12 C.F.R. Subpart A—Minimum Capital Requirements
Title 12 - Banks and Banking
The provisions of this subpart A apply to those circumstances for which the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or this chapter requires an evaluation of the adequacy of an insured depository institution's capital structure. The FDIC is required to evaluate capital before approving various applications by insured depository institutions. The FDIC also must evaluate capital, as an essential component, in determining the safety and soundness of state nonmember banks it insures and supervises and in determining whether depository institutions are in an unsafe or unsound condition. This subpart A establishes the criteria and standards the FDIC will use in calculating the minimum leverage capital requirement and in determining capital adequacy. In addition, appendix A to this subpart sets forth the FDIC's risk-based capital policy statement and appendix B to this subpart includes a statement of policy on capital adequacy that provides interpretational guidance as to how this subpart will be administered and enforced. In accordance with subpart B of part 325, the FDIC also must evaluate an institution's capital for purposes of determining whether the institution is subject to the prompt corrective action provisions set forth in section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831o). [58 FR 8219, Feb. 12, 1993] (a) Allowance for loan and lease losses means those general valuation allowances that have been established through charges against earnings to absorb losses on loans and lease financing receivables. Allowances for loan and lease losses exclude allocated transfer risk reserves established pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 3904 and specific reserves created against identified losses. (b) Assets classified loss means: (1) When measured as of the date of examination of an insured depository institution, those assets that have been determined by an evaluation made by a state or federal examiner as of that date to be a loss; and (2) When measured as of any other date, those assets: (i) That have been determined— (A) By an evaluation made by a state or federal examiner at the most recent examination of an insured depository institution to be a loss; or (B) By evaluations made by the insured depository institution since its most recent examination to be a loss; and (ii) That have not been charged off from the insured depository institution's books or collected. (c) Bank means an FDIC-insured, state-chartered commercial or savings bank that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System and for which the FDIC is the appropriate federal banking agency pursuant to section 3(q) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(q)). (d) Common stockholders' equity means the sum of common stock and related surplus, undivided profits, disclosed capital reserves that represent a segregation of undivided profits, and foreign currency translation adjustments, less net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair values. (e)(1) Control has the same meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1841), and the term controlled shall be construed consistently with the term control. (2) Exclusion for fiduciary ownership. No insured depository institution or company controls another insured depository institution or company by virtue of its ownership or control of shares in a fiduciary capacity. Shares shall not be deemed to have been acquired in a fiduciary capacity if the acquiring insured depository institution or company has sole discretionary authority to exercise voting rights with respect thereto. (3) Exclusion for debts previously contracted. No insured depository institution or company controls another insured depository institution or company by virtue of its ownership or control of shares acquired in securing or collecting a debt previously contracted in good faith, until two years after the date of acquisition. The two-year period may be extended at the discretion of the appropriate federal banking agency for up to three one-year periods. (f) Controlling person means any person having control of an insured depository institution and any company controlled by that person. (g)(1) Credit-enhancing interest-only strip means an on-balance sheet asset that, in form or in substance: (i) Represents the contractual right to receive some or all of the interest due on transferred assets; and (ii) Exposes the bank to credit risk directly or indirectly associated with the transferred assets that exceeds a pro rata share of the bank's claim on the assets, whether through subordination provisions or other credit enhancement techniques. (2) Reservation of authority. In determining whether a particular interest cash flow functions, directly or indirectly, as a credit-enhancing interest-only strip, the FDIC will consider the economic substance of the transaction. The FDIC, through the Director of Supervision, or other designated FDIC official reserves the right to identify other interest cash flows or related assets as credit-enhancing interest-only strips. (h) Face amount means the notional principal, or face value, amount of an off-balance sheet item; the amortized cost of an asset not held for trading purposes; and the fair value of a trading asset. (i)(1) Highly leveraged transaction means an extension of credit to or investment in a business by an insured depository institution where the financing transaction involves a buyout, acquisition, or recapitalization of an existing business and one of the following criteria is met: (i) The transaction results in a liabilities-to-assets leverage ratio higher than 75 percent; or (ii) The transaction at least doubles the subject company's liabilities and results in a liabilities-to-assets leverage ratio higher than 50 percent; or (iii) The transaction is designated an HLT by a syndication agent or a federal bank regulator. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(1) of this section, loans and exposures to any obligor in which the total financing package, including all obligations held by all participants is $20 million or more, or such lower level as the FDIC may establish by order on a case-by-case basis, will be excluded from this definition. (j) Identified losses means: (1) When measured as of the date of examination of an insured depository institution, those items that have been determined by an evaluation made by a state or federal examiner as of that date to be chargeable against income, capital and/or general valuation allowances such as the allowance for loan and lease losses (examples of identified losses would be assets classified loss, off-balance sheet items classified loss, any provision expenses that are necessary for the institution to record in order to replenish its general valuation allowances to an adequate level, liabilities not shown on the institution's books, estimated losses in contingent liabilities, and differences in accounts which represent shortages); and (2) When measured as of any other date, those items: (i) That have been determined— (A) By an evaluation made by a state or federal examiner at the most recent examination of an insured depository institution to be chargeable against income, capital and/or general valuation allowances; or (B) By evaluations made by the insured depository institution since its most recent examination to be chargeable against income, capital and/or general valuation allowances; and (ii) For which the appropriate accounting entries to recognize the loss have not yet been made on the insured depository institution's books nor has the item been collected or otherwise settled. (k) Insured depository institution means any depository institution (except for a foreign bank having an insured branch) the deposits of which are insured in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq.) (l) Intangible assets means those assets that are required to be reported as intangible assets in a banking institution's “Reports of Condition and Income” (Call Report) or in a savings association's “Thrift Financial Report.” (m) Leverage ratio means the ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets, as calculated under this part. (n) Management fee means any payment of money or provision of any other thing of value to a company or individual for the provision of management services or advice to the bank or related overhead expenses, including payments related to supervisory, executive, managerial, or policymaking functions, other than compensation to an individual in the individual's capacity as an officer or employee of the bank. (o) Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries means minority interests in equity capital accounts of those subsidiaries that have been consolidated for the purpose of computing regulatory capital under this part, except that minority interests which fail to provide meaningful capital support are excluded from this definition. (p) Mortgage servicing assets means those assets (net of any related valuation allowances) that result from contracts to service loans secured by real estate (that have been securitized or are owned by others) for which the benefits of servicing are expected to more than adequately compensate the servicer for performing the servicing. For purposes of determining regulatory capital under this part, mortgage servicing assets will be recognized only to the extent that the assets meet the conditions, limitations, and restrictions described in §325.5 (f). (q) Noncumulative perpetual preferred stock means perpetual preferred stock (and related surplus) where the issuer has the option to waive payment of dividends and where the dividends so waived do not accumulate to future periods nor do they represent a contingent claim on the issuer. Preferred stock issues where the dividend is reset periodically based, in whole or in part, upon the bank's current credit standing, including but not limited to, auction rate, money market and remarketable preferred stock, are excluded from this definition of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, regardless of whether the dividends are cumulative or noncumulative. (r) Perpetual preferred stock means a preferred stock that does not have a maturity date, that cannot be redeemed at the option of the holder, and that has no other provisions that will require future redemption of the issue. It includes those issues of preferred stock that automatically convert into common stock at a stated date. It excludes those issues, the rate on which increases, or can increase, in such a manner that would effectively require the issuer to redeem the issue. (s) Risk-weighted assets means total risk-weighted assets, as calculated in accordance with the FDIC's Statement of Policy on Risk-Based Capital (appendix A to part 325). (t) Savings association means any federally-chartered savings association, any state-chartered savings association, and any corporation (other than a bank) that the Board of Directors of the FDIC and the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision jointly determine to be operating in substantially the same manner as a savings association. (u) Tangible equity means the amount of core capital elements as defined in Section I.A.1. of the FDIC's Statement of Policy on Risk-Based Capital (appendix A to this Part 325), plus the amount of outstanding cumulative perpetual preferred stock (including related surplus), minus all intangible assets except mortgage servicing assets to the extent that the FDIC determines pursuant to §325.5(f) of this part that mortgage servicing assets may be included in calculating the bank's Tier 1 capital. (v) Tier 1 capital or core capital means the sum of common stockholders' equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (including any related surplus), and minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, minus all intangible assets (other than mortgage servicing assets, nonmortgage servicing assets, and purchased credit card relationships eligible for inclusion in core capital pursuant to §325.5(f)), minus credit-enhancing interest-only strips that are not eligible for inclusion in core capital pursuant to §325.5(f), minus deferred tax assets in excess of the limit set forth in §325.5(g), minus identified losses (to the extent that Tier 1 capital would have been reduced if the appropriate accounting entries to reflect the identified losses had been recorded on the insured depository institution's books), minus investments in financial subsidiaries subject to 12 CFR part 362, subpart E, and minus the amount of the total adjusted carrying value of nonfinancial equity investments that is subject to a deduction from Tier 1 capital as set forth in section II.B.(6) of appendix A to this part. (w) Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio means the ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, as calculated in accordance with the FDIC's Statement of Policy on Risk-Based Capital (appendix A to part 325). (x) Total assets means the average of total assets required to be included in a banking institution's “Reports of Condition and Income” (Call Report) or, for savings associations, the consolidated total assets required to be included in the “Thrift Financial Report,” as these reports may from time to time be revised, as of the most recent report date (and after making any necessary subsidiary adjustments for state nonmember banks as described in §§325.5(c) and 325.5(d) of this part), minus intangible assets (other than mortgage servicing assets, nonmortgage servicing assets, and purchased credit card relationships eligible for inclusion in core capital pursuant to §325.5(f)), minus credit-enhancing interest-only strips that are not eligible for inclusion in core capital pursuant to §325.5(f), minus deferred tax assets in excess of the limit set forth in §325.5(g), minus assets classified loss and any other assets that are deducted in determining Tier 1 capital, and minus the amount of the total adjusted carrying value of nonfinancial equity investments that is subject to a deduction from Tier 1 capital as set forth in section II.B.(6) of appendix A to this part. For banking institutions, the average of total assets is found in the Call Report schedule of quarterly averages. For savings associations, the consolidated total assets figure is found in Schedule CSC of the Thrift Financial Report. (y) Total risk-based capital ratio means the ratio of qualifying total capital to risk-weighted assets, as calculated in accordance with the FDIC's Statement of Policy on Risk-Based Capital (appendix A to part 325). (z) Written agreement means an agreement in writing executed by authorized representatives entered into with the FDIC by an insured depository institution which is enforceable by an action under section 8(a) and/or section 8(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818 (a), (b)). [56 FR 10160, Mar. 11, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 44899, Sept. 29, 1992; 58 FR 6368, 6369, Jan. 28, 1993; 58 FR 8219, Feb. 12, 1993; 58 FR 60103, Nov. 15, 1993; 59 FR 66666, Dec. 28, 1994; 60 FR 8187, Feb. 13, 1995; 60 FR 39232, Aug. 1, 1995; 63 FR 42677, Aug. 10, 1998; 66 FR 59652; Nov. 29, 2001; 67 FR 3804, Jan. 25, 2002] (a) General. Banks must maintain at least the minimum leverage capital requirement set forth in this section. The capital standards in this part are the minimum acceptable for banks whose overall financial condition is fundamentally sound, which are well-managed and which have no material or significant financial weaknesses. Thus, the FDIC is not precluded from requiring an institution to maintain a higher capital level based on the institution's particular risk profile. Where the FDIC determines that the financial history or condition, managerial resources and/or the future earnings prospects of a bank are not adequate, or where a bank has sizable off-balance sheet or funding risks, significant risks from concentrations of credit or nontraditional activities, excessive interest rate risk exposure, or a significant volume of assets classified substandard, doubtful or loss or otherwise criticized, the FDIC will take these other factors into account in analyzing the bank's capital adequacy and may determine that the minimum amount of capital for that bank is greater than the minimum standards stated in this section. These same criteria will apply to any insured depository institution making an application to the FDIC that requires the FDIC to consider the adequacy of the institution's capital structure. (b) Minimum leverage capital requirement. (1) The minimum leverage capital requirement for a bank (or an insured depository institution making application to the FDIC) shall consist of a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of not less than 3 percent if the FDIC determines that the institution is not anticipating or experiencing significant growth and has well-diversified risk, including no undue interest rate risk exposure, excellent asset quality, high liquidity, good earnings and in general is considered a strong banking organization, rated composite 1 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (the CAMELS rating system) established by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. (2) For all but the most highly-rated institutions meeting the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the minimum leverage capital requirement for a bank (or for an insured depository institution making an application to the FDIC) shall consist of a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of not less than 4 percent. (c) Insured depository institutions with less than the minimum leverage capital requirement. (1) A bank (or an insured depository institution making an application to the FDIC) operating with less than the minimum leverage capital requirement does not have adequate capital and therefore has inadequate financial resources. (2) Any insured depository institution operating with an inadequate capital structure, and therefore inadequate financial resources, will not receive approval for an application requiring the FDIC to consider the adequacy of its capital structure or its financial resources. (3) As required under §325.104(a)(1) of this part, a bank must file a written capital restoration plan with the appropriate FDIC regional director within 45 days of the date that the bank receives notice or is deemed to have notice that the bank is undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized, unless the FDIC notifies the bank in writing that the plan is to be filed within a different period. (4) In any merger, acquisition or other type of business combination where the FDIC must give its approval, where it is required to consider the adequacy of the financial resources of the existing and proposed institutions, and where the resulting entity is either insured by the FDIC or not otherwise federally insured, approval will not be granted when the resulting entity does not meet the minimum leverage capital requirement. (d) Exceptions. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this section: (1) The FDIC, in its discretion, may approve an application pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act where it is required to consider the adequacy of capital if it finds that such approval must be taken to prevent the closing of a depository institution or to facilitate the acquisition of a closed depository institution, or, when severe financial conditions exist which threaten the stability of an insured depository institution or of a significant number of depository institutions insured by the FDIC or of insured depository institutions possessing significant financial resources, such action is taken to lessen the risk to the FDIC posed by an insured depository institution under such threat of instability. (2) The FDIC, in its discretion, may approve an application pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act where it is required to consider the adequacy of capital or the financial resources of the insured depository institution where it finds that the applicant has committed to and is in compliance with a reasonable plan to meet its minimum leverage capital requirements within a reasonable period of time. [56 FR 10162, Mar. 11, 1991, as amended at 58 FR 8219, Feb. 12, 1993; 59 FR 64564, Dec. 15, 1994; 60 FR 45609, Aug. 31, 1995; 62 FR 55493, Oct. 24, 1997; 64 FR 10200, Mar. 2, 1999; 66 FR 59652, Nov. 29, 2001] (a) General. As a condition of federal deposit insurance, all insured depository institutions must remain in a safe and sound condition. (b) Unsafe or unsound practice. Any bank which has less than its minimum leverage capital requirement is deemed to be engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice pursuant to section 8(b)(1) and/or 8(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(b)(1) and/or 1818(c)). Except that such a bank which has entered into and is in compliance with a written agreement with the FDIC or has submitted to the FDIC and is in compliance with a plan approved by the FDIC to increase its Tier 1 leverage capital ratio to such level as the FDIC deems appropriate and to take such other action as may be necessary for the bank to be operated so as not to be engaged in such an unsafe or unsound practice will not be deemed to be engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice pursuant to section 8(b)(1) and/or 8(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(b)(1) and/or 1818(c)) on account of its capital ratios. The FDIC is not precluded from taking section 8(b)(1), section 8(c) or any other enforcement action against a bank with capital above the minimum requirement if the specific circumstances deem such action to be appropriate. Under the conditions set forth in section 8(t) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(t)), the FDIC also may take section 8(b)(1) and/or 8(c) enforcement action against any savings association that is deemed to be engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice on account of its inadequate capital structure. (c) Unsafe or unsound condition. Any insured depository institution with a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets that is less than two percent is deemed to be operating in an unsafe or unsound condition pursuant to section 8(a) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(a)). (1) A bank with a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of less than two percent which has entered into and is in compliance with a written agreement with the FDIC (or any other insured depository institution with a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of less than two percent which has entered into and is in compliance with a written agreement with its primary federal regulator and to which agreement the FDIC is a party) to increase its Tier 1 leverage capital ratio to such level as the FDIC deems appropriate and to take such other action as may be necessary for the insured depository institution to be operated in a safe and sound manner, will not be subject to a proceeding by the FDIC pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1818(a) on account of its capital ratios. (2) An insured depository institution with a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets that is equal to or greater than two percent may be operating in an unsafe or unsound condition. The FDIC is not precluded from bringing an action pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1818(a) where an insured depository institution has a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets that is equal to or greater than two percent. [56 FR 10162, Mar. 11, 1991] (a) Intangible assets. Any intangible assets that were explicitly approved by the FDIC as part of the bank's regulatory capital on a specific case basis will be included in capital under the terms and conditions that were approved by the FDIC, provided that the intangible asset is being amortized over a period not to exceed 15 years or its estimated useful life, whichever is shorter. However, pursuant to section 18(n) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(n)), an unidentifiable intangible asset such as goodwill, if acquired after April 12, 1989, cannot be included in calculating regulatory capital under this part. (b) Reservation of authority. Notwithstanding the definition of Tier 1 capital in §325.2(t) of this subpart and the risk-based capital definitions of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital in appendix A to this subpart, the Director of the Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection (DSC) may, if the Director finds a newly developed or modified capital instrument or a particular balance sheet entry or account to be the functional equivalent of a component of Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital, permit one or more insured depository institutions to include all or a portion of such instrument, entry, or account as Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital, permanently, or on a temporary basis, for purposes of this part. Similarly, the Director of the Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection (DSC) may, if the Director finds that a particular Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital component or balance sheet entry or account has characteristics or terms that diminish its contribution to an insured depository institution's ability to absorb losses, require the deduction of all or a portion of such component, entry, or account from Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital. (c) Securities subsidiary. For purposes of this part, any securities subsidiary subject to 12 CFR 337.4 shall not be consolidated with its bank parent and any investment therein shall be deducted from the bank parent's Tier 1 capital and total assets. (d) Depository institution subsidiary. Any domestic depository institution subsidiary that is not consolidated in the “Reports of Condition and Income” (Call Report) of its insured parent bank shall be consolidated with the insured parent bank for purposes of this part. The financial statements of the subsidiary that are to be used for this consolidation must be prepared in the same manner as the “Reports of Condition and Income” (Call Report). A domestic depository institution subsidiary of a savings association shall be consolidated for purposes of this part if such consolidation also is required pursuant to the capital requirements of the association's primary federal regulator. (e) Restrictions relating to capital components. To qualify as Tier 1 capital under this part or Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital under appendix A to this part, a capital instrument must not contain or be subject to any conditions, covenants, terms, restrictions, or provisions that are inconsistent with safe and sound banking practices. A condition, covenant, term, restriction, or provision is inconsistent with safe and sound banking practices if it: (1) Unduly interferes with the ability of the issuer to conduct normal banking operations; (2) Results in significantly higher dividends or interest payments in the event of deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer; (3) Impairs the ability of the issuer to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements regarding the disposition of assets or incurrence of additional debt; or (4) Limits the ability of the FDIC or a similar regulatory authority to take any necessary action to resolve a problem bank or failing bank situation. Other conditions and covenants that are not expressly listed in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(4) of this section also may be inconsistent with safe and sound banking practices. (f) Treatment of mortgage servicing assets, purchased credit card relationships, nonmortgage servicing assets, and credit-enhancing interest-only strips. For purposes of determining Tier 1 capital under this part, mortgage servicing assets, purchased credit card relationships, nonmortgage servicing assets, and credit-enhancing interest-only strips will be deducted from assets and from common stockholders' equity to the extent that these items do not meet the conditions, limitations, and restrictions described in this section. Banks may elect to deduct disallowed servicing assets and disallowed credit-enhancing interest-only strips on a basis that is net of a proportional amount of any associated deferred tax liability recorded on the balance sheet. Any deferred tax liability netted in this manner cannot also be netted against deferred tax assets when determining the amount of deferred tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income and calculating the maximum allowable amount of these assets under paragraph (g) of this section. (1) Valuation. The fair value of mortgage servicing assets, purchased credit card relationships, nonmortgage servicing assets, and credit-enhancing interest-only strips shall be estimated at least quarterly. The quarterly fair value estimate shall include adjustments for any significant changes in the original valuation assumptions, including changes in prepayment estimates or attrition rates. The FDIC in its discretion may require independent fair value estimates on a case-by-case basis where it is deemed appropriate for safety and soundness purposes. (2) Fair value limitation. For purposes of calculating Tier 1 capital under this part (but not for financial statement purposes), the balance sheet assets for mortgage servicing assets, purchased credit card relationships, and nonmortgage servicing assets will each be reduced to an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) 90 percent of the fair value of these assets, determined in accordance with paragraph (f)(1) of this section; or (ii) 100 percent of the remaining unamortized book value of these assets (net of any related valuation allowances), determined in accordance with the instructions for the preparation of the “Reports of Income and Condition” (Call Reports). (3) Tier 1 capital limitations. (i) The maximum allowable amount of mortgage servicing assets, purchased credit card relationships, and nonmortgage servicing assets in the aggregate will be limited to the lesser of: (A) 100 percent of the amount of Tier 1 capital that exists before the deduction of any disallowed mortgage servicing assets, any disallowed purchased credit card relationships, any disallowed nonmortgage servicing assets, any disallowed credit-enhancing interest-only strips, any disallowed deferred tax assets, and any nonfinancial equity investments; or (B) The sum of the amounts of mortgage servicing assets, purchased credit card relationships, and nonmortgage servicing assets, determined in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of this section. (ii) The maximum allowable amount of credit-enhancing interest-only strips, whether purchased or retained, will be limited to the lesser of: (A) 25 percent of the amount of Tier 1 capital that exists before the deduction of any disallowed mortgage servicing assets, any disallowed purchased credit card relationships, any disallowed nonmortgage servicing assets, any disallowed credit-enhancing interest-only strips, any disallowed deferred tax assets, and any nonfinancial equity investments; or (B) The sum of the face amounts of all credit-enhancing interest-only strips. (4) Tier 1 capital sublimit. In addition to the aggregate limitation on mortgage servicing assets, purchased credit card relationships, and nonmortgage servicing assets set forth in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, a sublimit will apply to purchased credit card relationships and nonmortgage servicing assets. The maximum allowable amount of the aggregate of purchased credit card relationships and nonmortgage servicing assets will be limited to the lesser of: (i) 25 percent of the amount of Tier 1 capital that exists before the deduction of any disallowed mortgage servicing assets, any disallowed purchased credit card relationships, any disallowed nonmortgage servicing assets, any disallowed credit-enhancing interest-only strips, any disallowed deferred tax assets, and any nonfinancial equity investments; or (ii) The sum of the amounts of purchased credit card relationships and nonmortgage servicing assets determined in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of this section. (g) Treatment of deferred tax assets. For purposes of calculating Tier 1 capital under this part (but not for financial statement purposes), deferred tax assets are subject to the conditions, limitations, and restrictions described in this section. (1) Deferred tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income. These assets are: (i) Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences that exceed the amount of taxes previously paid that could be recovered through loss carrybacks if existing temporary differences (both deductible and taxable and regardless of where the related deferred tax effects are reported on the balance sheet) fully reverse at the calendar quarter-end date; and (ii) Deferred tax assets arising from operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. (2) Tier 1 capital limitations. (i) The maximum allowable amount of deferred tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income, net of any valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, will be limited to the lesser of: (A) The amount of deferred tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income that is expected to be realized within one year of the calendar quarter-end date, based on projected future taxable income for that year; or (B) 10 percent of the amount of Tier 1 capital that exists before the deduction of any disallowed mortgage servicing assets, any disallowed nonmortgage servicing assets, any disallowed purchased credit card relationships, any disallowed credit-enhancing interest-only strips, any disallowed deferred tax assets, and any nonfinancial equity investments. (ii) For purposes of this limitation, all existing temporary differences should be assumed to fully reverse at the calendar quarter-end date. The recorded amount of deferred tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income, net of any valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, in excess of this limitation will be deducted from assets and from equity capital for purposes of determining Tier 1 capital under this part. The amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized from taxes paid in prior carryback years and from the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences generally would not be deducted from assets and from equity capital. However, notwithstanding the first three sentences in this paragraph, the amount of carryback potential that may be considered in calculating the amount of deferred tax assets that a member of a consolidated group (for tax purposes) may include in Tier 1 capital may not exceed the amount which the member could reasonably expect to have refunded by its parent. (3) Projected future taxable income. Projected future taxable income should not include net operating loss carryforwards to be used within one year of the most recent calendar quarter-end date or the amount of existing temporary differences expected to reverse within that year. Projected future taxable income should include the estimated effect of tax planning strategies that are expected to be implemented to realize tax carryforwards that will otherwise expire during that year. Future taxable income projections for the current fiscal year (adjusted for any significant changes that have occurred or are expected to occur) may be used when applying the capital limit at an interim calendar quarter-end date rather then preparing a new projection each quarter. (4) Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The deferred tax effects of any unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities may be excluded from the determination of the amount of deferred tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income and the calculation of the maximum allowable amount of such assets. If these deferred tax effects are excluded, this treatment must be followed consistently over time. (5) Intangible assets acquired in nontaxable purchase business combinations. A deferred tax liability that is specifically related to an intangible asset (other than mortgage servicing assets, nonmortgage servicing assets, and purchased credit card relationships) acquired in a nontaxable purchase business combination may be netted against this intangible asset. Only the net amount of the intangible asset must be deducted from Tier 1 capital. When a deferred tax liability is netted in this manner, the taxable temporary difference that gives rise to this deferred tax liability must be excluded from existing taxable temporary differences when determining the amount of deferred tax assets that are dependent upon future taxable income and calculating the maximum allowable amount of such assets. [56 FR 10163, Mar. 11, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 7647, Mar. 4, 1992; 58 FR 6369, Jan. 28, 1993; 58 FR 8219, Feb. 12, 1993; 60 FR 8187, Feb. 13, 1995; 60 FR 39232, Aug. 1, 1995; 63 FR 42677, Aug. 10, 1998; 66 FR 59652, Nov. 29, 2001; 65 FR 3804, Jan. 25, 2002] (a) General. A directive is a final order issued to a bank that fails to maintain capital at or above the minimum leverage capital requirement as set forth in §§325.3 and 325.4. A directive issued pursuant to this section, including a plan submitted under a directive, is enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as a final cease-and-desist order issued under 12 U.S.C. 1818(b). (b) Issuance of directives. If a bank is operating with less than the minimum leverage capital requirement established by this regulation, the Board of Directors, or its designee(s), may issue and serve upon any insured state nonmember bank a directive requiring the bank to restore its capital to the minimum leverage capital requirement within a specified time period. The directive may require the bank to submit to the appropriate FDIC regional director, or other specified official, for review and approval, a plan describing the means and timing by which the bank shall achieve the minimum leverage capital requirement. After the FDIC has approved the plan, the bank may be required under the terms of the directive to adhere to and monitor compliance with the plan. The directive may be issued during the course of an examination of the bank, or at any other time that the FDIC deems appropriate, if the bank is found to be operating with less than the minimum leverage capital requirement. (c) Notice and opportunity to respond to issuance of a directive. (1) If the FDIC makes an initial determination that a directive should be issued to a bank pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the FDIC, through the appropriate designated official(s), shall serve written notification upon the bank of its intent to issue a directive. The notice shall include the current Tier 1 leverage capital ratio, the basis upon which said ratio was calculated, the proposed capital injection, the proposed date for achieving the minimum leverage capital requirement and any other relevant information concerning the decision to issue a directive. When deemed appropriate, specific requirements of a proposed plan for meeting the minimum leverage capital requirement may be included in the notice. (2) Within 14 days of receipt of notification, the bank may file with the appropriate designated FDIC official(s) a written response, explaining why the directive should not be issued, seeking modification of its terms, or other appropriate relief. The bank's response shall include any information, mitigating circumstances, documentation or other relevant evidence which supports its position, and may include a plan for attaining the minimum leverage capital requirement. (3) After considering the bank's response, the appropriate designated FDIC official(s) shall serve upon the bank a written determination addressing the bank's response and setting forth the FDIC's findings and conclusions in support of any decision to issue or not to issue a directive. The directive may be issued as originally proposed or in modified form. The directive may order the bank to: (i) Achieve the minimum leverage capital requirement established by this regulation by a certain date; (ii) Submit for approval and adhere to a plan for achieving the minimum leverage capital requirement; (iii) Take other action as is necessary to achieve the minimum leverage capital requirement; or (iv) A combination of the above actions. If a directive is to be issued, it may be served upon the bank along with the final determination. (4) Any bank, upon a change in circumstances, may request the FDIC to reconsider the terms of a directive and may propose changes in the plan under which it is operating to meet the minimum leverage capital requirement. The directive and plan continue in effect while such request is pending before the FDIC. (5) All papers filed with the FDIC must be postmarked or received by the appropriate designated FDIC official(s) within the prescribed time limit for filing. (6) Failure by the bank to file a written response to notification of intent to issue a directive within the specified time period shall constitute consent to the issuance of such directive. (d) Enforcement of a directive. (1) Whenever a bank fails to follow the directive or to submit or adhere to its capital adequacy plan, the FDIC may seek enforcement of the directive in the appropriate United States district court, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 3907(b)(2)(B)(ii), in the same manner and to the same extent as if the directive were a final cease-and-desist order. In addition to enforcement of the directive, the FDIC may seek assessment of civil money penalties for violation of the directive against any bank, any officer, director, employee, agent, or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs of the bank, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 3909(d). (2) The directive may be issued separately, in conjunction with, or in addition to, any other enforcement mechanisms available to the FDIC, including cease-and-desist orders, orders of correction, the approval or denial of applications, or any other actions authorized by law. In addition to addressing a bank's minimum leverage capital requirement, the capital directive may also address minimum risk-based capital requirements that are to be maintained and calculated in accordance with appendix A to this part. [56 FR 10164, Mar. 11, 1991]
Title 12: Banks and Banking
PART 325—CAPITAL MAINTENANCE
Subpart A—Minimum Capital Requirements
§ 325.1 Scope.
§ 325.2 Definitions.
§ 325.3 Minimum leverage capital requirement.
§ 325.4 Inadequate capital as an unsafe or unsound practice or condition.
§ 325.5 Miscellaneous.
§ 325.6 Issuance of directives.
