CHAPTER 34—FEDERAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION COUNCIL

        

§3301. Declaration of purpose

It is the purpose of this chapter to establish a Financial Institutions Examination Council which shall prescribe uniform principles and standards for the Federal examination of financial institutions by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, and the National Credit Union Administration and make recommendations to promote uniformity in the supervision of these financial institutions. The Council's actions shall be designed to promote consistency in such examination and to insure progressive and vigilant supervision.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1002, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3694.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of 120 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 2101 of Pub. L. 95–630, set out as a note under section 375b of this title.

Short Title

Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1001, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3694, provided that: "This title [enacting this chapter and amending section 67 of former Title 31, Money and Finance] may be cited as the 'Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978'."

Transfer of Functions

Federal Home Loan Bank Board abolished and functions transferred, see sections 401 to 406 of Pub. L. 101–73, set out as a note under section 1437 of this title.

§3302. Definitions

As used in this chapter—

(1) the term "Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies" means the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the National Credit Union Administration;

(2) the term "Council" means the Financial Institutions Examination Council; and

(3) the term "financial institution" means a commercial bank, a savings bank, a trust company, a savings association, a building and loan association, a homestead association, a cooperative bank, or a credit union; ¹

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1003, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3694; Pub. L. 101–73, title VII, §744(a)(1), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 438.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1989—Par. (1). Pub. L. 101–73, §744(a)(1)(A), substituted "Office of Thrift Supervision" for "Federal Home Loan Bank Board".

Par. (3). Pub. L. 101–73, §744(a)(1)(B), substituted "savings association" for "savings and loan association".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of 120 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 2101 of Pub. L. 95–630, set out as a note under section 375b of this title.

¹ So in original. The semicolon probably should be a period.

§3303. Financial Institutions Examination Council

(a) Establishment; composition

There is established the Financial Institutions Examination Council which shall consist of—

(1) the Comptroller of the Currency,

(2) the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,

(3) a Governor of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated by the Chairman of the Board,

(4) the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,

(5) the Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration Board, and

(6) the Chairman of the State Liaison Committee.

(b) Chairmanship

The members of the Council shall select the first chairman of the Council. Thereafter the chairmanship shall rotate among the members of the Council.

(c) Term of office

The term of the Chairman of the Council shall be two years.

(d) Designation of officers and employees

The members of the Council may, from time to time, designate other officers or employees of their respective agencies to carry out their duties on the Council.

(e) Compensation and expenses

Each member of the Council shall serve without additional compensation but shall be entitled to reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out his official duties as such a member.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1004, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3694; Pub. L. 101–73, title VII, §744(a)(2), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 438; Pub. L. 109–351, title VII, §714(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1995; Pub. L. 111–203, title X, §1091, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2094.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 111–203 substituted "Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau" for "Director, Office of Thrift Supervision".

2006—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–351, §714(a)(1), substituted "Thrift Supervision," for "Thrift Supervision".

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 109–351, §714(a)(2), (3), added par. (6).

1989—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 101–73 substituted "Director, Office of Thrift Supervision" for "Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, and".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the designated transfer date, see section 1100H of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of 120 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 2101 of Pub. L. 95–630, set out as a note under section 375b of this title.

§3304. Costs and expenses of Council

One-fifth of the costs and expenses of the Council, including the salaries of its employees, shall be paid by each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies. Annual assessments for such share shall be levied by the Council based upon its projected budget for the year, and additional assessments may be made during the year if necessary.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1005, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3695.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of 120 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 2101 of Pub. L. 95–630, set out as a note under section 375b of this title.

§3305. Functions of Council

(a) Establishment of principles and standards

The Council shall establish uniform principles and standards and report forms for the examination of financial institutions which shall be applied by the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies.

(b) Making recommendations regarding supervisory matters and adequacy of supervisory tools

(1) The Council shall make recommendations for uniformity in other supervisory matters, such as, but not limited to, classifying loans subject to country risk, identifying financial institutions in need of special supervisory attention, and evaluating the soundness of large loans that are shared by two or more financial institutions. In addition, the Council shall make recommendations regarding the adequacy of supervisory tools for determining the impact of holding company operations on the financial institutions within the holding company and shall consider the ability of supervisory agencies to discover possible fraud or questionable and illegal payments and practices which might occur in the operation of financial institutions or their holding companies.

(2) When a recommendation of the Council is found unacceptable by one or more of the applicable Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies, the agency or agencies shall submit to the Council, within a time period specified by the Council, a written statement of the reasons the recommendation is unacceptable.

(c) Development of uniform reporting system

The Council shall develop uniform reporting systems for federally supervised financial institutions, their holding companies, and nonfinancial institution subsidiaries of such institutions or holding companies. The authority to develop uniform reporting systems shall not restrict or amend the requirements of section 78l(i) of title 15.

(d) Conducting schools for examiners and assistant examiners

The Council shall conduct schools for examiners and assistant examiners employed by the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies. Such schools shall be open to enrollment by employees of State financial institutions supervisory agencies and employees of the Federal Housing Finance Board under conditions specified by the Council.

(e) Affect on Federal regulatory agency research and development of new financial institutions supervisory agencies

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or discourage Federal regulatory agency research and development of new financial institutions supervisory methods and tools, nor to preclude the field testing of any innovation devised by any Federal regulatory agency.

(f) Annual report

Not later than April 1 of each year, the Council shall prepare an annual report covering its activities during the preceding year.

(g) Flood insurance

The Council shall consult with and assist the Federal entities for lending regulation, as such term is defined in section 4121(a) of title 42, in developing and coordinating uniform standards and requirements for use by regulated lending institutions under the national flood insurance program.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1006, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3695; Pub. L. 97–320, title IV, §431, Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1527; Pub. L. 101–73, title VII, §744(a)(3), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 438; Pub. L. 103–325, title V, §530, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2267.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–325 added subsec. (g).

1989—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–73 inserted "and employees of the Federal Housing Finance Board" after "supervisory agencies".

1982—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 97–320 substituted "unacceptable" for "unaccepted".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of 120 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 2101 of Pub. L. 95–630, set out as a note under section 375b of this title.

Update of Manual

Pub. L. 116–283, div. F, title LXII, §6209(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4574, provided that: "The Financial Institutions Examination Council shall ensure that any manual prepared by the Council is—

"(1) updated to reflect the rulemaking required by subsection (o) section 5318 of title 31, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section; and

"(2) consistent with relevant FinCEN [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury] and Federal functional regulator guidance, including the December 2018 Joint Statement on Innovative Efforts to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing."

[For definition of "Federal functional regulator" as used in section 6209(b) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out above, see section 6003 of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a Definitions note under section 5311 of Title 31, Money and Finance.]

Strengthening the Role of Anti-Money Laundering and Other Financial Tools in Combating Human Trafficking

Pub. L. 116–92, div. F, title LXXI, §7154(c), (d), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2260, 2261, provided that:

"(c) Required Review of Procedures.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2019], the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons, advocates of persons at risk of becoming victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons, the United States Advisory Council on Trafficking, civil society organizations, the private sector, and appropriate law enforcement agencies, shall—

"(1) review and enhance training and examination procedures to improve the surveillance capabilities of anti-money laundering programs and programs countering the financing of terrorism to detect human trafficking-related financial transactions;

"(2) review and enhance procedures for referring potential human trafficking cases to the appropriate law enforcement agency; and

"(3) determine, as appropriate, whether requirements for financial institutions and covered financial institutions are sufficient to detect and deter money laundering related to human trafficking.

"(d) Limitations.—Nothing in this section [amending section 7103 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse, and enacting this note and provisions not set out in the Code] shall be construed to—

"(1) grant rulemaking authority to the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking; or

"(2) authorize financial institutions to deny services to or violate the privacy of victims of trafficking, victims of severe forms of trafficking, or individuals not responsible for promoting severe forms of trafficking in persons."

Report on Consistent Use of Financial Terminology

Pub. L. 103–325, title II, §210, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2203, provided that: "Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 23, 1994], the Financial Institutions Examination Council shall report to the Congress on its recommendations for the use of consistent financial terminology by depository institutions for small business loans or leases of personal property which are sold for the creation of small business related securities (as defined in section 3(a)(53)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(53)(A)])."

Examination Improvement Program

Pub. L. 102–242, title I, §111(d), Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2241, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The appropriate Federal banking agencies, acting through the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, shall each establish a comparable examination improvement program that meets the requirements of paragraph (2).

"(2) Requirements.—An examination improvement program meets the requirements of this paragraph if, under the program, the agency is required—

"(A) to periodically review the organization and training of the staff of the agency who are responsible for conducting examinations of insured depository institutions and to make such improvements as the agency determines to be appropriate to ensure frequent, objective, and thorough examinations of such institutions; and

"(B) to increase the number of examiners, supervisors, and other individuals employed by the agency in connection with conducting or supervising examinations of insured depository institutions to the extent necessary to ensure frequent, objective, and thorough examinations of such institutions."

Study on Regulatory Burden

Pub. L. 102–242, title II, §221, Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2305, required the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, by 1 year after Dec. 19, 1991, and in consultation with individuals representing insured depository institutions, consumers, community groups, and other interested parties, to undertake a comprehensive study of the regulatory burden on insured depository institutions of compliance with Federal banking agencies and their regulations and policies, and report to Congress on any revisions of such policies, procedures, and requirements that could reduce unnecessary burdens on insured depository institutions.

Study and Report Assessing Feasibility and Usefulness of Depository Institutions Making Small Business Loans To Compile and Disclose Loan Information

Pub. L. 96–399, title III, §340(d), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1659, directed Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, in consultation with Administrator of Small Business Administration, to conduct a study to assess feasibility and usefulness of requiring depository institutions which make small business loans to compile and publicly disclose information regarding such loans, and directed Council to submit a report on results of such study, together with recommendations, to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs not later than Mar. 1, 1981.

Evaluation and Report on Feasibility and Desirability of Establishing a Unified System for Enforcing Fair Lending Laws and Regulations

Pub. L. 96–399, title III, §340(e), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1659, directed Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to transmit a report to Congress not later than Sept. 30, 1982, on feasibility and desirability of establishing a unified system for enforcing fair lending laws and regulations, implementing Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 [12 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.], and satisfying public disclosure purposes of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 [12 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.], such report to evaluate status and effectiveness of data collection and analysis systems of such agencies involving fair lending and community reinvestment, and to outline possible specific timetables for implementing such a unified system.

§3306. State liaison

To encourage the application of uniform examination principles and standards by State and Federal supervisory agencies, the Council shall establish a liaison committee composed of five representatives of State agencies which supervise financial institutions which shall meet at least twice a year with the Council. Members of the liaison committee shall receive a reasonable allowance for necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings. Members of the Liaison Committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members serving on the committee.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1007, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3696; Pub. L. 109–351, title VII, §714(b), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1995.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–351 inserted at end "Members of the Liaison Committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members serving on the committee."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of 120 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 2101 of Pub. L. 95–630, set out as a note under section 375b of this title.

§3307. Administration

(a) Authority of Chairman of Council

The Chairman of the Council is authorized to carry out and to delegate the authority to carry out the internal administration of the Council, including the appointment and supervision of employees and the distribution of business among members, employees, and administrative units.

(b) Use of personnel, services, and facilities of Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies, Federal Reserve banks, and Federal Home Loan Banks

in ¹ addition to any other authority conferred upon it by this chapter, in carrying out its functions under this chapter, the Council may utilize, with their consent and to the extent practical, the personnel, services, and facilities of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies, Federal Reserve banks, and Federal Home Loan Banks, with or without reimbursement therefor.

(c) Compensation, authority, and duties of officers and employees; experts and consultants

In addition, the Council may—

(1) subject to the provisions of title 5 relating to the competitive service, classification, and General Schedule pay rates, appoint and fix the compensation of such officers and employees as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and to prescribe the authority and duties of such officers and employees; and

(2) obtain the services of such experts and consultants as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1008, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3696.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The provisions of title 5 relating to the competitive service, referred to in subsec. (c), are classified generally to section 3301 et seq. of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

The provisions of title 5 relating to classification, referred to in subsec. (c), are classified generally to chapter 51 (§5101 et seq.) and to subchapter III (§5331 et seq.) of chapter 53 of Title 5.

The provisions of title 5 relating to General Schedule pay rates, referred to in subsec. (c), are set out under section 5332 of Title 5.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of 120 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 2101 of Pub. L. 95–630, set out as a note under section 375b of this title.

¹ So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

§3308. Access to books, accounts, records, etc., by Council

For the purpose of carrying out this chapter, the Council shall have access to all books, accounts, records, reports, files, memorandums, papers, things, and property belonging to or in use by Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies, including reports of examination of financial institutions or their holding companies from whatever source, together with workpapers and correspondence files related to such reports, whether or not a part of the report, and all without any deletions.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1009, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3696.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of 120 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 2101 of Pub. L. 95–630, set out as a note under section 375b of this title.

§3309. Risk management training

(a) Seminars

The Council shall develop and administer training seminars in risk management for its employees and the employees of insured financial institutions.

(b) Study of risk management training program

Not later than end of the 1-year period beginning on August 9, 1989, the Council shall—

(1) conduct a study on the feasibility and appropriateness of establishing a formalized risk management training program designed to lead to the certification of Risk Management Analysts; and

(2) report to the Congress the results of such study.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1009A, as added Pub. L. 101–73, title XII, §1218, Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 546.)

§3310. Establishment of Appraisal Subcommittee

There shall be within the Council a subcommittee to be known as the "Appraisal Subcommittee", which shall consist of the designees of the heads of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Each such designee shall be a person who has demonstrated knowledge and competence concerning the appraisal profession. At all times at least one member of the Appraisal Subcommittee shall have demonstrated knowledge and competence through licensure, certification, or professional designation within the appraisal profession.

(Pub. L. 95–630, title X, §1011, as added Pub. L. 101–73, title XI, §1102, Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 511; amended Pub. L. 111–203, title XIV, §1473(s), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2199.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–203 inserted ", the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency" after "agencies" and "At all times at least one member of the Appraisal Subcommittee shall have demonstrated knowledge and competence through licensure, certification, or professional designation within the appraisal profession." at the end.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the date on which final regulations implementing that amendment take effect, or on the date that is 18 months after the designated transfer date if such regulations have not been issued by that date, see section 1400(c) of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 1601 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

§3311. Required review of regulations

(a) In general

Not less frequently than once every 10 years, the Council and each appropriate Federal banking agency represented on the Council shall conduct a review of all regulations prescribed by the Council or by any such appropriate Federal banking agency, respectively, in order to identify outdated or otherwise unnecessary regulatory requirements imposed on insured depository institutions.

(b) Process

In conducting the review under subsection (a), the Council or the appropriate Federal banking agency shall—

(1) categorize the regulations described in subsection (a) by type (such as consumer regulations, safety and soundness regulations, or such other designations as determined by the Council, or the appropriate Federal banking agency); and

(2) at regular intervals, provide notice and solicit public comment on a particular category or categories of regulations, requesting commentators to identify areas of the regulations that are outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome.

(c) Complete review

The Council or the appropriate Federal banking agency shall ensure that the notice and comment period described in subsection (b)(2) is conducted with respect to all regulations described in subsection (a) not less frequently than once every 10 years.

(d) Regulatory response

The Council or the appropriate Federal banking agency shall—

(1) publish in the Federal Register a summary of the comments received under this section, identifying significant issues raised and providing comment on such issues; and

(2) eliminate unnecessary regulations to the extent that such action is appropriate.

(e) Report to Congress

Not later than 30 days after carrying out subsection (d)(1), the Council shall submit to the Congress a report, which shall include—

(1) a summary of any significant issues raised by public comments received by the Council and the appropriate Federal banking agencies under this section and the relative merits of such issues; and

(2) an analysis of whether the appropriate Federal banking agency involved is able to address the regulatory burdens associated with such issues by regulation, or whether such burdens must be addressed by legislative action.

(Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, §2222, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–414.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section enacted as part of the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996, and also as part of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, and not as part of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 which comprises this chapter.