[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4927-4937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2206]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2012 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 4927]]
NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION
12 CFR Part 741
RIN 3133-AE01
Loan Workouts and Nonaccrual Policy, and Regulatory Reporting of
Troubled Debt Restructured Loans
AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NCUA proposes to amend its regulations to require federally
insured credit unions (FICUs) to maintain written policies that address
the management of loan workout arrangements and nonaccrual policies for
loans, consistent with industry practice or Financial Institutions
Examination Council (FFIEC) requirements. The proposed rulemaking
includes guidelines set forth as an interpretive ruling and policy
statement (IRPS) and incorporated as an appendix to the rule that will
assist FICUs in complying with the rule, including the regulatory
reporting of troubled debt restructured loans (TDR loans or TDRs) in
FICU Call Reports. The NCUA Board (Board) believes this proposed
rulemaking and IRPS is timely considering the growth of these types of
loans during the recent economic stresses experienced in the financial
industry.
DATES: Send your comments to reach us on or before March 2, 2012. We
may not consider comments received after the above date in making our
decision on the proposed rule.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods
(Please send comments by one method only):
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
NCUA Web Site: http://www.ncua.gov/Legal/Regs/Pages/PropRegs.aspx. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: Address to regcomments@ncua.gov. Include ``[Your
name] Comments on Proposed Rule 741/IRPS 12-1, ``Loan Workouts'' in the
email subject line.
Fax: (703) 518-6319. Use the subject line described above
for email.
Mail: Address to Mary Rupp, Secretary of the Board,
National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria,
Virginia 22314-3428.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as mail address.
Public Inspection: You can view all public comments on NCUA's Web
site at http://www.ncua.gov/Legal/Regs/Pages/PropRegs.aspx as
submitted, except for those we cannot post for technical reasons. NCUA
will not edit or remove any identifying or contact information from the
public comments submitted. You may inspect paper copies of comments in
NCUA's law library at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, by
appointment weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. To make an appointment,
call (703) 518-6546 or send an email to OGCmail@ncua.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director of Supervision Matthew J.
Biliouris and Chief Accountant Karen Kelbly, Office of Examination and
Insurance; at the above address or telephone: (703) 518-6360.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. The Rule and IRPS as Proposed
III. Analysis of Rule Amendment and IRPS
IV. Regulatory Procedures
I. Background
Why is NCUA proposing this rule and IRPS?
The economic challenges of the last several years have resulted in
an increasing number of distressed borrowers. In order to better serve
members experiencing financial difficulties and improve collectability,
FICUs have worked with members and offered sensible workout loans,
including programs offered through the Obama Administration's ``Making
Home Affordable Program'' (MHA). MHA is an important part of the Obama
Administration's comprehensive plan to stabilize the U.S. housing
market by helping homeowners get mortgage relief and avoid
foreclosure.\1\
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\1\ MHA was developed to help homeowners avoid foreclosure,
stabilize the country's housing market, and improve the nation's
economy. MHA includes such programs as the ``Home Affordable
Refinance Program'' (HARP) and ``Home Affordable Modification
Program'' (HAMP). Programs such as these further enable FICUs to
provide workout loans to their members. For additional information
regarding programs available through MHA see http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/pages/default.aspx.
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NCUA Call Report data illustrates FICU loan modifications have
increased 60 percent, or $5 billion, from March 2010 to September 2011,
proving FICUs are working with their members during this stressful
economic downturn.\2\ FICUs reported $13.5 billion in outstanding
balances of loans that have been modified on the September 2011 Call
Report, of which 62.6 percent, or $8.5 billion, are TDR loans--see
Figure 1 below.\3\ FICUs reported modifying $4 billion in loans, with
$2.4 billion reported as TDR loans, for the first nine months of 2011.
September 2011 data also reported approximately 42,000 delinquent
modified loans totaling $2.2 billion, which equates to a 16.42 percent
delinquency rate for these loans.
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\2\ NCUA began collecting data on modified real estate loans
with the September 30, 2008 Call Report. Data regarding other types
of modified loans was added with the March 31, 2010 Call Report.
\3\ ``Troubled Debt Restructuring'' is as defined in generally
accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and means a restructuring in
which a credit union, for economic or legal reasons related to a
member borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the
borrower that it would not otherwise consider. The restructuring of
a loan may include, but is not necessarily limited to: (1) the
transfer from the borrower to the credit union of real estate,
receivables from third parties, other assets, or an equity interest
in the borrower in full or partial satisfaction of the loan, (2) a
modification of the loan terms, such as a reduction of the stated
interest rate, principal, or accrued interest or an extension of the
maturity date at a stated interest rate lower than the current
market rate for new debt with similar risk, or (3) a combination of
the above. A loan extended or renewed at a stated interest rate
equal to the current market interest rate for new debt with similar
risk is not to be reported as a restructured troubled loan. FASB ASC
310-40, ``Receivables, Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors.''
\4\ NCUA began collecting the number of delinquent modified
loans with the September 30, 2009 Call Report.
\5\ Federal Credit Union (FCU) and Federally-Insured State
Credit Union (FISCU).
[[Page 4928]]
Figure 1--Summary of Loan Modification Data
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Reported Reported
Reported Reported Percent of total delinquent delinquent Delinquent
modified modified loan loans outstanding modified loan modified loan modified
loan count balance count \4\ balance percentage
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2008:
FCU \5\....................................... 4,855 $702,903,362 0.23 N/A $156,418,754 22.25
FISCU......................................... 5,400 782,308,903 0.30 N/A 164,981,230 21.09
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Totals.................................... 10,255 1,485,212,265 0.26 N/A 321,399,984 21.64
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2009:
FCU........................................... 15,562 2,779,601,418 0.89 3,259 619,178,160 22.28
FISCU......................................... 19,485 3,247,090,975 1.24 3,590 679,078,846 20.91
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Totals.................................... 36,047 6,026,692,393 1.05 6,849 1,298,257,006 21.54
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2010:
FCU........................................... 189,809 6,161,299,433 2.01 23,390 1,024,208,423 16.62
FISCU......................................... 116,259 5,561,026,453 2.15 16,330 1,084,561,131 19.50
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Totals.................................... 306,068 11,722,325,886 2.08 39,720 2,108,769,554 17.99
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Sept 2011:
FCU........................................... 207,067 6,789,980,370 2.20 21,274 929,089,211 13.68
FISCU......................................... 141,235 6,705,125,149 2.59 20,662 1,287,161,821 19.20
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Totals.................................... 348,302 13,495,105,519 2.38 41,936 2,216,251,032 16.42
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As specified in the ``Interagency Question and Answers for
Accounting for Loan and Leases Losses'' and distributed through NCUA
Accounting Bulletin 06-01 (December 2006), NCUA's current regulatory
reporting policy for TDR loans is: \6\
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\6\ Current Call Report instructions reflect this requirement.
See http://www.ncua.gov for additional information.
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For regulatory reporting purposes on the Call Report, credit unions
should report TDR loans (as defined in GAAP) as delinquent consistent
with the original loan contract terms until the borrower/member has
demonstrated an ability to make timely and consecutive monthly payments
over a six month period consistent with the restructured terms.
Likewise, such loans may not be returned to full accrual status until
the six month consecutive payment requirement is met.
As previously discussed, data supports FICUs are modifying loans to
assist their members, the majority of which are considered TDRs. The
increased volume of this activity coupled with the existing reporting
requirements has underscored the practical challenges for the industry.
The Board is aware that in order to follow the agency's Call Report
instructions for TDRs, most FICUs must maintain separate, manual
delinquency computations and nonaccrual schedules. In response to
feedback from the industry and in the spirit of reduced regulatory
burden, the Board proposes to revise this reporting requirement and
allow delinquency on TDR loans to be calculated consistent with loan
contract terms, including amendments made to loan terms by a formal
restructure.
The Board also believes there is confusion regarding what NCUA has
defined on the Call Report as a ``Modified Loan'' for purposes of data
collection, workout loans as defined in various interagency guidance,
and TDRs as defined by GAAP. To address this confusion, the Board
proposes to further revise the regulatory reporting requirements by
eliminating data collection on ``Modified Loans'' and targeting data
collection efforts to loans meeting the definition of a TDR under GAAP.
In addition, it is important to recognize the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) issued on April 5, 2011, Accounting Standards
Update No. 20-11--Receivables (Topic 310) ``A Creditor's Determination
of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.'' \7\ This
Standards Update clarified the definition of a TDR, which has the
practical effect in the current economic environment to broaden loan
workouts that constitute a TDR. Therefore, the Board concludes that
focusing regulatory reporting requirements on TDRs will satisfy NCUA's
data collection and offsite supervision needs.
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\7\ This standard is effective for annual periods ending on or
after December 15, 2012, including interim periods within those
annual periods.
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Over the last several years, the Board has reconfirmed its view
that prudent and sound loan workouts can be an effective tool to assist
financially distressed members. Similarly, the Board understands and
recognizes the need to effectively balance appropriate loan workout
programs with potential safety and soundness considerations. Safety and
soundness concerns related to such programs include the potential to
mask deterioration in the quality of the loan portfolio, especially
given the tendency for a high degree of relapse into past due status;
delay loss recognition; and to ensure appropriate income
recognition.\8\ The Board's current policy of requiring delinquency be
calculated on the original contract terms for six consecutive payments
under the restructured terms was intended to provide the regulatory
controls necessary to address the issues described above. With the
proposal to modify this regulatory reporting requirement, the Board is
clarifying regulatory expectations for the proper control of these
lending activities.\9\
[[Page 4929]]
These include requiring each FICU to have a written loan workout policy
and associated monitoring and controls, and formalizing the existing
practice of nonaccrual standards for past due loans.
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\8\ See NCUA Letter to Credit Unions (LCU) 07-CU-06 ``Working
with Residential Mortgage Borrowers'' at http://www.ncua.gov; FFIEC
Press Release dated March 4, 2009, ``Making Home Affordable'' at
http://www.ncua.gov; LCU 09-CU-04, ``Making Homes Affordable--A
Program for Mortgage'' at http://www.ncua.gov; FFIEC Press Release
August 6, 2009 at http://www.ffiec.gov; LCU 10-CU-07, ``Commercial
Real Estate Loan Workouts'' at http://www.ncua.gov.
\9\ At the time of publishing the Interagency ALLL Policy
Statement (July 2001), the banking regulators, through the FFIEC,
had in place policy requirements related to the loan account
management matters, in guidance entitled ``Uniform Retail Credit
Classification and Account Management Policy.'' 65 FR 36903 (June
12, 2000). When the Board implemented IRPS 02-3 conforming the ALLL
to GAAP and banking regulators' like policies, it did not adopt
parallel loan account management guidance for FICUs.
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Call Report data further indicates FISCUs engage in comparable
volume of this type of activity and experience similar performance
trends as FCUs (see Table 1 above). As both FCUs and FISCUs actively
engage in loan workout programs it is important for managing risk to
the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) that all FICUs
adhere to the same minimum standards for such programs. The Board,
therefore, proposes to amend Section 741.3 relating to required FICU
lending policies in order to specifically address the management of
loan workouts and nonaccrual practices.
II. The Rule and IRPS as Proposed
A. How would the proposal change current practice?
This proposal establishes standards for the management of loan
workout arrangements that assist borrowers; revises regulatory
reporting requirements related to TDR loans; and reaffirms the existing
policy and practice within the credit union industry of placing loans
on nonaccrual status when they reach 90 days past due. The following
table summarizes these specific changes:
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Current requirement
Topic Current requirement Proposed requirement reference
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Loan workout policy................ No formal requirement. All federally insured NCUA Letter to Credit
NOTE--NCUA has credit unions must Unions (LCU) 09-CU-19,
provided specific have a written loan ``Evaluating Residential
guidance on loan workout policy. Real Estate Mortgage Loan
modification policies Modification Program,''
for real estate loans (September 2009), http://
and commercial loan www.ncua.gov
workouts. FFIEC ``Uniform Retail
Credit Classification and
Account Management
Policy'' 65 FR 36903 (June
12, 2000) LCU 10-CU-07,
``Commercial Real Estate
Loan Workouts,
transmitting Interagency
Policy Statement on
Prudent Commercial Real
Estate Loan Workouts''
(June 2010), and Enclosure
http://www.ncua.gov.
TDR Delinquency Reporting.......... Calculate and report Calculate and report 2006 Interagency Allowance
TDR loan delinquency TDR loan delinquency for Loan and Lease Losses
based on original based on restructured (ALLL) Policy Statement
contract terms until contract terms. and Interagency FAQ on
the member has made ALLL transmitted by NCUA
six consecutive Accounting Bulletin 06-1
payments under (December 2006), http://
modified terms. www.ncua.gov.
Data Collection of Loan Data collection Data collection NCUA 5300 Call Report.
Modification and TDRs. involves both reduced to TDRs as
modified loans as defined by GAAP.
defined by NCUA and
TDRs as defined by
GAAP.
Loan Nonaccrual Policy............. No formal requirements All federally insured Nonaccrual policy not
except for TDRs. For credit unions must currently memorialized in
TDRs, maintain in cease accruing a current policy document
nonaccrual until interest on loans at but has been consistent
receive 6 consecutive 90 days or more past credit union practice, and
payments. due (with some is supported by their
exceptions). existing tracking systems.
Member Business Loan (MBL) Workout No formal requirements All federally insured LCU 10-CU-07, ``Commercial
Nonaccrual Policy. except for TDRs. For credit unions must Real Estate Loan Workouts,
TDRs, maintain in maintain member transmitting Interagency
nonaccrual until business workout Policy Statement on
receive 6 consecutive loans in a nonaccrual Prudent Commercial Real
payments. status until the Estate Loan Workouts''
credit union receives (June 2010) and Enclosure
6 consecutive http://www.ncua.gov.
payments under the
modified terms.
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The proposed rule requires policies governing loan workout
practices and loan nonaccruals. The proposed rule also includes an IRPS
as an appendix to establish NCUA's expectations and requirements
regarding compliance. The Board seeks to ensure loan workout management
is subject to written credit union policies and monitoring strategies,
thereby limiting inherently ineffective workout strategies that do not
improve loan collectability but delay loss recognition and potentially
lead to further deterioration in the loan portfolio. The Board invites
the public's comment on all aspects of the proposed rule and IRPS
(Appendix).
B. Does the proposed rule and IRPS create greater restrictions than the
current guidance?
The proposed rule and associated IRPS reduce regulatory burden by
eliminating the requirement to maintain a separate, mostly manual
process for tracking TDR loans. The proposed rule does, however,
introduce compensating controls by requiring FICUs to establish a
written loan workout policy and formulate measuring and monitoring
controls. It also memorializes a longstanding nonaccrual practice for
past due loans.
[[Page 4930]]
C. Why is the period for public comment thirty days?
As a matter of policy, NCUA believes that the public should be
given at least sixty days to comment on a proposed regulation. See NCUA
IRPS 87-2 (as amended by IRPS 03-2). In this case, however, the Board
is issuing the proposed rule and IRPS with a thirty-day comment period
to address the industry's request that NCUA clarify its expectations
and reduce confusion and burden, particularly with regard to the
classification and regulatory reporting for TDRs.
D. When will FICUs have to comply with the proposed rule?
With a shortened comment period, the Board will issue a final rule
as soon as practicable, but recognizes that FICUs will need time to
revise existing lending policies. Furthermore, to implement these new
requirements, certain system changes will be required for reporting
purposes. As such, the Board intends on issuing the final rule with an
effective date of 120 days after it is published in the Federal
Register to require the implementation of the written lending policies
by such date. As further discussed in the preamble, the Board plans to
closely time its adjustments to the Call Report requirements for
reporting TDRs, consistent with this rulemaking. The Board anticipates
that the Call Report requirements will go into effect no later than the
quarter ending December 31, 2012.
The Board requests comment on the proposed effective dates for the
policy requirements and the Call Report changes as well as any
suggestions to lessen burden or otherwise reduce the necessary
implementation time period.
III. Analysis of Rule Amendment and IRPS
Section 741.3, Lending Policies
The Board proposes to amend Sec. 741.3(b)(2) to require FICUs to
adopt policies that govern loan workout and nonaccrual practices.
Section 741.3(b)(2) currently requires all FICUs to maintain written
lending policies that address, at a minimum, adequate loan
documentation, protection of security interests, determinations of
collateral value, and evaluations of a borrower's ability to repay in
the event of default. The existence and adequacy of written lending
policies are critical factors in evaluating whether a FICU is operating
in a safe and sound manner. In light of the increased demand for loan
workouts and to ensure appropriate income recognition for loans that
are past due by 90 days or more, the Board believes it prudent to
require loan account management policies in the rule. The proposed rule
establishes minimum standards to be applied consistently throughout the
industry and serves as a tool for managing risk to NCUSIF.
To set NCUA's supervisory expectations and assist FICUs in
compliance with the proposed change to Sec. 741.3, the Board proposes
to include an appendix to Part 741. The proposed appendix thoroughly
addresses the loan workout account management and reporting standards
FICUs must implement in order to comply with the rule. It also explains
how FICUs are to report their data collections related to TDRs on Call
Reports. The contents of the appendix are described in detail below.
B. Proposed Appendix C to Part 741, Interpretive Ruling and Policy
Statement on Loan Workouts, Nonaccrual Policy, and Regulatory Reporting
of Troubled Debt Restructured Loans
1. Written Loan Workout Policy and Monitoring Requirements
The Board recognizes loan workouts can be used to help borrowers
overcome temporary financial difficulties, such as loss of job, medical
emergency, or change in family circumstances like loss of a family
member. The Board further acknowledges that the lack of a sound workout
policy can mask the true performance and past due status of the loan
portfolio. Accordingly, the proposal requires the FICU board and
management to adopt and adhere to an explicit written policy and
standards that control the use of loan workouts, and establish controls
to ensure the policy is consistently applied. The loan workout policy
and practices should be commensurate with each credit union's size and
complexity, and must be in line with the credit union's broader risk
mitigation strategies. The policy should also include aggregate program
limits (for total workout portfolio and each type of workout) as a
percentage of net worth. The Board proposes to use net worth, rather
than unimpaired capital and surplus, as the means for striking this
balance. Net worth cushions fluctuations in earnings, supports growth,
and provides protection against insolvency. As such, the Board believes
establishing limits tied to this measure is appropriate. The Board
understands that not all FICUs are alike and this policy will enable
FICUs to tailor their written policies to their own unique
circumstances.
Furthermore, the Board believes loan workouts should be adequately
controlled and monitored by the board of directors and management, and
therefore proposes the decision to re-age, extend, defer, renew, or
rewrite a loan, like any other revision to contractual terms, be
supported by the FICU's management information systems. Sound
management information systems are able to identify and document any
loan that is re-aged, extended, deferred, renewed, or rewritten,
including the frequency and extent such action has been taken.
Appropriate documentation typically shows that the FICU's personnel
communicated with the borrower, the borrower agreed to pay the loan in
full, and the borrower has the ability to repay the loan under the new
terms.
The policy must also define eligibility requirements (i.e. under
what conditions the FICU will consider a loan workout), including
establishing limits on the number of times an individual loan may be
modified.\10\ The policy must ensure the FICU makes loan workout
decisions based on the borrower's renewed willingness and ability to
repay the loan. In addition, the policy must establish sound controls
to ensure loan workout actions are appropriately structured.
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\10\ Broad based credit union programs commonly used as a member
benefit and implemented in a safe and sound manner limited to only
accounts in good standing, such as Skip-a-Pay programs, are not
intended to count toward these limits.
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In developing a written policy, the FICU board and management may
wish to consider similar parameters as those established in the FFIEC's
``Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy''
(FFIEC Policy).\11\ 65 FR 36903 (June 12, 2000). The FFIEC Policy sets
forth specific limitations on the number of times a loan can be re-aged
(for open-end accounts) or extended, deferred, renewed or rewritten
(for closed-end accounts).\12\ Additionally, LCU 09-CU-19, ``Evaluating
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loan Modification Programs,'' outlines
policy requirements for real
[[Page 4931]]
estate modifications.\13\ Those requirements remain applicable to real
estate loan modifications but could be adapted in part by the FICU in
its written loan workout policy for other loans.
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\11\ The FFIEC was established in March 1979 to prescribe
uniform principles, standards, and report forms and to promote
uniformity in the supervision of financial institutions. The Council
has six voting members: a Governor of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System designated by the Chairman of the Board, the
Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Chairman
of the Board of the National Credit Union Administration, the
Comptroller of the Currency, the Director of the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau, and the Chairman of the State Liaison Committee.
The Council's activities are supported by interagency task forces
and by an advisory State Liaison Committee, comprised of five
representatives of state agencies that supervise financial
institutions.
\12\ See http://www.fdic.gov for additional information.
\13\ See http://www.ncua.gov for additional information.
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The Board does not intend for these minimum requirements to be an
all inclusive list, rather they provide a basic framework within which
to establish a sound loan workout program.
The Board seeks comment on the proposed policies including any
additional elements that should be added.
2. Regulatory Reporting of Workout Loans Including TDR Past Due Status
The Board recognizes that loan workouts that qualify under GAAP as
TDRs require special financial reporting considerations. Confusion has
been evident throughout the credit union industry about what
constitutes a TDR and how to report the TDR identified.
The proposed policy mandates that the past due status of all loans
should be calculated consistent with loan contract terms, including
amendments made to loan terms through a formal restructure. This
proposed revision eliminates the dual, often manual delinquency
tracking burden on FICUs managing and reporting TDR loans, while
instituting a nonaccrual policy on TDR loans apart from past due
status. If the proposal is finalized, the Board intends to modify the
Call Report instructions accordingly. As previously indicated for
purposes of Call Report data, in determining if a loan is a TDR, it is
the Board's view that in an economic downturn absent contrary
supportable information workout loans are TDRs.
Additionally, the proposed IRPS will institute revised Call Report
data collections related to loan workouts eliminating much of the
current data collections on the broad category ``loan modifications,''
focusing data collection on TDR loans. The Board will add additional
data elements as necessary to effectively monitor and measure TDR
activity and corresponding risk to the NCUSIF. This will assist
national and field examination and supervision staff both to detect the
level of activity and possible overuse of reworking a nonperforming
loan multiple times without improving overall collectability, and will
ensure income recognition is appropriate.
Accordingly the Board invites public comment on its proposal to
modify Call Report instructions to change the ``past due'' definition,
and to revise loan modification data collections to target TDR data
elements, as discussed.
3. Loan Nonaccrual Policy
Generally, the NCUA has required, and it has become accepted credit
union practice, to cease accruing interest on a loan when it becomes 90
days or more past due. The existing approach is referenced in various
letters and publications but currently is not memorialized or
enforceable through any statute or regulation.\14\ The Board reaffirms
this longstanding credit union practice by proposing that the rule and
appended IRPS require a FICU to adopt written nonaccrual policies that
specifically address the discontinuance of interest accrual on loans
that are past due by 90 days or more, as well as the requirements for
returning such loans (including member business loan workouts) to
accrual status.
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\14\ The policy was discussed in an obsolete version of the NCUA
Accounting Manual for FCUs, last published in June 1995.
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Nonaccrual Status
As proposed, the IRPS specifies when FICUs must place loans in
nonaccrual status, including the reversal of previously accrued but
uncollected interest, set the conditions for restoration of a
nonaccrual loan to accrual status, and discuss the criteria under GAAP
for Cash or Cost Recovery basis of income recognition. The Board is
proposing that FICUs may not accrue interest on any loan upon which
principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or
more, unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of
collection. Additionally, FICUs must place loans in nonaccrual status
if maintained on a Cash (or Cost Recovery) basis because of
deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower, or for which
payment in full of principal or interest is not expected. The policy
also addresses the treatment of cash interest payments received and
prohibits the reversal of previously accrued, but uncollected, interest
applicable to any loan placed in nonaccrual status. The Board believes
this uniform policy will promote consistency and appropriate income
recognition practices across FICUs of all sizes. The Board further
believes this is a longstanding practice and data processing systems
already support this nonaccrual policy. Therefore, the Board
anticipates no more than minimal, if any, changes to credit union
processes would be required.
Restoration to Accrual Status (Not Including Member Business Loan
Workouts)
The proposed IRPS sets forth specific parameters for returning a
nonaccrual loan to accrual. A nonaccrual loan may be returned to
accrual status when:
Its past due status is less than 90 days, GAAP does not
require it to be maintained on the Cash or Cost Recovery basis, and the
credit union is plausibly assured of repayment of the remaining
contractual principal and interest within a reasonable period;
When it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process
of collection; or
The asset is a purchased impaired loan and it meets the
criteria under GAAP for accrual of income under the interest method
specified therein.
In restoring loans to accrual status, if any interest payments
received while the loan was in nonaccrual status were applied to reduce
the recorded investment in the loan the application of these payments
to the loan's recorded investment must not be reversed (and interest
income must not be credited). Likewise, accrued but uncollected
interest reversed or charged off at the point the loan was placed on
nonaccrual status cannot be restored to accrual; it can only be
recognized as income if collected in cash or cash equivalents from the
member.
The Board believes these policies surrounding restoration of loans
to accrual status are a necessary supplement to the nonaccrual
requirements previously discussed and will ensure appropriate and
consistent income recognition in credit unions.
Restoration to Accrual Status on Member Business Loan Workouts
The Board recognizes there are unique circumstances governing the
restoration of accrual for member business loan workouts and has set
forth a separate policy in the proposal. This policy is largely derived
from the ``Interagency Policy Statement on Prudent Commercial Real
Estate Loan Workouts'' that NCUA and the other financial regulators
issued on October 30, 2009.\15\ The proposed IRPS requires a formally
restructured member business loan workout to remain in nonaccrual
status until the FICU can document a current credit evaluation of the
borrower's financial condition and prospects for repayment under the
revised terms. The evaluation must include consideration
[[Page 4932]]
of the borrower's sustained historical repayment performance for a
reasonable period prior to the date on which the loan is returned to
accrual status.
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\15\ See Interagency Policy Statement on Prudent Commercial Real
Estate Loan Workouts (October 30, 2009) transmitted by Letter to
Credit Unions No. 10-CU-07, and available at http://www.ncua.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A sustained period of repayment performance would be a minimum of
six consecutive payments and would involve payments of cash or cash
equivalents. In returning the member business workout loan to accrual
status, sustained historical repayment performance for a reasonable
time prior to the restructuring may be taken into account. Such a
restructuring must improve the collectability of the loan in accordance
with a reasonable repayment schedule and does not relieve the FICU from
the responsibility to promptly charge off all identified losses. An
example is included in the IRPS to illustrate the application of the
six consecutive month sustained repayment history. The Board has
included tables setting forth nonaccrual criteria and restoration to
accrual in the IRPS.
4. Glossary
The final section of the IRPS is a glossary of terms used
throughout.
Accordingly, the Board invites public comment on its proposal to
require FICUs to adopt loan nonaccrual policies incorporating more
specifically the GAAP elements of the Cash and Cost Recovery bases of
income recognition in relation to nonperforming loan workouts.
Additionally, the Board invites comment on its proposed policy on the
restoration of nonaccrual loans to accrual under certain conditions.
The Board also seeks comment on its additional parameters for restoring
member business loan workouts to accrual status.
To assist commenters in understanding existing agency guidance, the
following illustration is provided:
Summary of Source Guidance Related to Lending and Loan Modifications
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source of supervisory Member business
guidance Consumer lending lending
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing Recent Supervisory Letter to Credit Letter to Credit
Guidance on Lending and/or Union 11-CU-01, Unions 10-CU-07,
Loan Modifications. Residential Commercial Real
Mortgage Estate Loan
Foreclosure Workouts,
Concerns, (January transmitting
2011) http:// Interagency Policy
www.ncua.gov. Statement on
Letter to Credit Prudent Commercial
Unions 09-CU-19, Real Estate Loan
Evaluating Workouts, (June
Residential Real 2010), and
Estate Mortgage Enclosure http://
Loan Modification www.ncua.gov.
Programs, Letter to Credit
(September 2009) Unions 10-CU-02,
http://www.ncua.gov. Current Risks in
Federal Financial Business Lending
Regulatory Agencies and Sound Risk
Issue Statement In Management
Support of the Practices,
``Making Home (February 2010)
Affordable'' Loan http://
Modification www.ncua.gov.
Program,'' (March
2009) http://www.ncua.gov.
Statement on Loss
Mitigation
Strategies for
Servicers of
Residential
Mortgages,
(September 2007)
http://www.ncua.gov.
Written Policy Requirement Proposed policy is Proposed policy is
on Frequency of in this Proposed in this Proposed
Modifications. IRPS 12-1. IRPS 12-1, and
Letter to Credit
Unions 10-CU-07,
Commercial Real
Estate Loan
Workouts,
transmitting
Interagency Policy
Statement on
Prudent Commercial
Real Estate Loan
Workouts, (June
2010) and Enclosure
http://www.ncua.gov.
Nonaccrual.................. Proposed policy is in this Proposed IRPS
12-1.
Delinquency................. Change to existing policy in this Proposed
IRPS 12-1. For all loans including
workout loans, past due status is based
on loan contract terms.
Allowance for Loan and Lease IRPS 02-3, Allowance for Loan and Lease
Losses. Losses Methodologies and Documentation
for Federally-Insured Credit Unions (May
2002), http://www.ncua.gov.
2006 Interagency ALLL Policy Statement
transmitted by Accounting Bulletin 06-1
(December 2006), http://www.ncua.gov.
Charge-offs................. Letter to Credit Unions No. 03-CU-01, Loan
Charge-off Guidance (January 2003), and
its Enclosure, http://www.ncua.gov.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IV. Regulatory Procedures
A. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NCUA to prepare an analysis
to describe any significant economic impact agency rulemaking may have
on a substantial number of small credit unions, defined as those under
ten million dollars in assets. This proposed rule tightens loan account
management processes that should already be in place in FICUs. While
FICUs are required to have policies that address loan management
protocols, the proposed rule and IRPS set additional parameters that
are consistent with existing best practices and federal banking
regulators' policies. NCUA has determined this proposed rule will not
have a significant impact on a substantial number of small credit
unions so NCUA is not required to conduct a Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) applies to rulemakings in
which an agency by rule creates a new paperwork burden on regulated
entities or modifies an existing burden. 44 U.S.C. 3507(d); 5 CFR part
1320. For purposes of the PRA, a paperwork burden may take the form of
either a reporting or a recordkeeping requirement, both referred to as
information collections.
The proposed rule contains an information collection in the form of
a written policy requirement. Any FICU making loan workout arrangements
that assist borrowers must have a written policy to govern this
activity. As required by the PRA, NCUA is submitting a copy of this
proposed IRPS to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its
review and approval. Persons interested in submitting comments with
respect to the information collection aspects of the proposed rule
should submit them to OMB at the address noted below.
Based on NCUA's experience, FICUs already maintain written loan
policies, which often include minimum workout loan requirements. As
such, they will
[[Page 4933]]
only need to modify current policies to include any additional
parameters established in the proposed rule. It is therefore NCUA's
view that implementing this type of policy will create minimum burden
to credit unions. The parameters established within the proposed rule
and IRPS are usual and customary operating practices of a prudent
financial institution. NCUA estimates it should take a FICU an average
of 8 hours to modify current policies to comply with the parameters set
forth in the proposed IRPS. Therefore, the total initial burden imposed
to 7,250 FICUs for modifying the policies is approximately 58,000
hours. NCUA further estimates a FICU spends on average 15 minutes per
month manually calculating and reporting past due status on each TDR
loan. This policy eliminates this requirement. Per the September 30,
2011, Call Report, FICUs have 150,453 TDR loans outstanding.
Eliminating this reporting requirement therefore results in an annual
savings of 451,359 hours. Thus, on net, this policy results in a
substantial hours (393,359 annually) reduction of regulatory burden.
NCUA is specifically interested in receiving comments regarding
estimates of reduced burden relating to the proposed changes on
regulatory reporting of TDR loans.
NCUA considers comments by the public on this proposed collection
of information in:
Evaluating whether the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the NCUA,
including whether the information will have a practical use;
Evaluating the accuracy of the NCUA's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
Enhancing the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Minimizing the burden of collection of information on
those who are required to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology; e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of responses.
The PRA requires OMB to make a decision concerning the collection
of information contained in the proposed rule and IRPS between 30 and
60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register.
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. This coincides with
the 30-day public comment period on the proposed regulation.
Comments on the proposed information collection requirements should
be sent to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, New
Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503;
Attention: NCUA Desk Officer, with a copy to Mary Rupp, Secretary of
the Board, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428.
C. Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to
consider the impact of their regulatory actions on state and local
interests. In adherence to fundamental federalism principles, NCUA, an
independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5),
voluntarily complies with the executive order. This proposed rule
applies to all FICUs but does not have substantial direct effect on the
states, on the relationship between the national government and the
states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. NCUA has determined that this proposed
rule does not constitute a policy that has federalism implications for
purposes of the executive order.
D. Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families
NCUA has determined that this proposed rule will not affect family
well-being within the meaning of Section 654 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law 105-277, 112
Stat. 2681 (1998).
E. Agency Regulatory Goal
NCUA's goal is to promulgate clear and understandable regulations
that impose minimal regulatory burden. We request your comments on
whether the proposed rule is understandable and minimally intrusive if
implemented as proposed.
List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 741
Credit unions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
By the National Credit Union Administration Board on January 26,
2012.
Mary F. Rupp,
Secretary of the Board.
For the reasons discussed above, NCUA proposes to amend 12 CFR part
741 as follows:
PART 741--REQUIREMENTS FOR INSURANCE
1. The authority citation for part 741 continues to read:
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1757, 1766(a), 1781-1790 and 1790d; 31
U.S.C. 3717.
2. In Sec. 741.3, revise paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:
Sec. 741.3 Criteria
(b) Financial condition and policies. * * *
(2) The existence of written lending policies, including adequate
documentation of secured loans and the protection of security interests
by recording, bond, insurance or other adequate means, adequate
determination of the financial capacity of borrowers and co-makers for
repayment of the loan, adequate determination of value of security on
loans to ascertain that said security is adequate to repay the loan in
the event of default, loan workout arrangements, and nonaccrual
standards that include the discontinuance of interest accrual on loans
past due by 90 days or more and requirements for returning such loans,
including member business loans, to accrual status.
3. Amend Part 741 by adding Appendix C to read as follows:
Appendix C to Part 741--Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement on
Loan Workouts, Nonaccrual Policy, and Regulatory Reporting of Troubled
Debt Restructured Loans
This Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) establishes
requirements for the management of loan workout \1\ arrangements,
loan nonaccruals, and regulatory reporting of troubled debt
restructured loans (herein after referred to as TDR or TDRs).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Terms defined in the Glossary will be italicized on their
first use in the body of this guidance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This IRPS applies to all federally insured credit unions.
Under this IRPS, TDR loans are as defined in generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) and the Board does not intend through
this policy to change the Financial Accounting Standards Board's
(FASB) definition of TDR in any way. In addition to existing agency
policy, this IRPS sets NCUA's supervisory expectations governing
loan workout policies and practices and loan accruals.
Written Loan Workout Policy and Monitoring Requirements \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ For additional guidance on member business lending
extension, deferral, renewal, and rewrite policies, see Interagency
Policy Statement on Prudent Commercial Real Estate Loan Workouts
(October 30, 2009) transmitted by Letter to Credit Unions No. 10-CU-
07, and available at http://www.ncua.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For purposes of this policy statement, types of workout loans to
borrowers in
[[Page 4934]]
financial difficulties include re-agings, extensions, deferrals,
renewals, or rewrites. See the Glossary entry on ``workouts'' for
further descriptions of each term. Borrower retention programs or
new loans are not encompassed within this policy nor considered by
the Board to be workout loans.
Loan workouts can be used to help borrowers overcome temporary
financial difficulties, such as loss of job, medical emergency, or
change in family circumstances like loss of a family member. Loan
workout arrangements should consider and balance the best interests
of both the borrower and the credit union.
The lack of a sound written policy on workouts can mask the true
performance and past due status of the loan portfolio. Accordingly,
the credit union board and management must adopt and adhere to an
explicit written policy and standards that control the use of loan
workouts, and establish controls to ensure the policy is
consistently applied. The loan workout policy and practices should
be commensurate with each credit union's size and complexity, must
be in line with the credit union's broader risk mitigation
strategies, and must include aggregate program limits (for total
workout portfolio and each type of workout) as a percentage of net
worth. The policy must define eligibility requirements (i.e. under
what conditions the credit union will consider a loan workout),
including establishing limits on the number of times an individual
loan may be modified.\3\ The policy must also ensure credit unions
make loan workout decisions based on the borrower's renewed
willingness and ability to repay the loan. In addition, the policy
must establish sound controls to ensure loan workout actions are
appropriately structured.\4\ In no event should the credit union
authorize additional advances to finance unpaid interest and fees.
For loan workouts granted, the credit union must document the
determination that the borrower is willing and able to repay the
loan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Broad based credit union programs commonly used as a member
benefit and implemented in a safe and sound manner limited to only
accounts in good standing, such as Skip-a-Pay programs, are not
intended to count toward these limits.
\4\ In developing a written policy, the credit union board and
management may wish to consider similar parameters as those
established in the FFIEC's ``Uniform Retail Credit Classification
and Account Management Policy'' (FFIEC Policy). 65 FR 36903 (June
12, 2000). The FFIEC Policy sets forth specific limitations on the
number of times a loan can be re-aged (for open-end accounts) or
extended, deferred, renewed or rewritten (for closed-end accounts).
Additionally, NCUA Letter to Credit Unions (LCU) 09-CU-19,
``Evaluating Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loan Modification
Programs,'' outlines policy requirements for real estate
modifications. Those requirements remain applicable to real estate
loan modifications but could be adapted in part by the credit union
in their written loan workout policy for other loans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management must ensure that comprehensive and effective risk
management and internal controls are established and maintained so
that loan workouts can be adequately controlled and monitored by the
credit union's board of directors and management, to provide for
timely recognition of losses,\5\ and to permit review by examiners.
To be effective, management information systems need to track the
principal reductions and charge-off history of loans in workout
programs by type of program. Any decision to re-age, extend, defer,
renew, or rewrite a loan, like any other revision to contractual
terms, needs to be supported by the credit union's management
information systems. Sound management information systems are able
to identify and document any loan that is re-aged, extended,
deferred, renewed, or rewritten, including the frequency and extent
such action has been taken. Documentation normally shows that the
credit union's personnel communicated with the borrower, the
borrower agreed to pay the loan in full under any new terms, and the
borrower has the ability to repay the loan under any new terms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Refer to NCUA guidance on charge-offs set forth in LCU 03-
CU-01, ``Loan Charge-off Guidance,'' dated January 2003. Examiners
will require that a reasonable written charge-off policy is in place
and that it is consistently applied. Additionally, credit unions
need to adjust historical loss factors when calculating ALLL needs
for pooled loans to account for any loans with protracted charge-off
timeframes (e.g., 12 months or greater).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Reporting of Workout Loans Including TDR Past Due Status
The past due status of all loans will be calculated consistent
with loan contract terms, including amendments made to loan terms
through a formal restructure. Credit unions will report delinquency
on the Call Report consistent with this policy.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Subsequent Call Reports and accompanying instructions will
reflect this policy, including focusing data collection on loans
meeting the definition of TDR under GAAP. Credit unions should also
refer to the recently revised standard from the FASB, Accounting
Standards Update No. 2011-02 (April 2011) to the FASB Accounting
Standards Codification entitled, Receivables (Topic 310), ``A
Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled
Debt Restructuring.'' This clarified the definition of a TDR, which
has the practical effect in the current economic environment to
broaden loan workouts that constitute a TDR. This standard is
effective for annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Nonaccrual Policy
Credit unions must ensure appropriate income recognition by
placing loans in nonaccrual when conditions as specified below
exist, reversing previously accrued but uncollected interest,
complying with the criteria under GAAP for Cash or Cost Recovery
basis of income recognition, and following the specifications below
regarding restoration of a nonaccrual loan to accrual status. This
policy on loan accrual is consistent with longstanding credit union
industry practice as implemented by the NCUA over the last several
decades. The balance of the policy relates to member business loan
workouts and is similar to the FFIEC policies adopted by the federal
banking agencies \7\ as set forth in the FFIEC Call Report for
banking institutions and its instructions.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ The federal banking agencies are the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
\8\ FFIEC Report of Condition and Income Forms and User Guides,
Updated September 2011, http://www.fdic.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonaccrual Status
Credit unions may not accrue interest \9\ on any loan upon which
principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or
more, unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of
collection.\10\ Additionally, loans will be placed in nonaccrual
status if maintained on a Cash basis (or Cost Recovery basis)
because of deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower,
or for which payment in full of principal or interest is not
expected. For purposes of applying the ``well secured'' and ``in
process of collection'' test for nonaccrual status listed above, the
date on which a loan reaches nonaccrual status is determined by its
contractual terms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ Nonaccrual of interest also includes the amortization of
deferred net loan fees or costs, or the accretion of discount.
Nonaccrual of interest on loans past due 90 days or more is a
longstanding agency policy and credit union practice.
\10\ A purchased credit impaired loan asset need not be placed
in nonaccrual status as long as the criteria for accrual of income
under the interest method in GAAP is met. Also, the accrual of
interest on workout loans is covered in a separate section of this
IRPS later in the policy statement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
While a loan is in nonaccrual status, some or all of the cash
interest payments received may be treated as interest income on a
cash basis as long as the remaining recorded investment in the loan
(i.e., after charge-off of identified losses, if any) is deemed to
be fully collectable. The reversal of previously accrued, but
uncollected, interest applicable to any loan placed in nonaccrual
status must be handled in accordance with GAAP.\11\ Where assets are
collectable over an extended period of time and, because of the
terms of the transactions or other conditions, there is no
reasonable basis for estimating the degree of collectability--when
such circumstances exist, and as long as they exist--consistent with
GAAP the Cost Recovery Method of accounting must be used.\12\ Use of
the Cash
[[Page 4935]]
or Cost Recovery basis for these loans and the statement on
reversing previous accrued interest is the practical implementation
of relevant accounting principles.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ Acceptable accounting treatment includes a reversal of all
previously accrued, but uncollected, interest applicable to loans
placed in a nonaccrual status against appropriate income and balance
sheet accounts. For example, one acceptable method of accounting for
such uncollected interest on a loan placed in nonaccrual status is:
(1) To reverse all of the unpaid interest by crediting the ``accrued
interest receivable'' account on the balance sheet, (2) to reverse
the uncollected interest that has been accrued during the calendar
year-to-date by debiting the appropriate ``interest and fee income
on loans'' account on the income statement, and (3) to reverse any
uncollected interest that had been accrued during previous calendar
years by debiting the ``allowance for loan and lease losses''
account on the balance sheet. The use of this method presumes that
credit union management's additions to the allowance through charges
to the ``provision for loan and lease losses'' on the income
statement have been based on an evaluation of the collectability of
the loan and lease portfolios and the ``accrued interest
receivable'' account.
\12\ When a purchased impaired loan or debt security that is
accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30, ``Receivables-
Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit
Quality,'' has been placed on nonaccrual status, the cost recovery
method should be used, when appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restoration to Accrual Status (Not Including Member Business Loan
Workouts)
A nonaccrual loan may be restored to accrual status when:
Its past due status is less than 90 days, GAAP does not
require it to be maintained on the Cash or Cost Recovery bases, and
the credit union is plausibly assured of repayment of the remaining
contractual principal and interest within a reasonable period;
When it otherwise becomes both well secured and in the
process of collection; or
The asset is a purchased impaired loan and it meets the
criteria under GAAP for accrual of income under the interest method
specified therein.
In restoring loans to accrual status, if any interest payments
received while the loan was in nonaccrual status were applied to
reduce the recorded investment in the loan the application of these
payments to the loan's recorded investment must not be reversed (and
interest income must not be credited). Likewise, accrued but
uncollected interest reversed or charged-off at the point the loan
was placed on nonaccrual status cannot be restored to accrual; it
can only be recognized as income if collected in cash or cash
equivalents from the member.
Restoration to Accrual Status on Member Business Loan Workouts \13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ This policy is derived from the ``Interagency Policy
Statement on Prudent Commercial Real Estate Loan Workouts'' NCUA and
the other financial regulators issued on October 30, 2009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A formally restructured member business loan workout need not be
maintained in nonaccrual status, provided the restructuring and any
charge-off taken on the loan are supported by a current, well
documented credit evaluation of the borrower's financial condition
and prospects for repayment under the revised terms. Otherwise, the
restructured loan must remain in nonaccrual status. The evaluation
must include consideration of the borrower's sustained historical
repayment performance for a reasonable period prior to the date on
which the loan is returned to accrual status. A sustained period of
repayment performance would be a minimum of six consecutive payments
and would involve payments of cash or cash equivalents. In returning
the member business workout loan to accrual status, sustained
historical repayment performance for a reasonable time prior to the
restructuring may be taken into account. Such a restructuring must
improve the collectability of the loan in accordance with a
reasonable repayment schedule and does not relieve the credit union
from the responsibility to promptly charge off all identified
losses.
For example, if the original contractually due monthly payment
was $1,500, and the borrower's payment was lowered to $1,000 through
formal member business loan restructure, then based on the following
schedule of repayment performance (in the first row) the ``sustained
historical repayment performance for a reasonable time prior to the
restructuring'' would encompass five of the pre-workout consecutive
payments that were at least $1,000; so, in total, the six
consecutive repayment burden would be met by the first month post
workout. In the second row, only one of the pre-workout payments
would count toward the six consecutive repayment requirement, so the
loan would remain on nonaccrual for at least five post-workout
consecutive payments consistent with restructured terms.
Table 1--Six Consecutive Periods Sustained Repayment Performance \14\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post workout
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ $1,500 \2\ $1,200 \3\ $1,200 \4\ $1,000 \5\ $1,000 \6\ $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
1,500 1,200 900 875 \1\ 1,000 \2\ 1,000 \3\ 1,000 \4\ 1,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a formal restructure of a member business loan, if the
restructured loan has been returned to accrual status, the loan
otherwise remains subject to the nonaccrual standards of this
policy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ Number prior to monthly payment amounts indicate payments
received towards the six consecutive payment requirement as
explained in the example above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following tables summarize nonaccrual and restoration to
accrual requirements previously discussed:
Table 2--Nonaccrual Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional
Action Condition identified consideration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonaccrual on All Loans..... 90 days or more past See Glossary
due unless loan is descriptors for
both well secured ``well secured''
and in the process and ``in the
of collection; or. process of
collection.''
If the loan must be Consult GAAP for
maintained on the Cash Basis and Cost
Cash or Cost Recovery income
Recovery basis recognition
because there is a guidance. See also
deterioration in Glossary
the financial Descriptors.
condition of the
borrower, or for
which payment in
full of principal
or interest is not
expected.
Nonaccrual on Member Continue on See Table 3--Restore
Business Loan Workouts. nonaccrual at to Accrual.
workout point and
until restore to
accrual criteria
are met.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 4936]]
Table 3--Restore to Accrual
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional
Action Condition identified consideration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restore to Accrual on Loans When the loan is See Glossary
(not including Member past due less than descriptors for
Business Loan Workouts). 90 days, GAAP does ``well secured''
not require it to and ``in the
be maintained on process of
the Cash or Cost collection.''
Recovery basis, and Interest payments
the credit union is received while the
plausibly assured loan was in
of repayment of the nonaccrual status
remaining and applied to
contractual reduce the recorded
principal and investment in the
interest within a loan must not be
reasonable period. reversed and income
When it otherwise credited. Likewise,
becomes both ``well accrued but
secured'' and ``in uncollected
the process of interest reversed
collection''; or. or charged-off at
The asset is a the point the loan
purchased impaired was placed on
loan and it meets nonaccrual status
the criteria under cannot be restored
GAAP for accrual of to accrual.
income under the
interest method.
Restore Accrual on Member Formal restructure The evaluation must
Business Loan Workouts. with a current, include
well documented consideration of
credit evaluation the borrower's
of the borrower's sustained
financial condition historical
and prospects for repayment
repayment under the performance for a
revised terms. minimum of six
consecutive
payments. In
returning the loan
to accrual status,
sustained
historical
repayment
performance for a
reasonable time
prior to the
restructuring may
be taken into
account.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary\15\
``Cash Basis'' method of income recognition is set forth in GAAP
and means while a loan is in nonaccrual status, some or all of the
cash interest payments received may be treated as interest income on
a cash basis as long as the remaining recorded investment in the
loan (i.e., after charge-off of identified losses, if any) is deemed
to be fully collectible.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ Terms defined in the Glossary will be italicized on their
first use in the body of this guidance.
\16\ Acceptable accounting practices include: (1) allocating
contractual interest payments among interest income, reduction of
the recorded investment in the asset, and recovery of prior charge-
offs. If this method is used, the amount of income that is
recognized would be equal to that which would have been accrued on
the loan's remaining recorded investment at the contractual rate;
and, (2) accounting for the contractual interest in its entirety
either as income, reduction of the recorded investment in the asset,
or recovery of prior charge-offs, depending on the condition of the
asset, consistent with its accounting policies for other financial
reporting purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Charge-off'' means a direct reduction (credit) to the carrying
amount of a loan carried at amortized cost resulting from
uncollectability with a corresponding reduction (debit) of the ALLL.
Recoveries of loans previously charged off should be recorded when
received.
``Cost Recovery'' method of income recognition means equal
amounts of revenue and expense are recognized as collections are
made until all costs have been recovered, postponing any recognition
of profit until that time.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 605-10-25-4,
``Revenue Recognition, Cost Recovery.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)'' means
official pronouncements of the FASB as memorialized in the FASB
Accounting Standards Codification[reg] as the source of
authoritative principles and standards recognized to be applied in
the preparation of financial statements by federally-insured credit
unions in the United States with assets of $10 million or more.
``In the process of collection'' means collection of the loan is
proceeding in due course either: (1) Through legal action, including
judgment enforcement procedures, or (2) in appropriate
circumstances, through collection efforts not involving legal action
which are reasonably expected to result in repayment of the debt or
in its restoration to a current status in the near future, i.e.,
generally within the next 90 days.
``Member Business Loan'' is defined consistent with Section
723.1 of NCUA's Member Business Loan Rule, 12 CFR 723.1.
``New Loan'' means the terms of the revised loan are at least as
favorable to the credit union (i.e., terms are market-based, and
profit driven) as the terms for comparable loans to other customers
with similar collection risks who are not refinancing or
restructuring a loan with the credit union, and the revisions to the
original debt are more than minor.
``Past Due'' means a loan is determined to be delinquent in
relation to its contractual repayment terms including formal
restructures, and must consider the time value of money. Credit
unions may use the following method to recognize partial payments on
``consumer credit,'''' i.e., credit extended to individuals for
household, family, and other personal expenditures, including credit
cards, and loans to individuals secured by their personal residence,
including home equity and home improvement loans. A payment
equivalent to 90 percent or more of the contractual payment may be
considered a full payment in computing past due status.
``Recorded Investment in a Loan'' means the loan balance
adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount and unamortized
loan fees or costs, less any amount previously charged off, plus
recorded accrued interest.
``Troubled Debt Restructuring'' is as defined in GAAP and means
a restructuring in which a credit union, for economic or legal
reasons related to a member borrower's financial difficulties,
grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise
consider.\18\ The restructuring of a loan may include, but is not
necessarily limited to: (1) the transfer from the borrower to the
credit union of real estate, receivables from third parties, other
assets, or an equity interest in the borrower in full or partial
satisfaction of the loan, (2) a modification of the loan terms, such
as a reduction of the stated interest rate, principal, or accrued
interest or an extension of the maturity date at a stated interest
rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar
risk, or (3) a combination of the above. A loan extended or renewed
at a stated interest rate equal to the current market interest rate
for new debt with similar risk is not to be reported as a
restructured troubled loan.
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\18\ FASB ASC 310-40, ``Troubled Debt Restructuring by
Creditors.''
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``Well secured'' means the loan is collateralized by: (1) A
perfected security interest in, or pledges of, real or personal
property, including securities with an estimable value, less cost to
sell, sufficient to recover the recorded investment in the loan, as
well as a reasonable return on that amount, or (2) by the guarantee
of a financially responsible party.
``Workout Loan'' means a loan to a borrower in financial
difficulty that has been formally restructured so as to be
reasonably assured of repayment (of principal and interest) and of
performance according to its restructured terms. A workout loan
typically involves a re-aging, extension, deferral, renewal, or
rewrite of a loan.\19\ For purposes of this policy statement,
workouts do not
[[Page 4937]]
include loans made to market rates and terms such as refinances,
borrower retention actions, or new loans.\20\
\19\ ``Re-Age'' means returning a past due account to current
status without collecting the total amount of principal, interest,
and fees that are contractually due.
``Extension'' means extending monthly payments on a closed-end
loan and rolling back the maturity by the number of months extended.
The account is shown current upon granting the extension. If
extension fees are assessed, they should be collected at the time of
the extension and not added to the balance of the loan.
``Deferral'' means deferring a contractually due payment on a
closed-end loan without affecting the other terms, including
maturity, of the loan. The account is shown current upon granting
the deferral.
``Renewal'' means underwriting a matured, closed-end loan
generally at its outstanding principal amount and on similar terms.
``Rewrite'' means significantly changing the terms of an
existing loan, including payment amounts, interest rates,
amortization schedules, or its final maturity.
\20\ There may be instances where a workout loan is not a TDR
even though the borrower is experiencing financial hardship. For
example, a workout loan would not be a TDR if the fair value of cash
or other assets accepted by a credit union from a borrower in full
satisfaction of its receivable is at least equal to the credit
union's recorded investment in the loan, e.g., due to charge-offs.
[FR Doc. 2012-2206 Filed 1-31-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P