Federal Reserve Board – Agencies reduce regulatory burden for community banks, increase eligibility for 18-month exam cycle

The federal bank regulatory agencies today issued an interim final rule increasing the number of community banks eligible for an 18-month exam cycle.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act increased the total asset threshold from $3 billion to $6 billion for certain supervised institutions to qualify for an extended 18-month on-site exam cycle. Extending the exam cycle for these small non-complex firms from 12 months to 18 months appropriately reduces burden, including time and resources spent, for these low-risk institutions. By law, to be eligible for the extended exam cycle, these institutions must meet certain criteria, including that they are considered well managed and well capitalized.

The interim final rule incorporates the increase into the agencies’ regulations for well-rated institutions. The extended cycle applies to small banks with relatively low-risk profiles, but the agencies would continue the current supervisory practice of offsite monitoring between scheduled exams.

The rule also makes parallel changes to the agencies’ regulations governing the on-site examination cycle for U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks.

The interim final rule will be effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register, and comments will be accepted for 30 days.