[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8337 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 651
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8337
[Report No. 118-788]
To amend the Federal banking laws to improve the safety and soundness
of the United States banking system, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 10, 2024
Mr. Barr introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Financial Services
December 3, 2024
Additional sponsor: Mr. Fitzgerald
December 3, 2024
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 10,
2024]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal banking laws to improve the safety and soundness
of the United States banking system, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Bank Resilience
and Regulatory Improvement Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--FINANCIAL INSTITUTION REGULATORY TAILORING ENHANCEMENT
Sec. 101. Increased asset thresholds.
TITLE II--BANK FAILURE PREVENTION
Sec. 201. Complete record on an application.
TITLE III--STRESS TESTING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Sec. 301. Rulemaking related to stress capital buffer requirements.
Sec. 302. Rulemaking relating to stress testing.
Sec. 303. GAO report.
TITLE IV--BANK SUPERVISION APPEALS IMPROVEMENT
Sec. 401. Timeliness of examinations and required permission,
regulatory, and reporting guidance.
Sec. 402. Update of independent intra-agency appellate process for
reviewing material supervisory
determinations.
Sec. 403. Review of resolution actions resulting in a material loss.
TITLE V--REVIEW OF DISCOUNT WINDOW OPERATIONS
Sec. 501. Review of discount window operations.
TITLE VI--SMALL BANK HOLDING COMPANY RELIEF
Sec. 601. Changes required to the Small Bank Holding Company and
Savings and Loan Holding Company Policy
Statement.
TITLE I--FINANCIAL INSTITUTION REGULATORY TAILORING ENHANCEMENT
SEC. 101. INCREASED ASSET THRESHOLDS.
(a) Bureau Supervision.--Section 1025(a) of the Consumer Financial
Protection Act of 2010 (12 U.S.C. 5515) is amended by striking
``$10,000,000,000'' each place it occurs and inserting
``$50,000,000,000''.
(b) Durbin Amendment Requirements.--Section 921(a)(6) of the
Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693o-2(a)(6)) is amended by
striking ``$10,000,000,000'' and inserting ``$50,000,000,000''.
(c) Volker Rule Requirements.--Section 13(h)(1)(B)(i) of the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1851(h)(1)(B)(i)) is amended by
striking ``$10,000,000,000'' and inserting ``$50,000,000,000''.
(d) Qualified Mortgage Requirements.--Section 129C(b)(F)(i) of the
Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1639c(b)(F)(i)) is amended by striking
``$10,000,000,000'' and inserting ``$50,000,000,000''.
(e) Leverage and Risk-Based Capital Requirements.--Section
201(a)(3)(A) of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer
Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5371 note (a)(3)(A)) is amended by striking
``$10,000,000,000'' and inserting ``$50,000,000,000''.
TITLE II--BANK FAILURE PREVENTION
SEC. 201. COMPLETE RECORD ON AN APPLICATION.
(a) Bank Holding Companies.--Section 3(b)(1) of the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1842(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Upon receiving'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) In general.--Upon receiving'';
(2) by striking ``required'' and inserting ``acquired'';
(3) by striking ``In the event of the failure of the Board
to act on any application for approval under this section
within the ninety-one-day period which begins on the date of
submission to the Board of the complete record on that
application, the application shall be deemed to have been
granted.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Complete record on an application.--
``(i) Notice to applicant.--Not later than 30 days
after the date on which the Board receives an
application for approval under this section, the Board
shall transmit to the applicant a letter that either--
``(I) confirms the record on the
application is complete; or
``(II) details all additional information
that is required for the record on that
application to be complete.
``(ii) Extension of notice.--Notwithstanding clause
(i), the Board may, if an application is complex,
extend the 30-day period described under clause (i) for
an additional 30 days.
``(iii) Receipt of response; deeming of complete
record.--Upon receipt of a response from an applicant
to a notice requesting additional information described
under clause (i)(II), the record on the application
shall be deemed complete unless the Board--
``(I) determines that the applicant's
response was materially deficient; and
``(II) not later than 30 days after the
date on which the Board received the response,
provides the applicant a detailed notice
describing the deficiencies.
``(iv) Treatment of third-party information.--In
determining whether the record on an application is
complete, the Board may take into account only
information provided by the applicant, and may not base
the determination of completeness on any information
(including reports, views, or recommendations) provided
by third parties.
``(C) Deadline for determination.--
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding subparagraphs
(A) and (B), the Board shall grant or deny an
application submitted under this section not later than
90 days after the date on which the application was
initially submitted to the Board, regardless of whether
the record on such initial application was complete.
``(ii) Failure to make a determination.--If the
Board does not grant or deny an application within the
time period described under clause (i), such
application shall be deemed to have been granted.
``(iii) Tolling of period.--The Board may at any
time extend the deadline described under clause (i) at
the request of the applicant, but may not extend the
deadline more than 30 days past the deadline described
under clause (i).''.
(b) Savings and Loan Holding Companies.--Section 10(e) of the Home
Owners' Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1467a(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, and shall render a
decision within 90 days after submission to the Board of the
complete record on the application'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (9); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) Complete record on an application.--
``(A) Notice to applicant.--Not later than 30 days
after the date on which the Board receives an
application for approval under this subsection, the
Board shall transmit to the applicant a letter that
either--
``(i) confirms the record on the
application is complete; or
``(ii) details all additional information
that is required for the record on that
application to be complete.
``(B) Extension of notice.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A), the Board may, if an application is
complex, extend the 30-day period described under
subparagraph (A) for an additional 30 days.
``(C) Receipt of response; deeming of complete
record.--Upon receipt of a response from an applicant
to a notice requesting additional information described
under subparagraph (A)(ii), the record on the
application shall be deemed complete unless the Board--
``(i) determines that the applicant's
response was materially deficient; and
``(ii) not later than 30 days after the
date on which the Board received the response,
provides the applicant a detailed notice
describing the deficiencies.
``(D) Treatment of third-party information.--In
determining whether the record on an application is
complete, the Board may take into account only
information provided by the applicant, and may not base
the determination of completeness on any information
(including reports, views, or recommendations) provided
by third parties.
``(8) Deadline for determination.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this subsection, the Board shall grant or
deny an application submitted under this subsection not
later than 90 days after the date on which the
application was initially submitted to the Board,
regardless of whether the record on such initial
application was complete.
``(B) Failure to make a determination.--If the
Board does not grant or deny an application within the
time period described under subparagraph (A), such
application shall be deemed to have been granted.
``(C) Tolling of period.--The Board may at any time
extend the deadline described under subparagraph (A) at
the request of the applicant, but may not extend the
deadline more than 30 days past the deadline described
under subparagraph (A).''.
(c) Insured Depository Institutions.--Section 18(c) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(c)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(14) Complete Record on an Application.--
``(A) Notice to applicant.--Not later than 30 days after
the date on which the responsible agency receives a merger
application for approval under this subsection, the responsible
agency shall transmit to the applicant a letter that either--
``(i) confirms the record on the application is
complete; or
``(ii) details all additional information that is
required for the record on that application to be
complete.
``(B) Extension of notice.--Notwithstanding subparagraph
(A), the responsible agency may, if an application is unusually
complex, extend the 30-day period described under subparagraph
(A) for an additional 30 days.
``(C) Receipt of response; deeming of complete record.--
Upon receipt of a response from an applicant to a notice
requesting additional information described under subparagraph
(A)(ii), the record on the application shall be deemed complete
unless the responsible agency--
``(i) determines that the applicant's response was
materially deficient; and
``(ii) not later than 30 days after the date on
which the responsible agency received the response,
provides the applicant a detailed notice describing the
deficiencies.
``(D) Treatment of third-party information.--In determining
whether the record on an application is complete, the
responsible agency may take into account only information
provided by the applicant, and may not base the determination
of completeness on any information (including reports, views,
or recommendations) provided by third parties.
``(15) Deadline for Determination.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this subsection, the responsible agency shall grant or deny a
merger application submitted under this subsection not later
than 90 days after the date on which the application was
initially submitted to the responsible agency, regardless of
whether the record on such initial application was complete.
``(B) Failure to make a determination.--If the responsible
agency does not grant or deny an application within the time
period described under subparagraph (A), such application shall
be deemed to have been granted.
``(C) Tolling of period.--The responsible agency may at any
time extend the deadline described under subparagraph (A) at
the request of the applicant, but may not extend the deadline
more than 30 days past the deadline described under
subparagraph (A).''.
TITLE III--STRESS TESTING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
SEC. 301. RULEMAKING RELATED TO STRESS CAPITAL BUFFER REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (in this title referred to as the ``Board'') shall issue
a rule to establish any models, assumptions, formulas, or other
decisional methodologies that are used to determine any component or
subcomponent of the stress capital buffer requirement for a bank
holding company.
(b) Changes.--The Board may only make changes to the rule issued
under subsection (a) through notice and comment rulemaking.
(c) Stress Capital Buffer Requirement Defined.--The term ``stress
capital buffer requirement'' has the meaning given the term in section
225.8(c) of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 302. RULEMAKING RELATING TO STRESS TESTING.
(a) In General.--Beginning in the first calendar year beginning
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Board shall, not
less than 30 days before conducting a stress test pursuant to section
165(i) of the Financial Stability Act of 2010, issue a rule to
establish each scenario to be used in such stress test.
(b) Prohibition.--The Board may not, by rule or otherwise, subject
any nonbank financial company to a climate-related stress test using
the authority provided in section 165(i) of the Financial Stability Act
of 2010.
SEC. 303. GAO REPORT.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall, every 3 years, conduct a study and submit a report to the
Congress with respect to the stress tests conducted by the Board under
section 165(i) of the Financial Stability Act of 2010 in the 3 most
recent calendar years.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted to the Congress under
subsection (a) shall consider the effectiveness of the stress tests in
evaluating--
(1) the safety and soundness of the nonbank financial
institutions subjected to stress tests;
(2) the stability of the United States financial system.
TITLE IV--BANK SUPERVISION APPEALS IMPROVEMENT
SEC. 401. TIMELINESS OF EXAMINATIONS AND REQUIRED PERMISSION,
REGULATORY, AND REPORTING GUIDANCE.
(a) Exit Interview Requirement; Timeliness of Examinations.--
(1) Insured depository institutions.--Section 10(d) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1820(d)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(11) Examination timeliness.--The appropriate Federal
banking agency shall complete any examination of an insured
depository institution within 270 days of commencing the
examination, except that such period may be extended by the
appropriate Federal banking agency by providing written notice
to the insured depository institution describing with
particularity the reasons that a longer period is needed.
``(12) Exit interview requirement.--Within 30 days of
completing an examination, the appropriate Federal banking
agency shall conduct an exit interview with the insured
depository institution's senior management and board of
directors.
``(13) Timeliness of examination reports.--
``(A) Final examination report.--With respect to an
examination of an insured depository institution by an
appropriate Federal banking agency, the appropriate
Federal banking agency shall provide a final
examination report to the insured depository
institution not later than 60 days after the later of--
``(i) the exit interview for the
examination; or
``(ii) the provision of additional
information by the insured depository
institution relating to the examination.
``(B) Examination materials.--Upon the request of
an insured depository institution, the appropriate
Federal banking agency shall include with a final
examination report an appendix listing all materials
relied upon by the agency in support of all material
supervisory determinations.
``(C) Material supervisory determination defined.--
In this paragraph, the term `material supervisory
determination' has the meaning given such term in
section 309(i) of the Riegle Community Development and
Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994.''.
(2) Insured credit unions.--Section 204 of the Federal
Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1784) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(h) Exit Interview Requirement; Timeliness of Examinations.--
``(1) Examination timeliness.--The Board shall complete any
examination of an insured credit union within 270 days of
commencing the examination, except that such period may be
extended by the Board by providing written notice to the
insured credit union describing with particularity the reasons
that a longer period is needed.
``(2) Exit interview requirement.--Within 30 days of
completing an examination, the Board shall conduct an exit
interview with the insured credit union's senior management and
board of directors.
``(3) Timeliness of examination reports.--
``(A) Final examination report.--With respect to an
examination of an insured credit union, the Board shall
provide a final examination report to the insured
credit union not later than 60 days after the later
of--
``(i) the exit interview for the
examination; or
``(ii) the provision of additional
information by the insured credit union
relating to the examination.
``(B) Examination materials.--Upon the request of
an insured credit union, the Board shall include with a
final examination report an appendix listing all
materials relied upon by the Board in support of all
material supervisory determinations.
``(C) Material supervisory determination defined.--
In this paragraph, the term `material supervisory
determination' has the meaning given such term in
section 309(i) of the Riegle Community Development and
Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994.''.
(b) Timeliness of Required Permission, Regulatory, and Reporting
Guidance.--
(1) Insured depository institutions.--Section 10 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1820) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(l) Timeliness of Required Permission, Regulatory, and Reporting
Guidance.--
``(1) Request for permission or guidance.--An insured
depository institution may request a written determination by
the appropriate Federal banking agency of--
``(A) the agency's permission to take a particular
action;
``(B) the agency's interpretation of a law or
regulation; and
``(C) the agency's interpretation of generally
accepted accounting principles or accounting
objectives, standards, and requirements under section
37.
``(2) Contents of request.--A request made under paragraph
(1) shall be in writing and contain--
``(A) the nature of the request;
``(B) applicable facts relating to the matter;
``(C) applicable law, regulation, or generally
accepted accounting principles relating to the matter;
and
``(D) a summary of the request.
``(3) Response to request.--A Federal banking agency
receiving a request under paragraph (1) shall, not later than
30 days after receiving the request--
``(A) provide the insured depository institution
making the request with written notification that the
agency received the request and stating whether the
request contains the information required under
paragraph (2); and
``(B) if the request does not contain the
information required under paragraph (2), provide the
insured depository institution with an explanation of
what information is missing.
``(4) Providing missing information.--If a Federal banking
agency informs the insured depository institution under
paragraph (3) that the request does not contain all the
information required under paragraph (2), the insured
depository institution may provide the missing information to
the Federal banking agency during the 30-day period beginning
on the date the insured depository institution receives the
explanation of the missing information under paragraph (3).
``(5) Determination.--A Federal banking agency receiving a
request under paragraph (1) shall make a determination on the
request and provide the insured depository institution with a
written notice of such determination--
``(A) if the initial request contains the
information required under paragraph (2), not later
than the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date
the Federal banking agency notifies the insured
depository institution of the receipt of the request
under paragraph (3); or
``(B) if the initial request does not contain the
information required under paragraph (2)--
``(i) not later than the end of the 60-day
period beginning on the date that the insured
depository institution provides the Federal
banking agency with the missing information
under paragraph (4); or
``(ii) if the insured depository
institution does not provide the Federal
banking agency with the missing information
within the 30-day period described under
paragraph (4), not later than the end of the
60-day period beginning on the end of such 30-
day period.
``(6) Reports and publication.--Each Federal banking agency
shall, within 120 days after making a determination under
paragraph (5), publish a summary of the determination on the
public website of the Federal banking agency. Each Federal
banking agency shall redact any confidential supervisory
information about the insured depository institution, any
identifying facts about the institution, and any sensitive
personally identifiable information.''.
(2) Insured credit unions.--Section 209 of the Federal
Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1789) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(c) Timeliness of Required Permission, Regulatory, and Reporting
Guidance.--
``(1) Request for permission or guidance.--An insured
credit union may request a written determination by the Board
of--
``(A) the Board's permission to take a particular
action;
``(B) the Board's interpretation of a law or
regulation; and
``(C) the Board's interpretation of generally
accepted accounting principles or other accounting
objectives, standards, and requirements.
``(2) Contents of request.--A request made under paragraph
(1) shall be in writing and contain--
``(A) the nature of the request;
``(B) applicable facts relating to the matter;
``(C) applicable law, regulation, or generally
accepted accounting principles relating to the matter;
and
``(D) a summary of the request.
``(3) Response to request.--The Board, upon receiving a
request under paragraph (1) shall, not later than 30 days after
receiving the request--
``(A) provide the insured credit union making the
request with written notification that the Board
received the request and stating whether the request
contains the information required under paragraph (2);
and
``(B) if the request does not contain the
information required under paragraph (2), provide the
insured credit union with an explanation of what
information is missing.
``(4) Providing missing information.--If the Board informs
the insured credit union under paragraph (3) that the request
does not contain all the information required under paragraph
(2), the insured credit union may provide the missing
information to the Board during the 30-day period beginning on
the date the insured credit union receives the explanation of
the missing information under paragraph (3).
``(5) Determination.--The Board shall make a determination
on a request made under paragraph (1) and provide the insured
credit union with a written notice of such determination--
``(A) if the initial request contains the
information required under paragraph (2), not later
than the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date
the Board notifies the insured credit union of the
receipt of the request under paragraph (3); or
``(B) if the initial request does not contain the
information required under paragraph (2)--
``(i) not later than the end of the 60-day
period beginning on the date that the insured
credit union provides the Board with the
missing information under paragraph (4); or
``(ii) if the insured credit union does not
provide the Board with the missing information
within the 30-day period described under
paragraph (4), not later than the end of the
60-day period beginning on the end of such 30-
day period.
``(6) Reports and publication.--The Board shall, within 120
days after making a determination under paragraph (5), publish
a summary of the determination on the public website of the
Board. The Board shall redact any confidential supervisory
information about the insured credit union, any identifying
facts about the credit union, and any sensitive personally
identifiable information.''.
SEC. 402. UPDATE OF INDEPENDENT INTRA-AGENCY APPELLATE PROCESS FOR
REVIEWING MATERIAL SUPERVISORY DETERMINATIONS.
(a) Update of Independent Intra-Agency Appellate Process.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the
Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Board, and the
National Credit Union Administration Board shall revise the independent
intra-agency appellate process required under section 309(a) of the
Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (12
U.S.C. 4806(a)).
(b) Office of Supervisory Appeals; Appeals Process.--Section 309 of
the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994
(12 U.S.C. 4806) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (i); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Office of Supervisory Appeals.--The Federal banking agencies
and the National Credit Union Administration shall each establish an
Office of Supervisory Appeals to carry out the independent intra-agency
appellate process required under this section.
``(g) Appeals Officials.--
``(1) Appointment.--The head of each of the Federal banking
agencies and the National Credit Union Administration shall
appoint appeals officials, in a number sufficient to fully
staff the panels described under subsection (h), from among the
following classes of individuals:
``(A) Individuals who have financial institutions
regulatory agency experience.
``(B) Individuals who--
``(i) are a licensed attorney or a
certified public accountant authorized to
practice under the laws of a State, the
District of Columbia, or a territory of the
United States;
``(ii) have either academic or private
sector experience;
``(iii) have relevant subject matter
knowledge or work-related experience in the
financial services sector, as determined by the
agency making the appointment; and
``(iv) are not, and were not during the
previous 10-year period, employed by a Federal
banking agency, a Federal reserve bank, or the
National Credit Union Administration.
``(C) Individuals--
``(i) with at least 10 years private sector
financial services senior management-level
experience; and
``(ii) recommended by--
``(I) an insured depository
institution;
``(II) an insured credit union; or
``(III) a trade association for
such institutions or credit unions.
``(2) Term.--
``(A) In general.--Each appeals official appointed
under paragraph (1) shall serve for a term of 3 years.
``(B) Term limitation.--No individual may be
appointed under paragraph (1) to serve more than 2 full
terms.
``(C) Dismissal.--An appeals official appointed
under paragraph (1) may be removed at any time by the
appointing agency.
``(h) Appeals Process and Panel Hearing of Material Supervisory
Determinations.--
``(1) Appeal to the head of supervision.--
``(A) In general.--An institution seeking an appeal
of a material supervisory determination shall--
``(i) file a written appeal to the head of
supervision for the agency not later than 30
days after receiving the material supervisory
determination from the agency; and
``(ii) include in the appeal--
``(I) a clear and complete
statement of all relevant facts and
issues;
``(II) all arguments that the
institution wishes to present; and
``(III) all relevant and material
documents that the institution wishes
to be considered.
``(B) Extension.--The institution may file a
written request with the head of supervision for an
extension of the 30-day time period described under
subparagraph (A)(i), which shall state good cause for
granting the extension. Such request shall be granted
in the sole discretion of the head of supervision.
``(C) Information made available to institution.--
An institution seeking an appeal of a material
supervisory determination may, not later than 7 days
after receiving the material supervisory determination,
request that the agency provide the institution with
any information relied upon by the agency in making the
material supervisory determination. The agency shall
provide that information to the institution not later
than 14 days after receiving the request.
``(2) Consideration of appeal by the head of supervision.--
``(A) In general.--A head of supervision receiving
an appeal under paragraph (1) shall, after reviewing
the information provided by the institution in such
appeal--
``(i) grant the appeal;
``(ii) refer the appeal to a panel
appointed under paragraph (3) for a
recommendation; or
``(iii) deny the appeal.
``(B) Notification.--A head of supervision shall
promptly inform the institution and the head of the
agency after granting, referring, or denying an appeal
under subparagraph (A).
``(C) Right to appeal denial.--An institution that
has an appeal denied by the head of supervision under
subparagraph (A) may appeal such denial directly to a
panel appointed under paragraph (3).
``(3) Appointment of panel.--
``(A) In general.--With respect to each appeal
referred by a head of supervision under paragraph
(2)(A)(ii) or appealed by an institution after a denial
under paragraph (2)(A)(iii), the agency shall appoint a
panel of 3 appeals officials to provide a
recommendation on such appeal, with 1 of the 3 appeals
officials being appointed to the panel from individuals
in each of the classes described under subparagraphs
(A), (B), and (C) of subsection (g)(1).
``(B) Reporting prohibition.--An appeals official
may not be appointed to a panel under subparagraph (A)
if the appeals official is reporting, or has reported,
directly or indirectly in the past 5 years, to the
agency official who made the material supervisory
determination under review.
``(4) Panel hearings.--
``(A) Request for hearing.--An institution may
request a hearing with the panel on the institution's
appeal by--
``(i) making such request not later than 7
days after the date on which the institution is
informed that the head of supervision referred
an appeal to a panel under paragraph (2); or
``(ii) including the request in the
institution's appeal of a denial under
paragraph (2).
``(B) Timing of hearing.--If an institution
requests a hearing, as described under subparagraph
(A), the panel shall provide the institution with a
hearing on the institution's appeal not later than 30
days after the date the hearing is requested, except
the panel may, in the discretion of the panel or upon
good cause shown, extend such deadline by up to 15
days.
``(C) Rulemaking.--The Federal banking agencies and
the National Credit Union Administration shall each
issue rules to establish procedures for panel hearings
described under this paragraph, including that--
``(i) the institution may appear at the
hearing personally or through counsel;
``(ii) the institution may provide an oral
and written presentation at the hearing;
``(iii) the panel may ask questions of any
person participating in the hearing;
``(iv) the hearing may not involve--
``(I) taking testimony;
``(II) a cross-examination; and
``(III) discovery;
``(v) the hearing shall not be governed by
formal rules of evidence; and
``(vi) the panel shall have a verbatim
transcript of the hearing prepared.
``(5) Recommendation by panel.--
``(A) In general.--A panel making a recommendation
on an appeal under this subsection shall make the
recommendation not later than--
``(i) 90 days after the date on which the
appeal was referred by a head of supervision
under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) or appealed by an
institution after a denial under paragraph
(2)(A); or
``(ii) if the institution requested a
hearing under paragraph (4), 60 days after the
date on which the hearing concluded.
``(B) Form of recommendation.--The panel may
recommend--
``(i) that the material supervisory
determination be continued, terminated, or
otherwise modified; or
``(ii) that the material supervisory
determination be remanded to the examiners to
allow the examiners to consider additional
information presented in connection with the
appeal.
``(C) Notice.--After a recommendation is made under
subparagraph (A), the panel shall promptly notify the
institution, the head of supervision of the agency, and
the head of the agency of the recommendation, which
shall contain a statement of the basis for the panel's
recommendation and identify the information on which
the panel relied in reaching the recommendation.
``(D) Publication.--A copy of each panel
recommendation shall be posted on the agency's public
website as soon as practicable, with exempt information
redacted. If the panel determines that redaction is
insufficient to prevent improper disclosure, the
recommendation may be presented in summary form.
``(E) Standard of review.--A panel's review of a
material supervisory determination being appealed under
this subsection shall be de novo.
``(F) No authority to delay or stay orders.--A
panel shall have no authority to delay or stay the
implementation of any formal order from the applicable
agency.
``(6) Review by the head of the agency.--
``(A) Response by institution.--Not later than 15
days after receiving a notice of a recommendation under
paragraph (5)(C), the institution may submit to the
head of the agency written exceptions to the
recommended decision.
``(B) Review by head of the agency.--Not later than
45 days after receiving a notice of a recommendation
under paragraph (5)(C), the head of an agency shall
review such decision and either ratify or reject the
panel's decision.
``(C) Review may not be delegated.--A review by the
head of an agency under this paragraph may not be
delegated to any other employee of the agency and, in
the case of an agency that is headed by a body made up
of multiple individuals, all such individuals shall
participate in the review.
``(D) Reports to congress.--The Federal banking
agencies and the National Credit Union Administration
shall each, not later than 90 days after the end of
each calendar year, issue a report to the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate describing the actions taken by the agency
under this paragraph during such calendar year,
including information on each of the panel decisions
reviewed, after redacting any confidential supervisory
information.
``(E) Publication.--A copy of each decision by the
head of the agency under this paragraph shall be posted
on the agency's public website as soon as practicable,
with any information identifying the appealing
institution redacted. If the head of the agency
determinates that redaction is insufficient to prevent
improper disclosure, the decision may be presented in
summary form.
``(7) Right to judicial review.--An institution shall have
the right to petition for review of an agency head's decision
under paragraph (6) by filing a petition for review not later
than 60 days after the date on which the decision was made in
the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit or the circuit in which the institution is located.
``(8) Retaliation prohibited.--The Federal banking agencies
and the National Credit Union Administration may not--
``(A) retaliate against an insured depository
institution or insured credit union, or a service
provider or institution-affiliated party of an insured
depository institution or insured credit union, for
exercising rights under this subsection; or
``(B) delay or deny any agency action that would
benefit an insured depository institution or insured
credit union, or a service provider or institution-
affiliated party of an insured depository institution
or insured credit union, on the basis that a matter
under this section is pending under this section.
``(9) Definitions.--With respect to the appeal of a
material supervisory determination under this subsection:
``(A) Agency.--The term `agency' means the Federal
agency, either a Federal banking agency or the National
Credit Union Administration, that made the material
supervisory determination.
``(B) Institution.--The term `institution' means
the company, either an insured depository institution
or an insured credit union, with respect to which the
material supervisory determination was made.''.
SEC. 403. REVIEW OF RESOLUTION ACTIONS RESULTING IN A MATERIAL LOSS.
Section 38(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1831o(k)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Review of resolution actions by corporation inspector
general.--
``(A) In general.--If the Deposit Insurance Fund
incurs a material loss with respect to an insured
depository institution, the inspector general of the
Corporation shall--
``(i) review the Corporation's resolution
of the institution to determine whether the
material loss to the Deposit Insurance Fund
could have been avoided by the Corporation when
resolving the institution; and
``(ii) make a written report to the
Corporation and the Congress containing the
results of such review and any recommendations
for preventing a material loss to the Deposit
Insurance Fund in the future when resolving an
institution.
``(B) Testimony to congress.--If the inspector
general of the Corporation determines, in a review
carried out under subparagraph (A) that the
Corporation's resolution of an institution caused a
material loss to the Deposit Insurance Fund, but such
resolution could have been carried out in a manner to
avoid such a material loss, the Chairperson of the
Corporation shall testify before the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate to explain why the material loss
occurred.''.
TITLE V--REVIEW OF DISCOUNT WINDOW OPERATIONS
SEC. 501. REVIEW OF DISCOUNT WINDOW OPERATIONS.
Section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 241 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph (11); and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) Review of discount window operations.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this paragraph, the Board of
Governors shall commence a review of the discount
window lending programs of the Federal reserve banks
(the `discount window'), and shall complete such review
not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of
this paragraph.
``(B) Contents.--The review required by
subparagraph (A) shall include a consideration of--
``(i) the effectiveness of the discount
window in providing liquidity to financial
institutions, including in times of financial
stress;
``(ii) whether the technology
infrastructure, including means of
communications, are sufficient to support the
timely provision of liquidity, including in
times of financial stress;
``(iii) the effectiveness of cybersecurity
measures;
``(iv) the effectiveness of communications
between Federal reserve banks regarding
discount window operations;
``(v) the effectiveness of the Board of
Governors in providing oversight of the
discount window;
``(vi) how the discount window interacts
with other providers of liquidity, including
the Federal Home Loan Banks, during both normal
operations and times of financial distress; and
``(vii) the effectiveness of existing
discount window operating hours and whether
such hours should be expanded, taking into
account the interaction between discount window
operating hours and the operating hours of
payment systems of the Board of Governors and
Federal reserve banks, such as FedWire and
FedNow.
``(C) Public comment.--In carrying out the review
required by subparagraph (A), the Board of Governors
shall provide the public with an opportunity to comment
on the effectiveness of discount window operations and
to offer suggestions for improving operations.
``(D) Remediation plan.--After completing the
review required by subparagraph (A) and considering any
public comments received pursuant to subparagraph (C),
the Board of Governors shall develop, and approve by a
vote of the Board of Governors, a written plan to
remediate any identified deficiencies or areas for
enhancing effectiveness of the discount window, which
shall include--
``(i) an identification of actions that the
Board of Governors will take to remediate those
deficiencies;
``(ii) timelines and milestones for
implementing the plan and measures to
demonstrate how the Board of Governors will
maintain implemented improvements on an ongoing
basis; and
``(iii) measures of managing and
controlling deficiencies until the plan is
implemented in full.
``(E) Report to congress on review and plan.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 365 days
after the date of enactment of this paragraph,
the Board of Governors shall, after approval by
a vote of the Board of Governors, submit a
report to the Committee on Financial Services
of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate containing--
``(I) the findings of the review
required by subparagraph (A); and
``(II) the remediation plan
required by subparagraph (D).
``(ii) Consultation.--Before submitting the
report required by clause (i), the Board of
Governors shall--
``(I) provide a copy of the
proposed report to the Comptroller
General of the United States and the
Inspector General of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System
and the Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection; and
``(II) provide the Comptroller
General and Inspector General with an
opportunity to provide feedback on the
report.
``(iii) Testimony.--The Chairman of the
Board of Governors shall testify before the
Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate with
respect to the contents of the report required
under this subparagraph.
``(F) Annual reports to congress.--
``(i) Reports by the board.--The Board of
Governors shall submit an annual report to the
Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate
containing a review of the effectiveness of
discount window operations.
``(ii) Reports by the inspector general.--
The Inspector General of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of
Consumer Financial Protection shall submit an
annual report to the Committee on Financial
Services of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate containing a report on
the progress of the Board of Governors in
implementing the remediation plan required by
subparagraph (D).
``(G) Confidential report information.--Any report
required under this paragraph may contain a
confidential annex containing information that details
any cybersecurity deficiencies or any deficiencies
which, if made public, could cause financial
instability.''.
TITLE VI--SMALL BANK HOLDING COMPANY RELIEF
SEC. 601. CHANGES REQUIRED TO THE SMALL BANK HOLDING COMPANY AND
SAVINGS AND LOAN HOLDING COMPANY POLICY STATEMENT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall revise
appendix C to part 225 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations
(commonly known as the ``Small Bank Holding Company and Savings and
Loan Holding Company Policy Statement''), to raise the consolidated
asset threshold under that appendix to $10,000,000,000 for any bank
holding company or savings and loan holding company.
Union Calendar No. 651
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8337
[Report No. 118-788]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal banking laws to improve the safety and soundness
of the United States banking system, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 3, 2024
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed