Bank Regulatory News

June 2005

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June 23, 2005 - NCUA - Agenda for the 6/30/2005 NCUA Board Meeting is Available.  www.ncua.gov/NCUABoard/Calendars/board_calendar/ag05-0630.htm 

June 23, 2005 - OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 31 National Banks - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today released a list of Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluations that became public during the period of May 15, 2004 through June 14, 2005. www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=TS9XMZJ6.xml 

June 23, 2005 - FDIC Chairman Signs Statement of Support for FDIC Employees Who are Members of National Guard and Reserve Units - FDIC Chairman Donald E. Powell today signed a declaration of support for FDIC employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserve units at a ceremony at FDIC headquarters in Washington, D.C. In attendance was Bob Hollingsworth, Executive Director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr5505.html 

June 23, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced its approval of the proposal filed by Wells Fargo & Co., San Francisco, California, to acquire First Community Capital Corporation, Houston, and thereby indirectly acquire First Community Bank, National Association, Houston, and First Community Bank San Antonio, National Association, San Antonio, all in Texas. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/orders/2005/20050623/default.htm 

June 23, 2005 - Governor Mark W. Olson - Revisiting Traditional Paths to Ownership At the Community Development Policy Summit, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio.  www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050623/default.htm 

June 23, 2005 - Chairman Alan Greenspan - China Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate.  www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/testimony/2005/20050623/default.htm 

June 22, 2005 - OCC Announces New Electronic Interpretations and Actions - June 2005.  www.occ.treas.gov/interp/jun05/intjun05.htm 

June 22, 2005 - Truth In Savings Act - Regulation DD - Final Rule: Disclosure of Overdraft Fees - The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System published the attached final rule in the Federal Register on May 24, 2005.  
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/bulletin/2005-23.txt 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/fr/fedregister/70fr29582.pdf 

June 22, 2005 - CFNAI Indicates Economic Growth Near Trend Again in May - The Chicago Fed National Activity Index was +0.10 in May, up from +0.05 in April. www.chicagofed.org/economic_research_and_data/files/cfnai_june2005.pdf 

June 21, 2005 - NCUA - Chairman Johnson testifies before Senate Banking - National Credit Union Administration Chairman JoAnn Johnson, joining fellow federal financial regulators, today presented the agency's views on regulatory efficiency and reform initiatives before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs in the U.S. Senate June 21, 2005. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0621-2.htm 

June 21, 2005 - NCUA - Matz Announces Keynote Speaker for Free PALS Workshop on July 7 in Baltimore - To share inspiring ideas to reach first-time homebuyers and at the same time knock out predatory lenders, NCUA Board Member Debbie Matz has announced that Nelson Merced, Director of National Initiatives for NeighborWorks America, will be the luncheon keynote speaker for the free Partnering and Leadership Successes workshop on July 7 in Baltimore. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0621.htm 

June 21, 2005 - Statement Of The Honorable Joann M. Johnson Chairman National Credit Union Administration "The Consideration Of Regulatory Relief Proposals" Before The Committee On Banking, Housing And Urban Affairs United States Senate June 21, 2005.   www.ncua.gov/news/speeches/2005/Johnson/06-21-2005.pdf 

June 21, 2005 - Acting Comptroller of the Currency Julie L. Williams Supports Regulatory Burden Relief Legislation; Urges New Approach to Consumer Disclosure Requirements to Reduce Regulatory Burden and Deliver Information Consumers Understand. 
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=OGJRSIUM.xml 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-60a.pdf 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-60b.pdf 

June 21, 2005 - Governor Mark Olson - Regulatory relief - Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate.   www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/testimony/2005/20050621/default.htm 

June 20, 2005 - Minority Owned Banks and Their Branches as of March 31, 2005.  www.federalreserve.gov/releases/mob/current/default.htm 

June 20, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Monday announced the approval of an application by Banco del Estado de Chile, Santiago, Chile, to establish a branch in New York, New York. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/orders/2005/20050620/default.htm 

June 20, 2005 - Statistical Release - U.S. Reserve Assets; Foreign Official Assets Held at Federal Reserve Banks.   www.federalreserve.gov/releases/bulletin/0505assets.htm 

June 17, 2005 - NCUA Chairman Says America's Credit Unions Vital to New Medicare Benefits Awareness Campaign.   www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0617.htm 

June 17, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced the issuance of an Order of Prohibition against Frank G. Caton, previously branch manager of the former Farmers Bank of Maryland, Annapolis, Maryland. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/Enforcement/2005/20050617/default.htm 

June 16, 2005 - OCC Files Suit to Prevent New York Attorney General From Disrupting Fair Lending Examination and Supervision of National Banks - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency filed suit against the New York Attorney General today, seeking a declaratory judgment and preliminary injunction to prevent him from interfering in the OCC's fair lending examination and supervision processes at national banks.
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=X7TTWZK4.xml 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/MOTION%20%20for%20preliminary%20injunction%20Yvette%20YR1989%20SDNY.pdf 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/OCC%20Complaint%206-16%20am%20rev%20Yvette%20YR1989.pdf 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/MEMORANDUM%20IN%20SUPPORT%20OF%20PI%20Yvette%20YR1989.pdf 
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June 16, 2005 - Fair Credit Reporting Medical Information - The financial institution regulatory agencies have issued the attached interim final rules relating to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.  The FACT Act amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act in 2003. Section 411 of the FACT Act prohibits creditors from obtaining and using medical information in determining credit eligibility, except as permitted by the financial institution regulatory agencies.  www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil5105.html 

June 16, 2005 - Statistical Release - Household Debt-Service Burden - The household debt service ratio is an estimate of the ratio of debt payments to disposable personal income. Debt payments consist of the estimated required payments on outstanding mortgage and consumer debt. www.federalreserve.gov/releases/housedebt/default.htm

June 16, 2005 - NCUA's 2004 Annual Report is available.  www.ncua.gov/ReportsAndPlans/annualrpt/2004AR.pdf 

June 16, 2005 - NCUA - Matz: Increasing Membership Growth Should be "Number One Priority" - NCUA Board Member Keynotes Roundtable for Credit Unions from Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.  www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0615-2.htm 

June 15, 2005 - NCUA - HHS Assets for Independence Grants Available - AFI application period ends July 15 for up to $1 million grants; Conference Call Scheduled - National Credit Union Administration Chairman JoAnn Johnson and Josephine Robinson, director of the Office of Community Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recently met to discuss HHS' economic empowerment initiative, the Assets for Independence Program. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0615.htm 

June 15, 2005 - Beige Book - Informal review by the Federal Reserve Banks of current economic conditions in their Districts. www.federalreserve.gov/fomc/beigebook/2005/20050615/default.htm 

June 15, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board announced on Wednesday that it is seeking nominations for appointments to its Consumer Advisory Council. The Council advises the Board on the exercise of its responsibilities under various consumer financial services laws and on other matters on which the Board seeks advice. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/other/2005/20050615/ 

June 15, 2005 - Governor Donald L. Kohn - Managing Risk in a Changing Economic and Financial Landscape At the Banker's Association for Finance and Trade and Institute of International Bankers Conference, New York, New York www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050615/default.htm 

June 14, 2005 - Inflation Expectations Play Key Role In Failure Of Long-Term Interest Rates To Increase as Short Term Rates Rise: St. Louis Fed's Poole.  www.stlouisfed.org/news/releases/2005/6_14_05.html 

June 14, 2005 - OCC Announces Nine Enforcement Actions and Five Terminations - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today announced nine new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks and five terminations of existing enforcement actions. www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-58.htm 

June 14, 2005 - Governor Susan Schmidt Bies - Current Regulatory IssuesAt the North Carolina Bankers Association 109th Annual Convention, Kiawah Island, South Carolina.  www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050614/default.htm 

June 13, 2005 - NCUA - Specialized Lending Activities - Third-Party Subprime Indirect Lending and Participations.   www.ncua.gov/letters/RiskAlert/2005/05-RISK-01.pdf 

June 10, 2005 - NCUA - Chairman JoAnn Johnson testifies before the House Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee - National Credit Union Administration Chairman JoAnn Johnson presented the agency's views on regulatory efficiency and reform initiatives for credit unions and banks. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0610-2.htm 

June 10, 2005 - NCUA - Matz Shares Lessons Learned from Community Development Credit Unions - In the opening keynote speech at the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions' 31st Annual Meeting, NCUA Board Member Debbie Matz shared valuable lessons she has learned from CDCUs and her resulting initiatives to help small credit unions thrive. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0610.htm 

June 10, 2005 - FRB - Consumer Information Brochure A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-ins.  www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/lockins/default.htm 

June 10, 2005 - FRB - Consumer Information Brochure A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Settlement Costs.  www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/settlement/default.htm 
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June 9, 2005 - NCUA Issues Prohibition Orders - The National Credit Union Administration has issued orders prohibiting each of the following individuals from participating in any manner in the affairs of federally insured financial institutions.  www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0609.htm 

June 9, 2005 - Federal Bank, Thrift and Credit Union Regulatory Agencies Provide Brochure with Information on Internet "Phishing" - The federal bank, thrift and credit union agencies today announced the publication of a brochure with information to help consumers identify and combat a new type of Internet scam known as "phishing."
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?JNR=1&Doc=CYVFS1NN.xml 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/consumer/PhishBrochFINAL-SCREEN.pdf 

June 9, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the issuance of a consent Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty against the First Bank & Trust Company, Lebanon, Virginia, a state member bank. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/Enforcement/2005/200506092/default.htm 

June 9, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the issuance of a consent Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty against the Bank of Pontiac, Pontiac, Illinois, a state member bank. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/Enforcement/2005/20050609/default.htm 

June 9, 2005 - Acting Comptroller of the Currency Julie L. Williams Urges Steps To Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Burden and Improve Consumer Disclosure - Acting Comptroller of the Currency Julie L. Williams told a House subcommittee today that consumer disclosure requirements present an opportunity to reduce regulatory burden while improving the quality of information provided to consumers.
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=TLMLZQE9.xml    
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-57b.pdf 

June 9, 2005 - FDIC Launches Hispanic Media Campaign Promoting Financial Education Throughout U.S. - Chairman Donald Powell of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced today on Capitol Hill the launch of the FDIC's Hispanic media campaign to raise awareness of the importance of financial education in Hispanic communities across the United States. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr5405.html 

June 9, 2005 - Chairman Alan Greenspan - The economic outlook Before the Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress.   www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/testimony/2005/200506092/default.htm 

June 9, 2005 - Governor Donald L. Kohn - Regulatory relief Before the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives.  www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/testimony/2005/20050609/default.htm 

June 8, 2005 - Gestation Lags and the Relationship Between Investment and Q in Regressions - Jonathan N. Millar - Regressions of investment on Tobin's Q are misspecified in the presence of capital gestation lags because they don't distinguish between the value of existing capital and the value of capital at a future date. www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/feds/2005/200528/200528pap.pdf 

June 8, 2005 - External Habit and the Cyclicality of Expected Stock Returns - Thomas D. Tallarini, Jr. and Harold H. Zhang - We estimate an equilibrium asset pricing model in which agents' preferences have an unobserved external habit using the efficient method of moments. www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/feds/2005/200527/200527pap.pdf 

June 8, 2005 - Summary of Deposits Survey - All FDIC-insured institutions with branch offices are required to submit their annual Summary of Deposits surveys as of June 30.  http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil4705.html 

June 8, 2005 - Governor Susan Schmidt Bies - Enhancing Risk Management under Basel II At the Risk USA 2005 Congress, Boston, Massachusetts.  www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050608/default.htm 

June 7, 2005 - NCUA - Letter to Credit Unions 05-CU-08 - CU Financial Trends for the First Quarter of 2005.  www.ncua.gov/letters/2005/CU/05-CU-08.pdf 

June 7, 2005 - OCC Enhances Appearance of its Web Site - Welcome to the OCC's new Internet home page.  The most obvious changes you'll see on our newly "freshened" site have to do with its appearance, including new banners and menus with blue backgrounds. www.occ.treas.gov/freshening.htm 

June 7, 2005 - FDIC Issues June List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation today issued its monthly list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act.  www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr5305.html 

June 7, 2005 - Statistical Release G.19 Consumer Credit - Consumer credit increased at an annual rate of nearly 5 percent in the first quarter. www.federalreserve.gov/releases/G19/current/default.htm 

June 7, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced the issuance of a Final Decision and Cease and Desist Order against eighteen former institution-affiliated parties of First Western Bank, Cooper City, Florida, and an Order of Prohibition against Carl V. Thomas, one of the former institution-affiliated parties. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/Enforcement/2005/20050607/default.htm 

June 7, 2005 - Governor Susan Schmidt Bies - Community Banks: A Regulatory Update At the American Bankers Association Chief Financial Officers Exchange Conference, Chicago, Illinois.  www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050607/default.htm 

June 6, 2005 - U.S. Economic Growth Will Moderate in 2005 and 2006, Chicago Fed Automotive Outlook Symposium Participants Say.  www.chicagofed.org/news_and_conferences/news/files/Autosymposium%20final.pdf 

June 6, 2005 - Chairman Alan Greenspan - Central Bank panel discussion To the International Monetary Conference, Beijing, People's Republic of China.  www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050606/default.htm 

June 6, 2005 - OCC Publishes Ombudsman Report and Customer Assistance Brochure - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today published the 2004 Report of the Ombudsman along with a brochure on customer assistance.
Press Release: http://www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=39VYK1X.xml
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/2004Report.pdf 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/customer.pdf 

June 6, 2005 - Agencies Issue FACT Act Interim Final Rules on Medical Information - The federal bank, thrift, and credit union regulatory agencies today issued interim final rules under the Fair Credit Reporting Act that create exceptions to the statutory prohibition against obtaining or using medical information in connection with credit eligibility determinations.
Press Release: www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/bcreg/2005/20050606/default.htm 
Press Release: http://www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?JNR=1&Doc=MH71TKP3.xml
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-55a.pdf 
Press Release: www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/JR05-0606.pdf 
Press Release: www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr5205.html 
Press Release: www.ots.treas.gov/docs/7/77520.html 

June 3, 2005 - NCUA General Counsel Opinion 05-0243 - Market Value in Construction Member Business Loans.  www.ncua.gov/RegulationsOpinionsLaws/opinion_letters/2005/05-0243.pdf 

June 3, 2005 - FDIC Announces Key Appointments: Stan Ivie Named Dallas Regional Director; John F. Carter Named San Francisco Regional Director - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Don Powell has announced the consolidation of the management structure for the FDIC's supervision and resolutions operations in Dallas and the appointment of Stan Ivie to the position of Regional Director. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr5105.html 

June 3, 2005 - FDIC Makes Public April Enforcement Actions; No Administrative Hearings Scheduled.  www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr5005.html 

June 3, 2005 - Remarks by Chairman Donald E. Powell Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Before the Conference of State Bank Supervisors Annual Convention San Antonio, Texas June 3, 2005.  www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr4905.html 

June 3, 2005 - The Consumer Advisory Council will meet on Thursday, June 23, 2005. The meeting, which will be open to public observation, will take place at the Federal Reserve Board's offices in Washington, D.C., in Dining Room E on the Terrace level of the Martin Building. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/other/2005/20050603/ 

June 3, 2005 - Governor Mark W. Olson - The Health of the Banking Industry At the Annual Meeting of the Conference of State Banking Supervisors, San Antonio, Texas.  www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/200506032/default.htm 

June 3, 2005 - Governor Edward M. Gramlich - HMDA Data and Their Effect on Mortgage Markets At the National Association of Real Estate Editors, Washington, D.C. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050603/default.htm
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June 2, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced its approval of the proposal filed by The Citizens Bank, Batesville, to purchase the assets and assume the liabilities of the Cave City branch of First National Bank and Trust Company, Mountain Home, all of Arkansas. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/orders/2005/20050602/default.htm 

June 1, 2005 - OCC Issues Third Quarter 2005 CRA Examination Schedule - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today released its schedule of Community Reinvestment Act examinations to be conducted in the third quarter of 2005.
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/scripts/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=BGXPOU7K.xml 
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/cra/craq305.pdf 

June 1, 2005 - Pre-Employment Background Screening - Guidance on Developing an Effective Pre-Employment Background Screening Process - The FDIC is providing the attached guidance on developing an effective pre-employment background screening process. This process can be an effective risk-management tool by providing management with a degree of certainty that the information provided is accurate and that the applicant does not have a criminal background. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil4605.html 

June 1, 2005 - Statistical Release - Fedwire Transfers - Data on Funds Service, Securities Service, and National Settlement Service - Annual and quarterly data are available on Fedwire transfers of funds and book-entry securities and on National Settlement Service transactions. www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/fedwire/wirequarterly.htm 

June 1, 2005 - FRB Statistical Release - G.5 Foreign Exchange Rates.  www.federalreserve.gov/releases/G5/current/default.htm