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The FDIC, OCC, and FRB are requesting comment on a proposal that would lower the community bank leverage ratio (CBLR) requirement for certain community banking organizations and also extend the length of time that such a community banking organization can remain in the CBLR framework while being below the CBLR requirement.

Statement of Need:

The FDIC, the OCC, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) expect to issue a rule to lower the minimum Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) requirement from 9 percent to 8 percent and extend the length of time that certain institutions can remain in the framework while not meeting the qualification criteria from two quarters to four quarters, subject to a limit of eight quarters in any five-year period.  This change would promote additional uptake of the framework, thus simplifying capital treatment for hundreds of banks, and well as reducing capital requirements. The agencies identify two main benefits for the proposed changes to the CBLR framework.  First, by expanding eligibility and extending the grace period, the proposal would enable more community banking organizations to benefit from the regulatory cost savings provided by the CBLR framework.  Second, the reduced CBLR requirement would provide community banking organizations that are currently participating in the CBLR framework with the capacity to expand their balance sheets, which could lead to increased lending to the communities served by these banking organizations.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

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Alternatives:

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Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

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Risks:

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