (IRM) on business line                patterns of misconduct. CBL
                                                  and effective firm-wide communication,                  risk positions, implementation of the                 management should have ongoing and
                                                  including to and from the board of                      risk tolerance, and risk management                   effective means to prevent, detect, and
                                                  directors. Senior management should                     practices, including risk mitigation.                 remediate risk management and
                                                  have in place robust mechanisms for                        CBL management should manage the                   compliance failures.
                                                  keeping apprised of, among other                        CBL’s activities so they remain within
                                                                                                                                                                3. Independent Risk Management and
                                                  things, current and emerging risks to the               risk limits established by IRM, consult
                                                                                                                                                                Controls
                                                  firm and other material issues,                         with senior management before
                                                  including by maintaining robust                         permitting any breaches of the limits,                   The Federal Reserve would assess
                                                  management information systems.                         and follow appropriate procedures for                 whether the firm’s independent risk
                                                     Senior management should have in                     obtaining exceptions to limits. CBL                   management and controls meet
                                                  place succession and contingency                        management should also adhere to the                  supervisory expectations. This
                                                  staffing plans for key positions and have               firm’s policies and procedures for                    assessment would focus on three related
                                                  compensation and performance                            vetting new business products and                     areas: The independent risk
                                                  management programs that promote and                    initiatives, and escalate to senior                   management function, internal controls,
                                                  enforce prudent risk-taking behaviors                   management any required changes or                    and internal audit.
                                                  and business practices.                                 modifications to risk management                      a. Independent Risk Management (IRM)
                                                  2. Management of Core Business Lines                    systems or internal control policies and              Function
                                                                                                          procedures arising from the adoption of
                                                     The Federal Reserve would consider                   a new business or initiative.                         i. Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
                                                  the effectiveness of the management of                     CBL management should provide a                       A CRO must have sufficient capability
                                                  core business lines in meeting its                      CBL with sufficient resources and                     and experience in identifying, assessing,
                                                  supervisory expectations.28 For LISCC                   infrastructure to meet financial goals                and managing risk exposures of large,
                                                  firms, all business lines would be                      and strategic objectives while                        complex financial institutions.32 The
                                                  considered CBLs. For other firms, CBLs                  maintaining operational and financial                 CRO should guide IRM to establish and
                                                  would be defined as those business                      resilience in a range of operating                    monitor compliance with enterprise-
                                                  lines where a significant control                       conditions, including stressful ones.                 wide risk limits, identify and aggregate
                                                  disruption, failure, or loss event would                Resources and infrastructure include                  the firm’s risks, assess the firm’s risk
                                                  result in a material loss of revenue,                   sufficient personnel with appropriate                 positions relative to the parameters of
                                                  profit, or franchise value, or result in                training and expertise and management                 the firm’s risk tolerance, and provide
                                                  significant consumer harm.29 The                        information systems.                                  relevant risk information to senior
                                                  Federal Reserve is reserving discretion                    CBL management should develop and                  management and the board of directors.
                                                  to identify other business lines or                     maintain an effective system of sound                    The CRO should inform the board of
                                                  functions as core business lines, based                 and appropriate internal controls for its             directors if his or her stature,
                                                  on their size, risk profile, or other                   CBL that ensures compliance with laws                 independence, or authority is not
                                                  supervisory considerations.                             and regulations.31 CBL management                     sufficient or is at risk of being
                                                     CBL management should establish for                  should regularly test to ensure the                   insufficient to provide unbiased and
                                                  each core business line specific business               effectiveness of controls within the                  independent assessments of the firm’s
                                                  and risk objectives that align with the                 business lines and ensure that                        risks, risk management activities, and
                                                  firm-wide strategy and risk tolerance.30                deficiencies are remediated, and should               system of internal controls.33 Further,
                                                  CBL management should inform senior                     escalate material deficiencies and                    the CRO should be included in
                                                  management when the risk management                     systematic control violations to senior               discussions with other senior
                                                  capabilities are insufficient to align                  management, as well as provide                        management and the board related to
                                                  those business and risk objectives. CBL                 periodic reports. Finally, CBL                        key decisions, such as strategic planning
                                                  management should also clearly present                  management should reassess controls                   and capital and liquidity planning, and
                                                  to senior management the risks                          periodically to ensure relevancy and                  provide input to the board on incentive
                                                                                                          alignment with current approved                       compensation.
                                                     28 All of the expectations for the management of
                                                                                                          policies.                                                The CRO should notify senior
                                                  CBLs described herein also apply to critical
                                                  operations, which are central to the Federal               CBL management should establish                    management and the board of directors
                                                  Reserve’s supervisory focus.                            policies and guidelines that delineate                when activities or practices at the firm-
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                     29 For large financial institutions that are not     accountability, set forth clear lines of
                                                  LISCC firms, a firm’s CBLs should comprise at least     management authority within the CBL,                    32 See 12 CFR 252.33.
                                                  80 percent of total revenue in aggregate.                                                                       33 Other officers of the firm may oversee portions
                                                     30 ‘‘CBL management’’ refers to the core group of
                                                                                                          and align desired behavior with the
                                                                                                                                                                of functions involved in risk management and
                                                  individuals responsible for prudent day-to-day          firm’s performance management                         control activities. See SR letter 08–08/CA letter 08–
                                                  management of a core business line and                                                                        11, ‘‘Compliance Risk Management Programs and
                                                  accountable to senior management for that                 31 For example, a CBL’s system of controls should   Oversight at Large Banking Organizations with
                                                  responsibility. Depending on a firm’s organizational    include access controls, change controls, and data    Complex Compliance Profiles,’’ at https://
                                                  structure, CBL management may or may not be             integrity controls, including data reconciliations,   www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2008/
                                                  members of senior management.                           variance analysis and data quality logic check.       SR0808.htm.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00006   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM     17AUP1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                   39055

                                                  wide, risk-specific, or CBL level do not                  evaluate whether risk-taking and risk                 prioritizing efforts on controls in areas
                                                  align with the firm’s overall risk                        management practices are consistent                   of highest risk and less effective
                                                  tolerance. As appropriate, the CRO                        with the firm’s strategic objectives. IRM             controls.
                                                  should recommend constraints on risk                      should escalate to senior management                    A firm should evaluate and
                                                  taking and enhancements to risk                           material breaches to the firm’s risk                  communicate internal control
                                                  management practices to senior                            tolerance and enterprise-wide risk                    deficiencies in a timely manner to those
                                                  management and the board of directors.                    limits, as well as instances where IRM’s              parties responsible for taking corrective
                                                     The CRO should support the                             conclusions differ from those of CBLs.                action, including senior management.
                                                  independence of IRM from the business                        IRM should identify and measure
                                                                                                                                                                  c. Internal Audit
                                                  lines by establishing clearly defined                     under both normal and stressful
                                                  roles and responsibilities and reporting                  operating conditions, where possible,                    The internal audit function should
                                                  lines.                                                    current and emerging risks within and                 examine, evaluate, and perform an
                                                                                                            across business lines and risk types, as              independent assessment of the
                                                  ii. Chief Audit Executive (CAE)                                                                                 effectiveness of the firm’s risk
                                                                                                            well as any other relevant perspective.
                                                     The firm should have a CAE,                            Common risk types include credit,                     management framework and internal
                                                  appointed by the board, with sufficient                   market, operational, liquidity, interest              control systems and report findings to
                                                  capability, experience, independence,                     rate, legal, and compliance (such as                  senior management and the firm’s audit
                                                  and stature to manage the internal audit                  consumer protection and Bank Secrecy                  committee. The Federal Reserve would
                                                  function’s responsibilities.34 Under the                  Act/anti-money laundering).                           assess the extent to which a firm
                                                  direction of the CAE, the internal audit                     IRM should aggregate risks across the              complies with existing guidance on
                                                  function performs an independent                          entire firm and assess those risks                    internal audit.35
                                                  assessment of the effectiveness of the                    relative to the firm’s risk tolerance. IRM
                                                  firm’s system of internal controls and                                                                          B. Board Effectiveness
                                                                                                            should identify material or critical
                                                  the risk management framework. The                        concentrations of risks and assess the                   Concurrent with this proposal, the
                                                  CAE should manage effectively all                         likelihood and potential impact of those              Board is issuing a related proposal for
                                                  aspects of internal audit work on an                      risks on the firm. IRM should identify                public comment addressing supervisory
                                                  ongoing basis, including any internal                     information gaps, uncertainties, or                   expectations for boards of directors of
                                                  audit work that is outsourced. The CAE                    limitations in risk assessments for the               all Federal Reserve-supervised
                                                  should have the authority to oversee all                  board of directors and senior                         institutions. The Federal Reserve
                                                  internal audit activities and to hire                     management, as appropriate.                           conducted a multi-year review of the
                                                  internal audit staff with sufficient                         Risk reporting should cover current                practices of boards of directors,
                                                  capability and stature. The CAE should                    and emerging risk, risk exposure and                  particularly at the largest financial
                                                  report findings, issues, and concerns to                  adherence to risk limits and risk                     institutions, which considered the
                                                  the board’s audit committee and senior                    concentrations as well as the firm’s                  factors that make boards effective, the
                                                  management.                                               ongoing strategic, capital, and liquidity             challenges boards face, how boards
                                                                                                            planning processes. Risk reporting                    influence the safety and soundness of
                                                  iii. Risk Tolerance and Limits                                                                                  their firms, and the impact of the
                                                                                                            should enable prompt escalation and
                                                     IRM should evaluate whether the                        remediation of material problems;                     Federal Reserve’s expectations for
                                                  firm’s risk tolerance appropriately                       enhance appropriate and timely                        boards of directors in existing
                                                  captures the firm’s material risks,                       responses to identified problems;                     supervisory guidance. The proposed
                                                  whether it aligns with the firm’s                         provide current and forward-looking                   guidance relating to boards of directors
                                                  strategic plan and the corresponding                      perspectives; and support or influence                and its accompanying notice published
                                                  business activities, and whether it is                    strategic decision-making.                            in the Federal Register constitute the
                                                  consistent with the capacity of the risk                                                                        results of the review. The review
                                                  management framework. IRM, including                      b. Internal Controls
                                                                                                                                                                  identified three key issues that could
                                                  through the CRO, should provide input                        Developing and maintaining effective               potentially reduce a board’s ability to be
                                                  to both senior management and the                         internal controls are the responsibility              effective. First, supervisory expectations
                                                  board to assist in the development,                       of senior management, IRM, and CBL                    for boards of directors and senior
                                                  evaluation, and approval of the firm’s                    management. Accordingly, a firm                       management have become increasingly
                                                  risk tolerance. IRM should also                           should appropriately assign                           difficult to distinguish. Second, boards
                                                  determine whether the firm’s risk                         management responsibilities for the                   typically spend a significant amount of
                                                  profile is consistent with the firm’s risk                establishment and maintenance of                      time focused on supervisory
                                                  tolerance and assess whether the firm’s                   internal controls. To foster an                       expectations that do not directly relate
                                                  risk management framework has the                         appropriate control culture within the                to the board’s core responsibilities,
                                                  capacity to manage the risks outlined in                  firm, adequate control activities should              which include guiding the development
                                                  the risk tolerance.                                       be integrated into the daily functions of             of the firm’s strategy and risk tolerance,
                                                     Under direction of the CRO, IRM                        all relevant personnel.                               overseeing senior management and
                                                  should establish enterprise-wide risk                        A firm should have mechanisms to                   holding them accountable, supporting
                                                  limits as well as more granular risk                      monitor and test internal controls and to
                                                  limits, as appropriate, that are                          identify and escalate issues that appear                 35 The Federal Reserve issued guidance outlining

                                                  consistent with the firm’s risk tolerance                 to compromise the effectiveness of                    the key components of an effective internal audit
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  for the firm’s full set of risks. IRM                     internal controls. The scope, frequency,              function in SR letter 03–5, ‘‘Amended Interagency
                                                                                                                                                                  Guidance on the Internal Audit Function and its
                                                  should monitor and update risk limits                     and depth of testing should consider the              Outsourcing,’’ at https://www.federalreserve.gov/
                                                  as appropriate, especially as the firm’s                  complexity of the firm, the results of                boarddocs/srletters/2003/sr0305.htm and followed
                                                  risk tolerance, risk profile, or external                 risk assessments, and the number and                  that with supplemental guidance in SR letter 13–
                                                  conditions change. IRM should identify                    significance of the deficiencies                      1/CA letter 13–1. The supplemental guidance
                                                                                                                                                                  builds upon the 2003 interagency guidance of SR
                                                  significant trends in risk levels to                      identified during prior testing. A firm               letter 03–5 and further addresses the characteristics,
                                                                                                            should test and monitor internal                      governance, and operational effectiveness of a
                                                    34 See   SR letter 13–1/CA letter 13–1.                 controls using a risk-based approach,                 firm’s internal audit function.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014     17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00007   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                  39056                    Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  the stature and independence of the                       execution of boards’ core                             includes a definition of ‘‘well managed’’
                                                  firm’s independent risk management                        responsibilities by clarifying                        which in part requires a bank holding
                                                  and internal audit functions, and                         expectations for communicating                        company to have received a composite
                                                  adopting effective governance practices.                  supervisory findings to an institution’s              rating of 1 or 2 at its most recent
                                                  Third, boards of large financial                          board of directors and senior                         examination or review; and section
                                                  institutions often face significant                       management. The proposed guidance                     211.9(a)(2) requires an investor (which
                                                  challenges managing the overwhelming                      would indicate that Federal Reserve                   by definition can be a bank holding
                                                  quantity of information provided by                       examiners and supervisory staff would                 company) to have received a composite
                                                  senior management in advance of board                     direct most Matters Requiring                         rating of at least 2 at its most recent
                                                  meetings.                                                 Immediate Attention (MRIAs) and                       examination in order to make
                                                     The proposal would refocus existing                    Matters Requiring Attention (MRAs) to                 investments under the general consent
                                                  supervisory expectations on a board’s                     senior management for corrective                      or limited general consent procedures
                                                  core responsibilities by more clearly                     action. MRIAs and MRAs would only be                  contained in sections 211.9(b) and (c).
                                                  distinguishing the roles and                              directed to the board for corrective                  In Regulation LL, section 238.54(a)(1)
                                                  responsibilities of the board from those                  action when the board needs to address                restricts savings and loan holding
                                                  of senior management; eliminating                         its corporate governance responsibilities             companies from commencing certain
                                                  redundant, outdated, or irrelevant                        or when senior management fails to take
                                                  supervisory expectations for boards; and                                                                        activities without the Federal Reserve’s
                                                                                                            appropriate remedial action. The board
                                                  ensuring that supervisory guidance is                                                                           prior approval unless the company
                                                                                                            would remain responsible for holding
                                                  more closely aligned.                                                                                           received a composite rating of 1 or 2 at
                                                                                                            senior management accountable for
                                                     The proposal contains three parts, the                 remediating supervisory findings.                     its most recent examination.
                                                  first of which includes proposed                                                                                   To ensure that the Federal Reserve’s
                                                  supervisory guidance addressing                           VIII. Other Related Developments                      regulations are consistent and
                                                  effective boards of directors (proposed                      Upon finalizing the LFI rating system,             compatible with all aspects of both the
                                                  BE guidance), which would apply to the                    the Federal Reserve expects to issue                  RFI rating system as well as the
                                                  largest depository institution holding                    supervisory guidance to update and                    proposed LFI rating system, the Federal
                                                  companies supervised by the Federal                       align the consolidated supervisory                    Reserve proposes to amend those three
                                                  Reserve. The proposed BE guidance                         framework, including SR letter 12–17, to              regulatory provisions so they would
                                                  identifies five key attributes of effective               be fully consistent with any                          apply to entities which receive
                                                  boards of directors and would provide                     modifications made through the final                  numerical composite ratings as well as
                                                  the framework the Federal Reserve                         adoption of the LFI rating system as                  to entities which do not receive
                                                  would use to assess a firm’s board of                     well as supervisory guidance relating to              numerical composite ratings (including
                                                  directors. The proposed BE guidance                       governance and controls.                              firms subject to the proposed LFI rating
                                                  also would clarify supervisory                               In the future, the Federal Reserve may             system).37 To satisfy the requirements of
                                                  expectations for boards as distinct from                  propose to revise the LFI rating system               those provisions, firms that do not
                                                  expectations for senior management.                       to include an additional rating                       receive numerical composite ratings
                                                     The second part of the proposal                        component to assess the sufficiency of                would have to be considered
                                                  would revise certain supervisory                          resolution planning efforts undertaken
                                                                                                                                                                  satisfactory under the proposed LFI
                                                  expectations for boards to ensure they                    by LISCC firms (and perhaps other
                                                                                                                                                                  rating system. To be considered
                                                  are aligned with the Federal Reserve’s                    select LFIs) to reduce the impact on the
                                                                                                                                                                  satisfactory, a firm would have to be
                                                  supervisory framework, and would                          U.S. financial system in the event of the
                                                                                                                                                                  rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or ‘‘Satisfactory
                                                  eliminate redundant, outdated, or                         firm’s failure. This proposed revision to
                                                                                                            the LFI rating system would be issued                 Watch’’ for each component of the
                                                  irrelevant supervisory expectations.
                                                                                                            for notice and comment.                               proposed LFI rating system; a firm
                                                  These changes reflect the Federal
                                                  Reserve’s review of approximately 170                                                                           which is rated ‘‘Deficient-1’’ or lower for
                                                                                                            IX. Proposed Changes to Existing                      any component would not be
                                                  existing supervisory expectations
                                                                                                            Regulations                                           considered satisfactory. This standard
                                                  contained in 27 Supervision and
                                                  Regulation letters (SR letters), and                        References to holding company                       would apply to any provision contained
                                                  would apply to bank and savings and                       ratings are included in a number of the               in the Federal Reserve’s regulations
                                                  loan holding companies of all sizes.                      Federal Reserve’s existing regulations.               which requires or refers to a firm having
                                                     The third part of the proposal                         In certain cases, the regulations are                 a satisfactory composite rating.
                                                  includes proposed supervisory guidance                    narrowly constructed such that they
                                                                                                                                                                  X. Comparison of the RFI and LFI
                                                  that would replace Federal Reserve SR                     contemplate only the assignment of a
                                                                                                                                                                  Rating Systems
                                                  letter 13–13 36 and clarify expectations                  standalone composite rating using a
                                                  for communicating supervisory findings                    numerical rating scale. This is                         The proposed LFI rating system
                                                  to an institution’s board of directors and                consistent with the current RFI rating                includes several structural changes from
                                                  senior management. This proposed                          system but is not compatible with the                 the RFI rating system. The following
                                                  guidance, like the existing guidance,                     proposed LFI rating system. Three                     table provides a broad comparison
                                                  would apply to all financial institutions                 provisions in the Federal Reserve’s                   between the two rating systems.
                                                  supervised by the Federal Reserve. The                    existing regulations are written in this
                                                  proposed guidance would facilitate the                    manner, including two in Regulation K
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                    37 The Board may propose additional necessary
                                                                                                            and one in Regulation LL. In Regulation               revisions to its regulations resulting from the
                                                    36 See   SR letter 13–13.                               K, section 211.2(z) of Regulation K                   adoption of a final LFI rating system.




                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014     17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00008   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                                   39057

                                                                                          RFI rating system                                                                            Proposed LFI rating system

                                                  R—Risk Management ..............................................................................              Assessment of the effectiveness of a firm’s governance and risk man-
                                                  An evaluation of the ability of the BHC’s board of directors and senior                                         agement practices is central to the Governance and Controls compo-
                                                    management to identify, measure, monitor, and control risk.                                                   nent rating. The Governance and Controls rating evaluates a firm’s
                                                  The rating is supported by four subcomponent ratings:                                                           effectiveness in aligning strategic business objectives with risk man-
                                                      • Board and Senior Management Oversight                                                                     agement capabilities; maintaining strong and independent risk man-
                                                      • Policies, Procedures, and Limits                                                                          agement and control functions, including internal audit; promoting
                                                      • Risk Monitoring and Management Information Systems                                                        compliance with laws and regulations, including those related to con-
                                                      • Internal Controls                                                                                         sumer protection; and otherwise providing for the ongoing resiliency
                                                                                                                                                                  of the firm.
                                                                                                                                                                Governance and risk management practices specifically related to
                                                                                                                                                                  maintaining financial strength and resilience are also incorporated
                                                                                                                                                                  into the Capital Planning and Positions and Liquidity Risk Manage-
                                                                                                                                                                  ment and Positions component ratings.
                                                  F—Financial Condition .............................................................................           Assessment of a firm’s financial strength and resilience is specifically
                                                  An evaluation of the consolidated organization’s financial strength ........                                    evaluated through the Capital Planning and Positions and Liquidity
                                                  The rating is supported by four subcomponent ratings:                                                           Risk Management and Positions component ratings. These compo-
                                                      • Capital Adequacy                                                                                          nent ratings assess the effectiveness of associated planning and risk
                                                      • Asset Quality                                                                                             management processes, and the sufficiency of related positions.
                                                      • Earnings                                                                                                Although asset quality and earnings are not rated separately, they con-
                                                      • Liquidity                                                                                                 tinue to be important elements in assessing a firm’s safety and
                                                                                                                                                                  soundness and resiliency, and are important considerations within
                                                                                                                                                                  each of the LFI component ratings.
                                                  I—Impact ..................................................................................................   Although a separate ‘‘Impact’’ rating would not be assigned, the LFI
                                                  An assessment of the potential impact of the firm’s nondepository enti-                                         rating system would assess a firm’s ability to protect the safety and
                                                    ties on its subsidiary depository institution(s).                                                             soundness of its subsidiary depository institutions, including whether
                                                                                                                                                                  the firm can provide financial and managerial strength to its sub-
                                                                                                                                                                  sidiary depository institutions.38
                                                  D—Depository Institutions ........................................................................            A separate rating for a firm’s depository institution subsidiaries would
                                                  Generally reflects the composite CAMELS rating assigned by the pri-                                             not be assigned. The Federal Reserve will continue to rely to the full-
                                                   mary supervisor of the subsidiary depository institution(s).39                                                 est extent possible on supervisory assessments developed by the
                                                                                                                                                                  primary supervisor of the subsidiary depository institution(s).
                                                  C—Composite Rating ...............................................................................            A standalone composite rating would not be assigned. The three LFI
                                                  The overall composite assessment of the BHC as reflected by the R, F,                                           component ratings are designed to clearly communicate supervisory
                                                    and I ratings, and supported by examiner judgment with respect to                                             assessments and associated consequences for each of the core
                                                    the relative importance of each component to the safe and sound op-                                           areas (capital, liquidity and governance and controls) considered crit-
                                                    eration of the BHC.                                                                                           ical to an LFI’s strength and resilience.
                                                                                                                                                                For purposes of determining whether a firm is ‘‘well managed,’’ the
                                                                                                                                                                  three component ratings taken together would be treated as equiva-
                                                                                                                                                                  lent to a standalone composite rating. Each component must be
                                                                                                                                                                  rated either ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ in order for a firm
                                                                                                                                                                  to be deemed ‘‘well managed.’’



                                                  XI. Request for Comments                                                 firm’s governance and controls under                           systems used to assess the U.S.
                                                                                                                           the proposed LFI rating system?                                operations of foreign banking
                                                     The Board invites comments on all
                                                                                                                              (4) Does the proposal clearly describe                      organizations?
                                                  aspects of the proposed LFI rating
                                                                                                                           how and under what circumstances a
                                                  system, including responses to the                                                                                                      XII. Regulatory Analysis
                                                                                                                           ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating would or
                                                  following questions:                                                                                                                    A. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                                                                                           would not be assigned? Does that rating
                                                     (1) Are there specific considerations                                 provide appropriate messaging and
                                                  beyond those outlined in this proposal                                                                                                    There is no collection of information
                                                                                                                           incentives to firms to correct identified                      required by this proposal that would be
                                                  that should be considered in the Federal                                 deficiencies?
                                                  Reserve’s assessment of whether an LFI                                                                                                  subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                                                                                              (5) Should the LFI rating system be                         of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
                                                  has sufficient financial and operational                                 revised at a future date to assess the
                                                  strength and resilience to maintain safe                                 sufficiency of a firm’s resolution                             B. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                  and sound operations?                                                    planning efforts undertaken to reduce                             The Board is providing an initial
                                                     (2) Does the proposal clearly describe                                the impact on the financial system in                          regulatory flexibility analysis with
                                                  the firms that would be subject to the                                   the event of the firm’s failure? If yes,                       respect to this proposed rule. The
                                                  LFI rating system, and those firms that                                  what should the Federal Reserve                                Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601
                                                  would continue to be subject to the RFI                                  specifically consider in conducting that                       et seq. (RFA), generally requires an
                                                  rating system?                                                           assessment?                                                    agency to assess the impact a rule is
                                                     (3) Does the proposal clearly describe                                   (6) Are there options that should be                        expected to have on small entities. The
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  the supervisory expectations for senior                                  considered to enhance the transparency                         RFA requires an agency either to
                                                  management in the evaluation of a                                        of LFI ratings in order to incent more                         provide an initial regulatory flexibility
                                                                                                                           timely and comprehensive remediation                           analysis with a proposed rule for which
                                                    38 See Sections 616 of DFA (financial strength), 12
                                                                                                                           of supervisory deficiencies or issues?                         a general notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                  CFR 225.4 of the Board’s Regulation Y, and 12 CFR                           (7) What specific issues should the                         is required or to certify that the
                                                  238.8 of the Board’s Regulation LL.
                                                    39 See SR letter 96–38, ‘‘Uniform Financial                            Federal Reserve consider when using                            proposed rule will not have a significant
                                                  Institutions Rating System,’’ at http://www.federal                      the LFI rating system to inform future                         impact on a substantial number of small
                                                  reserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/1996/sr9638.htm.                         revisions to other supervisory rating                          entities. Based on the Board’s analysis


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014        17:46 Aug 16, 2017         Jkt 241001      PO 00000       Frm 00009       Fmt 4702      Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                  39058                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  and for the reasons stated below, the                   would make the proposal easier to                     PART 238—SAVINGS AND LOAN
                                                  Board believes that neither the proposed                understand?                                           HOLDING COMPANIES (REGULATION
                                                  LFI rating system nor the proposed rule                   • Would more, but shorter, sections                 LL)
                                                  will have a significant economic impact                 be better? If so, what sections should be
                                                  on a substantial number of small                        changed?                                              ■ 1. The authority citations for part 211
                                                  entities. A final regulatory flexibility                  • What else could the Board do to                   continues to read as follows:
                                                  analysis will be conducted after                        make the proposal easier to understand?
                                                                                                                                                                  Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552, 559; 12 U.S.C.
                                                  comments received during the public                     List of Subjects                                      1462, 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467, 1467a, 1468,
                                                  comment period have been considered.                                                                          1813, 1817, 1829e, 1831i, 1972; 15 U.S.C. 78l.
                                                    Under regulations issued by the Small                 12 CFR Part 211
                                                                                                                                                                ■ 2. Section 238.54 is amended by
                                                  Business Administration, a small entity                   Exports, Federal Reserve System,                    revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as
                                                  includes a depository institution, bank                 Foreign banking, Holding companies,                   follows:
                                                  holding company, or savings and loan                    Investments, Reporting and
                                                  holding company with assets of $550                     recordkeeping requirements.                           § 238.54 Permissible bank holding
                                                  million or less (small banking                                                                                company activities of savings and loan
                                                                                                          12 CFR Part 238                                       holding companies.
                                                  organizations). As of June 1, 2017, there
                                                  were approximately 3,539 small banking                    Administrative practice and                            (a) * * *
                                                  organizations. As described above, the                  procedure, Banks, Banking, Federal                       (1) The holding company received a
                                                  proposed LFI rating system would apply                  Reserve System, Holding companies,                    rating of satisfactory or above prior to
                                                  only to all bank holding companies with                 Reporting and recordkeeping                           January 1, 2008, or thereafter, either
                                                  total consolidated assets of $50 billion                requirements.                                         received a composite rating of ‘‘1’’ or
                                                  or more; all non-insurance, non-                                                                              ‘‘2’’ or be considered satisfactory under
                                                                                                          Authority and Issuance
                                                  commercial savings and loan holding                                                                           the applicable rating system in its most
                                                                                                            For the reasons stated in the                       recent examination, and is not in a
                                                  companies with total consolidated
                                                                                                          preamble, the Board proposes to amend                 troubled condition as defined in
                                                  assets of $50 billion or more; and U.S.
                                                                                                          12 CFR parts 211 and 238 as follows:                  § 238.72, and the holding company does
                                                  intermediate holding companies of
                                                  foreign banking organizations                                                                                 not propose to commence the activity by
                                                                                                          PART 211—INTERNATIONAL                                an acquisition (in whole or in part) of
                                                  established pursuant to section 252.153                 BANKING OPERATIONS
                                                  of the Federal Reserve’s Regulation YY.                                                                       a going concern; or
                                                                                                          (REGULATION K)
                                                  Small banking organizations would                                                                             *      *     *    *     *
                                                  therefore not be subject to the proposed                ■ 1. The authority citations for part 211             Appendix A
                                                  LFI rating system. Similarly, the                       continues to read as follows: 12 U.S.C.
                                                  proposed rule would make conforming                     221 et seq., 1818, 1835a, 1841 et seq.,               Note: This Appendix A will not be published
                                                  changes to several regulations to reflect               3101 et seq., 3901 et seq., and 5101 et                   in the Code of Federal Regulations.
                                                  certain aspects of the proposed LFI                     seq.; 15 U.S.C. 1681s, 1681w, 6801 and                Text of Proposed Large Financial Institution
                                                  rating system, but would not change the                 6805.                                                 Rating System
                                                  operation of those regulations for any                  ■ 2. Section 211.2 is amended by
                                                                                                                                                                A. Overview of LFI Rating System
                                                  entity that would not be subject to the                 revising paragraph (z) to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                                   The Federal Reserve will use the large
                                                  proposed LFI rating system. As a result,                                                                      financial institution (LFI) rating system to
                                                                                                          § 211.2   Definitions.
                                                  neither the proposed LFI rating system                                                                        evaluate and communicate the condition and
                                                  nor the proposed rule should have any                   *      *     *     *     *                            prospects of domestic bank holding
                                                  impact on small banking organizations.                     (z) Well managed means that the Edge               companies with total consolidated assets of
                                                  In light of the foregoing, the Board                    or agreement corporation, any parent                  $50 billion or more, certain savings and loan
                                                  believes that the proposed LFI rating                   insured bank, and the bank holding                    holding companies with total consolidated
                                                  system will not have a significant                      company either received a composite                   assets of $50 billion or more, and U.S.
                                                                                                          rating of 1 or 2 or is considered                     intermediate holding companies of foreign
                                                  economic impact on small banking                                                                              banking organizations.1 The LFI rating
                                                  organizations supervised by the Board.                  satisfactory under the applicable rating
                                                                                                          system, and has at least a satisfactory               system will replace the existing RFI/C(D)
                                                  C. Solicitation of Comments on Use of                                                                         rating system that is presently used by the
                                                                                                          rating for management if such a rating                Federal Reserve to assign ratings to
                                                  Plain Language                                          is given, at their most recent                        applicable holding companies.2
                                                    Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-                       examination or review.                                   The LFI rating system draws from the
                                                                                                          ■ 3. Section 211.9 is amended by                      supervisory objectives set forth in the
                                                  Bliley Act requires the Board to use
                                                  plain language in all proposed and final                revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                                   1 The LFI rating system will apply to non-
                                                  rules published after January 1, 2000.                  § 211.9   Investment Procedures.                      insurance, non-commercial savings and loan
                                                  The Board invites comment on how to                     *     *      *     *     *                            holding companies with total consolidated assets of
                                                  make this proposed rule easier to                         (a) * * *                                           $50 billion or more. With respect to U.S.
                                                  understand. For example:                                  (2) Composite rating. Except as the                 intermediate holding companies (IHCs) of foreign
                                                    • Has the Board organized the                         Board may otherwise determine, in
                                                                                                                                                                banking organizations (FBOs), the LFI rating system
                                                                                                                                                                applies only to IHCs established under Regulation
                                                  material to suit your needs? If not, how                order for an investor to make                         YY as required for FBOs with U.S. non-branch
                                                  could the proposal be more clearly                      investments under the general consent                 assets of $50 billion or more. Plans are for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  stated?                                                 or limited general consent procedures of              systemically important nonbank financial
                                                                                                                                                                companies designated by the Financial Stability
                                                    • Does the proposal contain technical                 paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, at            Oversight Council (FSOC) for supervision by the
                                                  language or jargon that is not clear? If                the most recent examination the                       Federal Reserve to be subject to the LFI rating
                                                  so, what language requires clarification?               investor and any parent insured bank                  system at a future date through a separate
                                                    • Would a different format (grouping                  must have either received a composite                 rulemaking.
                                                                                                                                                                   2 Refer to SR letter 04–18, ‘‘Bank Holding
                                                  and order of sections, use of headings,                 rating of at least 2 or be considered                 Company Rating System,’’ 69 FR 70444 (December
                                                  paragraphing) make the proposal easier                  satisfactory under the applicable rating              6, 2004), at https://www.federalreserve.gov/
                                                  to understand? If so, what changes                      system.                                               boarddocs/srletters/2004/sr0418.htm.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                            39059

                                                  Consolidated Supervisory Framework for                   sound operations through a range of                         control functions, including internal audit;
                                                  Large Financial Institutions for enhanced                conditions.4                                                promoting compliance with laws and
                                                  financial and operational strength and                      The LFI rating system is comprised of three              regulations, including those related to
                                                  resilience for the largest and most                      components, described below:                                consumer protection; and otherwise planning
                                                  systemically important firms.3 The LFI rating               • Capital Planning and Positions: An                     for the ongoing resiliency of the firm.6
                                                  system is designed to:                                   evaluation of (i) the effectiveness of a firm’s             Assignment of the LFI Component Ratings
                                                     • Fully align with the Federal Reserve’s              governance and planning processes used to
                                                                                                           determine the amount of capital necessary to                   Each LFI component rating is assigned
                                                  current supervisory programs and practices,                                                                          along a multi-level scale (Satisfactory/
                                                                                                           cover risks and exposures, and to support
                                                  which are based upon the LFI supervision                                                                             Satisfactory Watch, Deficient-1, and
                                                                                                           activities through a range of conditions; and
                                                  framework’s core objectives of reducing the              (ii) the sufficiency of a firm’s capital                    Deficient-2). A ‘‘Satisfactory’’ rating indicates
                                                  probability of LFIs failing or experiencing              positions to comply with applicable                         that the firm is considered safe and sound
                                                  material distress and reducing the risk to U.S.          regulatory requirements and to support the                  and broadly meets supervisory expectations.
                                                  financial stability;                                     firm’s ability to continue to serve as a                    A ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating is a
                                                     • Enhance the clarity and consistency of              financial intermediary through a range of                   conditional ‘‘Satisfactory’’ rating and is
                                                  supervisory assessments and                              conditions.                                                 discussed in greater detail below. A
                                                  communications of supervisory findings and                  • Liquidity Risk Management and                          ‘‘Deficient-1’’ rating indicates that although
                                                  implications; and                                        Positions: An evaluation of (i) the                         the firm’s current condition is not considered
                                                     • Provide appropriate incentives for LFIs             effectiveness of a firm’s governance and risk               to be materially threatened, there are
                                                  to maintain financial and operational                    management processes used to determine the                  financial and/or operational deficiencies that
                                                  strength and resilience, including                       amount of liquidity necessary to cover risks                put its prospects for remaining safe and
                                                                                                           and exposures, and to support activities                    sound through a range of conditions at
                                                  compliance with laws and regulations, by
                                                                                                           through a range of conditions; and (ii) the                 significant risk. A ‘‘Deficient-2’’ rating
                                                  more clearly defining the consequences of a
                                                                                                           sufficiency of a firm’s liquidity positions to              indicates that financial and/or operational
                                                  given rating.                                                                                                        deficiencies materially threaten the firm’s
                                                     Consistent with current practice, LFI                 comply with applicable regulatory
                                                                                                           requirements and to support the firm’s                      safety and soundness, or have already put the
                                                  ratings will be assigned and communicated                                                                            firm in an unsafe and unsound condition.
                                                                                                           ongoing obligations through a range of
                                                  to firms on at least an annual basis, and more                                                                          Supervisors may assign a ‘‘Satisfactory
                                                                                                           conditions.
                                                  frequently as warranted to reflect the                                                                               Watch’’ component rating which indicates
                                                                                                              • Governance and Controls: An evaluation
                                                  conclusions of supervisory activities                    of the effectiveness of a firm’s (i) board of               that the firm is generally considered safe and
                                                  performed by the Federal Reserve. In                     directors, (ii) management of core business                 sound; however certain issues are sufficiently
                                                  determining the LFI rating and identifying               lines and independent risk management and                   material that, if not resolved in a timely
                                                  supervisory issues requiring corrective action           controls, and (iii) recovery planning (for                  manner in the normal course of business,
                                                  by a firm, the Federal Reserve will generally            domestic LISCC firms only).5 This rating                    would put the firm’s prospects for remaining
                                                  rely to the fullest extent possible on the               assesses a firm’s effectiveness in aligning                 safe and sound through a range of conditions
                                                  information and assessments developed by                 strategic business objectives with the firm’s               at risk.7 Use of the ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’
                                                  other relevant supervisors and functional                risk tolerance and risk management                          rating is consistent with existing supervisory
                                                  regulators.                                              capabilities; maintaining strong, effective,                practice of giving notice that the Federal
                                                                                                           and independent risk management and                         Reserve is likely to downgrade a firm to a
                                                  B. LFI Rating Framework                                                                                              less-than-satisfactory rating if identified
                                                     The LFI rating framework provides a                      4 Hereinafter, when ‘‘safe and sound’’ or ‘‘safety       weaknesses are not resolved in a timely
                                                  supervisory evaluation of whether a firm                 and soundness’’ is used in this framework, related          manner. The ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating may
                                                  possesses sufficient financial and operational           expectations apply to the consolidated organization         also be used for firms previously rated
                                                  strength and resilience to maintain safe and             and a firm’s critical operations and banking offices.       ‘‘Deficient’’ when circumstances warrant.
                                                                                                              5 References to ‘‘board’’ or ‘‘board of directors’’ in      A ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating is not
                                                                                                           this framework includes the equivalent to a board           intended to be used for a prolonged period.
                                                     3 Refer to SR letter 12–17/CA letter 12–14,
                                                                                                           of directors, as appropriate, as well as committees         Firms that receive a ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’
                                                  ‘‘Consolidated Supervisory Framework for Large           of the board of directors or the equivalent thereof,
                                                  Financial Institutions,’’ at http://www.federal
                                                                                                                                                                       rating will have a specified timeframe to fully
                                                                                                           as appropriate.
                                                  reserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/sr1217.htm. This                                                                   resolve issues leading to that rating (as is the
                                                                                                              A ‘‘business line’’ is a defined unit or function
                                                  supervisory framework will be updated to more            of a financial institution, including associated
                                                                                                                                                                       case with all supervisory issues), generally
                                                  closely align with the LFI rating system when the        operations and support, that provides related               no longer than 18 months.8 If the firm
                                                  rating system is released in its final form.             products or services to meet the firm’s business
                                                     ‘‘Financial strength and resilience’’ is defined as   needs and those of its customers. ‘‘Core business              6 ‘‘Risk tolerance’’ is defined as the aggregate level
                                                  maintaining effective capital and liquidity              lines’’ are defined as those business lines in which        and types of risk the board and senior management
                                                  governance and planning processes, and sufficiency       a significant control disruption, failure or loss event     are willing to assume to achieve the firm’s strategic
                                                  of related positions, to provide for continuity of the   would result in a material loss of revenue, profit,         business objectives, consistent with applicable
                                                  consolidated organization and its core business          franchise value, or result in significant consumer          capital, liquidity, and other requirements and
                                                  lines, critical operations, and banking offices          harm. Supervisory expectations applicable to                constraints.
                                                  through a range of conditions.                           management of core business lines apply equally to             7 For purposes of the LFI rating system, ‘‘during
                                                     ‘‘Operational strength and resilience’’ is defined    the management of critical operations.                      the normal course of business’’ is when the Federal
                                                  as maintaining effective governance and controls to      Additionally, critical operations are to be                 Reserve believes that supervisory issues can be
                                                  provide for continuity of the consolidated               sufficiently resilient to be maintained, continued,         resolved via remediation or mitigation (through
                                                  organization and its core business lines, critical       and funded even in the event of a firm’s material           compensating controls and/or a reduced risk
                                                  operations, and banking offices, and promote             financial distress or failure.                              profile) in a timely manner without material
                                                  compliance with laws and regulations, including             At this time, recovery planning expectations only        changes to, or investments in, a firm’s governance,
                                                  those related to consumer protection, through a          apply to domestic BHCs subject to the Federal               risk management or internal control structures,
                                                  range of conditions.                                     Reserve’s LISCC supervisory framework. Should the           practices, or capabilities.
                                                     ‘‘Critical operations’’ are a firm’s operations,      Federal Reserve expand the scope of recovery                   8 The timeframe initially specified by the Federal
                                                  including associated services, functions and             planning expectations to encompass additional               Reserve for resolving issues will become more
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  support, the failure or discontinuance of which, in      firms, this rating will reflect such expectations for       precise over time, and may be extended as
                                                  the view of the firm or the Federal Reserve would        the broader set of firms.                                   circumstances warrant. As noted in current
                                                  pose a threat to the financial stability of the United      There are eight domestic firms in the LISCC              guidance, defined timeframes for resolving
                                                  States.                                                  portfolio: (1) Bank of America Corporation; (2) Bank        supervisory issues are communicated within either
                                                     Under SR letter 12–17, ‘‘banking offices’’ are        of New York Mellon Corporation; (3) Citigroup,              ‘‘Matters Requiring Attention’’ (MRAs) or ‘‘Matters
                                                  defined as U.S. depository institution subsidiaries      Inc.; (4) Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.; (5) JP Morgan          Requiring Immediate Attention’’ (MRIAs). See SR
                                                  and the U.S. branches and agencies of FBOs. The          Chase & Co.; (6) Morgan Stanley; (7) State Street           letter 13–13/CA letter 13–10, ‘‘Supervisory
                                                  Federal Reserve expects to use the LFI rating system     Corporation; and (8) Wells Fargo & Company. In              Considerations for the Communication of
                                                  to inform future revisions to other rating systems       this guidance, these eight firms may collectively be        Supervisory Findings,’’ at https://
                                                  used to assess the U.S. operations of FBOs.              referred to as ‘‘domestic LISCC firms.’’                                                                   Continued




                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00011    Fmt 4702    Sfmt 4702    E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM       17AUP1


                                                  39060                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  successfully resolves the issues leading to the          effectiveness of a firm’s governance and               issues and be downgraded to a ‘‘Deficient’’
                                                  ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating, the firm would            planning processes used to determine the               rating, as its inability to resolve those issues
                                                  typically be upgraded to ‘‘Satisfactory’’ as it          amount of capital necessary to cover risks             in a timely manner would indicate that the
                                                  has demonstrated an ability to successfully              and exposures, and to support activities               firm does not possess sufficient financial and
                                                  remediate or mitigate these issues in a timely           through a range of conditions; and (ii) the            operational capabilities to maintain its safety
                                                  manner in the normal course of business.                 sufficiency of a firm’s capital positions to           and soundness through a range of conditions.
                                                  However, if the firm fails to timely remediate           comply with applicable regulatory                         The Federal Reserve will provide an
                                                  or mitigate those issues, this failure would             requirements and to support the firm’s ability         expected timeframe for the firm to remediate
                                                  generally be viewed as evidence that the firm            to continue to serve as a financial                    or mitigate each issue leading to the
                                                  lacks sufficient financial and/or operational            intermediary through a range of conditions.            ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating, and will closely
                                                  capabilities to remain safe and sound through               In developing this rating, the Federal              monitor the firm’s progress.
                                                  a range of conditions. In these instances the            Reserve will evaluate:                                 Deficient-1
                                                  firm would typically be downgraded to a                     • Capital Planning: The extent to which a
                                                  ‘‘Deficient’’ rating.                                                                                              Although a firm’s current condition is not
                                                                                                           firm maintains sound capital planning
                                                     When a firm is rated ‘‘Satisfactory Watch,’’                                                                 considered to be materially threatened, there
                                                                                                           practices though strong governance and
                                                  supervisors would focus on determining                                                                          are deficiencies in capital planning or
                                                                                                           oversight; strong risk management and
                                                  whether a firm’s issues are related to each                                                                     positions that put its prospects for remaining
                                                                                                           controls; maintenance of updated capital               safe and sound through a range of conditions
                                                  other, similar in nature or root cause, or               policies and contingency plans for
                                                  constitute a pattern reflecting deeper                                                                          at significant risk. Its practices and
                                                                                                           addressing potential shortfalls; and                   capabilities do not meet supervisory
                                                  governance or risk management weaknesses,                incorporation of appropriately stressful
                                                  warranting a downgrade to a ‘‘Deficient’’                                                                       expectations, as:
                                                                                                           conditions and events into capital planning               • Deficiencies in a firm’s capital planning
                                                  rating.                                                  and projections of capital positions; and
                                                     The weighting of individual elements                                                                         processes are not effectively mitigated. These
                                                                                                              • Capital Positions: The extent to which a          deficiencies limit the firm’s ability to
                                                  within each LFI component rating will                    firm’s capital is sufficient to comply with
                                                  depend on their relative contribution to the                                                                    effectively assess capital adequacy through a
                                                                                                           regulatory requirements, and to support its            range of conditions; and/or
                                                  rating definitions outlined below. For
                                                  example, a limited number of significant
                                                                                                           ability to meet its obligations to depositors,            • A firm’s projected capital positions may
                                                                                                           creditors, and other counterparties and                be insufficient to absorb potential losses, and
                                                  deficiencies—or even just one significant
                                                                                                           continue to serve as a financial intermediary          to support its ability to meet prospective
                                                  deficiency—noted for management of a single
                                                                                                           through a range of conditions.                         obligations and serve as a financial
                                                  core business line could be viewed as
                                                  sufficiently important to warrant a                      Definitions for the Capital Planning and               intermediary through a range of conditions.
                                                  ‘‘Deficient’’ Governance and Controls                    Positions Component Rating                                These deficiencies require timely
                                                  component rating, even if the firm meets                                                                        corrective action focused on restoring and
                                                                                                           Satisfactory                                           maintaining capital planning capabilities and
                                                  supervisory expectations under the
                                                  Governance and Controls component in all                    A firm’s capital planning and positions are         capital positions consistent with assignment
                                                  other respects.                                          considered sound and broadly meet                      of a ‘‘Satisfactory’’ component rating. To
                                                     A standalone composite rating is not                  supervisory expectations. Specifically:                support supervisory efforts—and ensure the
                                                  assigned under the LFI rating system. The                   • A firm is capable of producing sound              immediate attention of the firm’s board and
                                                  three LFI component ratings are designed to              assessments of capital adequacy through a              senior management towards restoring
                                                  clearly communicate supervisory                          range of conditions; and                               financial and operational strength and
                                                  assessments and associated consequences to                  • A firm’s current and projected capital            resilience as necessary to maintain the firm’s
                                                  a firm for the core areas (capital, liquidity,           positions comply with regulatory                       safety and soundness through a range of
                                                  and governance and controls) considered                  requirements, and support its ability to               conditions—there is a strong presumption
                                                  critical to an LFI’s strength and resilience.            absorb current and potential losses, to meet           that the firm will be subject to an informal
                                                     Under the LFI rating system, a firm must              obligations, and to continue to serve as a             or formal enforcement action by the Federal
                                                  be rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or ‘‘Satisfactory              financial intermediary through a range of              Reserve.
                                                  Watch’’ for each of its component ratings to             conditions.                                               A ‘‘Deficient-1’’ component rating could be
                                                  be considered ‘‘well managed’’ in accordance                                                                    a barrier for a firm seeking the Federal
                                                                                                              Although a firm rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ may
                                                  with various statutes and regulations.9 A                                                                       Reserve’s approval of a proposal to engage in
                                                                                                           have supervisory issues requiring corrective
                                                  ‘‘well managed’’ firm has sufficient financial                                                                  new or expansionary activities, unless the
                                                                                                           action, the firm is effectively mitigating the
                                                  and operational strength and resilience to                                                                      firm can demonstrate that (i) it is making
                                                                                                           issues or the Federal Reserve has deemed the
                                                  maintain safe and sound operations through                                                                      meaningful, sustained progress in resolving
                                                                                                           issues as unlikely to present a threat to the          identified deficiencies and issues; (ii) the
                                                  a range of conditions.                                   firm’s ability to maintain safe and sound              proposed new or expansionary activities
                                                  C. LFI Rating Components                                 operations.                                            would not present a risk of exacerbating
                                                     The LFI rating system is comprised of three           Satisfactory Watch                                     current deficiencies or issues or lead to new
                                                  component ratings: 10                                       In select circumstances, a ‘‘Satisfactory           concerns; and (iii) the proposed activities
                                                                                                           Watch’’ component rating may be assigned.              would not distract the board or senior
                                                  1. Capital Planning and Positions Component                                                                     management from remediating current
                                                  Rating                                                   In these instances a firm’s capital planning
                                                                                                           and positions are generally considered                 deficiencies or issues.
                                                     The Capital Planning and Positions                                                                           Deficient-2
                                                                                                           sound; however certain supervisory issues
                                                  component rating evaluates (i) the
                                                                                                           are sufficiently material that, if not resolved           Deficiencies in a firm’s capital planning or
                                                                                                           by the firm in a timely manner during the              positions present a material threat to its
                                                  www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/         normal course of business, would put the
                                                  sr1313.htm. Proposed guidance which would                                                                       safety and soundness, or have already put the
                                                  replace SR letter 13–13 has been released for public     firm’s prospects for remaining safe and sound          firm in an unsafe and unsound condition. Its
                                                  comment. An enforcement action will also specify         through a range of conditions at risk.                 practices and capabilities fall well short of
                                                  the timeframe for a firm to resolve deficiencies.           A ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating may be              supervisory expectations, as:
                                                    9 12 U.S.C. 1841 et. seq. and 12 U.S.C. 1461 et        assigned to a firm that meets these                       • A firm’s capital planning processes are
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  seq. See, e.g., 12 CFR 225.4(b)(6), 225.14, 225.22(a),   characteristics regardless of its prior rating         insufficient to effectively assess capital
                                                  225.23, 225.85, and 225.86; 12 CFR 211.9(b),             (that is, it may be assigned to a firm                 adequacy through a range of conditions; and/
                                                  211.10(a)(14), and 211.34; and 12 CFR 223.41.            previously rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or                   or
                                                    10 There may be instances where deficiencies or
                                                                                                           ‘‘Deficient’’). In either instance, the Federal           • A firm’s current and projected capital
                                                  supervisory issues may be relevant to the Federal
                                                                                                           Reserve will not use the ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’        positions are insufficient to absorb current or
                                                  Reserve’s assessment of more than one component
                                                  area. As such, the LFI rating will reflect these         rating for a prolonged period. In most                 potential losses, and to support its ability to
                                                  deficiencies or issues within multiple rating            instances, the firm will either (i) resolve the        meet current and prospective obligations and
                                                  components when necessary to provide a                   issues in a timely manner and be assigned a            serve as a financial intermediary through a
                                                  comprehensive supervisory assessment.                    ‘‘Satisfactory’’ rating, or (ii) fail to resolve the   range of conditions.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00012   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                   39061

                                                     To address these deficiencies, a firm is             Satisfactory Watch                                     identified deficiencies and issues; (ii) the
                                                  required to (i) implement comprehensive                    In select circumstances, a ‘‘Satisfactory           proposed new or expansionary activities
                                                  corrective measures sufficient to restore and           Watch’’ component rating may be assigned.              would not present a risk of exacerbating
                                                  maintain satisfactory capital planning                  In these instances a firm’s liquidity risk             current deficiencies or issues or lead to new
                                                  capabilities and adequate capital positions;            management and positions are generally                 concerns; and (iii) the proposed activities
                                                  and (ii) demonstrate the sufficiency,                   considered sound; however certain                      would not distract the board or senior
                                                  credibility, and readiness of contingency               supervisory issues are sufficiently material           management from remediating current
                                                  planning and options in the event of further            that, if not resolved by the firm in a timely          deficiencies or issues.
                                                  escalation of financial or operational                  manner during the normal course of                     Deficient-2
                                                  deficiencies. To support supervisory efforts            business, would put the firm’s prospects for
                                                  and ensure the immediate attention of the                                                                         Deficiencies in a firm’s liquidity risk
                                                                                                          remaining safe and sound through a range of            management or positions present a material
                                                  firm’s board and senior management in                   conditions at risk.
                                                  addressing threats to safety and soundness,                                                                    threat to its safety and soundness, or have
                                                                                                             A ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating may be              already put the firm in an unsafe and
                                                  there is a strong presumption that the firm
                                                                                                          assigned to a firm that meets these                    unsound condition. Its practices and
                                                  will be subject to a formal enforcement
                                                                                                          characteristics regardless of its prior rating         capabilities fall well short of supervisory
                                                  action.
                                                                                                          (that is, it may be assigned to a firm                 expectations, as:
                                                     The Federal Reserve would be extremely
                                                                                                          previously rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or                      • A firm’s liquidity risk management
                                                  unlikely to approve any proposal from a firm
                                                                                                          ‘‘Deficient’’). In either instance, the Federal        processes are insufficient to perform an
                                                  with a ‘‘Deficient-2’’ rating to engage in new
                                                                                                          Reserve will not use the ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’        effective assessment of liquidity adequacy
                                                  or expansionary activities.
                                                                                                          rating for a prolonged period. In most                 through a range of conditions; and/or
                                                  2. Liquidity Risk Management and Positions              instances, the firm will either (i) resolve the           • A firm’s current and projected liquidity
                                                  Component Rating                                        issues in a timely manner and be assigned a            positions are insufficient to support its
                                                     The Liquidity Risk Management and                    ‘‘Satisfactory’’ rating, or (ii) fail to resolve the   ability to meet current and prospective
                                                  Positions component rating evaluates (i) the            issues and be downgraded to a ‘‘Deficient’’            obligations and serve as a financial
                                                  effectiveness of a firm’s governance and risk           rating, as its inability to resolve those issues       intermediary through a range of conditions.
                                                  management processes used to determine the              in a timely manner would indicate that the                To address these material deficiencies, a
                                                  amount of liquidity necessary to cover risks            firm does not possess sufficient financial and         firm is required to immediately (i) implement
                                                  and exposures, and to support activities                operational capabilities to maintain its safety        comprehensive corrective measures sufficient
                                                  through a range of conditions; and (ii) the             and soundness through a range of conditions.           to provide for the restoration and continued
                                                  sufficiency of a firm’s liquidity positions to             The Federal Reserve will provide an                 maintenance of satisfactory liquidity risk
                                                  comply with applicable regulatory                       expected timeframe for the firm to remediate           management capabilities and adequate
                                                  requirements and to support the firm’s                  or mitigate each issue leading to the                  liquidity positions; and (ii) demonstrate the
                                                  ongoing obligations through a range of                  ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating, and will closely        sufficiency, credibility and readiness of
                                                  conditions.                                             monitor the firm’s progress.                           contingency planning and options in the
                                                     In developing this rating, the Federal               Deficient-1                                            event of further escalation of financial or
                                                  Reserve will evaluate:                                                                                         operational deficiencies. To support
                                                     • Liquidity Risk Management: The extent                 Although a firm’s current condition is not
                                                                                                                                                                 supervisory efforts and ensure the immediate
                                                  to which a firm maintains sound liquidity               considered to be materially threatened, there
                                                                                                                                                                 attention of the firm’s board and senior
                                                  risk management practices though strong                 are deficiencies in liquidity risk management
                                                                                                                                                                 management in addressing threats to safety
                                                  governance and oversight; strong risk                   or positions that put its prospects for                and soundness, there is a strong presumption
                                                  management and controls; maintenance of                 remaining safe and sound through a range of            that the firm will be subject to a formal
                                                  updated liquidity policies and contingency              conditions at significant risk. Its practices          enforcement action.
                                                  plans for addressing potential shortfalls; and          and capabilities do not meet supervisory                  The Federal Reserve would be extremely
                                                  incorporation of appropriately stressful                expectations, as:                                      unlikely to approve any proposal from a firm
                                                  conditions and events into liquidity planning              • Deficiencies in a firm’s liquidity risk           with a ‘‘Deficient-2’’ rating to engage in new
                                                  and projections of liquidity positions; and             management processes are not effectively               or expansionary activities.
                                                     • Liquidity Positions: The extent to which           mitigated. These deficiencies limit the firm’s
                                                  a firm’s liquidity is sufficient to comply with         ability to effectively assess liquidity                3. Governance and Controls Component
                                                  regulatory requirements, and to support its             adequacy through a range of conditions; and/           Rating
                                                  ability to meet current and prospective                 or                                                        The Governance and Controls component
                                                  obligations to depositors, creditors and other             • A firm’s projected liquidity positions            rating evaluates the effectiveness of a firm’s
                                                  counterparties through a range of conditions.           may be insufficient to support its ability to          (i) board of directors, (ii) management of core
                                                  Definitions for the Liquidity Risk                      meet prospective obligations and serve as a            business lines and independent risk
                                                  Management and Positions Component                      financial intermediary through a range of              management and controls, and (iii) recovery
                                                  Rating                                                  conditions.                                            planning (for domestic LISCC firms only).
                                                                                                             These deficiencies require timely                   This rating assesses a firm’s effectiveness in
                                                  Satisfactory                                            corrective action, focused on restoration and          aligning strategic business objectives with the
                                                     A firm’s liquidity risk management and               maintenance of liquidity risk management               firm’s risk tolerance and risk management
                                                  positions are considered sound and broadly              capabilities and liquidity positions consistent        capabilities; maintaining strong, effective,
                                                  meet supervisory expectations. Specifically:            with assignment of a ‘‘Satisfactory’’                  and independent risk management and
                                                     • A firm is capable of producing sound               component rating. To support supervisory               control functions, including internal audit;
                                                  assessments of liquidity adequacy through a             efforts—and ensure the immediate attention             promoting compliance with laws and
                                                  range of conditions; and                                of the firm’s board and senior management              regulations, including those related to
                                                     • A firm’s current and projected liquidity           towards restoring financial and operational            consumer protection; and otherwise
                                                  positions comply with regulatory                        strength and resilience as necessary to                providing for the ongoing resiliency of the
                                                  requirements, and support its ability to meet           maintain the firm’s safety and soundness               firm.11
                                                  current and prospective obligations and to              through a range of conditions—there is a                  In developing this rating, the Federal
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  continue to serve as a financial intermediary           strong presumption that the firm will be               Reserve will evaluate:
                                                  through a range of conditions.                          subject to an informal or formal enforcement              • Effectiveness of the Board of Directors:
                                                     Although a firm rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ may           action by the Federal Reserve.                         The extent to which the board exhibits
                                                  have supervisory issues requiring corrective               A ‘‘Deficient-1’’ component rating could be         attributes consistent with those of effective
                                                  action, the firm is effectively mitigating the          a barrier for a firm seeking the Federal               boards in carrying out its core roles and
                                                  issues or the Federal Reserve has deemed the            Reserve’s approval of a proposal to engage in
                                                  issues as unlikely to present a threat to the           new or expansionary activities, unless the               11 Hereinafter, references to ‘‘compliance with
                                                  firm’s ability to maintain safe and sound               firm can demonstrate that (i) it is making             laws and regulations’’ include laws and regulations
                                                  operations.                                             meaningful, sustained progress in resolving            related to banking and consumer protection.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00013   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                  39062                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  responsibilities, including setting a clear             action, the firm is effectively mitigating the         firm can demonstrate that (i) it is making
                                                  strategy for the firm that aligns with the              issues or the Federal Reserve has deemed the           meaningful, sustained progress in resolving
                                                  firm’s risk tolerance; actively managing                issues as unlikely to present a threat to the          identified deficiencies and issues; (ii) the
                                                  information flow and board discussions;                 firm’s ability to maintain safe and sound              proposed new or expansionary activities
                                                  holding senior management accountable for               operations.                                            would not present a risk of exacerbating
                                                  implementing the firm’s strategy and risk               Satisfactory Watch                                     current deficiencies or issues or lead to new
                                                  tolerance in an effective manner, and for                                                                      concerns; and (iii) the proposed activities
                                                  maintaining the firm’s risk management and                 Supervisors may assign a ‘‘Satisfactory             would not distract the board or senior
                                                  control framework; supporting the                       Watch’’ component rating, which indicates              management from remediating current
                                                  independence and stature of the firm’s                  that governance and controls are generally             deficiencies or issues.
                                                  independent risk management and internal                considered sound; however certain
                                                                                                          supervisory issues are sufficiently material           Deficient-2
                                                  audit functions; and maintaining its
                                                  effectiveness by adapting its composition,              that, if not resolved by the firm in a timely             Deficiencies in a firm’s governance or
                                                  governance structure and practices to                   manner during the normal course of                     controls present a material threat to its safety
                                                  changes that occur over time.                           business, would put the firm’s prospects for           and soundness, or have already put the firm
                                                     • Management of Core Business Lines and              remaining safe and sound through a range of            in an unsafe and unsound condition.
                                                  Independent Risk Management and Controls                conditions at risk.                                       Its practices and capabilities fall well short
                                                     The extent to which:                                    A ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating may be              of supervisory expectations, and are
                                                     Æ Senior management effectively and                  assigned to a firm which meets these                   insufficient to align strategic business
                                                  prudently manages the day-to-day operations             characteristics regardless of its prior rating         objectives with the firm’s risk tolerance and
                                                  of the firm and provides for ongoing                    (that is, it may be assigned to a firm                 risk management capabilities; maintain
                                                  resiliency; implements the firm’s strategy and          previously rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or                   strong and independent risk management
                                                  risk tolerance; maintains an effective risk             ‘‘Deficient’’). In either instance, the Federal        and control functions, including internal
                                                  management framework and system of                      Reserve will not use the ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’        audit; promote compliance with laws and
                                                  internal controls; and promotes prudent risk            rating for a prolonged period. In most                 regulations; and/or otherwise provide for the
                                                  taking behaviors and business practices,                instances, the firm will either (i) resolve the        firm’s ongoing resiliency.
                                                  including compliance with laws and                      issues in a timely manner and be assigned a               To address these material deficiencies, a
                                                  regulations.                                            ‘‘Satisfactory’’ rating, or (ii) fail to resolve the   firm is required to (i) implement
                                                     Æ Core business line management executes             issues and be downgraded to a ‘‘Deficient’’            comprehensive corrective measures sufficient
                                                  business line activities consistent with the            rating, as its inability to resolve those issues       to restore and maintain appropriate
                                                  firm’s strategy and risk tolerance; identifies          in a timely manner would indicate that the             governance and control capabilities; and (ii)
                                                  and manages risks; and ensures an effective             firm does not possess sufficient financial and         demonstrate the sufficiency, credibility and
                                                  system of internal controls for its operations.         operational capabilities to maintain its safety        readiness of contingency planning and
                                                     Æ Independent risk management                        and soundness through a range of conditions.           options in the event of further escalation of
                                                  effectively evaluates whether the firm’s risk              The Federal Reserve will provide an                 financial or operational deficiencies. To
                                                  tolerance appropriately captures material               expected timeframe for the firm to remediate           support supervisory efforts and ensure the
                                                  risks and is consistent with the firm’s risk            or mitigate each issue leading to the                  immediate attention of the firm’s board and
                                                  management capacity; establishes and                    ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating, and will closely        senior management in addressing threats to
                                                  monitors risk limits that are consistent with           monitor the firm’s progress.                           safety and soundness, there is a strong
                                                  the firm’s risk tolerance; identifies and               Deficient-1                                            presumption that the firm will be subject to
                                                  measures the firm’s risks; and aggregates,                 Although a firm’s current condition is not          a formal enforcement action.
                                                  assesses and reports on the firm’s risk profile         considered to be materially threatened, there             The Federal Reserve would be extremely
                                                  and positions. Additionally, the firm                   are deficiencies in a firm’s governance or             unlikely to approve any proposal from a firm
                                                  demonstrates that its system of internal                controls that put its prospects for remaining          with a ‘‘Deficient-2’’ rating to engage in new
                                                  controls is appropriate and tested for                  safe and sound through a range of conditions           or expansionary activities.
                                                  effectiveness. Finally, internal audit                  at significant risk.                                     By order of the Board of Governors of the
                                                  effectively and independently assesses the                 The firm’s practices and capabilities do not        Federal Reserve System, August 3, 2017.
                                                  firm’s risk management framework and                    meet supervisory expectations, and
                                                  internal control systems, and reports findings                                                                 Margaret McCloskey Shanks,
                                                                                                          deficiencies limit its ability to align strategic
                                                  to senior management and the firm’s audit               business objectives with the firm’s risk               Deputy Secretary of the Board.
                                                  committee.                                              tolerance and risk management capabilities;            [FR Doc. 2017–16736 Filed 8–16–17; 8:45 am]
                                                     • Recovery Planning (domestic LISCC                  maintain strong and independent risk                   BILLING CODE 6210–01–P
                                                  firms only): The extent to which recovery               management and control functions, including
                                                  planning processes effectively identify                 internal audit; promote compliance with
                                                  options that provide a reasonable chance of             laws and regulations; and/or otherwise
                                                  a firm being able to remedy financial                   provide for the firm’s ongoing resiliency              DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                  weakness and restore market confidence                  through a range of conditions.
                                                  without extraordinary official sector support.             These deficiencies require timely                   Federal Aviation Administration
                                                  Definitions for the Governance and Controls             corrective action by the firm, focused on
                                                  Component Rating                                        restoring and maintaining its governance and           14 CFR Part 39
                                                                                                          control capabilities consistent with a
                                                  Satisfactory                                            ‘‘Satisfactory’’ component rating. To support          [Docket No. FAA–2017–0770; Product
                                                     A firm’s governance and control practices            supervisory efforts—and ensure the                     Identifier 2017–NM–030–AD]
                                                  are considered sound and broadly meet                   immediate attention of the firm’s board and
                                                                                                          senior management towards restoring                    RIN 2120–AA64
                                                  supervisory expectations. Specifically, a
                                                  firm’s practices and capabilities are sufficient        financial and operational strength and
                                                  to align strategic business objectives with the         resilience as necessary to maintain the firm’s         Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  firm’s risk tolerance and risk management               safety and soundness through a range of                Company Airplanes
                                                  capabilities; maintain strong and                       conditions—there is a strong presumption
                                                                                                                                                                 AGENCY: Federal Aviation
                                                  independent risk management and control                 that the firm will be subject to an informal
                                                  functions, including internal audit; promote            or formal enforcement action by the Federal            Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                                  compliance with laws and regulations; and               Reserve.                                               ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                  otherwise provide for the firm’s ongoing                   A ‘‘Deficient-1’’ component rating could be         (NPRM).
                                                  resiliency through a range of conditions.               a barrier for a firm seeking the Federal
                                                     Although a firm rated ‘‘Satisfactory’’ may           Reserve’s approval of a proposal to engage in          SUMMARY: We propose to supersede
                                                  have supervisory issues requiring corrective            new or expansionary activities, unless the             Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014–03–


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00014   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1



Document Created: 2017-08-17 01:42:52
Document Modified: 2017-08-17 01:42:52
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
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesComments must be received no later than October 16, 2017.
ContactRichard Naylor, Associate Director, (202) 728-5854, Vaishali Sack, Manager, (202) 452-5221, April Snyder, Manager, (202) 452-3099, Bill Charwat, Senior Project Manager, (202) 452-3006, Division of Supervision and Regulation, Scott Tkacz, Senior Counsel, (202) 452-2744, or Christopher Callanan, Senior Attorney, (202) 452-3594, Legal Division, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets NW., Washington, DC 20551. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) users may contact (202- 263-4869).
FR Citation82 FR 39049 
RIN Number7100-AE82
CFR Citation12 CFR 211
12 CFR 238
CFR AssociatedExports; Federal Reserve System; Foreign Banking; Holding Companies; Investments; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Banks and Banking

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR