83_FR_56299 83 FR 56081 - Application of the RFI/C(D) Rating System to Savings and Loan Holding Companies

83 FR 56081 - Application of the RFI/C(D) Rating System to Savings and Loan Holding Companies

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 218 (November 9, 2018)

Page Range56081-56085
FR Document2018-24496

The Board has determined that it will apply the RFI/C(D) rating system to certain savings and loan holding companies (SLHCs). This is the same supervisory rating system that the Board currently applies to bank holding companies (BHCs). SLHCs that are engaged in significant commercial or insurance activities will continue to receive indicative supervisory ratings. SLHCs with $100 billion or more in assets will receive ratings under the RFI/C(D) rating system until the Board applies the Large Financial Institution Rating System to them.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 218 (Friday, November 9, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 218 (Friday, November 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56081-56085]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24496]


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FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

[Docket No. OP-1631]


Application of the RFI/C(D) Rating System to Savings and Loan 
Holding Companies

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Board has determined that it will apply the RFI/C(D) 
rating system to certain savings and loan holding companies (SLHCs). 
This is the same supervisory rating system that the Board currently 
applies to bank holding companies (BHCs). SLHCs that are engaged in 
significant commercial or insurance activities will continue to receive 
indicative supervisory ratings. SLHCs with $100 billion or more in 
assets will receive ratings under the RFI/C(D) rating system until the 
Board applies the Large Financial Institution Rating System to them.

DATES: The application of the supervisory rating system to SLHCs is 
effective February 1, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T. Kirk Odegard, Assistant Director 
and Chief of Staff, Policy Implementation and Effectiveness, (202) 530-
6225, Karen Caplan, Assistant Director, (202) 452-2710, Angela Knight-
Davis, Manager, (202) 475-6679, Division of Banking Supervision and 
Regulation; or Benjamin McDonough, Assistant General Counsel, (202) 
452-2036, Keisha Patrick, Senior Counsel, (202) 452-3559, Laura Bain, 
Senior Attorney, (202) 736-5546, Trevor Feigleson, Senior Attorney, 
(202) 452-3274, Legal Division, Board of Governors of the Federal 
Reserve System, 20th and C Streets NW, Washington, DC 20551.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Summary of Comments
III. Applying the RFI Rating System to Certain SLHCS
IV. Implementation
V. Regulatory Analysis

I. Background

    The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 
(Dodd-Frank Act) transferred responsibility for the supervision of 
SLHCs from the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) to the Federal 
Reserve in July 2011.\1\ Since 2011, the Board has applied the RFI/C(D) 
rating system (commonly referred to as the ``RFI rating system'') \2\ 
to SLHCs on an ``indicative'' basis as a way of providing feedback to 
SLHCs regarding supervisory expectations while Federal Reserve staff 
and SLHCs each became familiar with the newly established statutory 
framework for supervision. Federal Reserve supervisory staff have 
assigned to each SLHC an ``indicative rating,'' which describes how the 
SLHC would be rated under the RFI rating system if applied to the 
company. These indicative ratings

[[Page 56082]]

have not carried any supervisory or regulatory consequences.\3\
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    \1\ 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(1).
    \2\ Under the RFI rating system, BHCs generally are assigned 
individual component ratings for risk management (R), financial 
condition (F), and impact (I) of nondepository entities on 
subsidiary depository institutions. The risk management component is 
supported by individual subcomponent ratings for board and senior 
management oversight; policies, procedures, and limits; risk 
monitoring and management and information systems; and internal 
controls. The financial condition rating is supported by individual 
subcomponent ratings for capital adequacy, asset quality, earnings, 
and liquidity. An additional component rating is assigned to 
generally reflect the condition of any depository institution 
subsidiaries (D), as determined by the primary supervisor(s) of 
those subsidiaries. An overall composite rating (C) is assigned 
based on an overall evaluation of a BHC's managerial and financial 
condition and an assessment of potential future risk to its 
subsidiary depository institution(s). A simplified version of the 
RFI rating system that includes only the risk management component 
and a composite rating is applied to noncomplex BHCs with assets of 
$3 billion or less. See infra note 16.
    \3\ All SLHCs that have been inspected have received at least 
one indicative rating.
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    Prior to the transfer of supervisory responsibility for SLHCs, the 
OTS assigned supervisory ratings for SLHCs under the CORE rating 
system.\4\ The CORE rating system and the RFI rating system 
substantially overlapped and generally included assessments of the same 
set of financial and non-financial factors and provided a summary 
evaluation of each holding company's condition.
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    \4\ See 72 FR 72442 (December 20, 2007). Under the CORE rating 
system, SLHCs generally were assigned individual component ratings 
for capital (C), organizational structure (O), risk management (R), 
and earnings (E), as well as a composite rating that reflected an 
overall assessment of the holding company as reflected by 
consolidated risk management and financial strength.
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    The Board did not adopt the CORE rating system upon taking over 
supervision of SLHCs. Instead, because the vast majority of SLHCs face 
similar risks and engage largely in the same activities as BHCs, the 
Board sought to apply the same RFI rating system to SLHCs as the Board 
currently applies to BHCs to promote consistency.
    After completing a number of supervisory cycles in which the RFI 
rating system has been applied to SLHCs on an indicative basis, the 
Board evaluated the information gained from that process, taking into 
account the differences between SLHCs engaged in traditional banking 
activities and those engaged in significant commercial or insurance 
activities. Experience with this process over the past seven years 
indicates that the RFI rating system is an effective approach to 
communicating supervisory expectations to most SLHCs. On December 13, 
2016, the Board published a notice in the Federal Register requesting 
comment on a proposal (proposal) to fully apply the RFI rating system 
to all SLHCs except those that are excluded from the definition of 
``covered savings and loan holding company'' \5\ in section 217.2 of 
the Board's Regulation Q.\6\
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    \5\ 12 CFR 217.2. Section 217.2 excludes the following SLHCs 
from the definition of ``covered savings and loan holding company'': 
(1) A top-tier SLHC that is (i) an institution that meets the 
requirements of section 10(c)(9)(C) of the Home Owners' Loan Act (12 
U.S.C. 1467a(c)(9)(C)) and (ii) as of June 30 of the previous 
calendar year, derived 50 percent or more of its total consolidated 
assets or 50 percent of its total revenues on an enterprise-wide 
basis (as calculated under GAAP) from activities that are not 
financial in nature under section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company 
Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843(k)); (2) a top-tier SLHC that is an 
insurance company; or (3) a top-tier SLHC that, as of June 30 of the 
previous calendar year, held 25 percent or more of its total 
consolidated assets in subsidiaries that are insurance underwriting 
companies (other than assets associated with insurance for credit 
risk).
    \6\ 81 FR 89941 (December 13, 2016).
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II. Summary of Comments

    The comment period on the proposal closed on February 13, 2017. The 
Board received one comment from the Insurance Coalition,\7\ which 
expressed support for continuing to apply the RFI rating system on an 
indicative basis to insurance SLHCs. The commenter also generally 
supported the Board's proposed approach for assessing capital adequacy 
for SLHCs receiving indicative ratings, but suggested that such 
assessment also should explicitly consider (i) the unique risks in the 
insurance business model, (ii) an insurance SLHC's compliance with 
State capital rules, and (iii) the policyholder protection mandate. The 
commenter also requested that the Board delay imposing a formal rating 
system on insurance SLHCs until the insurance capital rules have been 
finalized, and that the rating system be tailored to the insurance 
business model and reflect the State regulatory capital framework. The 
commenter requested that this same approach be applied for insurers 
that have been designated systemically important financial institutions 
by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) for supervision by 
the Federal Reserve.
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    \7\ The Insurance Coalition is a group of federally supervised 
insurance companies and interested parties.
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    In response to this comment and consistent with the proposal, the 
Board has determined that it will continue to apply the RFI rating 
system to insurance SLHCs on an indicative basis. In response to the 
commenter's request that the assessment of the capital adequacy for 
insurance SLHCs receiving indicative ratings should consider certain 
factors, the Board clarifies that its assessment of insurance SLHCs has 
taken and will continue to take into account (i) the unique risks in 
the insurance business model, (ii) an insurance SLHC's compliance with 
State capital rules, and (iii) the policyholder protection mandate. The 
commenter's other suggestions pertain to factors that would be 
considered in the development of any future rating system applicable to 
insurance SLHCs and any insurance companies that the FSOC has 
determined should be supervised by the Board.

III. Applying the RFI Rating System to Certain SLHCs

    After reviewing the comment on the proposal, the Board has 
determined that it will apply the RFI rating system to every SLHC that 
is depository in nature.\8\ SLHCs that are engaged in significant 
insurance or commercial activities will continue to receive indicative 
ratings under the RFI rating system. SLHCs that are depository in 
nature and have $100 billion or more in total consolidated assets will 
be rated under the RFI rating system only until the Board applies the 
new rating system for large financial institutions (LFI rating system) 
to them, which the Board is adopting concurrently through a separate 
rulemaking and is described below.
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    \8\ The RFI rating system will apply to every SLHC except an 
SLHC that is not a ``covered savings and loan holding company'' in 
section 217.2 of the Board's Regulation Q. 12 CFR 217.2.
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    Specifically, the Board will continue to assign indicative ratings 
under the RFI rating system to (i) SLHCs that derive 50 percent or more 
of their total consolidated assets or total revenues from activities 
that are not financial in nature under section 4(k) of the Bank Holding 
Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1843(k)) (commercial SLHCs), 
and (ii) SLHCs that are insurance companies or that hold 25 percent or 
more of their total consolidated assets in subsidiaries that are 
insurance companies (insurance SLHCs). The Board will continue to 
review whether a modified version of the RFI rating system or some 
other supervisory rating system is appropriate for commercial or 
insurance SLHCs on a permanent basis.
    Subsequent to the closing of the public comment period, on August 
17, 2017, the Board invited public comment on a separate notice of 
proposed rulemaking to adopt the LFI rating system,\9\ a supervisory 
ratings

[[Page 56083]]

framework designed in part to align with the supervisory programs and 
practices that the Federal Reserve implemented for large financial 
institutions following the 2007-2009 financial crisis. The LFI rating 
system would have applied to, among other entities, BHCs and non-
insurance, non-commercial SLHCs with total consolidated assets of $50 
billion or more, and U.S. intermediate holding companies (IHCs) of 
foreign banking organizations (FBOs) established under Regulation 
YY.\10\
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    \9\ 82 FR 39049 (August 17, 2017). Under the proposed LFI rating 
system, each large financial institution would have been assigned 
ratings for three separate components: Capital Planning and 
Positions; Liquidity Risk Management and Positions; and Governance 
and Controls. The ratings would have been assigned using a four-
point non-numeric scale (Satisfactory/Satisfactory Watch, Deficient-
1, and Deficient-2). A firm would need a ``Satisfactory'' or 
``Satisfactory Watch'' rating for each of the three component 
ratings to be considered ``well managed.'' The proposal would not 
have included the assignment of a standalone composite rating or any 
subcomponent ratings.
    \10\ 12 CFR 252.153.
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    In its final rulemaking regarding the LFI framework, which the 
Board is adopting concurrently with this notice, the Board has modified 
the scope of application of the LFI rating system to take into 
consideration statutory changes resulting from the enactment of the 
Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act 
(EGRRCPA) on May 24, 2018.\11\ Section 401 of EGRRCPA amended section 
165 of the Dodd-Frank Act to raise the $50 billion minimum asset 
threshold for general application of enhanced prudential standards.\12\ 
Immediately on the date of enactment, BHCs with total consolidated 
assets of less than $100 billion were no longer subject to these 
standards. Accordingly, the final LFI rating system applies to BHCs and 
non-insurance, non-commercial SLHCs with total consolidated assets of 
$100 billion or more, and to all U.S. IHCs of FBOs. The Board will 
assign ratings to SLHCs with $100 billion or more in total consolidated 
assets under the final LFI rating system beginning in early 2020.
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    \11\ Pub. L. 115-174, 132 Stat. 1296-1368 (2018).
    \12\ EGRRCPA Sec.  401.
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    However, along with all other depository SLHCs, the RFI rating 
system will apply to SLHCs with $100 billion or more in total 
consolidated assets beginning on February 1, 2019. Once the Board 
applies the LFI rating system to SLHCs with $100 billion or more in 
total consolidated assets in early 2020, the Board will cease to use 
the RFI rating system to assign ratings to such large SLHCs. The Board 
believes it is important to assign ratings to all depository SLHCs at 
this time in order to promote consistent supervision and treatment of 
BHCs and SLHCs.
    All components of the RFI rating system (i.e., risk management, 
financial condition, and potential impact of the parent company and 
nondepository subsidiaries on subsidiary depository institution(s)) 
will apply to SLHCs that are depository in nature.\13\ Likewise, the 
depository institution rating, which generally mirrors the primary 
regulator's assessment of the subsidiary depository institution(s), 
will apply. A numeric rating of 1 indicates the highest rating, 
strongest performance and practices, and least degree of supervisory 
concern; a numeric rating of 5 indicates the lowest rating, weakest 
performance, and the highest degree of supervisory concern.
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    \13\ Consistent with the approach for BHCs, when assigning a 
rating to an SLHC, supervisory staff will take into account a 
company's size, complexity, and financial condition. For example, a 
noncomplex SLHC with total assets less than $3 billion will not be 
assigned all subcomponent ratings; rather, only a risk management 
component rating and composite rating generally will be assigned. 
These will equate, respectively, to the management component and 
composite rating under the CAMELS rating system for depository 
institutions, as assigned to the SLHC's subsidiary savings 
association by its primary regulator.
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    The financial condition component of the RFI rating includes a 
subcomponent that represents an assessment of capital adequacy. 
Compliance with minimum regulatory capital requirements is part of a 
broader qualitative and quantitative assessment of an SLHC's capital 
adequacy. As of January 1, 2015, certain SLHCs became subject to 
minimum capital requirements and overall capital adequacy 
standards.\14\ For SLHCs subject to minimum regulatory capital 
requirements, assessment of the SLHC's compliance with those 
requirements will be one element of a broader qualitative and 
quantitative assessment of capital adequacy.\15\
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    \14\ See 78 FR 62018, 62028 (October 11, 2013) (outlining the 
timeframe for implementation of Regulation Q for SLHCs and others).
    \15\ See Sections 4060 and 4061 of the Bank Holding Company 
Supervision Manual; Supervision and Regulation Letter 15-19 
(December 18, 2015), available at https://www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/sr1519.htm; Supervision and Regulation Letter 
15-6 (April 6, 2015), available at https://www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/sr1506.htm; Supervision and Regulation Letter 
09-04 (February 24, 2009, revised December 21, 2015), available at 
http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2009/sr0904.htm.
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    Noncomplex SLHCs that are subject to the Board's Small Bank Holding 
Company and Savings and Loan Holding Company Policy Statement 
(Regulation Y, appendix C) (Policy Statement) \16\ will be assigned an 
abbreviated version of the RFI rating system consistent with the 
Board's practice for BHCs outlined in SR letter 13-21.\17\ An offsite 
review of the SLHC will be conducted upon receipt of the lead 
depository institution's report of examination. The supervisory cycle 
will be determined by the examination frequency of the lead depository 
institution and the SLHC will be assigned only a risk management rating 
and a composite rating.
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    \16\ 12 CFR part 225, Appendix C. The Board issued an interim 
final rule raising the asset size threshold for determining 
applicability of the Policy Statement from $1 billion to $3 billion 
of total consolidated assets. See 83 FR 44195 (August 30, 2018).
    \17\ Supervision and Regulation Letter 13-21 (December 17, 
2013), available at https://www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/sr1321.htm. Shortly after adoption of this notice, Board 
staff expects to update Supervision and Regulation Letter 13-21 to 
modify inspection frequency and scope of expectations for holding 
companies with total consolidated assets between $1 billion and $3 
billion to align with the Policy Statement's revised asset size 
threshold. See supra note 16.
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    Finally, elements of the RFI rating system that are codified in the 
Board's Bank Holding Company Supervision Manual \18\ will be revised to 
describe the application of the RFI rating system to certain SLHCs that 
are depository in nature.\19\
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    \18\ Available at http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/supmanual/supervision_bhc.htm.
    \19\ See Supervision and Regulation Letter 04-18 (December 6, 
2014), available at http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2004/sr0418.htm.
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Assessment of Capital Adequacy and Supervisory Guidance for SLHCs That 
Receive Indicative Ratings

    For SLHCs that continue to receive an indicative rating under the 
RFI rating system, examiners will consider the risks inherent in the 
SLHC's activities and the ability of capital to absorb unanticipated 
losses, provide a base for growth, and support the level and 
composition of the parent company and subsidiaries' debt in the 
evaluation of the SLHC's capital adequacy. As discussed above in 
Supplementary Information Section II, for insurance SLHCs that receive 
an indicative rating, examiners will consider the unique risks in the 
insurance business model, an insurance SLHC's compliance with State 
capital rules, and the policyholder protection mandate.
    In 2013, Board staff published several supervisory letters 
extending the use of the RFI rating system for, and assignment of, 
indicative ratings to SLHCs and extending the scope and frequency 
requirements for supervised holding companies with total consolidated 
assets of $10 billion or less to SLHCs. Commercial SLHCs and insurance 
SLHCs may refer to these letters for staff-level guidance on the use of 
indicative ratings until such time as the Board adopts final guidance 
on the application of a rating system tailored to these SLHCs.

[[Page 56084]]

IV. Implementation

    The Board will begin to apply the RFI rating system on February 1, 
2019 to all non-insurance and non-commercial SLHCs, including for any 
inspections commencing after that date. Federal Reserve staff will use 
the RFI rating system to assign ratings to non-commercial, non-
insurance SLHCs with $100 billion or more in total consolidated assets 
in 2019, and assign ratings to such SLHCs using the new LFI rating 
system beginning in early 2020. As noted, commercial SLHCs and 
insurance SLHCs will continue to receive RFI ratings on an indicative 
basis. The Federal Reserve's numeric ratings for SLHCs, which are 
confidential supervisory information, will be disclosed on a 
confidential basis, in accordance with current disclosure 
practices.\20\ Under no circumstances should an SLHC or any of its 
directors, officers, or employees disclose or make public any of the 
ratings.
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    \20\ 12 CFR 261.20.
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V. Regulatory Analysis

Paperwork Reduction Act

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

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires that an agency 
publish an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) in connection 
with a proposed rule or certify that the proposed rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.\21\ An IRFA was included in the proposal to fully apply the 
RFI rating system to SLHCs that are not insurance or commercial 
SLHCs.\22\ In the IRFA, the Board requested comment on the effect of 
the proposal on small entities and on any significant alternatives that 
would reduce the regulatory burden on small entities. The Board did not 
receive any comments on the IRFA.
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    \21\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    \22\ 81 FR 89941 (December 13, 2016).
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    The RFA requires an agency to prepare a final regulatory 
flexibility analysis (FRFA) unless the agency certifies that the rule 
will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The FRFA must contain: (1) A 
statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2) a statement 
of the significant issues raised by the public comments in response to 
the IRFA, a statement of the agency's assessment of such issues, and a 
statement of any changes made in the proposed rule as a result of such 
comments; (3) the response of the agency to any comments filed by the 
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in 
response to the proposed rule, and a detailed statement of any changes 
made to the proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the 
comments; (4) a description of an estimate of the number of small 
entities to which the rule will apply or an explanation of why no such 
estimate is available; (5) a description of the projected reporting, 
recordkeeping and other compliance requirements of the rule, including 
an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to 
the requirement and type of professional skills necessary for 
preparation of the report or record; and (6) a description of the steps 
the agency has taken to minimize the significant economic impact on 
small entities, including a statement for selecting or rejecting the 
other significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency. In 
accordance with section 604 of the RFA, the Board has reviewed the 
final rule.
    Under regulations issued by the Small Business Administration, a 
small entity includes an SLHC with assets of $550 million or less.\23\ 
Based on data as of September 11, 2018, there are approximately 132 
SLHCs that have total domestic assets of $550 million or less and are 
therefore considered small entities for purposes of the RFA. The final 
rule applies to all non-insurance and non-commercial SLHCs. Based on 
the Board's analysis, and for the reasons stated below, the Board 
believes the final rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities.
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    \23\ See 13 CFR 121.201. Effective July 14, 2014, the Small 
Business Administration revised the size standards for banking 
organizations to $550 million in assets from $500 million in assets. 
79 FR 33647 (June 12, 2014).
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    1. Statement of the need for, and objectives of, the application of 
the final rule.
    As discussed, the Board is fully applying the RFI rating system to 
non-insurance and non-commercial SLHCs to further the Board's goal of 
ensuring that holding companies that control depository institutions 
are subject to consistent standards and supervisory programs. After a 
seven-year adjustment period in which the Board assigned RFI ratings to 
SLHCs on an indicative basis, the Board has determined that the RFI 
rating system is an effective approach to communicating supervisory 
expectations to all non-insurance and non-commercial SLHCs.
    2. Significant issues raised by the public comments in response to 
the IRFA, a statement of the Board's assessment of such issues, and a 
statement of any changes made in the rule as a result of such comments.
    As noted above, the Board did not receive any comments on the IRFA 
and only received one responsive comment on the proposal. The comment 
did not raise any issues regarding the application of the RFI rating 
system to small entities. Instead, the comment expressed support for 
continuing to apply the RFI rating system on an indicative basis to 
insurance SLHCs and requested the Board consider certain issues in 
developing any future rating system that may be applied to insurance 
SLHCs and to insurance companies that the FSOC has determined should be 
supervised by the Federal Reserve. Accordingly, no changes were made as 
a result of public comments.
    3. Response to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy 
of the Small Business Administration in response to the proposed rule, 
and detailed statement of any changes made to the proposed rule in the 
final rule as a result of the comments.
    The Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration 
did not file any comments in response to the proposal.
    4. Description and estimate of the number of small entities to 
which the rule will apply.
    The application of the RFI rating system to non-insurance and non-
commercial SLHCs will apply to approximately 191 SLHCs, of which only 
132 SLHCs have $550 million or less in total consolidated assets. 
Moreover, as discussed, noncomplex SLHCs under $3 billion will be 
assigned an abbreviated version of the RFI rating system consistent 
with the Board's practice for BHCs outlined in SR 13-21.
    5. Description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping and other 
compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of small 
entities which will be subject to the requirement and the type of 
professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record.
    The application of the RFI rating system does not impose any 
recordkeeping, reporting, or compliance requirements.
    6. Description of the steps taken to minimize the economic impact 
on small entities, including a statement for selecting or rejecting the 
other significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency.
    As noted, noncomplex SLHCs under $3 billion will be assigned an

[[Page 56085]]

abbreviated version of the RFI rating system consistent with the 
Board's practice for BHCs outlined in SR 13-21. An offsite review of 
the SLHC will be conducted upon receipt of the lead depository 
institution's report of examination. The supervisory cycle will be 
determined by the examination frequency of the lead depository 
institution and the SLHC will be assigned only a risk management rating 
and a composite rating.
    Moreover, SLHCs have been subject to the RFI rating system on 
indicative basis for the past seven years, which has provided SLHCs the 
opportunity to adjust to the RFI rating system. The full application of 
the RFI rating system to small non-commercial and non-insurance SLHCs 
will not create any new economic impact on small entities.
    In light of the foregoing, the Board does not believe that this 
final rule will have a significant economic impact on any small 
entities and therefore believes that there are no significant 
alternatives that would reduce the economic impact on small entities.

    By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System, November 2, 2018.
Ann Misback,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2018-24496 Filed 11-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6210-01-P



                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2018 / Notices                                                     56081

                                               and purchase of services to provide                     provided on the Loan Participation                    Karen Caplan, Assistant Director, (202)
                                               information.                                            Renewal notice is confidential under                  452–2710, Angela Knight-Davis,
                                                 At the end of the comment period, the                 exemption 4 of the Freedom of                         Manager, (202) 475–6679, Division of
                                               comments and recommendations                            Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.                      Banking Supervision and Regulation; or
                                               received will be analyzed to determine                  552(b)(4), because the information is                 Benjamin McDonough, Assistant
                                               the extent to which the Board should                    typically considered confidential                     General Counsel, (202) 452–2036,
                                               modify the proposal.                                    commercial or financial information and               Keisha Patrick, Senior Counsel, (202)
                                               Proposal To Approve Under OMB                           is reasonably likely to result in                     452–3559, Laura Bain, Senior Attorney,
                                               Delegated Authority the Extension for                   substantial competitive harm if                       (202) 736–5546, Trevor Feigleson,
                                               Three Years, Without Revision, of the                   disclosed. However, information                       Senior Attorney, (202) 452–3274, Legal
                                               Following Report                                        provided on the Acquisition notice, the               Division, Board of Governors of the
                                                                                                       Internal Corporate Reorganization                     Federal Reserve System, 20th and C
                                                  Report title: Notice Requirements                    Transaction notice, and the Section 23A               Streets NW, Washington, DC 20551.
                                               Associated with Regulation W.                           Additional Exemption request generally
                                                  Agency form number: FR W.1                                                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                       is not considered confidential under
                                                  OMB control number: 7100–0304.                       exemption 4. Respondents who desire                   Table of Contents
                                                  Frequency: On occasion.
                                                  Respondents: Depository institutions.                that the information on one of these                  I. Background
                                                  Estimated number of respondents: 4.                  three submissions be kept confidential                II. Summary of Comments
                                                  Estimated average hours per response:                pursuant to exemption 4 of the FOIA                   III. Applying the RFI Rating System to
                                               Section 223.15(b)(4), 2; Section                        may request confidential treatment                          Certain SLHCS
                                               223.31(d)(4), 6; Section 223.41(d)(2), 6;               under the Board’s rules at 12 CFR                     IV. Implementation
                                               Section 223.43(b), 10.                                  261.15. In addition, any information                  V. Regulatory Analysis
                                                  Estimated annual burden hours: 24.                   that is obtained as a part of an
                                                                                                                                                             I. Background
                                                  General description of report: The                   examination or supervision of a
                                               information collection associated with                  financial institution is exempt from                    The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
                                               the Board’s Regulation W (Transactions                  disclosure under exemption 8 of the                   and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-
                                               Between Member Banks and Their                          FOIA, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(8).                             Frank Act) transferred responsibility for
                                               Affiliates; 12 CFR part 223) is triggered                 Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve           the supervision of SLHCs from the
                                               by specific events, and there are no                    System, November 5, 2018.                             Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) to the
                                               associated reporting forms. Filings are                 Michele Taylor Fennell,                               Federal Reserve in July 2011.1 Since
                                               required from insured depository                        Assistant Secretary of the Board.                     2011, the Board has applied the RFI/
                                               institutions and uninsured member                       [FR Doc. 2018–24531 Filed 11–8–18; 8:45 am]           C(D) rating system (commonly referred
                                               banks that seek to request certain                                                                            to as the ‘‘RFI rating system’’) 2 to
                                                                                                       BILLING CODE 6210–01–P
                                               exemptions from the requirements of                                                                           SLHCs on an ‘‘indicative’’ basis as a way
                                               sections 23A and 23B of the Federal                                                                           of providing feedback to SLHCs
                                               Reserve Act. This information collection                FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM                                regarding supervisory expectations
                                               is separate from the quarterly Bank                                                                           while Federal Reserve staff and SLHCs
                                               Holding Company Report of Insured                       [Docket No. OP–1631]                                  each became familiar with the newly
                                               Depository Institutions’ Section 23A                                                                          established statutory framework for
                                               Transactions with Affiliates (FR Y–8;                   Application of the RFI/C(D) Rating
                                                                                                                                                             supervision. Federal Reserve
                                               OMB No. 7100–0126), which collects                      System to Savings and Loan Holding
                                                                                                                                                             supervisory staff have assigned to each
                                               information on transactions between an                  Companies
                                                                                                                                                             SLHC an ‘‘indicative rating,’’ which
                                               insured depository institution and its                  AGENCY: Board of Governors of the                     describes how the SLHC would be rated
                                               affiliates that are subject to section 23A              Federal Reserve System (Board).                       under the RFI rating system if applied
                                               of the Federal Reserve Act. This                        ACTION: Notice.                                       to the company. These indicative ratings
                                               collection of information comprises the
                                               reporting requirements of Regulation W                  SUMMARY:    The Board has determined                    1 12 U.S.C. 5412(b)(1).
                                               that are found in sections 223.15(b)(4),                that it will apply the RFI/C(D) rating                  2 Under   the RFI rating system, BHCs generally are
                                               223.31(d)(4), 223.41(d)(2), and                         system to certain savings and loan                    assigned individual component ratings for risk
                                               223.43(b). This information is used to                  holding companies (SLHCs). This is the                management (R), financial condition (F), and
                                                                                                                                                             impact (I) of nondepository entities on subsidiary
                                               demonstrate compliance with sections                    same supervisory rating system that the               depository institutions. The risk management
                                               23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act                  Board currently applies to bank holding               component is supported by individual
                                               (FRA), 12 U.S.C. 371c(f) and 371c–1(e),                 companies (BHCs). SLHCs that are                      subcomponent ratings for board and senior
                                               and to request an exemption from the                    engaged in significant commercial or                  management oversight; policies, procedures, and
                                                                                                                                                             limits; risk monitoring and management and
                                               Board.                                                  insurance activities will continue to                 information systems; and internal controls. The
                                                  Legal authorization and                              receive indicative supervisory ratings.               financial condition rating is supported by
                                               confidentiality: Sections 23A and 23B of                SLHCs with $100 billion or more in                    individual subcomponent ratings for capital
                                               the FRA authorize the Board to issue                    assets will receive ratings under the                 adequacy, asset quality, earnings, and liquidity. An
                                                                                                                                                             additional component rating is assigned to
                                               these notice requirements (12 U.S.C.                    RFI/C(D) rating system until the Board                generally reflect the condition of any depository
                                               371c(f) and 371c-1(e)). Respondents are                 applies the Large Financial Institution               institution subsidiaries (D), as determined by the
                                               required to file one or more of the                     Rating System to them.                                primary supervisor(s) of those subsidiaries. An
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                                               Regulation W notices in order to obtain                 DATES: The application of the                         overall composite rating (C) is assigned based on an
                                                                                                                                                             overall evaluation of a BHC’s managerial and
                                               the benefits noted above. Information                   supervisory rating system to SLHCs is                 financial condition and an assessment of potential
                                                                                                       effective February 1, 2019.                           future risk to its subsidiary depository
                                                 1 The internal Agency Tracking Number                                                                       institution(s). A simplified version of the RFI rating
                                                                                                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T.
                                               previously assigned by the Board to this                                                                      system that includes only the risk management
                                               information collection was ‘‘Reg W.’’ The Board is
                                                                                                       Kirk Odegard, Assistant Director and                  component and a composite rating is applied to
                                               changing the internal Agency Tracking Number for        Chief of Staff, Policy Implementation                 noncomplex BHCs with assets of $3 billion or less.
                                               the purpose of consistency.                             and Effectiveness, (202) 530–6225,                    See infra note 16.



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                                               56082                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2018 / Notices

                                               have not carried any supervisory or                     holding company’’ 5 in section 217.2 of                 insurance SLHC’s compliance with
                                               regulatory consequences.3                               the Board’s Regulation Q.6                              State capital rules, and (iii) the
                                                  Prior to the transfer of supervisory                                                                         policyholder protection mandate. The
                                                                                                       II. Summary of Comments
                                               responsibility for SLHCs, the OTS                                                                               commenter’s other suggestions pertain
                                                                                                          The comment period on the proposal                   to factors that would be considered in
                                               assigned supervisory ratings for SLHCs                  closed on February 13, 2017. The Board                  the development of any future rating
                                               under the CORE rating system.4 The                      received one comment from the                           system applicable to insurance SLHCs
                                               CORE rating system and the RFI rating                   Insurance Coalition,7 which expressed                   and any insurance companies that the
                                               system substantially overlapped and                     support for continuing to apply the RFI                 FSOC has determined should be
                                               generally included assessments of the                   rating system on an indicative basis to                 supervised by the Board.
                                               same set of financial and non-financial                 insurance SLHCs. The commenter also
                                               factors and provided a summary                          generally supported the Board’s                         III. Applying the RFI Rating System to
                                               evaluation of each holding company’s                    proposed approach for assessing capital                 Certain SLHCs
                                               condition.                                              adequacy for SLHCs receiving indicative                    After reviewing the comment on the
                                                  The Board did not adopt the CORE                     ratings, but suggested that such                        proposal, the Board has determined that
                                               rating system upon taking over                          assessment also should explicitly                       it will apply the RFI rating system to
                                                                                                       consider (i) the unique risks in the                    every SLHC that is depository in
                                               supervision of SLHCs. Instead, because
                                                                                                       insurance business model, (ii) an                       nature.8 SLHCs that are engaged in
                                               the vast majority of SLHCs face similar                 insurance SLHC’s compliance with                        significant insurance or commercial
                                               risks and engage largely in the same                    State capital rules, and (iii) the                      activities will continue to receive
                                               activities as BHCs, the Board sought to                 policyholder protection mandate. The                    indicative ratings under the RFI rating
                                               apply the same RFI rating system to                     commenter also requested that the                       system. SLHCs that are depository in
                                               SLHCs as the Board currently applies to                 Board delay imposing a formal rating                    nature and have $100 billion or more in
                                               BHCs to promote consistency.                            system on insurance SLHCs until the                     total consolidated assets will be rated
                                                  After completing a number of                         insurance capital rules have been                       under the RFI rating system only until
                                               supervisory cycles in which the RFI                     finalized, and that the rating system be                the Board applies the new rating system
                                               rating system has been applied to                       tailored to the insurance business model                for large financial institutions (LFI
                                               SLHCs on an indicative basis, the Board                 and reflect the State regulatory capital                rating system) to them, which the Board
                                               evaluated the information gained from                   framework. The commenter requested                      is adopting concurrently through a
                                               that process, taking into account the                   that this same approach be applied for                  separate rulemaking and is described
                                               differences between SLHCs engaged in                    insurers that have been designated                      below.
                                                                                                       systemically important financial                           Specifically, the Board will continue
                                               traditional banking activities and those
                                                                                                       institutions by the Financial Stability                 to assign indicative ratings under the
                                               engaged in significant commercial or
                                                                                                       Oversight Council (FSOC) for                            RFI rating system to (i) SLHCs that
                                               insurance activities. Experience with                   supervision by the Federal Reserve.                     derive 50 percent or more of their total
                                               this process over the past seven years                     In response to this comment and                      consolidated assets or total revenues
                                               indicates that the RFI rating system is an              consistent with the proposal, the Board                 from activities that are not financial in
                                               effective approach to communicating                     has determined that it will continue to                 nature under section 4(k) of the Bank
                                               supervisory expectations to most                        apply the RFI rating system to insurance                Holding Company Act of 1956, as
                                               SLHCs. On December 13, 2016, the                        SLHCs on an indicative basis. In                        amended (12 U.S.C. 1843(k))
                                               Board published a notice in the Federal                 response to the commenter’s request                     (commercial SLHCs), and (ii) SLHCs
                                               Register requesting comment on a                        that the assessment of the capital                      that are insurance companies or that
                                               proposal (proposal) to fully apply the                  adequacy for insurance SLHCs receiving                  hold 25 percent or more of their total
                                               RFI rating system to all SLHCs except                   indicative ratings should consider                      consolidated assets in subsidiaries that
                                               those that are excluded from the                        certain factors, the Board clarifies that               are insurance companies (insurance
                                               definition of ‘‘covered savings and loan                its assessment of insurance SLHCs has                   SLHCs). The Board will continue to
                                                                                                       taken and will continue to take into                    review whether a modified version of
                                                                                                       account (i) the unique risks in the                     the RFI rating system or some other
                                                                                                       insurance business model, (ii) an                       supervisory rating system is appropriate
                                                                                                                                                               for commercial or insurance SLHCs on
                                                                                                          5 12 CFR 217.2. Section 217.2 excludes the
                                                                                                                                                               a permanent basis.
                                                                                                       following SLHCs from the definition of ‘‘covered
                                                                                                       savings and loan holding company’’: (1) A top-tier
                                                                                                                                                                  Subsequent to the closing of the
                                                                                                       SLHC that is (i) an institution that meets the          public comment period, on August 17,
                                                                                                       requirements of section 10(c)(9)(C) of the Home         2017, the Board invited public comment
                                                                                                       Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1467a(c)(9)(C)) and (ii)    on a separate notice of proposed
                                                                                                       as of June 30 of the previous calendar year, derived
                                                                                                       50 percent or more of its total consolidated assets
                                                                                                                                                               rulemaking to adopt the LFI rating
                                                                                                       or 50 percent of its total revenues on an enterprise-   system,9 a supervisory ratings
                                                                                                       wide basis (as calculated under GAAP) from
                                                                                                       activities that are not financial in nature under         8 The RFI rating system will apply to every SLHC
                                                                                                       section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of         except an SLHC that is not a ‘‘covered savings and
                                                 3 All SLHCs that have been inspected have             1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843(k)); (2) a top-tier SLHC that      loan holding company’’ in section 217.2 of the
                                               received at least one indicative rating.                is an insurance company; or (3) a top-tier SLHC         Board’s Regulation Q. 12 CFR 217.2.
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                                                 4 See 72 FR 72442 (December 20, 2007). Under
                                                                                                       that, as of June 30 of the previous calendar year,        9 82 FR 39049 (August 17, 2017). Under the
                                                                                                       held 25 percent or more of its total consolidated       proposed LFI rating system, each large financial
                                               the CORE rating system, SLHCs generally were            assets in subsidiaries that are insurance               institution would have been assigned ratings for
                                               assigned individual component ratings for capital       underwriting companies (other than assets               three separate components: Capital Planning and
                                               (C), organizational structure (O), risk management      associated with insurance for credit risk).             Positions; Liquidity Risk Management and
                                               (R), and earnings (E), as well as a composite rating       6 81 FR 89941 (December 13, 2016).
                                                                                                                                                               Positions; and Governance and Controls. The
                                               that reflected an overall assessment of the holding        7 The Insurance Coalition is a group of federally    ratings would have been assigned using a four-point
                                               company as reflected by consolidated risk               supervised insurance companies and interested           non-numeric scale (Satisfactory/Satisfactory Watch,
                                               management and financial strength.                      parties.                                                Deficient-1, and Deficient-2). A firm would need a



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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2018 / Notices                                                     56083

                                               framework designed in part to align                      institution(s)) will apply to SLHCs that                13–21.17 An offsite review of the SLHC
                                               with the supervisory programs and                        are depository in nature.13 Likewise, the               will be conducted upon receipt of the
                                               practices that the Federal Reserve                       depository institution rating, which                    lead depository institution’s report of
                                               implemented for large financial                          generally mirrors the primary regulator’s               examination. The supervisory cycle will
                                               institutions following the 2007–2009                     assessment of the subsidiary depository                 be determined by the examination
                                               financial crisis. The LFI rating system                  institution(s), will apply. A numeric                   frequency of the lead depository
                                               would have applied to, among other                       rating of 1 indicates the highest rating,               institution and the SLHC will be
                                               entities, BHCs and non-insurance, non-                   strongest performance and practices,                    assigned only a risk management rating
                                               commercial SLHCs with total                              and least degree of supervisory concern;                and a composite rating.
                                               consolidated assets of $50 billion or                    a numeric rating of 5 indicates the                        Finally, elements of the RFI rating
                                               more, and U.S. intermediate holding                      lowest rating, weakest performance, and                 system that are codified in the Board’s
                                               companies (IHCs) of foreign banking                      the highest degree of supervisory                       Bank Holding Company Supervision
                                               organizations (FBOs) established under                   concern.                                                Manual 18 will be revised to describe the
                                               Regulation YY.10                                            The financial condition component of                 application of the RFI rating system to
                                                  In its final rulemaking regarding the                 the RFI rating includes a subcomponent                  certain SLHCs that are depository in
                                               LFI framework, which the Board is                        that represents an assessment of capital                nature.19
                                               adopting concurrently with this notice,                  adequacy. Compliance with minimum
                                               the Board has modified the scope of                                                                              Assessment of Capital Adequacy and
                                                                                                        regulatory capital requirements is part                 Supervisory Guidance for SLHCs That
                                               application of the LFI rating system to                  of a broader qualitative and quantitative
                                               take into consideration statutory                                                                                Receive Indicative Ratings
                                                                                                        assessment of an SLHC’s capital
                                               changes resulting from the enactment of                                                                             For SLHCs that continue to receive an
                                                                                                        adequacy. As of January 1, 2015, certain
                                               the Economic Growth, Regulatory                                                                                  indicative rating under the RFI rating
                                                                                                        SLHCs became subject to minimum
                                               Relief, and Consumer Protection Act                                                                              system, examiners will consider the
                                                                                                        capital requirements and overall capital
                                               (EGRRCPA) on May 24, 2018.11 Section                                                                             risks inherent in the SLHC’s activities
                                                                                                        adequacy standards.14 For SLHCs
                                               401 of EGRRCPA amended section 165                                                                               and the ability of capital to absorb
                                                                                                        subject to minimum regulatory capital
                                               of the Dodd-Frank Act to raise the $50                                                                           unanticipated losses, provide a base for
                                                                                                        requirements, assessment of the SLHC’s
                                               billion minimum asset threshold for                                                                              growth, and support the level and
                                                                                                        compliance with those requirements
                                               general application of enhanced                                                                                  composition of the parent company and
                                                                                                        will be one element of a broader
                                               prudential standards.12 Immediately on                                                                           subsidiaries’ debt in the evaluation of
                                               the date of enactment, BHCs with total                   qualitative and quantitative assessment
                                                                                                        of capital adequacy.15                                  the SLHC’s capital adequacy. As
                                               consolidated assets of less than $100                                                                            discussed above in Supplementary
                                               billion were no longer subject to these                     Noncomplex SLHCs that are subject to
                                                                                                        the Board’s Small Bank Holding                          Information Section II, for insurance
                                               standards. Accordingly, the final LFI                                                                            SLHCs that receive an indicative rating,
                                               rating system applies to BHCs and non-                   Company and Savings and Loan
                                                                                                        Holding Company Policy Statement                        examiners will consider the unique
                                               insurance, non-commercial SLHCs with                                                                             risks in the insurance business model,
                                               total consolidated assets of $100 billion                (Regulation Y, appendix C) (Policy
                                                                                                        Statement) 16 will be assigned an                       an insurance SLHC’s compliance with
                                               or more, and to all U.S. IHCs of FBOs.
                                                                                                        abbreviated version of the RFI rating                   State capital rules, and the policyholder
                                               The Board will assign ratings to SLHCs
                                                                                                        system consistent with the Board’s                      protection mandate.
                                               with $100 billion or more in total
                                               consolidated assets under the final LFI                  practice for BHCs outlined in SR letter                    In 2013, Board staff published several
                                               rating system beginning in early 2020.                                                                           supervisory letters extending the use of
                                                  However, along with all other                            13 Consistent with the approach for BHCs, when       the RFI rating system for, and
                                               depository SLHCs, the RFI rating system                  assigning a rating to an SLHC, supervisory staff will   assignment of, indicative ratings to
                                               will apply to SLHCs with $100 billion                    take into account a company’s size, complexity, and     SLHCs and extending the scope and
                                                                                                        financial condition. For example, a noncomplex          frequency requirements for supervised
                                               or more in total consolidated assets                     SLHC with total assets less than $3 billion will not
                                               beginning on February 1, 2019. Once the                  be assigned all subcomponent ratings; rather, only
                                                                                                                                                                holding companies with total
                                               Board applies the LFI rating system to                   a risk management component rating and composite        consolidated assets of $10 billion or less
                                               SLHCs with $100 billion or more in                       rating generally will be assigned. These will equate,   to SLHCs. Commercial SLHCs and
                                                                                                        respectively, to the management component and           insurance SLHCs may refer to these
                                               total consolidated assets in early 2020,                 composite rating under the CAMELS rating system
                                               the Board will cease to use the RFI                      for depository institutions, as assigned to the
                                                                                                                                                                letters for staff-level guidance on the use
                                               rating system to assign ratings to such                  SLHC’s subsidiary savings association by its            of indicative ratings until such time as
                                               large SLHCs. The Board believes it is                    primary regulator.                                      the Board adopts final guidance on the
                                               important to assign ratings to all
                                                                                                           14 See 78 FR 62018, 62028 (October 11, 2013)
                                                                                                                                                                application of a rating system tailored to
                                                                                                        (outlining the timeframe for implementation of          these SLHCs.
                                               depository SLHCs at this time in order                   Regulation Q for SLHCs and others).
                                               to promote consistent supervision and                       15 See Sections 4060 and 4061 of the Bank
                                                                                                                                                                   17 Supervision and Regulation Letter 13–21
                                               treatment of BHCs and SLHCs.                             Holding Company Supervision Manual;
                                                                                                        Supervision and Regulation Letter 15–19 (December       (December 17, 2013), available at https://
                                                  All components of the RFI rating                                                                              www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/
                                                                                                        18, 2015), available at https://
                                               system (i.e., risk management, financial                 www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/           sr1321.htm. Shortly after adoption of this notice,
                                               condition, and potential impact of the                   sr1519.htm; Supervision and Regulation Letter 15–       Board staff expects to update Supervision and
                                               parent company and nondepository                         6 (April 6, 2015), available at https://                Regulation Letter 13–21 to modify inspection
                                                                                                        www.federalreserve.gov/bankinforeg/srletters/           frequency and scope of expectations for holding
                                               subsidiaries on subsidiary depository                                                                            companies with total consolidated assets between
                                                                                                        sr1506.htm; Supervision and Regulation Letter 09–
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                                                                                                        04 (February 24, 2009, revised December 21, 2015),      $1 billion and $3 billion to align with the Policy
                                               ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or ‘‘Satisfactory Watch’’ rating for    available at http://www.federalreserve.gov/             Statement’s revised asset size threshold. See supra
                                               each of the three component ratings to be                boarddocs/srletters/2009/sr0904.htm.                    note 16.
                                               considered ‘‘well managed.’’ The proposal would             16 12 CFR part 225, Appendix C. The Board               18 Available at http://www.federalreserve.gov/
                                               not have included the assignment of a standalone         issued an interim final rule raising the asset size     boarddocs/supmanual/supervision_bhc.htm.
                                               composite rating or any subcomponent ratings.            threshold for determining applicability of the Policy      19 See Supervision and Regulation Letter 04–18
                                                  10 12 CFR 252.153.
                                                                                                        Statement from $1 billion to $3 billion of total        (December 6, 2014), available at http://
                                                  11 Pub. L. 115–174, 132 Stat. 1296–1368 (2018).
                                                                                                        consolidated assets. See 83 FR 44195 (August 30,        www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2004/
                                                  12 EGRRCPA § 401.                                     2018).                                                  sr0418.htm.



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                                               56084                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2018 / Notices

                                               IV. Implementation                                      a statement of any changes made in the                      2. Significant issues raised by the
                                                 The Board will begin to apply the RFI                 proposed rule as a result of such                        public comments in response to the
                                               rating system on February 1, 2019 to all                comments; (3) the response of the                        IRFA, a statement of the Board’s
                                               non-insurance and non-commercial                        agency to any comments filed by the                      assessment of such issues, and a
                                               SLHCs, including for any inspections                    Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small                  statement of any changes made in the
                                               commencing after that date. Federal                     Business Administration in response to                   rule as a result of such comments.
                                                                                                       the proposed rule, and a detailed                           As noted above, the Board did not
                                               Reserve staff will use the RFI rating
                                                                                                       statement of any changes made to the                     receive any comments on the IRFA and
                                               system to assign ratings to non-
                                                                                                       proposed rule in the final rule as a                     only received one responsive comment
                                               commercial, non-insurance SLHCs with
                                                                                                       result of the comments; (4) a description                on the proposal. The comment did not
                                               $100 billion or more in total
                                                                                                       of an estimate of the number of small                    raise any issues regarding the
                                               consolidated assets in 2019, and assign
                                                                                                       entities to which the rule will apply or                 application of the RFI rating system to
                                               ratings to such SLHCs using the new LFI
                                                                                                       an explanation of why no such estimate                   small entities. Instead, the comment
                                               rating system beginning in early 2020.
                                                                                                       is available; (5) a description of the                   expressed support for continuing to
                                               As noted, commercial SLHCs and
                                                                                                       projected reporting, recordkeeping and                   apply the RFI rating system on an
                                               insurance SLHCs will continue to
                                                                                                       other compliance requirements of the                     indicative basis to insurance SLHCs and
                                               receive RFI ratings on an indicative
                                                                                                       rule, including an estimate of the classes               requested the Board consider certain
                                               basis. The Federal Reserve’s numeric
                                                                                                       of small entities which will be subject                  issues in developing any future rating
                                               ratings for SLHCs, which are
                                                                                                       to the requirement and type of                           system that may be applied to insurance
                                               confidential supervisory information,
                                                                                                       professional skills necessary for                        SLHCs and to insurance companies that
                                               will be disclosed on a confidential basis,
                                                                                                       preparation of the report or record; and                 the FSOC has determined should be
                                               in accordance with current disclosure
                                                                                                       (6) a description of the steps the agency                supervised by the Federal Reserve.
                                               practices.20 Under no circumstances                     has taken to minimize the significant                    Accordingly, no changes were made as
                                               should an SLHC or any of its directors,                 economic impact on small entities,                       a result of public comments.
                                               officers, or employees disclose or make                 including a statement for selecting or                      3. Response to any comments filed by
                                               public any of the ratings.                              rejecting the other significant                          the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
                                               V. Regulatory Analysis                                  alternatives to the rule considered by                   Small Business Administration in
                                                                                                       the agency. In accordance with section                   response to the proposed rule, and
                                               Paperwork Reduction Act                                 604 of the RFA, the Board has reviewed                   detailed statement of any changes made
                                                 There is no collection of information                 the final rule.                                          to the proposed rule in the final rule as
                                               required by this notice that would be                      Under regulations issued by the Small                 a result of the comments.
                                               subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act                  Business Administration, a small entity                     The Chief Counsel for Advocacy of
                                               of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.                         includes an SLHC with assets of $550                     the Small Business Administration did
                                                                                                       million or less.23 Based on data as of                   not file any comments in response to the
                                               Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         September 11, 2018, there are                            proposal.
                                                  The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)                 approximately 132 SLHCs that have                           4. Description and estimate of the
                                               requires that an agency publish an                      total domestic assets of $550 million or                 number of small entities to which the
                                               initial regulatory flexibility analysis                 less and are therefore considered small                  rule will apply.
                                               (IRFA) in connection with a proposed                    entities for purposes of the RFA. The                       The application of the RFI rating
                                               rule or certify that the proposed rule                  final rule applies to all non-insurance                  system to non-insurance and non-
                                               will not have a significant economic                    and non-commercial SLHCs. Based on                       commercial SLHCs will apply to
                                               impact on a substantial number of small                 the Board’s analysis, and for the reasons                approximately 191 SLHCs, of which
                                               entities.21 An IRFA was included in the                 stated below, the Board believes the                     only 132 SLHCs have $550 million or
                                               proposal to fully apply the RFI rating                  final rule will not have a significant                   less in total consolidated assets.
                                               system to SLHCs that are not insurance                  economic impact on a substantial                         Moreover, as discussed, noncomplex
                                               or commercial SLHCs.22 In the IRFA,                     number of small entities.                                SLHCs under $3 billion will be assigned
                                               the Board requested comment on the                         1. Statement of the need for, and                     an abbreviated version of the RFI rating
                                               effect of the proposal on small entities                objectives of, the application of the final              system consistent with the Board’s
                                               and on any significant alternatives that                rule.                                                    practice for BHCs outlined in SR 13–21.
                                               would reduce the regulatory burden on                      As discussed, the Board is fully                         5. Description of the projected
                                               small entities. The Board did not receive               applying the RFI rating system to non-                   reporting, recordkeeping and other
                                               any comments on the IRFA.                               insurance and non-commercial SLHCs                       compliance requirements of the rule,
                                                  The RFA requires an agency to                        to further the Board’s goal of ensuring                  including an estimate of small entities
                                               prepare a final regulatory flexibility                  that holding companies that control                      which will be subject to the requirement
                                               analysis (FRFA) unless the agency                       depository institutions are subject to                   and the type of professional skills
                                               certifies that the rule will not, if                    consistent standards and supervisory                     necessary for preparation of the report
                                               promulgated, have a significant                         programs. After a seven-year adjustment                  or record.
                                               economic impact on a substantial                        period in which the Board assigned RFI                      The application of the RFI rating
                                               number of small entities. The FRFA                      ratings to SLHCs on an indicative basis,                 system does not impose any
                                               must contain: (1) A statement of the                    the Board has determined that the RFI                    recordkeeping, reporting, or compliance
                                               need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2)              rating system is an effective approach to                requirements.
                                                                                                       communicating supervisory
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                                               a statement of the significant issues                                                                               6. Description of the steps taken to
                                               raised by the public comments in                        expectations to all non-insurance and                    minimize the economic impact on small
                                               response to the IRFA, a statement of the                non-commercial SLHCs.                                    entities, including a statement for
                                               agency’s assessment of such issues, and                                                                          selecting or rejecting the other
                                                                                                          23 See 13 CFR 121.201. Effective July 14, 2014, the
                                                                                                                                                                significant alternatives to the rule
                                                                                                       Small Business Administration revised the size
                                                 20 12 CFR 261.20.                                     standards for banking organizations to $550 million
                                                                                                                                                                considered by the agency.
                                                 21 5U.S.C. 601 et seq.                                in assets from $500 million in assets. 79 FR 33647          As noted, noncomplex SLHCs under
                                                 22 81 FR 89941 (December 13, 2016).                   (June 12, 2014).                                         $3 billion will be assigned an


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2018 / Notices                                          56085

                                               abbreviated version of the RFI rating                   Information requests can also be                      proposed action. Interested persons are
                                               system consistent with the Board’s                      submitted by email to DCAS@CDC.GOV.                   invited to send comments regarding our
                                               practice for BHCs outlined in SR 13–21.                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            burden estimates or any other aspect of
                                               An offsite review of the SLHC will be                     Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7384q(b). 42 U.S.C.
                                                                                                                                                             this collection of information, including
                                               conducted upon receipt of the lead                      7384l(14)(C).                                         the necessity and utility of the proposed
                                               depository institution’s report of                        On October 18, 2018, as provided for                information collection for the proper
                                               examination. The supervisory cycle will                 under 42 U.S.C. 7384l(14)(C), the                     performance of the agency’s functions,
                                               be determined by the examination                        Secretary of HHS designated the                       the accuracy of the estimated burden,
                                               frequency of the lead depository                        following class of employees as an                    ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
                                               institution and the SLHC will be                        addition to the SEC:                                  clarity of the information to be
                                               assigned only a risk management rating                                                                        collected, and the use of automated
                                               and a composite rating.                                   All employees of the Department of
                                                                                                       Energy, its predecessor agencies, and its
                                                                                                                                                             collection techniques or other forms of
                                                  Moreover, SLHCs have been subject to                                                                       information technology to minimize the
                                                                                                       contractors or subcontractors who worked in
                                               the RFI rating system on indicative basis               any area at the Sandia National Laboratories          information collection burden.
                                               for the past seven years, which has                     in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the                DATES: Comments must be received by
                                               provided SLHCs the opportunity to                       period from January 1, 1995, through                  January 8, 2019.
                                               adjust to the RFI rating system. The full               December 31, 1996, for a number of work
                                               application of the RFI rating system to                 days aggregating at least 250 work days,              ADDRESSES: When commenting, please
                                               small non-commercial and non-                           occurring either solely under this                    reference the document identifier or
                                               insurance SLHCs will not create any                     employment or in combination with work                OMB control number. To be assured
                                               new economic impact on small entities.                  days within the parameters established for            consideration, comments and
                                                  In light of the foregoing, the Board                 one or more other classes of employees                recommendations must be submitted in
                                                                                                       included in the Special Exposure Cohort.              any one of the following ways:
                                               does not believe that this final rule will
                                               have a significant economic impact on                      This designation will become                         1. Electronically. You may send your
                                               any small entities and therefore believes               effective on November 17, 2018, unless                comments electronically to http://
                                               that there are no significant alternatives              Congress provides otherwise prior to the              www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                               that would reduce the economic impact                   effective date. After this effective date,            instructions for ‘‘Comment or
                                               on small entities.                                      HHS will publish a notice in the                      Submission’’ or ‘‘More Search Options’’
                                                                                                       Federal Register reporting the addition               to find the information collection
                                                 By order of the Board of Governors of the
                                               Federal Reserve System, November 2, 2018.               of this class to the SEC or the result of             document(s) that are accepting
                                               Ann Misback,
                                                                                                       any provision by Congress regarding the               comments.
                                                                                                       decision by HHS to add the class to the                 2. By regular mail. You may mail
                                               Secretary of the Board.
                                                                                                       SEC.                                                  written comments to the following
                                               [FR Doc. 2018–24496 Filed 11–8–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       John J. Howard,
                                                                                                                                                             address: CMS, Office of Strategic
                                               BILLING CODE 6210–01–P
                                                                                                                                                             Operations and Regulatory Affairs,
                                                                                                       Director, National Institute for Occupational
                                                                                                       Safety and Health.                                    Division of Regulations Development,
                                                                                                                                                             Attention: Document Identifier/OMB
                                               DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                [FR Doc. 2018–24530 Filed 11–8–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                             Control Number ll, Room C4–26–05,
                                               HUMAN SERVICES                                          BILLING CODE 4163–19–P
                                                                                                                                                             7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore,
                                               Centers for Disease Control and                                                                               Maryland 21244–1850.
                                               Prevention                                              DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                To obtain copies of a supporting
                                                                                                       HUMAN SERVICES                                        statement and any related forms for the
                                               Decision to Designate a Class of                                                                              proposed collection(s) summarized in
                                               Employees From the Sandia National                      Centers for Medicare & Medicaid                       this notice, you may make your request
                                               Laboratories in Albuquerque, New                        Services                                              using one of following:
                                               Mexico, To Be Included in the Special                                                                           1. Access CMS’ website address at
                                                                                                       [Document Identifier CMS–R–240 and CMS–
                                               Exposure Cohort                                         10164]
                                                                                                                                                             website address at https://www.cms.gov/
                                                                                                                                                             Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/
                                               AGENCY: National Institute for                                                                                PaperworkReductionActof1995/PRA-
                                               Occupational Safety and Health                          Agency Information Collection
                                                                                                       Activities: Proposed Collection;                      Listing.html.
                                               (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control                                                                            2. Email your request, including your
                                               and Prevention, Department of Health                    Comment Request
                                                                                                                                                             address, phone number, OMB number,
                                               and Human Services.                                     AGENCY: Centers for Medicare &                        and CMS document identifier, to
                                               ACTION: Notice.                                         Medicaid Services.                                    Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov.
                                                                                                       ACTION: Notice.                                         3. Call the Reports Clearance Office at
                                               SUMMARY:   HHS gives notice of a
                                               decision to designate a class of                        SUMMARY:   The Centers for Medicare &                 (410) 786–1326.
                                               employees from the Sandia National                      Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                               Laboratories in Albuquerque, New                        an opportunity for the public to                      William Parham at (410) 786–4669.
                                               Mexico, as an addition to the Special                   comment on CMS’ intention to collect                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               Exposure Cohort (SEC) under the Energy                  information from the public. Under the
                                               Employees Occupational Illness                          Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the                  Contents
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                                               Compensation Program Act of 2000.                       PRA), federal agencies are required to                  This notice sets out a summary of the
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        publish notice in the Federal Register                use and burden associated with the
                                               Stuart L. Hinnefeld, Director, Division                 concerning each proposed collection of                following information collections. More
                                               of Compensation Analysis and Support,                   information (including each proposed                  detailed information can be found in
                                               NIOSH, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C–                      extension or reinstatement of an existing             each collection’s supporting statement
                                               46, Cincinnati, OH 45226–1938,                          collection of information) and to allow               and associated materials (see
                                               Telephone 1–877–222–7570.                               60 days for public comment on the                     ADDRESSES).



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Document Created: 2018-11-09 03:34:36
Document Modified: 2018-11-09 03:34:36
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesThe application of the supervisory rating system to SLHCs is effective February 1, 2019.
ContactT. Kirk Odegard, Assistant Director and Chief of Staff, Policy Implementation and Effectiveness, (202) 530- 6225, Karen Caplan, Assistant Director, (202) 452-2710, Angela Knight- Davis, Manager, (202) 475-6679, Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation; or Benjamin McDonough, Assistant General Counsel, (202) 452-2036, Keisha Patrick, Senior Counsel, (202) 452-3559, Laura Bain, Senior Attorney, (202) 736-5546, Trevor Feigleson, Senior Attorney, (202) 452-3274, Legal Division, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets NW, Washington, DC 20551.
FR Citation83 FR 56081 

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